Yeong glared at him, her eyes blazing with anger. "You dare speak of salvation of all," she spat, "when you couldn't even save yourself from a single beast?"

Seong flinched.

"You're pathetic," she continued. "If I hadn't intervened, you would be dead. Do you even realize what that means? The Guardian, cowering before a mere animal?"

Seong pushed the leopard's carcass off him, its lifeless body surprisingly light. He scrambled to his feet, his gaze fixed on Yeong.

"You think I didn't know that?" he retorted. "I did it to save you!"

"You save me?" Yeong scoffed.

Her words, sharp and clear, cut through him like a knife. His earlier bravery, his willingness to face death, now seemed foolish and naive in the face of her overwhelming power. He sputtered, unable to form a coherent response. Yeong raised her hand, her fingers clenching into a fist. The leaves and branches around them withered and shriveled, and a thick fog descended, obscuring the forest. She moved her hand, and the fog condensed into water, droplets swirling around Seong's face. He gasped, his vision blurring, his lungs burning. He was drowning, his hands flailing uselessly against the suffocating water. He stumbled and fell, his knees hitting the ground with a thud. He choked, water filling his mouth and nose. Yeong finally released her hold, the water dissipating into the air. Seong coughed and sputtered, his body wracked with shivers. He looked up at Yeong, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and anger.

"What was that?" he gasped. "Who are you!"

"The blood of the Scions carries the power bestowed by Sahngjon," Yeong explained. "Yours does as well. Surely you know this, if you've read the Scripture."

Seong stared at her. He was drenched, his body trembling, his mind reeling.

"But that's..."

"Just a tale from an old book?" Yeong finished for him.

"There are no records of anyone wielding such power since the Founder and the Twelves," Seong said.

"Records?" Yeong scoffed.

Seong was speechless. He had witnessed the power of the Scions with his own eyes – the Crimson Star, the light in Norahn's eyes, and now this. He couldn't understand his own disbelief. He looked away from her piercing gaze.

"I've seen Norahn’s eyes, but," he admitted. "That was... strange. But not like this. This is totally different."

He glanced at the lifeless leopard, the memory of his near-death experience sending shivers down his spine. Yeong reached out, her fingers brushing against his cheek. Seong flinched, instinctively recoiling. Yeong paused, then gently lifted his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze.

"Do not fear your own power," she said. "If you survive, you will need it."

"If I survive?" Seong echoed.

Yeong sighed. "That might be more difficult for you."

Yeong pulled her hand away. "Don't breathe a word of what you saw today," she warned. "I shouldn't have revealed it for such a trivial reason. Your foolish heroics forced my hand."

"If you wanted to keep it a secret, you could have let me die," Seong retorted. "Why save me if you think so little of me?"

Yeong's eyes narrowed, but she didn't reply. She turned to leave, but Seong stepped in front of her, blocking her path. Yeong glared at him, her silence a question. Seong took a deep breath, a desperate gamble forming in his mind.

"Tell me where Hwan is hiding," he demanded.

"Not this again," Yeong sighed, her annoyance evident.

"Tell me where he is," Seong repeated, "and I'll keep your secret."

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A slow smile spread across Yeong's face. "What a terrifying threat," she scoffed.

"Mock me all you want," Seong countered. "I have much to gain by revealing your secret. The four fortresses of Birahng would surrender without a fight if they knew about your power. Wouldn't that be a good plan?"

"Silencing you permanently is also a good plan," Yeong retorted, her eyes narrowing.

"Is it?" Seong asked.

Yeong hesitated, sensing a shift in his demeanor. In a flash, Seong drew his dagger and pressed it against his own throat. Yeong's hand shot out. She grabbed his wrist, the blade stopping just short of his skin.

"Are you insane?" she hissed. "Is recklessness a trait of the royal family?"

Seong's face, still pale with fear, softened slightly. A faint smile touched his lips. "You wouldn't let me die," he said.

"Shut up," Yeong snapped, her grip tightening. "If you try that again, I won't stop you. In fact, I'll kill you myself."

She released his hand. "Why are you so desperate to see him?" she asked.

Seong hesitated. "I know I can't convince him of anything," he said. "And I know it's dangerous. I have people to protect. I won't do anything reckless. I just... I want to see him. That's all."

"You will see him soon enough," Yeong said. "He intends to overthrow you. He will come for you."

"I know," Seong said. He met her gaze, his eyes pleading.

"Please."

The depth of his longing for his brother, a bond she couldn't comprehend, disturbed Yeong. Whether he found Hwan and watched him from afar, or confronted him and was killed, it made no difference to her. But she couldn't deny the desperation in his eyes.

"There's a place on this island," she said, "where black cliffs rise from the sea. That's where Cheon Hwan anchors his ship. I don't know exactly where it is, or how to get there. I've only seen it in visions."

"I think I know the place," Seong mused.

Yeong sighed and turned away. Seong hurried past her, guiding their way back..

Back in the cave, Yeong immersed herself in a small hot spring, the warm water soothing her tired muscles. The Emissaries stood guard outside. Yeong cupped her hand, lifting a handful of water. The droplets rose into the air, forming a shimmering sphere. She moved her fingers, the water droplets dancing and swirling in response. She closed her eyes.

There were two Celestial Scions who carried the blood of the Cheon royal family. There was no reason for her to be concerned for Seong's safety. She had never received a commandment from Sahngjon forbidding her from killing a Scion. The time she had spent observing Seong, a man who showed no signs of being the true Guardian, felt like a waste.

Perhaps I should have let him die.

The memory of that moment, the overwhelming urge to act, to save him from the leopard's claws and fangs, flashed through her mind. It was a strange feeling. It would have been easier to let him die. Yeong shook her head, trying to dispel the unwelcome thoughts.

Seong was becoming a nuisance. The more she interacted with him, the more she felt a strange, unsettling connection. She felt a surge of anxiety, her senses heightened. The water droplets surrounding her evaporated, disappearing into the air. She called out to one of the Emissaries standing guard outside.

"Yes, Guardian Crimson?" the Emissary replied from behind the curtain.

"Fetch the High Emissary Divine. Bring him to my chambers."

The Emissary, following Yeong's orders, searched the prayer rooms and Norahn's chambers, but he couldn't find him. Finally, he located him in the main hall, deep in prayer. The hall was silent, the air thick with incense. Even the soft padding of the Emissary's footsteps seemed to echo through the stillness. Norahn, seated amidst the swirling smoke, opened his eyes. A voice called out from behind him.

"Your Sanctity, the Guardian Crimson requests your presence."

Before he could reply, another sound reached his ears - the distant clang of metal against metal. A soldier hurried into the hall and bowed before him.

"Your Sanctity."

"What is it?"

"The Guardian requests your presence."

Norahn's heart pounded with a sense of foreboding. He considered the implications of these summons, then addressed the soldier.

"Inform the Guardian that I will be there shortly."

Norahn rose and headed towards Yeong's chambers. He announced his presence and entered. Yeong sat on the bed, her posture unusually slumped. Norahn bowed his head respectfully.

"You summoned me."

"Has Sahngjon revealed anything new to you?"

"Not yet," Norahn replied. "May I ask why..."

"If you see anything, anything at all, come to me immediately," Yeong instructed sharply. "Do not hide it from me."

Yeong's abruptness and sharp tone alarmed Norahn. "I heard you went for a walk with the Guardian," he began, his voice hesitant. "Did something happen?"

"Why do you ask?"

"He has summoned me as well."

Yeong's eyes narrowed. "Have you just come from seeing him?"

"I came to see you first."

"When you leave here, return to the Ministry," Yeong commanded. "Do not go to him."

Though confused, Norahn bowed his head in obedience.

"Yes, Your Luminance."

Yeong dismissed Norahn and headed towards Seong's chambers.