Chapter 16: Black Symbols in the Smoke
The night burned crimson.
From the highest tower, Mei Xiao could see flames flickering near the northern wall. Shadows moved like phantoms, quick and silent, and the warning bell didn't stop ringing.
She tightened the sash of her robe, heart pounding. "What kind of enemy floats, exactly?"
Murong Jing He was already strapping a long blade to his back. "One who doesn't need legs to destroy you."
She raised an eyebrow. "Reassuring."
He gave her a look. "Stay here."
"No."
"You don't have a weapon."
"I am the weapon," she said flatly.
He paused at that. Not in disbelief—but something else. Respect. Maybe a flicker of fear.
Before they could argue further, a sudden wind blasted through the corridor, snuffing out every lantern in an instant. The air grew cold. Mei Xiao shivered.
Then came the voice.
> "Phoenix. You've awakened too soon."
It wasn't shouted. It was barely a whisper. But it echoed in her bones.
Jing He stepped in front of her instinctively, hand on the hilt of his blade. "Reveal yourself."
From the shadows emerged a cloaked figure. His face was hidden, but a single black symbol burned across his forehead — the same one Mei Xiao had seen glowing on the scroll… just in reverse.
A mirror sigil.
The stranger tilted his head. "Still protecting her, Murong Jing He? Or protecting what she carries inside?"
Mei Xiao narrowed her eyes. "You know me."
"I knew her. But you… you're incomplete. Cracked. Still human." The figure took a step closer. "Easy to break."
She clenched her fists. The fire stirred in her blood again — faint, but hot.
Jing He drew his blade. "One more step and you'll find out how human she really is."
The figure paused. Then smiled beneath his hood. "Let's see how long you can protect her… before she becomes something you can't control."
With a gust of smoke and wind, the figure vanished — leaving behind nothing but ash and the scent of burnt feathers.