ThemsuncastagoldenglowoverthevilgeasSukieandHanFenglingpreparedfortheday，sjourheyhadreceivedwordthattheDarkLord，sforcesweregatheringinanearbyregion，andtheyoscouttheareaandgatherintelligehevilgerswatchedthemwithamixofadmirationand，theirhopesrestingontheshouldersofthebraveduo.

Astheysetout，theairwasfilledwiththestofbloomingflowersandthesoundofrustlingleaves.SukiewalkedbesideHanFengling，herheartbeatingwithamixtureofexcitementandtrepidation.Sheghim，hisstrongprofileoutlinedagainstthemlight，aasurgeofgratitudeforhisunwaveringpresence.

＂Areyoureadyforthis?＂HanFenglingasked，hisvoicegefilledwithresolve.

Sukienodded，hereyesmeetinghis.＂AsreadyasI，lleverbe.Withyoubymyside，IfeellikeIfaything.＂

Hesmiled，reagouttotakeherhand.＂We，llgetthroughthistogether，Sukie.Wealwaysdo.＂

Theirjourookthemthroughdenseforestsandacrossrockyterrain，thendscapegingastheyventureddeeperiory.Thefurthertheywent，themoretheatmosphereshifted，beingdarkerandmoreforeboding.Thetreesseemedtocloseinarouheirbranchesreagoutlikeskeletalfingers.

Astheywalked，Sukiecouldn，tshakethefeelingthattheywerebeingwatched.Shegncedoverhershoulder，buttherewasnothingthere.Justthewhisperofthewindaantcallsofunseeures.

＂HanFengling，＂shesaidsoftly，hervoigedwithunease.＂Doyoufeelthat?Likewe，rebeingfollowed?＂

Hefrowned，hiseyessingthesurroundings.＂Yes，Isetoo.Weobecautious.＂

Theytinuedonward，theirsensesheightened，everysoundandmovementputtingthemohetensioweenthemalpable，asilentuandingpassiweehattheyostayvigint.

Astheynearedaclearing，Sukieheardarustlinginthebushes.Shetensed，herhandmovingtothehiltofhersword.HanFenglingpcedareassuringhandonhershoulder，histouchgroundingher.

＂Stayclose，＂hewhispered，hisvoicebarelyaudible.

Theymovedforward，ingclosertothesourceofthesound.Suddenly，afigureburstfromtheunderbrush，stum