Red ran through the night, racing back to their small courtyard, every muscle screaming with exhaustion. His breath came in ragged gasps, and the cool night air stung his lungs. At the gate, Snow was sitting, hugging a small cloth and staring into space. The moment she saw Red, covered in blood, she practically sprang to her feet, her ears trembling.
"Red! What happened to you?" Snow ran forward, grabbing him tightly, her voice shaking as tears welled in her eyes.
Red took a deep breath, forcing a weak smile despite the pain. "I'm fine… as long as I can still run, that means I'm alive."
"Stop saying nonsense!" Snow's eyes immediately filled with tears, and she pressed herself closer. "Tell me what happened! Did… did they hurt you?"
Red pulled her gently into his arms and whispered, "Elder Tengfei tried to take the tower. I resisted… I almost didn't make it. Lingyao stayed behind to hold him off so I could escape."
Snow's ears practically stood on end. "Then what do we do now? Will Qingli Manor chase us?"
Red nodded grimly. "Yes, and they will follow quickly. We don't have much time."
Snow tightened her grip on his wounded hands. "Then we have to leave immediately! Anywhere, as long as we're safe!"
Red looked at her anxious, determined face. He remembered Lingyao's warning. His voice was calm but firm. "Snow, we cannot just run anywhere. We need to go somewhere Elder Tengfei cannot reach quickly, somewhere he will not even know how to find for months."
Snow paused, thinking, then her eyes suddenly lit up. "Jin'ao Island!"
Red blinked. "How did you think of that?"
Snow leaned closer, lowering her voice like sharing a secret. "We heard about it in the city. Jin'ao Island is beyond the Five Continents, a secret maritime realm. Normally it's open only to wandering cultivators, trading caravans, and travelers. The sea arrays there are extremely complex. Without guidance from the island, no one can enter."
Red nodded, considering it. "It is indeed a good place. Qingli Manor's influence cannot reach that far. Even if Elder Tengfei uses every connection he has, it would take months to locate the entrance."
Snow hugged him tighter. "Then we go there! Jin'ao Island has markets and cultivation resources. We can start over, together."
Red's chest warmed as he looked into her bright, determined eyes. "Alright, we'll go."
Snow helped him inside, worry still etched across her face. "We need to pack our things quickly, and you have to treat your wounds first. If you make it to the coast with injuries like that, I will eat my own ears."
Red chuckled softly despite the pain. "Then I definitely cannot let you eat your ears."
The night wind lifted their clothes as the two small figures packed under the dim glow of the oil lamp. Snow folded the few changes of clothes they had, wrapped their dried food carefully, and tucked away her small Red doll. The glowing tower rested gently in Red's arms, its faint light pulsing as if aware of the danger they had just escaped.
"Do you think it will be okay?" Snow asked softly, glancing at the tower.
Red looked down at her. "It chose me. That means it trusts me. And as long as we stick together, nothing can stop us."
Snow's ears twitched, and a small smile broke through the tension. "You always say that. But I believe you, Red. You're so strong… even if you pretend not to be."
Red reached up and ruffled her fur, his heart aching at the worry in her eyes. "I have to be strong. Not just for me, but for you too."
They moved quietly toward the edge of the courtyard, avoiding the moonlight as much as possible. The faint sounds of the night, the rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the gentle lapping of the nearby stream seemed sharper now, as if warning them of every step.
Snow adjusted the strap of the bag holding their meager supplies. "Do you remember what Lingyao said about the sea arrays on Jin'ao Island?"
Red nodded. "They are extremely intricate. Without someone on the island guiding us, we could easily get lost or worse, trapped by the currents. We have to be careful once we reach the coast."
Snow shivered slightly at the thought, but her grip on Red's hand tightened. "We can do it. Together."
Red smiled faintly, despite the pain in his body. "Yes. Together."
They set off at a steady pace, Red supporting some of his own weight with careful steps, the tower cradled carefully in his arms. Snow stayed close, keeping one paw on his back to help steady him. The night air grew colder as they moved away from the safety of their home, carrying both fear and hope with each step.
"I'll watch your back," Snow whispered. "You don't have to carry all of this alone."
Red shook his head slightly. "No. This is my responsibility. I promised to protect it, and I promised to protect you. Nothing else matters right now."
The moon rose higher, casting long shadows across the forest path. They walked through the darkness, the faint glow of the tower illuminating their way just enough to avoid the worst obstacles. Branches scratched at their fur, but neither faltered.
Red's thoughts drifted to everything they had lost and gained over the past months. The struggle to earn their first funds, the cautious steps through the city, the long nights of planning and hard work, all of it had led them here. And now, with the tower awakened and Elder Tengfei in pursuit, they had to rely on each other more than ever.
Finally, after hours of walking, they reached the outskirts of the forest where the land sloped gently down toward the coast. The faint scent of salt in the air reached them, carried by the wind across the waves. Snow's ears perked up, her tail flicking with excitement.
"We're almost there," Red whispered, his voice hoarse. "Once we reach Jin'ao Island, we can start over. We'll be safe."
Snow squeezed his paw tighter. "Yes. As long as we are together, anywhere can be home."
The first hints of dawn painted the horizon with soft gold and pink hues. The waves glimmered in the light, and in the distance, the faint outline of Jin'ao Island could just be seen. It promised new beginnings, a place to heal, and a place to grow stronger together.
Red looked down at Snow and smiled through the pain. "We made it this far. Nothing will stop us now."
Snow leaned against him, feeling the warmth of his fur and the steady beat of his heart. "I believe you, Red. Let's go home."
Red tightened his hold on the tower, feeling its quiet pulse of energy, and whispered, "Home is wherever we are together."
The two small figures continued toward the coast, their hearts set on Jin'ao Island, carrying with them their hope, their courage, and the bond that would see them through the trials ahead. The wind carried the scent of the sea, the promise of adventure, and the quiet determination of a fox and a rabbit who would face whatever the world had in store, side by side.