Whispers Of The Blue Moon

The grass was damp beneath Fiona as she collapsed, coughing blood once again. Her trembling fingers clutched the earth, trying to ground herself through the searing pain. The world spun.

Above, storm clouds broke in the sky—and Ren saw her.

Without hesitation, Ren whispered a soft incantation in the ancient tongue of Heaven. His silver eyes glowed faintly as he rushed forward, sweeping Fiona into his arms with ease. In a shimmer of blinding white light, they vanished from the mortal field, leaving nothing but the echo of wind.

Dylan's hand still gripped Irin's shoulder tightly. His touch, though not cruel, held a confusing mix of desperation and force. Irin's eyes blazed with fury and humiliation. With all her strength, she shoved him back.

"You're a pervert!" she shouted, voice cracking. "Don't ever touch me like that again!"

Dylan's hand fell away.

Before he could respond, Irin turned and fled into the shadows of..Magical forest. Her footsteps echoed like thunder in his chest. Xizi, quickly followed her without a word.

Ruther approached Dylan then, arms folded and expression unreadable.

"Why did you kiss her?" he asked flatly.

Dylan rolled his eyes and muttered, "If I didn't… Ren would've taken her from here already."

Ruther blinked, processing." but still—why her?"

Dylan's gaze hardened. He turned his face away, his jaw tightening.

Ruther gave a humorless laugh. "Ah. I get it. If Ren thought she stayed here on her own… he wouldn't try to bring her back."

Dylan said..."She's the key to my revenge. I won't lose her."

---

In the Fairy Village – Great Heaven Realm

Fiona lay in bed, pale and fragile. Beside her stood Ren, his palm hovering above her chest as radiant light poured from his hand into her heart.

After minutes of silent healing, Fiona stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, only to be met with Ren's serious expression and the tense stillness of the room.

She sat up suddenly, eyes wild.

"Why did you bring me back? Where's Irin?!"

Ren didn't flinch. "She's not… our Irin anymore."

Fiona's stare sharpened. "What are you talking about?"

Ren hesitated, then added, "Didn't you see? Dylan kissed her. And she didn't fight it. She's staying there willingly."

Fiona gritted her teeth. **"Stop it! You know nothing about Irin! She's not like that—she's helpless! She didn't kiss him—he forced her. She's trapped and you're just… assuming things?!"

Ren looked away, guilt flickering across his face.

Fiona lowered her voice, then said softly, "…She likes someone else."

Ren's eyes shot back to her. "What? Who?"

Fiona fell silent, remembering Irin's words long ago:

> "Don't tell anyone… but I love someone."

Fiona shook her head. "Forget it. It doesn't matter. But I know this—she's not like that demon."

---

In the Study Room – Blue Moon Palace

Dylan stood alone, flipping through ancient scrolls. A few guards entered, holding a wrapped bundle of papers.

"Did you find it?" he asked, curious.

They handed him the drawings. He unrolled them—his eyes fixed on one sketch.

A lily tattoo.

The image matched the mysterious mark on Irin's left hand exactly.

Dylan murmured, more to himself than anyone else, "The tattoo… and this image. They're the same…"

But then his brows furrowed. "So why hasn't the tattoo activated yet?"

The guards nodded respectfully and left. Ruther burst into the room moments later, clearly anxious.

"My King—Xizi said Irin hasn't returned to the palace yet."

Dylan froze. "…What?"

His heart thudded once in alarm. Where could she have gone?

---

In the Magical Forest – Blue Moon Kingdom

Tears welled in Irin's eyes as she wandered the misty woods alone. Her cheeks still burned from that humiliating moment with Dylan.

"Coward. Pervert. Idiot…" she muttered. "Why did he do that…? What will Fiona and Ren think of me now?"

She shook her head. "Ren… there's nothing between me and him. But Fiona… what will she think?"

A strange shiver ran down her spine. Something was wrong.

She paused.

Something—someone—was following her.

She turned slowly…

Two grotesque demons, green-skinned with four clawed arms, grinned from the trees.

"HELP!" Irin screamed, heart pounding.

They lunged.

But before they could reach her—

A flash of wind tore through the forest. Leaves exploded in every direction.

Dylan appeared out of nowhere like a hurricane, his eyes glowing fiercely. With one arm, he pulled Irin by the waist, lifting her off the ground. His grip was firm on her hip as he leapt, carrying her to safety with ease.

They landed near a mossy cliffside, sheltered by trees.

Irin, breathless, clutched his chest for balance before quickly moving away. Her body trembled, eyes wide.

"You're safe now," Dylan said calmly.

Irin blinked, still in shock. Her eyes scanned the trees for the monsters.

"What… happened to them?"

Dylan smirked and tilted his head. "They won't bother you anymore."

He thought back to the moment he had unsheathed his sword and, in a single slice, removed the demon's head mid-air. A clean kill. No mercy.

Irin stared, speechless. "Wait… tell me. What did you—"

But Dylan was already walking ahead, not turning back.

Irin found herself following him.

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To be continued…

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