JIAN = Double-edged sword

"Yixing... Now?"

I sheathed my sword and shook my head, signalling to the four men dressed in tightly bound black leather and scaled bronze plates to stay hidden behind the blossom trees sheltering us.

Then the candles blew out.

We sprinted as silent as the wind and jumped the Palace walls, sending our bodies flying over the water moats surrounding the royal grounds and into the branches of the imperial garden trees. I looked down as my feet landed on the well-kept flowers and greenery, a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead as my gaze met the Palace. As if he sensed it, the person I trusted the most appeared at my side and gave me an encouraging nod with icy fire in his eyes.

I was reminded of the first time I saw that look.

***

"Why are you here?" he growled with a puzzled gaze, as if he had finally given up sympathising me since I showed up at the rundown hut, "Seriously, kid. It looked like you wanted to fight. You wanted justice for the murder of your parents, but now you're just some lost kid hiding out here for some free shelter. What the hell do you expect to accomplish?"

I stood in silence. This stranger had just punched me in the face with reality. What was I doing? My parents were publicly slain and the other kids there were runaways. I definitely had things to fight for.

I barely choked out my thoughts, "Maybe I can fight someday, I just don't know if I can be the hero and step up when the time comes. I'm afraid, Minghao."

***

"Are you afraid, kid?"

A fire burned in the pit of my stomach. If I had to play "hero" to save lives, I would. I was supposed to save the innocent in this corrupted kingdom with the warriors who have become my family at my side. We were meant to risk our lives so less people died. And I was finally okay with that.

It was my terrifying fate.

A tight grin pulled across my face and I slapped Minghao on the back, "Let's go."

On my cue, two of the warriors had set out to take down the men blocking our way. I rushed forward taking the lead and kicked the jewelled wooden door open, a crash resonating through the air. Minghao and his brother followed me in while our other two friends stood on guard outside the Palace.

Not two minutes later did I hear shouts echoing behind me as I slid around my fifth corner.

"Shit," I cursed angrily, realising the two protecting us outside must have been killed if guards were now following us through the palace.

The King's room had to be around the next corner. I motioned to the others to stick close to the walls so we would appear invisible in the darkness, but one of my friends was too slow and I could hear the whistle of the arrow, the impact, and the guttural scream.

Before I could even wonder who my fallen friend was, I crashed through the golden doors to the royal bedroom, my hands shaking. Deep battle roars rumbled through my bones and lights reflected off of weapons danced on walls. Minghao stood outside the door with his hands clutching the handles, and with a dauntless smile, the doors slammed in my face. My breath came in shaky intervals, knowing my friend would fight for what he believed in even though death was imminent.

I pivoted on my heels and faced the room with a certain desperation. A single candle was lit.

The King screamed as light flickered across his face, backing away into the corner of the room while knocking over a vase. His eyes were wild and his shaking hands were reaching for nothing, "You bastard! How dare you come into my palace! My guards-"

My jian was out within milliseconds, the candlelight reflecting off the double-edged sword and making the room look beautiful despite the dark situation.

"No, no, no," the King kept shaking his head, smiling in denial, "You cannot kill me! You," he smashed the plates and teacups sitting on a small tray, "cannot defy a-"

A deep laughter escaped my throat, freezing the King in place. Unlike what I thought before, I was not at all afraid as I stood in front of the cowering man that had killed so many. And that was really gratifying.

The active metallic clashing outside the room seized and I jumped back to my senses, lunging towards the royal coward and knocking his crown off of his head in the process. He was screaming and thrashing as I held his expensive clothes in my hands, my grip firmly locked.

The doors opened, but it was too late.

My jian plunged downward. I could feel the guards behind me standing as motionless as trees, watching with shock as their leader's eyes glazed over.

I released my white-knuckled grip on the royal robes and slowly stood, pulling my weapon from the body's chest as my heart palpitated inhumanly. In an act of disgust, I flicked the scarlet blood off of my fingertips and sheathed my sword in the process.

I stared numbly at the limp body.

"Pick a worthy king," I spat shakily, just loud enough for the first few men to hear, "or I will return to kill him, too."

Before the men could react, I vanished.

Climbing the palace walls felt so much harder, as if my body were four times the weight it was before. No silent footsteps followed me as I sprinted.

Once outside the royal grounds, I grabbed at my chest: here was a sharp pain throbbing behind my ribcage.

"Are you afraid, kid?"

I choked on a sob, "Yes." 

END