I turned around.
The crowd parted like a roaring sea, making a path for me.
I didn't want to step into the light just yet.
Not now.
But their voices called my name—echoing, clapping—urging me on.
Well, I thought, it won't hurt to try.
I stepped into the field.
The emperor sat high on his throne, his piercing gaze fixed on me.
His sons watched silently, their eyes sharp as daggers.
I thought,
I could always run away
But no escape came.
They handed me a bow and a quiver full of arrows.
The crowd cheered, eager and loud.
I took my stance, heart pounding.
My opponents smiled warmly, wishing each other luck, friendly and calm—something I envied.
I smiled back, but my hands were already clammy.
The first volley began.
One arrow flew wide, missing the target completely.
The other grazed the edge of the bullseye.
Then, cold sweat broke over me like a storm.A sudden wave of panic exploded inside my chest.I didn't know why.
I tried to steady myself, tried to fight it.
But this was no sword fight—I was a swordswoman, not an archer.
I drew an arrow, aimed, and released.The shot wasn't perfect—it was tight but far from flawless.
The crowd's shouts blurred in my ears.
The next round began.
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine.
I trembled uncontrollably, teeth chattering despite the blazing sun above.
My opponents fared worse, their arrows shaky and untrue.
When my turn came, I whispered to myself, What is wrong with me?
"Calm down" I told myself.
I released the arrow.
It flew—straight into the center.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Lianhua! Lianhua!"Their voices lifted me higher.
I waved weakly.
The round ended—I was in first place.
Not bad, I thought, though the chills lingered.
I tried to catch my breath.
I knew I had to win—of course, I was the best, but even the best had limits.I waited beside the two other finalists, still trembling, but slowly calming.
Then it was my turn.
My opponent was a young man—strong, but too slow for my style.I moved with fluid grace, dodging his strikes with ease.Then I kicked him in the leg.He fell.
Victory.
The crowd roared my name, the noise almost deafening.
But suddenly nausea crashed over me like a tidal wave.
Sweat poured down my face again.
I shouted, "Shit! What's wrong with me?"
My opponent looked concerned.
I asked for a break.
He nodded, respectful.
As I sat,
Raiden's brother appeared.
I bowed.
We had barely spoken before.
"What's happening? Why did you break?" he asked.
"I feel dizzy," I admitted.
"You can leave anytime," he said, voice cold but not unkind.
"No," I said, firm. "I won't give up."
He grinned, a slow, unsettling smile.
Curious, I asked, "When you and Raiden fought, what was that sword technique? Fire came out of your blades."
He laughed."That's becouse...."
I was full of questions,
he said you can ask raiden
WHAT?
but he vanished into the crowd.
Something about him was eerie—yet strangely CREEPY.
Then a booming voice called:"Ladies and gentlemen! The final match is about to begin! The best versus the masked warrior! Lianhua versus The Masked Man!"
I stood, preparing.
The emperor wished me luck.I bowed.
Raiden looked at me, worry etched on his face.
I ignored him.
He could be so irritating.
My opponent stepped forward—tall, masked, his presence shadowy and cold.
We bowed.
The fight began.
His strikes were fierce, almost brutal. I dodged, parried, moving with every ounce of strength I had left. He seemed to know my style—anticipating my moves.
Then, finally, I landed a blow. He staggered back, still silent.
But heat flushed my body, and dizziness swirled again.I heard shouting—my name—voices calling out.
What is happening to me?
I didn't notice him closing in.
His blade cut deep into my arm.
Blood ran down my skin.
I collapsed.
He straddled me, eyes cold.
"Okay, you win," I whispered, weak.
But then he leaned close, his breath cold on my ear."I'm not done yet."
A voice inside me screamed.
I knew it.
He raised his sword toward my troat.
The crowd fell silent—fear spreading like wildfire.
I had to act.
With trembling legs, I kicked in his belly
He screamed.
I grabbed my sword and threw it.
He ducked.
I looked around.
Most people looked at us strangely and some were shocked when they realized that there was no more game
They seemed unaware the masked man meant to kill me.
Then, unbearable pain exploded inside my head.
I screamed, "What's wrong with me?!"
The man laughed.
At that moment, I heard the truth.
I lunged and grabbed his wrist, ripping off his gloves.
A snake tattoo slithered across his hand.
the men from the watterfall
I shouted, "I knew it! You're from the Black Snakes!"
He laughed again, cold and cruel.
He pulled off his gloves.
It was the man who had kidnapped the girl and vanished by the waterfall.
I screamed, "There you are! Finally, I can kill you!"
Raiden's shock mirrored mine.
But the man said calmly,"Lianhua, did you really think this was a coincidence? The man who invited you to play with
or
the bar owner? The drink you took was poisoned."
I coughed up blood, dizzy, weak.
My body betrayed me—the best swordswoman reduced to helplessness.
The headache pierced through my skull like a dagger.
I fell to the ground, clutching my head.
I screamed—like never before.
The man raised his sword for the killing blow.
But before it struck, a voice shouted:
"Lianhua!"
I rolled, dodging the strike.
I gasped, pain flooding my senses.
A soft, feminine voice whispered in my ear.
I turned—my dead aunt, pale and shimmering.
Fear gripped me.
"Auntie?" I whispered, but she vanished—just an illusion.
The poison was consuming me.
The man advanced again.
I was frozen—helpless.
I closed my eyes—waiting for death.
But then—a sudden shove.
Raiden pushed me away from the sword's path.
We tumbled to the ground.
"Raiden, what's going on?" I asked, voice weak.
The man remained calm.
Raiden shouted,"Brother, throw me my sword!"
The blade flew.
Raiden took it, eyes blazing red.
The man glared, but said nothing.
Raiden knelt beside me."What's wrong?" he asked.
"Poison," I whispered.
He looked grave, headache darkening his face.
The man sneered, "Lianhua, you're lucky. The Black Snakes will kill you."
He fled.
I tried to rise, pain clawing at me.
I grabbed my sword from Raiden's grasp and chased him.
Just before I could strike, a hand caught my blade.
Raiden's eyes—still red—locked with mine.
"Eloula, calm down," he said.
"Let me kill him!" I shouted.
"Not here," Raiden said,
The man vanished around the corner, laughing.
I seethed,"Raiden, what is this? Why are your eyes red? Why didn't you bleed when you touched the blade?"
His red eyes faded, revealing the man I knew beneath.
"Lianhua, please," he begged.
"You should have let me kill him," I whispered.
"You have no idea."
Blood poured from my mouth.
The world blurred.
I collapsed.