The night was cold, and the wind carried the scent of burning torches as Yuexin stumbled through the dense forest. Her heart pounded, and her legs ached from hours of running. Behind her, the shouts of the king's assassins pierced the darkness.
"Stop her! Do not let her escape!" the guards' voices echoed through the trees.
Yuexin clutched the crimson sash around her waist, her only reminder of the life she had lost. Betrayed by her own blood, she could trust no one. Every snap of a branch, every rustle in the underbrush made her flinch.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed in front of her—a wall of black armor, glinting under the moonlight. Yuexin froze. Was this another assassin?
"Run!" a deep voice commanded. Before she could react, a swift hand grabbed her, pulling her behind a rock. The shadow moved with uncanny speed, taking out the approaching assassins one by one.
Yuexin's breath caught. The warrior was unlike anyone she had ever seen—tall, with eyes that shone like molten silver, and movements so precise they seemed almost unnatural.
"You're hurt," the stranger said, kneeling beside her. He tore a strip from his cloak and wrapped it around her bleeding arm. "If you stay here, they will kill you. Follow me."
Her instincts screamed at her to run, to escape alone—but something in his gaze made her trust him. Without another word, she allowed him to lead her through hidden paths, secret tunnels, and mountain ridges she never knew existed.
Hours passed like minutes. Exhausted, bleeding, and shivering, Yuexin finally collapsed against a tree. The mysterious warrior held her gently, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.
"Who… who are you?" she whispered.
The man's lips curled into a faint smile. "You'll know soon enough. For now, just survive."
As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight illuminated the figure of her savior, still standing vigilant against the rising threat. And in that moment, Yuexin realized her life had changed forever—she was no longer just a princess in hiding; she was a pawn in a game far greater than she could imagine.
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To be continued...