The air in the chamber thickened, pressing against Hana like a physical weight. Her brother—Jisoo—stood between her and the exit, his expression unreadable in the dim lantern glow.
"Don't look so shocked," he murmured, stepping closer. "You didn't think you could hide forever… did you, little sister?"
Hana's fingers tightened around her blade.
Little sister.
He said it like a taunt—like a title she had never been worthy of.
"Move," she said coldly.
Jisoo tilted his head. "Still giving orders? Even after you abandoned us?"
"I didn't abandon anyone." Her voice was low, steady. "I escaped."
His eyes narrowed. "Same thing."
He moved closer. Too close. His presence felt like the shadows themselves were bending around him.
Hana shifted her stance. "I won't fight you."
"You won't win," he corrected. "There's a difference."
Her pulse quickened. "What is Nightfall?"
Jisoo's mouth twitched. "You still think you deserve answers."
"I deserve the truth."
"No, Hana." He circled her like a wolf. "You deserve consequences."
---
THE SHADOW OF THEIR FATHER
A heavy silence settled as Jisoo reached behind him and tossed something onto a nearby table.
A mask.
Black metal. Sharp edges. Engraved with the symbol of the Shadow Brand Leader.
Hana's stomach dropped.
"You remember it, don't you?" he asked softly. "Father forged it the night you became his heir."
"I was never his heir."
"Oh, but you were." Jisoo's eyes hardened. "And you threw it away."
Hana took a slow breath. "Why bring me here?"
"Father wants you to return." He paused. "Your skills… your blood… your name… they belong with us."
"No," she said instantly.
"You don't get to decide."
"I already did."
Jisoo's jaw clenched, a flash of something—pain, maybe—breaking through before he masked it again.
"You should have died when you ran," he whispered. "But Father… hopes you can still be corrected."
Hana swallowed. "If he wants me, he should come himself."
Jisoo's smile was cold. "He will. But first… he wanted me to ask."
"Ask what?"
He met her eyes.
"Why did our mother try to hide you from him?"
Hana froze.
Mother?
Hide me?
Jisoo stepped closer. "You don't remember? Or did you choose to forget?"
Her heart hammered. "What are you talking about?"
"Father found her," Jisoo continued. "Found what she planned. Why do you think he raised you differently? Trained you harder? Watched you closer?"
Hana felt the floor tilt beneath her.
"You're lying."
"Am I?" He reached out, brushing dust from the mask. "Everything he did was because she tried to take you from him."
Hana's breath shook.
Her mother—gentle hands, soft voice, lullabies in the dark—had always shielded her. But the Shadow Brand had fed Hana only one story: Mother died quickly. A thief's punishment.
But this…
This was different.
"Why tell me now?" Hana whispered.
"Because Father believes you still have loyalty in you." Jisoo's voice softened, just a fraction. "He always favored you. Even when you betrayed us."
She shook her head. "This is manipulation."
"This is truth."
---
THE AMBUSH
A shout from outside cut through the tension.
"INTRUDER!"
Hana stiffened.
Woojin.
No.
She bolted toward the ventilation gap, but Jisoo blocked her, blade drawn.
"You brought someone?" he hissed.
"No."
"Liar."
Hana slashed first—fast, a killing strike.
Jisoo parried, sparks flying as steel met steel.
"You fight like Father taught you," he muttered.
"I fight how I must."
They clashed again. Hana's blade grazed his arm. He twisted, sweeping her legs, but she flipped midair, landing lightly.
"Hana!" someone shouted from outside. Woojin's voice. Close. Panicked.
Jisoo smirked. "A scholar? Really?"
"Touch him and I'll—"
"You'll what?" He lunged.
Hana countered, fury burning through her veins. "I'll end you."
Their duel moved with deadly rhythm, each knowing the other's techniques too well.
She feinted left—he caught it.
He aimed for her ribs—she blocked it.
She slashed upward—he dodged by inches.
Then—
A CRACK.
A flare of white light erupted through the ventilation gap.
Woojin had crushed the signal charm.
Hana's heart plunged. "No."
Jisoo laughed softly. "Looks like your little companion is about to die."
Hana didn't think—she moved.
She drove her shoulder into Jisoo and sent him stumbling back. Before he could recover, she sprinted for the gap, sliding through and landing hard outside.
She ran.
Branches slashed her arms. Leaves tore at her clothes. Her breath came sharp and rapid.
Woojin.
Woojin.
Woojin.
Her mind screamed his name as her legs pushed faster than she'd ever moved.
She burst into the clearing—
And froze.
---
THE RING OF ASSASSINS
Woojin stood surrounded by at least eight assassins. His dagger trembled in his grip, but he held it high, refusing to kneel or retreat.
His eyes found hers instantly.
Relief flooded his expression. "Hana—"
One assassin kicked him to the ground.
"No." Her voice cracked.
She stepped forward, rage surging like fire—
But Jisoo landed beside her, grabbing her wrist with iron strength.
"Not another step," he warned.
"Let him go."
"I can't."
Hana trembled with fury. "He has nothing to do with this."
"He has everything to do with this," Jisoo replied calmly. "You brought him. You care for him. That makes him leverage."
Hana's breath shook violently.
Jisoo raised his hand toward the circle of assassins. "Break one of his arms."
"No!" Hana lunged—
But Jisoo's grip tightened around her waist, locking her in place.
"Hana," he murmured in her ear, "choose wisely. Fight us… and he dies. Come home… and Father may show mercy."
Her body went cold.
Woojin met her gaze from the ground—pain in his eyes, but something stronger behind it.
Don't give in.
His look said it.
He believed she was stronger.
But the assassins stepped closer to him.
Jisoo counted softly.
"One…"
"Two…"
Hana's mind raced.
She had three choices.
All terrible.
All dangerous.
Her fingers twitched toward her hidden blade.
She made her decision.
And she moved.