The Hidden Village loomed ahead, shrouded in thick mist that crept like palms among the trees. It changed into an area spoken of most effective in whispers, wherein warriors and wanderers sought safe haven from the Empire's gaze. For Yuan and Zaelis, it changed into a beacon of wish of their grim journey, a short sanctuary from the relentless pursuit of Azryen's forces. But as they approached the outskirts, the air grew heavy with a foreboding silence.

Yuan sensed the anxiety in Zaelis's posture. She changed into silent, her gaze scanning each shadow and department as though looking ahead to the woodland itself to betray them. Kael, who had rejoined them simply earlier than they reached the village, moved with an unsettling calm. His darkish eyes betrayed little emotion, and aleven though he had guided them this far, Yuan's agree with in him remained fragile.

"Stay close," Kael muttered, his voice low. "The Hidden Village isn't as secure because it used to be. Ever for the reason that phrase of Azryen's conquest spread, even this vicinity has been touched through darkness."

Yuan tightened his grip on Yahuo, the Sword of a Thousand Faces resting closely at his side. The blade appeared to pulse with a peculiar energy, as though sensing the anxiety withinside the air. A whisper, faint and sinister, brushed in opposition to the rims of his mind. He should nearly sense the presence of the historic souls trapped in the sword, urgent in opposition to his awareness like shadows determined for release.

As they stepped into the village, Yuan changed into struck through the evaluation among its serene look and the palpable experience of threat that lingered below the surface. The villagers solid cautious glances at them, their faces faded and eyes darting with fear. The typical hum of existence changed into absent; even the kids appeared to experience the burden of unseen threats.

Zaelis observed it too. "Something's incorrect here. I notion this vicinity changed into imagined to be hidden from the Empire's eyes."

Kael nodded grimly. "Azryen has many spies. And with the attraction of power, even the maximum dependable may be tempted to betray."

Yuan's jaw tightened. The concept of betrayal gnawed at him. He couldn't shake the reminiscence of his fallen comrades, of battles fought and bonds damaged through ambition and fear. He knew all too nicely the price of out of place agree with.

"Who are we assembly here?" he asked, seeking to push the mind aside.

"There's a person named Fenris," Kael replied, his gaze constant at the course ahead. "He's a former strategist for the Sinasty Empire, now became rogue. If every body is aware of a way to outmaneuver Azryen's forces, it's him. But he's... complicated."

Yuan frowned. "Complicated how?"

"Let's simply say he's now no longer on this for noble reasons," Kael murmured. "But he's effective. And in instances like those, that's what matters."

They endured via the village till they reached a modest hut at the outskirts, its home windows shuttered and door bolstered with iron bolts. Kael rapped at the door 3 instances in a rhythmic pattern. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a tall, gaunt guy with sharp functions and piercing blue eyes. His gaze flickered over Yuan and Zaelis with a aggregate of disdain and curiosity.

"So," Fenris drawled, his voice like silk over steel, "those are those defying Azryen?"

Yuan felt a prickle of infection however held his tongue. There changed into some thing unsettling approximately Fenris's gaze, as aleven though he should see proper via them, peeling again their layers to reveal their secrets.

"We want your help," Zaelis said, stepping forward. "Azryen's forces are ultimate in. We don't have a lot time."

Fenris smirked, folding his arms. "I'm aware. News travels quickly, even here. But why need to I assist you? What do I advantage from this?"

Yuan's hand twitched in the direction of his sword, however Zaelis located a relaxing hand on his shoulder. She constant Fenris with a regular gaze, her voice firm. "You advantage freedom. The longer Azryen's grip tightens on those lands, the less locations you'll need to hide. Help us prevent him, and you may simply stay to look any other day."

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Fenris raised an eyebrow, seeming mildly amused. "Bold words. But very well. I'll provide my assistance—on one condition."

"And that is?" Yuan asked, his persistence sporting thin.

Fenris leaned forward, his gaze darkish and intense. "You convey a weapon of considerable... interest. The Sword of a Thousand Faces, if I'm now no longer mistaken. I need to examine it. Just for a moment. Allow me that, and I'll assist you."

Yuan's coronary heart skipped a beat, his hand instinctively shifting to the hilt of Yahuo. The concept of letting every person else contact the sword felt wrong, as aleven though he could be surrendering a chunk of his soul. The sword had bonded with him, its electricity intertwined together along with his very being. To component with it, even briefly, regarded unthinkable.

Zaelis sensed his hesitation. "Yuan, you don't need to do this. We can locate any other way."

But Kael stepped forward, his tone calm and rational. "Yuan, if it's a desire among this and going through Azryen's military unprepared, we want all of the assist we will get. Besides, Fenris is simplest asking to examine it. You'll nevertheless have control."

Yuan's grip at the sword tightened, his thoughts racing. He ought to experience the sword pulsing underneath his fingers, as aleven though caution him of the danger. But the faces of his comrades flashed in his thoughts, their sacrifices a stark reminder of what became at stake.

With a heavy heart, he nodded. "Fine. But simplest for a moment."

Fenris's eyes gleamed with a predatory pride as Yuan unsheathed the sword and held it out, its sparkling floor reflecting the dim mild of the hut. As Fenris reached for it, a chilly shiver ran down Yuan's spine, as aleven though the sword itself turned into recoiling from the contact of another.

Fenris's arms brushed the blade, and in that instant, a surge of electricity erupted from the sword. Shadows twisted and writhed round them, filling the room with an oppressive darkness. Yuan staggered returned, his imaginative and prescient blurring as whispers crammed his ears—voices of the historic souls trapped inside the sword, their tormented cries echoing thru his mind.

Fenris's face contorted with shock, his eyes extensive as he stumbled returned, clutching his head. "What... what's this?!"

Yuan seized the sword, pulling it farfar from Fenris with a pressure that despatched the person sprawling. The whispers faded, and the room back to normal, aleven though a chilly sweat clung to Yuan's skin. He should nonetheless experience the lingering presence of the souls inside the sword, their soreness a chilling reminder of the energy he wielded.

Fenris scrambled to his feet, his face pale. "You... you haven't any concept what you're carrying, do you?"

Yuan glared at him, his voice low and steady. "I understand enough. Now, are you going to assist us or not?"

Fenris hesitated, a flicker of worry in his eyes. But after a demanding moment, he nodded. "Very well. I'll maintain my word. But be warned—the energy you wield comes at a cost. The sword hungers, Yuan. And one day, it can eat you."

Yuan stated nothing, sheathing the sword and turning to leave. Zaelis and Kael followed, casting cautious glances at Fenris as they stepped returned into the bloodless night time air. The caution echoed in Yuan's mind, however he driven it aside. He had selected this path, and he could see it thru, regardless of the cost.

As they made their manner out of the village, Yuan couldn't shake the sensation that they have been being watched. Shadows moved at the rims of his imaginative and prescient, slipping thru the bushes like wraiths. Every step felt heavier, the load of the sword urgent down on him, a steady reminder of the darkness he carried.

But because the night time deepened, so did his resolve. He had come too a long way to show returned now.