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Rui

In the Gyeulcheon gardens, the Dokkaebi emperor stares at the scroll crumpled in his hands. The ink, still fresh, drips down his fingers like blood onto the withered plants below. Amidst the war, there has been nobody to tend to the once-vibrant grounds. The tall hedges are nothing but skeletons, the flowers slumped over in defeat, all color leached from their petals. Even the jade fountain in the center is ruined; it spills dirt and dust instead of the sparkling azure water it should. Rui sits on the edge of that fountain as a litany of curses runs through his mind.

The missive was delivered to him in the mouth of a panting Bulgae, sent by the divine twins. They will be making their way here, tonight. The purpose of their visit is clear. Their Bulgae failed to stop the Prophecy, and Rui lost Wyusan. So tonight, he is to be their sacrificial lamb. Dalnim has apparently put aside her unwillingness to directly raise a hand to her own descendant. How thoughtful of them, to give him this time to primp and preen himself for his own death. How vain they think him.

Fingertips lighting blue with blue fire, Rui burns the scroll to ashes. This will yield…complications.

Significant complications.

For it is not yet time.

Rui tilts back his head, staring at his moons. They glow softly in the night sky, their crescents almost resembling mocking smiles. Everything is falling apart. He can feel his soldiers’ schemes: more than half of them, they too want to kill him, if only to kill the Prophecy. They have begun to chafe underneath their orders, and no amount of silvertongued speeches can soothe their ire. Sitting here, he would be a prime target for one of their assassination attempts, if not for their fear of his fire. Rui’s lips twist bitterly.

And then he gasps.

The red thread stitched to his heart has suddenly appeared, giving him a frantic yank. Eyes widening, Rui leaps to his feet, half expecting the Prophecy to impossibly appear in Gyeulcheon, but when the gardens remain empty and quiet, he knows it is someone else calling to him.

His Lina.

And as pain begins to wash over his body, he knows that she is in trouble.