----

At border town. The entire area was silent except for the low grunts and chatter of army men who patrolled the area silently and anxiously.

A ghost town without its residents, according to the plan, everyone had already evacuated to a safer town under the protection of the vermilion bird army.

Ruyi appeared from the shadows a clenched fist in his palm. His eyes full of seriousness as he reported to Tianhuo.

"We have opened the main gates, seems the Bu lords are currently in a standstill in front of the main gates. They have revealed the hostages and as it seems, they will be used as shields in case of an attack by us."

The atmosphere grew icy. The killing intent seeping out from Tianhuo who silently tapped his fingers to a murderous rhythm. A dangerous glint in his eyes as he finally broke his silence.

"...Seems they were prepared."

Tianhuo smirked as he place a cup to his lips. Ruyi knew that right now, Tianhuo was dangerous, when lives were at stake. Having reported, he quietly disappeared, leaving the angry tiger to the tigress.

If feiyun knew what Ruyi was thinking, she would have labeled him as a crafty fox.

Tianhuo turned to Feiyun who was standing in the back near the open window.

A black falcon lightly perched on her shoulder. With beady eyes it silently waited for Feiyun to offer some treats. Tied to its leg was a small rolled up paper. As soon as she gave it a good amount of treats she place a hand near her shoulder and the falcon inched over, it's talons gripping firmly.

Stretching her hand out the window, she lifted and released the falcon. Tianhuo watched as the bird rose higher and faster away, disappearing into the clouds.

Unknowingly bringing his hand to his heart, it felt heavy and ached slightly; an itching worry in his chest that bothered him.

'When did I become so soft?'

He chuckled softly to himself with a self depreciating smile.

This was war anything could happen but Tianhuo didn't know what he would do if anything happens to Feiyun.

"Stay with me."

Tianhuo's voice was serious with just a hint of gentle worry. Pulling Feiyun's attention towards him.

Feiyun smiled as she elegantly walked over, her posture upright, the aura around her was as it had always been, Fearless. Her calm eyes never leaving his, a feeling of comfort washed over his worried heart.

"Hmm? Of course. That was my intention from the start. I trust FeiDu."

Flashing a gentle smile his way, but Feiyun was still unable to hide the small amount of worry in her eyes. Tianhuo raised an eyebrow and shot her a questioning look. A strong hand circling her waist and pulling her closer to him and then onto his lap.

Unable to resist the questioning blue eyes, hesitantly, Feiyun answered in resignation knowing that Tianhuo would insist to no end of she didn't tell him,

"According to FeiDu, they won't reach position until sundown. But right now if the Bu lords attack and we reveal our plan, if they chose to retreat back and we're fight them out there with the back up of their archers in the trees, we would lose... or we let them escape and end up at square one. Either way, we still lose."

They both stood together in silence in the large room. A problem has presented themselves here. They only have one choice which is to stall for time until FeiDu and the snipers arrive on position.

Tianhuo's fingers began taping in a rhythm as he tried to think of a solution. Feiyun sighed as she leaned her head on his chest, sitting on his strong lap and hearing his calm and strong heartbeat.

A long time passed before Feiyun finally sat back up.

'Hmm... Would it work?...Guess I can only try. '

Hoping off his lap, Feiyun quickly ran to the back pretending to search through her trunks of clothes. Secretly slipping her hand in her dimensional space, taking out her mother's jade flute.

She felt bad hiding this "space" from Tianhuo but she felt it was not time for him to know.

Giving it a silent appraisal, Feiyun quickly returned to Tianhuo's side, she bent down and landed a kiss on his cheek before turning to leave.

"And where do you think you're going?"

Before she could leave, Tianhuo grasped her wrist with a strong grip a small frown on his peerless face. Even while frowning he could still topple cities. His eyes traveled to the white jade flute and then back to her, an obvious look of confusion.

Feiyun spun around with a cheeky smile, "To stall for time. Want to join me?"

****

'Hmp. That prince Tianhuo, the one known as the god of war is surrendering? There's no way. Could it be an ambush?'

A gruffy looking man with thick braided hair and dark eyes paced around in his old humid camp. He was slightly older roughly 35 years of age but he was still a striking looking man for his age.

His right arm was covered in tribal red tattoo all the way up to his shoulder and half his face. The symbol "Jie" written on the bone necklace around his thick muscular neck. A warrior's pandant that signifies strength.

Having waited close to a week they realised the Tiger army have not really been moving much they prepared the basic defense but it seemed temporary.

Their spy from the capital reported that the Emperor ordered Tianhuo here as an excuse to exile him because he wouldn't be able to return until this is settled, which it never was since the last 10 years.

The Bu Lords have always been a threat in the south gaining in numbers over the years. The leader who started this war, Bu DuYu died and pass on the leader ship to his friend's son, Jie JunWang.

"Lord Jie, we've waited for so long. So much planning and time wasted. Why don't we just send our men to attack at night. They wouldn't even expect it and also they are not even guarding the gate."

The younger captain suggested, lord Jie only silently thought for a moment before speaking up, an eerie look in his eyes.

"Hmmn...we've been standing here for the past week and not a single arrow has been shot. We will test them first. Get my horse."

"Yes!"

His men were right in front of the gates. Just about far enough outside of an arrow's reach. The multiple hostages were tied and gagged many were women and children who pleaded for freedom with tears and muffled screams.

"What's the situation?"

The younger captain reported, slightly shocked to see their commanding Lord was out in the front. Usually they would be stationed back at camp.

"This servant greets Lord Jie! The same as the day before. I don't like this. One look at the gates and the silence from the other side. I can't help but feel it's a trap. Something is-."

Before the younger captain could finish his sentence, a melody started playing from atop the large gates where town's guards were suppose to be stationed. Instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Glancing up, they couldn't see anybody but they knew the sound of the flute originated from there. A bittersweet melody played. Silencing the mumurings of the Bu lord's men.

Some felt a strange tug at their chest. Something wasn't right.

Stroking his chin, his lips curled up into a evil smirk as he thought harder.

'...I don't know what the point of the melody was but it didn't feel right.'

Lord Jie squinted towards the direction the melody came from. His guts were telling him there has got to be a reason why the melody is being played. A bad reason.

"Where's my bow?"

A servant ran to his side handing him a beautiful crimson red bow.

"Let the test begin."

As he finished his sentence, his hand already pulled his bow to a taut. Aiming towards one of the crying children.

.

The sound of flesh getting stabbed was loud and clear. Instantly the hostages screamed for dear life, they fear for their lives. Many continued crying in silence keeping their heads down to avoid being picked.

The power of his shot had went through the heart and the force had sent the little kid's body rolling a few times before stopping lifelessly as the blood flowed out.

Lord Jie lowered his bow, waiting silently for a response from behind the gate. However the melody did not stop, it only continued playing.

He felt his anger rise, he has never been played around like this before. At least the useless Vermilion generals were easier to read. His spy has been useless with the reports and this new enemy is proven to be an enigma.

'what is your intention by this?!'

The vein on the side of his face popped out from his anger.

"Next!"

Following his orders, the servant bowed and another kid was dragged forward. Many of the hostages looked away. Shaking in silent cries.

'Now what will you do god of war?'

The little girl that was dragged forward bite down hard as she stood up, running towards the little hope of freedom she thought she could reach.

But barely a few steps before she stopped in her tracks and fell lifeless on the arrow that had pierced right through, taking her heart along with it.

Slowly the melody changed to a familiar folk song. One that was know in the southern side.

A sweet and longing melody. There was no southerner who did not know this song. A song sang by minstrels about war.

"On the coldest of winter,

and the warmest of summer,

No matter how far you may be,

Let the wind carry my message,

Remember this song my dear,

I will wait for you right here,

Let the wind carry my message."

Touching the hearts of the soldiers on both sides. Many sang the song silently in their heads. A roller coaster of emotions in each men.

When they knew that any moment their lives maybe lost, they couldn't help but think of their loved ones once again.

As more and more bodies fell tumbling, the melody playing grew sadder and bitter. As though it was a song of regret and apology for not being able to save the sacrificed children.

Tch! Spitting out, Lord Jie threw his bow back to the servant and turned around. Tired of killing and listening to this emotional melody.

Once further away from the front, he grabbed the captain's collar and harshly ordered.

"Fuck this. We attack on night fall."

Having gave his final order he returned to his tent.

If they attack on nightfall when they least expected it, maybe they had a chance, their men knew the layout of the entire town well compared to the Tigers who had just arrived.

Not to mention the strength of the great Western Tigers have been greatly reduced by half because Tianhuo could not bring his full strength otherwise the west would be vulnerable.

Right now their numbers were even but Lord Jie was sure, with the element of surprise they may be able to win this drawn out fight.

****

Feiyun had been playing her flute for at least 2 hours straight. From where she sat, although the man who drew the red bow couldn't see her, she could freely observe him. His facial expressions as well as the body language.

Watching the crazy man kill off multiple children. Rage brewing in her eyes as she solemnly continue. She needed to stall for more time until sundown. Once her team is in position she could relax slightly.

Feiyun had weighed which choice would save more lives?

If they engage the Bu lords now and lose, the children wouldn't be the end of the killing... A sacrifice had to be made.

She knew it was about time the Bu lords would attack. Judging by his body language and expression, the man should have been the commander. He seemed really stressed and frustrated from the situation, even going so far to test the limits of Tianhuo.

Taking a small breather, feiyun quickly relayed to Tianhuo who had accompanied her the whole time.

"Tonight. They will attack tonight. For sure."

He nodded his head silently, his ocean blue eyes were glazed over with fiery anger, having watched those innocent children lose their lives. His rage burned inside, the atmosphere around was filled with heavy pressure. His large fists were clenched tight to contain his anger.

Ruyi could feel the hair on his neck standing.

'stupid man, killing off those kids only served to quicken your painful death.'

Shaking his head while rubbing over his forearm to sooth the goosebumps, Ruyi quickly left the two very obviously pissed off people, standing slightly further away beside FeiAn.

Glancing at FeiAn, he saw how her expression didn't change at seeing all those dead children. Cold and emotionless, neither angry nor sad.

But he knew beneath that cold expressionless face, was a tender and warm lady who never enjoyed killing.

FeiAn had a really bad past, he'd hope she was still okay seeing the innocent children's deaths, inside he prayed it did not remind her of her past.

Ruyi reached out a hand unknowingly, wanting to rub her head to comfort hee but was stopped by her questioning glance.

"L-l-eaf."

Ruyi coughed as he quickly changed his concerned expression into his usual foxy smile, pretending to dust of the "leaf" from her hair. FeiAn thanked him softly before returning her attention back to Feiyun and Tianhuo.

Worried that Feiyun had been playing the flute for too long, forcing herself. The sweat droplets on feiyun forehead and the slightly drier lips showed how long feiyun had been playing.

FeiAn decided to step forward to stop her but was pulled back by Ruyi who shook his head with a serious gaze.He knew that right now Tianhuo was so angry approaching him now would be stupid. Also Feiyun had Tianhuo behind her, nothing would happen, there was no reason for them to step in.

Feiyun glanced up and saw her black falcon circling above the forest. A signal from her team. Finally letting out a long sigh, she place the flute back into her sleeve, licking her cherry red lips that had become so dry and ached slightly.

"They're in position. Prepare to fight."

From where he stood, Ruyi nodded and disappeared to relay the order. Tension within the town grew as the men readied an ambush. Some were sharpening their weapons, checking their armor while others prayed for safety and wrote their final letters to their family and stuffed it in their pockets close to their hearts.

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Note:

Aerus