The night air crackled with tension as Shen Haoyu's sword arced toward the lost heir. Time seemed to slow. Instinct screamed at them to move, but their body hesitated—just for a breath, just long enough for the gleaming steel to come dangerously close.
He's serious.
At the last second, the guide lunged, yanking the heir backward. The prince's blade cut through empty air, grazing the fabric of their cloak.
"Prince Haoyu," the guide said coldly, stepping in front of the heir. "If you wanted to talk, you chose an interesting way to start."
Haoyu didn't lower his sword. His eyes, dark as storm clouds, locked onto the heir. "If they truly are the heir, they should be able to defend themselves."
The heir's breath was unsteady, adrenaline pounding through their veins. "You expect me to fight you?"
Haoyu tilted his head slightly. "I expect you to survive."
Without another word, he lunged again.
This time, the heir reacted. Instinct took over, and they barely managed to dodge, stumbling as their boots scraped against the stone platform. Haoyu didn't relent—his strikes were controlled, precise, pushing them to move faster. It wasn't just an attack. It was a test.
He's measuring me.
The heir gritted their teeth. If he wanted proof of their strength, they wouldn't run.
Snatching a fallen branch from the ground, they blocked his next strike. The impact sent vibrations up their arms, but they held firm. Haoyu raised an eyebrow, impressed but not satisfied.
"Better," he admitted. "But not enough."
Before he could strike again, the guide stepped between them, drawing their own weapon.
"That's enough," they said sharply. "This is not a game, Prince Haoyu."
Haoyu exhaled, finally lowering his sword. His expression didn't change, but something in his gaze softened. "It never was."
The heir glared at him. "Why are you really here?"
He wiped his blade clean before answering. "To see if the rumors were true. To see if the lost heir was still worth saving."
The words hit harder than the sword ever could.
The heir clenched their fists. "And? Have you decided?"
A long silence stretched between them. Haoyu finally sheathed his sword and turned away. "Not yet."
He walked toward the shadows, his form blending into the night. Just before he disappeared, his voice carried back to them.
"The empire doesn't forgive ghosts from the past. You should be careful."
And then he was gone.
The heir stood frozen, heart pounding as Haoyu's warning echoed in their mind.
They weren't just running from their past anymore.
Now, someone else was watching. Waiting.