How dare you attack my master!

Zen embraced the anger from the spirit in his blade as the wall before them finally began to crumble. He'd felt Qi suffering through their bond and wasted no more time in seeking him out. Prince Yuen stayed right on his heels as they'd darted through the remaining streets and onto the palace grounds, using small curses here and there to trap anyone who dared try and get in their way.

When they stepped through the opening, curtained by falling dust, he was surprised to see Lee Shaan standing before him.

"The young guard," the larger man said, seemingly confused.

Qi was a few steps away from him, looking just as unsure as Lee Shaan. He snapped out of it quicker, however, and ran forward, wrapping his arms around Zen the second he got close enough. Since the initial danger seemed to have passed, Zen let the possessed blade slip from his fingers, then returned his master's hug with a sigh of relief.

"I'm so glad that you're well, my Zen," Qi whispered as he pressed a kiss to the side of his head.

He heard prince Yuen step a few feet in front of them as they embraced, but Zen couldn't see since he had his face tucked against his master's robe, and he truly did not wish to ever move again.

I am so sorry that you have had to face dangers alone. I will never leave your side again. I am your sword for life.

"I'm afraid that we have more pressing matters than a reunion to attend to," prince Yuen said.

Zen straightened and wiped a stray tear from his eye as his master released him to return his attention Lee Shaan, then stepped up beside his master, right where he should be.

"Lord Lee Shaan, I apologize for our altercation, but I must leave now," Qi said as he gave the man a respectful bow.

Unfortunately, when he straightened, the man's eyes were no longer on him. They were narrowed dangerously upon prince Yuen.

"Do you not know who stands at your side, your highness? That man is responsible for destroying so many lives. He is the fake king of Han's right hand of death... and the one who caused you to lose your memories all those years ago."

He knew? But he never mentioned anything all those years we had visited for peace talks...

"Things would have been easier if that information was never shared, but there is no way around it any longer. Your highness, the man beside you is your greatest enemy," Lee Shaan said, making Zen look between his master and prince Yuen.

They did know that he was a murderer and there was a lot that they needed to discuss after their current situation was resolved, but he was no longer worried about standing beside the man. He had proved himself an ally.

Qi looked taken aback, but he quelled his nerves quickly, as he always did, before straightening his shoulders and raising his head the slightest amount.

"It seems that there is quite a lot going on that I was never partial to. I would appreciate it if we could discuss this situation without our weapons," he said, then looked toward prince Yuen, who had stepped farther ahead of them and slightly in front, clearly ready to defend them both. "I do understand that this man has a great amount of blood on his hands, but he has saved both of us several times, and while I absolutely do not agree with his former practices, I cannot overlook the aid he has provided for myself and my Zen," he added.

Lee Shaan was silent for several long moments as he contemplated his master's words. Zen wished for them to turn and run while the man was lost in thought, but he would not act without his master's approval any longer. He did, however, kneel down and retrieve his blade, then sheath it immediately before returning to his full height.

The action caught his master's curiosity, but he knew that now was not the time to explain the strange change to his weapon. He offered the man a slight nod before they both returned their attention to Lee Shaan. He knew him well from their many trips to the border to negotiate with his tribe. He was an extremely strong curse master, but he preferred to not fight if he could get what he wanted without bloodshed.

Of course, he was more than happy to kill if needed, but his hospitality towards them over the years had definitely been appreciated.

"My patience grows thin, your highness," Lee Shaan warned, making Zen step forward.

He was not sure why the man was threatening them, but he would fight anyone to protect his master... even their old friend from the border.

"Your servant is ever faithful, but you know that he is nothing compared to me," the man said as he slowly began walking forward. "Once I take down the curse master, this fight will be over."

His attention shifted between Zen and prince Yuen, clearly not trusting the latter to remain idle. The man's cautiousness was proven correct as the prince unsheathed his sword and stepped completely in front of him and his master without a single word.

Prince Yuen's action actually made Lee Shaan halt about halfway to them, clearly taking the other curse master seriously.

"False prince Yuen Huang..." he muttered in disgust. "Do not forget the blood of my tribe that has stained your hands. Do not think that because your father has bribed my tribe with riches that I will just ignore a chance for revenge upon his twisted son."

He could not blame him. Many whispers had made it to his ears over the years of the fabled king of Han's silent murderer.

I will take him on alone.

The sudden voice in his mind made Zen frown. He hadn't intended to interfere right away, but he had definitely not intended to just abandon the man to a solo battle, either.

I can help you. You refilled my energy.

He could feel prince Yuen's frustration before he responded again.

I did that so that you could make sure to protect his highness well without me.

Zen's eyes widened slightly at his words.

Without?

Prince yuen glared over his shoulder at him, making Zen scowl back... until he noticed Lee Shaan suddenly charge! Zen darted forward and, in one smooth motion, unsheathed his blade and blocked the attack. His arms nearly buckled from the other man's sheer strength, but thankfully prince Yuen did not hesitate to counterattack immediately.

They managed to force Lee Shaan back using their combined power before prince Yuen let his weapon lower to his side while Zen lifted his sparking, purple blade into a fighting stance. It hummed with rage, but was thankfully keeping itself in check well enough for the moment. He'd let prince Yuen cast a small binding spell on the blade to keep its powers restrained, and thankfully, it seemed to have helped enough to allow him to wield it safely.

I will see to your freedom in time, Xisheng. I know that you have waited many years, but our master is in danger. I must see to his safety first and foremost.

Prince Yuen nudged him abruptly, making Zen snap out of his thoughts just in time to see Lee Shaan begin to rush for them again. It was clear that the man's target was mainly prince Yuen, seemingly ignoring Zen as he lunged for the other man as soon as they split apart to dodge.

"The bloody imposter first!" Lee Shaan yelled as he swung his massive sword. Prince Yuen easily dodged the initial attack, but it seemed like a light blue aura had been imbedded within Lee Shaan's blade. The moment it touched prince Yuen's chest as he dodged the weapon's strike, he saw the man stagger backwards and grasp at his robe, his breath coming out in misty, harsh gasps.

The temperature didn't drop, but...

Prince Yuen quickly swung his blade in a circle before him as Lee Shaan advanced for another attack. The simple barrier did the trick, reflecting the man's power back at him, sending him skidding several yards backwards, caught by surprise.

His blade is deadly, but he rarely strikes true. He prefers to freeze his opponents while expending the least amount of energy and effort, prince Yuen thought to him, making Zen nod and reaffirm his fighting stance.

I want you to take his highness and leave, Zen. I can handle myself against Lee Shaan long enough.

Zen furrowed his brows and frowned. He did not like the sound of long enough.

Remember what you told me earlier. I tore a part of my soul out for you, again. You said that you would behave and not act rashly. Please, take care of the man who is most important to us both, prince Yuen thought to him as he dodged another attack, managing to avoid the frigid mist around the blade this time, too.

"Stand still, you bloody murderer!" Lee Shaan yelled as he sped up his relentless assault.

Zen took a step closer to the fight, but then hesitated and looked back at his master.

Oh no.

Qi was beginning to cast an energy transfer spell. He clearly intended to help prince Yuen, but there was no way he had enough spiritual energy left to make a decent difference. He would only cripple himself too much to escape if things went badly.

Sparing one final glance toward the ongoing fight, Zen squeezed his eyes shut for a brief moment, then turned and hurried back to his master. He took his hand without any further hesitation, breaking Qi out of his trance and canceling his spell.

"Zen? What are you doing?" he asked, clearly surprised that his guard would do such a thing.

When he simply shook his head and began tugging Qi toward the large hole they'd created in the stone wall, the man understood.

"I do not want to run and leave him here to fight Lee Shaan on his own. Zen, he is powerful, but so is his opponent. The fight could go either way if he does not receive help," Qi said as he slowly allowed himself to be pulled from the building.

Zen understood what he was saying and it hurt him to walk away, but he would not disobey his master... nor prince Yuen.

I will take my master far away from here and keep him safe until you return to us.

He did not receive a response, but he did not need one. Prince Yuen had told him to take his master and leave, and so he would. Thankfully, the man's curses were still in affect on their incapacitated enemies as they made their way through the many courtyards and pathways of the palace grounds. They would escape, but the only place that he could think of that might be safe for them now was the Zhiming jungle to their east, but it was also known by a different name... the forest of death.