The news of Xiao Lin's awakening rippled through the Empire like a sudden gale after silence. The palace, the courts, even the outer rim colonies spoke his name with hushed awe—and fear. Some called him a miracle reborn. Others whispered of dangerous power wrapped in delicate beauty. But all agreed on one thing:
The fox had returned.
And with him, the war was about to change.
---
In the imperial council chambers, under the guise of political routine, traitors met in hushed corners.
"He survived the explosion *and* unlocked an ancestral power?" one murmured, eyes wide with disbelief.
"He healed half the army in seconds," another hissed. "They're calling him a divine beast. If we don't act now—"
A sharp voice cut through the whispers. "We *will* act." An Li's voice was cold as frost, her once-gentle demeanor masked by the glint of desperation in her eyes. "Let the people cheer. It makes our strike more poetic."
"But the Marshal—"
"I'll deal with him," she snapped. "We let the rumors spread: that Xiao Lin is the Marshal's secret weapon to seize the throne, that he's using ancient witchcraft to twist minds. We frame him once more—but this time, we strike during the final offensive."
"Even if it means war within our own walls?"
An Li's smile didn't reach her eyes. "War is already here."
---
Meanwhile, in the mountain fortress where Sheng Long had brought Xiao Lin to recover, plans were already underway.
Sheng Long stood at the war table, his eyes scanning the latest reports. Zerg movement was intensifying. Several outer colonies had fallen silent. Intelligence suggested something ancient stirred deep in the hive nests.
And worst of all, the traitors had begun mobilizing assets within the palace itself.
"We can't wait any longer," he said to Yan Shuo and his senior officers. "We strike first, at the heart of the corruption. We cut the snake at the neck."
Yan Shuo nodded. "And the bait?"
A long pause.
Sheng Long's gaze drifted toward the open balcony, where Xiao Lin stood in the sunlight, his white robes swaying, golden eyes turned to the horizon.
"No more bait," Sheng Long said quietly. "This time, we fight side by side."
---
Later that night, Xiao Lin sat beside him under the stars, resting his head gently on Sheng Long's shoulder.
"I dreamed… of the end," Xiao Lin whispered. "But also of rebirth."
Sheng Long tilted his head. "Rebirth?"
"A world without war. Where foxes and dragons are just creatures of legend, not warriors."
Sheng Long closed his eyes. "Sounds like a dream worth chasing."
Their hands brushed together. No words passed. But the warmth that flowed between them said enough.
---
**Far away, deep within the Zerg hive**, something ancient opened its eyes.
It whispered through the dark:
**"The Flame has awakened. The final cycle begins."**