Azure Echoes.

Chapter 12: Echoes of Venom

The three walked in tandem through the early morning mist, their footsteps quiet on the soft forest floor as they ventured deeper into the valley. Xiu kept close, her sharp gaze alert to any sign of movement, while Zeng occasionally shot Lian curious glances, the questions from last night hanging heavy in the air.

Finally, Zeng broke the silence. "Lian, about those names you mentioned—Viper and Venom. What exactly did they mean?"

Lian's steps slowed, a flicker of darkness flashing across his face. "To most of the Black Veil, I was known as Viper. The name suited their purposes, and it was how they wanted others to see me: skilled, dangerous, and deadly with poisons." He paused, his gaze distant. "But Venom—that was different. It was a name few used, given to me by the leader himself."

"Venom..." Zeng repeated, his brow furrowing. "Why a separate name?"

"To remind me that I belonged to him," Lian replied quietly, bitterness lacing his words. "He called me Venom as though I were his personal poison—something he could control. It was his way of...branding me."

Xiu's face softened, a hint of sympathy breaking through her usual guardedness. "So the leader thought of you as his property?" she murmured.

Lian's jaw clenched. "Yes. It was his way of ensuring I knew I was nothing more than a tool to him. He trained me, controlled everything I knew. And he took pride in twisting the knowledge my father taught me about medicine, about healing, into something deadly." He clenched his fists, glancing at the forest path to steady himself.

Zeng's hand moved to his shoulder, steady and warm.

Lian met his gaze, and for a moment, something unspoken passed between them—an unbreakable understanding that neither would abandon the other.

They pressed on, the shadows of the forest gradually thinning as the sun climbed higher. Xiu scouted ahead, calling back now and then to guide them as they neared a familiar clearing. She stopped abruptly, motioning them over with a wary look.

"There's an outpost up ahead," she whispered. "Lightly guarded, but it seems they're expecting something. A message, maybe."

"A new outpost, so close to the kingdom's border?" Zeng muttered. "They're getting bolder."

"They must think they're untouchable," Xiu replied, her tone steely. "We should intercept whatever message they're expecting."

Lian nodded. "If it's an order or a report, it could reveal their plans." He paused, a flicker of something dark crossing his gaze. "I know the patterns they use to encrypt their messages. If we intercept it, I can help decipher it."

Zeng gave him a searching look. "You know the Black Veil's codes? Do you mean you could've easily deciphered the last code?"

Lian grinned and shrugged, his playful demeanor masking the weight of his knowledge. "Let's just go take care of these shadow bastards."

As they moved closer to the outpost, Lian's mind flashed to the masked man who had recognized him. His trainer. A figure whose cruelty had rivaled even that of the Black Veil leader. If he was actively pursuing him, it meant that the leader was furious. And with that fury came a dangerous resolve.

They crept toward the outpost, positioning themselves behind thick foliage. A single guard paced the perimeter, his attention split between the path and a stack of parchment he idly leafed through.

"Think you can lure him away?" Xiu murmured to Lian with a faint smirk.

"Gladly." Lian slipped forward, ducking into the shadows until he was mere feet from the guard. A small rock tossed just out of sight did the trick, and as the guard turned to investigate, Lian was upon him, disarming him swiftly and pressing him to the ground.

Within moments, they had secured the messages he carried. The three of them moved swiftly back into the trees, pausing only when they were a safe distance away. Lian unfurled the parchment, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the message. His fingers traced over a ciphered sequence of symbols, a familiar pattern emerging in the seemingly chaotic lines.

"It's their new code," Lian muttered, his tone tense. "It's a warning—to all Black Veil operatives about the deserter they've been pursing. Me."

Xiu's eyes widened. "So, they really are after you. But why now?"

Zeng shifted closer, his gaze intense. "The masked man.  The one who trained you said he'd get to you"

Lian's expression darkened. "Yes. He trained me. The leader had him shape me into... what I became in the Black Veil. But for all his skills, he could never erase who I really was. The leader sent him to keep me in line, but when I escaped, I think it hurt his pride as much as it angered him." He looked down at the message, his fists clenching around it. "And now he's sent his hunter to track me down."

Zeng's voice was soft but steady. "Lian, he's not going to take you. I won't let that happen."

Lian met his gaze, his eyes flickering with gratitude. "Thank you, Zeng. I never thought I'd have anyone by my side in this."

They shared a lingering look before Xiu cleared her throat pointedly. "What else does the code says?"

Lian once more shifted his focus to the code, clearing his throat awkwardly while Zeng's lips curved into a fleeting smile. "This message points to a nearby rock tunnel. Let's see what else they're hiding."

Lian nodded, and the three of them set off once more, their unity unshakable as they continued deeper into the heart of the forest.