Fang and Taio rushed Syaoran into the palace, his body limp in their arms. Blood soaked his clothes, and his breathing was faint.
They laid him gently on the bed.
"Taio, go—call the physician and inform the Queen immediately!" Fang said urgently, her voice shaking. "Hurry!"
Taio nodded and sprinted down the corridor.
Within moments, the Queen arrived, her eyes widening in horror at the sight of her son. She dropped to her knees beside the bed, hands trembling.
"Syaoran… no…" she whispered. "The Queen turned to Fang, eyes brimming with tears." "Fang, what happened to him? He was perfectly fine when he left the palace! How did this happen?!"
Fang couldn't speak. Her lips trembled, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Her body shook with grief and fear.
Taio stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty… it was Lucian's men. They ambushed him. He fought to protect us."
The Queen's eyes flashed with fury and pain. She turned to the physician, who was already examining Syaoran's pulse. A few seconds later, the physician dropped to his knees, lowering his head.
"My Queen… His Majesty's energy is completely drained. He has no powers left."
The Queen's legs gave way, and she gripped the edge of the bed. "No… No, there must be something we can do! Please, save him!"
The physician shook his head solemnly. "I've tried everything. But without a source of energy… there is nothing more I can do."
With that final blow, the Queen fainted.
Fang stood frozen, staring at Syaoran's pale face. Her heart raced. There must be a way… there has to be.
Suddenly, a memory flashed in her mind.
A full moon night… Syaoran collapsing in the garden… a single drop of her blood reviving him.
Without hesitation, she stood up, grabbed the sword from Taio's belt, and sliced her palm. Blood dripped from her hand, crimson and warm.
Despite the pain, she held her hand over Syaoran's lips. The blood fell slowly onto his mouth, staining it red.
The room was silent.
Then—he coughed.
The Queen stirred at the sound and blinked awake. She rushed to his side as the physician quickly rechecked his pulse.
"Your Majesty… his pulse is strong," the physician said in disbelief. "Not only has he recovered… he has regained his full power—no… more than before."
The Queen gasped. "He's… stronger?"
The physician nodded. "Yes, my Queen. I will prescribe rest and medicine, but… this recovery is nothing short of a miracle."
"Thank you," the Queen said, still dazed.
The physician shook his head. "Don't thank me, Your Majesty. Thank her," he said, gesturing to Fang. "Her blood saved him."
He bowed and left.
The Queen turned to Fang, tears brimming in her eyes. "You saved my son. Thank you, Fang."
Fang knelt. "It was nothing, my Queen."
"But how did you know your blood could help him?" the Queen asked gently.
Fang looked down. "I didn't, not for sure. But one night, during a full moon, I found him collapsed. I pricked my finger without thinking, and… just a single drop made him stronger."
The Queen stared at her, astonished.
Just then, Syaoran stirred again and opened his eyes. He looked to his right—his mother—and then to his left.
"Where's… Fang?" he asked weakly.
Fang stood, smiling softly. "I'll bring you something to eat."
As she walked out, the Queen turned to her son. "Syaoran, are you alright? How do you feel?"
He slowly sat up, wincing. "I'm okay. Lucian's men ambushed us. I tried to fight, but…"
"I know," the Queen said. "You don't need to explain now. Just rest. We'll deal with Lucian soon."
Syaoran's eyes suddenly widened. "Wait… where is Fang? Is she hurt?"
The Queen touched his hand gently. "She's fine. Actually… she's the one who saved your life."
Syaoran froze. "What…?"
"Yes. The physician confirmed it. A few drops of her blood revived you—and even restored more power than you had before."
Syaoran sat up straighter, stunned.
The Queen narrowed her eyes slightly. "Who is she really, Syaoran? Even the palace physician was astonished. Her blood gave you strength beyond measure."
Syaoran looked at her, eyes troubled. "Are you… are you serious?"
"I am."
He hesitated before finally whispering, "Mother… do you remember what Grandfather once said? When he first saw Fang, he told me… 'This girl carries the power of the gods.'"
The Queen's eyes widened. "He did say that…"
"And he was right," Syaoran said quietly. "I've known for a while, Mother. But I kept it from her. I'm afraid that if she finds out what she truly is… it'll burden her. It's better this way. Please—don't tell anyone. Not even her."
The Queen placed a hand over her mouth in shock, then nodded slowly. "Very well… for now, I'll keep your secret."
Just then, Fang returned with a tray of food in her hand—only to pause at the doorway.
She had overheard everything.