Moonlit Hearts

Chapter 40 : The calm before the storm

Wen Qing nodded, her eyes holding a hard edge as she glanced at Su She's limp form slumped in the chair. "He won't remember anything significant, but we must stay cautious. He'll stay out long enough. We'll have to use this time wisely to solidify our next steps. Su She is desperate and desperation makes people dangerous."

Wangji's gaze lingered on Su She briefly before returning to her. "He's Odin's puppet—useful only as long as he's restrained. But we'll have to move quickly, and every step has to be precise."

Wen Qing crossed her arms, her brow furrowing with worry as she leaned over the map, tapping her finger on Odin's Hall. "If we're to succeed, you need access to Odin's Hall before dawn. That's when his guard shifts, and they'll be at their weakest. But those barriers... they're no simple magic. We need something strong enough to break through them."

Wangji's gaze followed her hand, his eyes narrowing as he considered the Hall's defenses. "Odin's wards are powerful," he said, voice low. "But he's grown arrogant, thinking no one would dare approach him. There may be an opening near the southern wing—it's less fortified than the others, though even then, we'll need a way to weaken his spells. Something potent. Perhaps even forbidden."

Wen Qing hesitated, her brow creasing further. "There's a talisman—an ancient one from my clan's archives—that I've been working on secretly. It could disrupt his wards long enough for you to slip through, but it's dangerous. It won't last long; if it fails, it will drain me entirely. I wouldn't be able to cast another."

Wangji's expression darkened. "You're risking too much. If that talisman exhausts your strength, I won't allow it."

"You don't get to 'allow' anything, Wangji." Wen Qing's tone was resolute, unyielding. "If we have any chance to reach Wei Ying and my brother, we have to make sacrifices. And if this talisman buys you enough time, it's worth it. I'm willing to risk that."

He clenched his fists, struggling against his protective instinct. "This is no small gamble, Wen Qing. Even if I get through, Odin's guards will be swarming the place. If I don't reach the prison cells quickly, there's no guarantee I'll make it back. And I won't lose you too."

She stepped closer, her voice softer but fierce. "Then don't let it fail. You'll need to move quickly. Once you're inside, you find the key to the cells. Get Wei Ying and my brother out, and we'll have Hel's forces prepared to cover our escape."

Wangji's mind raced, trying to anticipate every angle, every potential slip in their plan. "Hel's warriors could create a diversion at the north gate. But the second Odin senses them, the entire Hall will be on high alert. If we're delayed even by a moment—"

"Then don't get delayed," Wen Qing cut in, meeting his gaze with a hard, unwavering stare. "We'll set the talisman to give you a clear path, but you'll have to trust me on this. You'll have a small window to reach them and escape before Odin's spells recalibrate."

Wangji's jaw tightened, his doubt churning alongside his determination. "This talisman—using it will weaken you. What if something goes wrong?"

"I'm willing to give everything for this, Wangji." Her eyes softened, though they held the same fierce resolve. "I know you are, too. Just... remember that revenge isn't the only reason we're doing this. Don't let it consume you. Promise me, that once they're free, that's what matters most."

Wangji's face hardened, a dark intensity flickering in his eyes. "We can't just take them and run, Wen Qing. Even if we escape, Odin's reach extends too far, his grip too tight. So long as he sits on that throne, Wei Ying and your brother will never truly be safe. The 'war' you want to avoid... it's inevitable."

Wen Qing looked at him, her expression caught somewhere between understanding and concern. "You think I don't know that?" Her voice was quiet but edged with urgency. "I want him defeated just as much as you do. But you need to understand—this isn't just about revenge or even justice. It's about ensuring we all have a life to go back to once it's over."