With the ruins of the Orchid Academy behind them, and the memories of her fallen sisters leaving an indelible mark on her heart, Bian and Ha Linh take their first steps into Song Yeun, determined to find Chout, her teacher, and vengeance for the Orchids.

  They begin asking around the docks, moving through taverns and alleyways where sailors and lowlifes gather. Many of the locals sneer at Bian—an obvious stranger in their town—making lewd comments or dismissing her completely.

  “Friendly group of people…” Bian comments to Ha Linh.

  Suddenly, Bian feels a hand reach out to grab her. Reacting in a flash, she turns around, only to find a small girl with pigtails.

  The girl gasps, surprised by Bian’s quick movement.

  “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you,” Bian apologizes.

  Ha Linh rolls her eyes. “Behind you.”

  Bian glances back and spots another child reaching for her money purse. “Hey!” She yells, grabbing her bag just in time. The two kids scamper off, their plan ruined.

  “Seriously? Children?” Bian exclaims, disbelief written across her face.

  “I warned you from the beginning,” Ha Linh says, annoyed. “Don’t trust small kids. Small kids, small hands. Easier to take your stuff.”

  Frustrated, Bian raises her voice at the spirit. “AGH! This is annoying! We’ve been asking around for hours, and no one can help. Or rather, no one wants to help.”

  People start to stare, and Bian immediately realizes how she must look—a newcomer yelling at herself in the middle of the docks. She retreats into a nearby alley.

  ***

  Ha Linh, oozing sarcasm, “That was not at all crazy.”

  Bian continues, still frustrated. “What if Chout isn’t even here anymore? He could have already left town. We need to try something else to get people’s attention.”

  Ha Linh thinks for a moment. “Okay, I have an idea. Get some of those rocks.”

  After a bit, Bian resumes asking around the docks, this time waving a hefty purse—one she didn’t have before.

  “Coins for anyone with information about ships that have recently docked here.” Bian jingles her bag, making sure enough is visible while attempting subtlety.

  You can feel Ha Linh rolling her eyes. “At least try to be a little subtle about it. We don’t want people thinking it’s a trap.”

  Eventually, their plan works. A sailor approaches Bian, claiming to have the information they’re looking for. “I can’t tell you here. Follow me…” The girls exchange knowing glances.

  They follow him into a dark alley, where they find themselves surrounded by a group of seedy-looking sailors. “A pretty girl like you shouldn’t wander these streets with a bag full of coins. Let me relieve you of such a dangerous burden.” The sailor grabs Bian’s bag.

  Bian, pleasantly surprised, says to the spirit, “That actually worked. Smart.”

  “The older the ginger, the spicier it is. With age comes wisdom,” boasts Ha Linh.

  “What?” The sailor, barely listening, rummages through her bag. “What is this? They’re just rocks!” He flips it over, and dozens of small pebbles spill out.

  “Oh no! Sorry you can’t rob me,” Bian says with a tinge of sarcasm. “But I’ll still need some information from you.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, girl,” the sailor snarls. “You’re going to regret pissing us off.” The sailors surrounding Bian quickly draw their blades.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Bian looks around at the five men encircling her, weapons drawn, and feels... nothing. Thinking about all she’s been through—nearly dying to literal monsters and communing with the spirit of a hero—Bian knows this is not where she’ll die. She raises her fist, ready to fight.

  As she scans the scene, she spots one sailor waving a familiar sword in the air—a Kiemloung from the Orchid Academy. She’d recognize that silver blade anywhere; the way it reflects the moonlight reminds her of the many nights she spent training.

  Without hesitation, she demands, “Where did you get that sword?”

  The sailors laugh. “You’re in no position to question us—” dismissing her, until Bian’s fist connects with his jaw, sending him sprawling. The others charge, but Bian moves with precision and grace, her strikes quick and efficient. One to the ribs, a kick to the legs, and one directly to the chest—taking down the entire group while being careful with their mouths and throats, in case she needs them to talk later. Only one sailor remains conscious—the man with the Kiemloung, pinned beneath her foot as she glares down at him.

  "Last time I’m asking, where did you get the sword?" she demands.

  Gasping for breath, the sailor stammers, "The Flying Rats… they sold them to us… We didn’t know where they came from, I swear!"

  Bian releases her boot. “You will take me to them.” The sailor knows he has no choice. He nods begrudgingly.

  ***

  Following him, they make their way toward the docks where the Flying Rats are docked.

  While traveling, Bian learns more about them from the sailor, “The Flying Rat pirates are a notorious band of thieves and cutthroats, known for terrorizing the coast. They primarily attack the homes and ships of nobles. It’s a wonder that the military hasn’t been able to catch them yet…”

  “One would say suspicious, as if they were being protected,” Ha Linh proposes.

  They arrive. From a distance, Bian spots the brigands lounging around their ship; some are even carelessly swinging Kiemloungs at each other.

  “You can go… Wait, gimme that!” Bian grabs the sword.

  Bian approaches without fear, her hand gripping the hilt of the Kiemloung.

  As she enters their territory, one of the pirates spots her and sneers, "Looks like we’ve got a lost little lamb wandering into the wolves’ den."

  A beat… “What?” Bian says.

  “Yeah, what does that mean?” another pirate adds, equally confused.

  “A lamb! She’s a young girl, so like a lamb, and we’re the wolves,” the first pirate explains.

  “Why would a lamb go anywhere near a wolves’ den? They can probably smell them.”

  This continues for a bit until they get too frustrated.

  “Forget it! The point is, what do you want, little girl?”

  Bian steps forward. “Were you the ones who attacked the Orchid Academy recently?” Already knowing the answer.

  The pirates look at her clothing and sword—obviously similar to the girls from their most recent attacks—and share passing glances. There is a calmness in the air as Bian and the pirates stare at each other. Neither side wants to make the first move, but all are ready to strike.

  Suddenly, gunpowder erupts in the air as a pirate in the back fires his pistol at Bian, but she’s ready. Bian quickly dodges the bullet and braces herself as the pirates close in. She feints left, drawing the nearest attacker into a clumsy swing before pivoting around, her movements flowing like water. Her Kiemloung arcs upward, carving through the pirate’s guard, leaving a trail of frozen blood. As the other pirates charge in, Bian spins low, her blade sweeping their legs out from under them, then rises in a flash to parry the descending dagger of a third. Bian pushes against the blade with her own overwhelming might.

  At the end of the pier, the scarred man watches, unmoving, his maces resting at his sides. Bian presses forward, striking like a tropical storm. But her momentum comes to a halt as the scarred man finally makes his move, closing the distance with brutality. His first mace swings wide. Bian is barely able to dodge the attack, but the second smashes into her blade, the sheer force nearly shattering her arms. The heat from Ha Linh strengthens Bian’s resolve as she tightens her grip on her Kiemloung, raising it in defiance against the towering enforcer and the grinning pirates that surround her.

  "You’re strong. Stronger than before, but you can’t win this fight on your own. Not without using my powers."

  Bian hesitates, still wary of giving up control. "No… I can do this."

  Ha Linh presses on. "If you fall, there will be no one left to avenge them. Trust me, Bian."

  Bian looks around at the pirates. Ha Linh is right. Reluctantly, Bian allows the spirit to take partial control. Her body shifts, becoming more agile and lethal as the two fight in unison. Together, they charge at the scarred man, dodging his torrent of swings as the maces destroy their surroundings.

  After a series of attacks, Bian tears through the pirates with extreme precision and wrath, leaving none alive as they make their way toward the ship, where—

  Chout stands waiting, leaning casually against the mast of his ship, his ever-present smirk stretching across his face. "I have to admit, I didn’t expect you to make it this far," he says, a glint of recognition sparking in his eyes. "Is that... Ha Linh? How—"