---
The kingdom was trembling—within the palace walls, whispers of same-gender love sparked arguments and debates among nobles and commoners alike. Across towns, young couples secretly held hands in the dark, eyes full of hope that Shinomi and Ren's story might open a path for them. Small protests were brewing. A revolution of thought had begun.
But far from the capital, in the state of Rael, flames of a different kind were rising.
In the dead of night, Rael's borders were breached. Enemy soldiers—long-time rivals from the East—charged through the trade roads under fake banners of peace. They took down patrols and poisoned water supplies. Explosions echoed near grain stores, and arrows blackened the sky. The quiet state, caught off guard by the political noise in the capital, was bleeding.
Rael stood atop his fortified tower, cloak flapping in the wind. His fists clenched as smoke coiled in the air.
"How the hell did this happen?" he growled. "Where were the border scouts?"
"They were the first ones taken, my lord," his advisor said gravely. "We're overwhelmed. We might not make it through the night."
Rael's lips parted in fury. And then—
Boom.
From the southern hills, war horns pierced the night sky.
The enemy forces turned in confusion, only to see dark-cloaked soldiers storming in from the shadows. Not Rael's men. Not the enemy's. But trained. Ruthless. Sharp.
And at the front, riding with deadly calm and unmistakable presence—
Shinomi.
His blade glinted in the moonlight as he rode through enemy lines like a storm, slashing through their center with trained precision. His soldiers followed like a phantom army, tearing through attackers who hadn't even known they were being watched.
From the tower, Rael's advisor gasped. "Isn't that—?"
"Yes," Rael muttered. "It's him."
---
Beneath the chaos, Ren had been kept in the manor's underground shelter, unaware of the battle above until he heard heavy footsteps. The door creaked open and there stood Shinomi, blood on his face, armor dirtied, eyes burning bright.
"You came," Ren breathed, stunned.
"I never left," Shinomi said simply, stepping inside and yanking him into a fierce embrace. "I've been hiding soldiers in your hills for weeks. Rael wouldn't listen, but I wasn't going to risk you again."
"You… you were meeting me secretly and preparing for war this whole time?"
"I wasn't just here to see your smile," Shinomi said, pressing his forehead against Ren's. "I was protecting the man I love, and the state that raised him."
Ren choked back a sob. "They could've killed you."
"But they didn't." Shinomi pulled away slightly, giving him a rare grin. "Turns out your father's enemies are worse at ambushes than I am at hiding."
---
By sunrise, the enemy was crushed—either fled or captured. Rael stood atop the battlements, watching Shinomi approach him, his armor still glinting, his expression unreadable.
"You could have told me," Rael said, lips thin.
"You would've refused," Shinomi replied. "And I needed to protect him."
Rael looked away. "I owe you."
"No," Shinomi said. "You owe him peace."
He turned to leave, but Rael stopped him. "You really love him that much?"
Shinomi didn't turn around. "Enough to bleed for him. Enough to fight anyone who stands in our way—even you."
And with that, he walked back to Ren, who stood watching at the manor steps, the sun rising behind him.
The battle was over.
But the war for their love was just beginning.
---