She slowly opened her eyes, only to see nothing but darkness. To her relief, she saw a dim source of light when she glanced to her right. It was a lamp stand, located at the far corner of the room. It was her only source of light, as the room didn't seem to have any windows. Of all the things it didn't have… Strange, she doesn't really remember how she ended up here in the first place. The last memory she could recall was being in the castle garden, then everything just seemed to fade out after that. She didn't think she was kidnapped or something, because that dim source of light helped her recognize the design of the room. She knew she was in the same castle as before – her current temporary home, which has been for a few days.

So why was she tied up to a chair?

She tried to struggle herself in hope of making these ropes loose, but to no avail. Just how did this happen? Did someone invade the castle? Now that she thought about it, the whole kidnapping scenario was making more sense. No… what if the others were also in the same situation as her? She shook her head. Now isn't a good time to be so negative. She had to think the opposite. But… what exactly are the positive things about her current situation? Nothing, she concluded.

Her train of thought was suddenly disrupted. Thanks to the eerily silent atmosphere, she could hear lone footsteps, yet this only made things tenser for her. She didn't know what to make out of it. What if that person was one of the enemies - the ones who most likely did this to her? But then, what if it were her allies? She had to trust them, she knew they were strong enough to defeat those guys, but she had to take small steps to her goal - escape. The first was to get out of this chair.

She tried to struggle again with those ropes, but it was futile. It was too early to give up, she thought. The uneasy feeling quickly made her formulate another plan: If she doesn't struggle her hands so much, maybe it could slide free if she moved slowly. And she did.

Yet it all came to nothing. These ropes were just too tight.

She heard the footsteps getting even closer. The heat was getting to her, with beads of sweat forming on her forehead. It was gonna be a life or death situation, and she really prayed hard that it was the former. The sounds of tapping footwear suddenly stopped. She gulped in fear. She could see it… a faint outline of a person. W-why did it stop in front of the room she was currently in? She felt her heart beat faster. It was approaching her. It was getting closer, and the ever-increasing volume of the footsteps wasn't helping her stay calm at all. Was this the end of the line? So soon? But, the instant she saw the slightest outline of the footwear, she recognized it immediately, and it made her so relieved.

"X-Xiaoqiao?" She said rather weakly.

Her little sister kneeled and embraced her, making her much more calm about the current situation.

Her little sister cried. "Sis, I'm so glad I found you…!" She tried her best to keep her voice down.

That part of Daqiao's shirt became soaked with her tears, but she didn't mind. What matters most is that she's not hurt. But the full-fledged fear she saw on her sister's face gave her a sign that this wasn't even the worst part.

"Xiaoqiao, what's going on?"

The frown never left Xiaoqiao's face. "Sis, t-they're attacking us."

She gasped. So it really happened. The worst case scenario became real. "Oh no…"

Xiaoqiao's mouth quivered. She felt so guilty and embraced her sister again, burying her face on her chest. "I'm so sorry sis! I should've went with you, we could've knocked those meanies down and escaped together."

"Xiaoqiao…" She was taken aback by her sudden apology, but she understood right away. "It's not your fault, okay?" Right now, she wanted to comfort her, and if she could just return the hug, but these ropes were just too stubborn. "But right now, I need your help untying these ropes."

Xiaoqiao looked up at her, still snuffling from the guilt she was feeling.

"Pretty please?" Daqiao did her best to put up a nervous smile, to at least decrease some of the tension.

Xiaoqiao nodded and smiled slightly. She got up on her feet and went behind the chair, but she a had a bit of a problem. "Uhh sis, I-I can't really see anything behind here…" But she quickly thought of an idea. "I'll be right back." She walked past her sister and tried carrying the lamp stand itself. It certainly was heavier than it looked, making it a bit of a problem for her. As she tried carrying it, she could feel that pain again, but she tried her best to not make it so obvious. If her sis finds out about it… she can't, she didn't want to make her cry.

Daqiao noticed Xiaoqiao's struggle. She frowned. "Xiaoqiao, you don't have to force yourself, we can think of another way."

"N-no, it's okay…" She tried sliding it, and it was a success, somehow. Luck was on her side for making the bottom of that stand as smooth as it can be. Now she can finally free her sister. She kneeled and tried to untie the ropes, however, just as her sister struggled, she also had a little difficulty untying it. "These ropes are so tight…"

Daqiao provided some assistance as well. "Maybe if I make my hands straight…" She uncurled her hands. "Okay, try it now…"

And it was a success. The ropes that entangled her feet were much easier to remove. Finally, she was able to stretch and move both her hands and feet freely. Now she could embrace her little sister. "Thank you so much Xiaoqiao…"

Xiaoqiao returned the hug. "No problem sis… but we have to hurry!" She held her sister's hand and they started to run out of the room.

Now they could see better, as the hallway had torches placed on the walls just beside each room's entrance.

"Are we meeting up with the others?" It was Daqiao's conclusion. Surely, Xiao couldn't have gone here by herself, right? Well, she always had that desire to go out to the battlefield with her eagerness to help, but surely she wasn't that reckless to go off in a solo rescue mission?

This made Xiaoqiao stop. They stopped beside a room, granting them the torch as a close light source. "Sis, what do you mean? I came here by myself."

And that's exactly what Daqiao didn't want to hear. She held her sister's shoulders firmly. "What?! So you really came here by yourself?! Xiaoqiao, don't you know how dangerous it is? You could've gotten hurt really badly!"

Xiaoqiao frowned. "But sis, look! I'm already here aren't I? I got here safe and sound…" Yet she muttered, "mostly…" while holding her upper right arm.

Daqiao heard it however. Fear was invading her mind. "M-mostly…?" She noticed the way Xiaoqiao was holding her right arm. It seemed… off. She gently moved Xiaoqiao's left hand from her right arm, to which Xiaoqiao didn't bother hesitating anymore, and it was a sight that made her gasp in horror and made her cover her mouth with both hands. It was a large gash, and there was still a little amount of blood flowing from it; her sister's orange sleeves becoming even more stained with red. "X-Xiaoqiao…"

The thick silence; Xiaoqiao didn't like it at all. She didn't like how she could hear the tears from her sister's face hitting the wooden floor. She hated seeing her cry, she didn't like seeing her look so hurt. And to think this time it was because of her. "I-I'm sorry…"

All Daqiao could do now was to embrace her as her tears continued to fall. "I-I can't… I can't lose you too…" She could feel her sister returning the hug. Her husband's death was already painful enough, but her only sister… no, it was too much to bear.

And Daqiao was determined to not let that happen. "It's my turn, to save you."

"Sis…" She tightened her hug, basking in her sister's warmth that comforted her, a much-needed feeling after all the horrible events that happened today.

But, it wasn't over yet.

She held her elder sister's hand. "Okay, let's get out of here!" Her usual cheerful attitude was slowly coming back.

"W-wait!" Daqiao ripped a part of her sleeves. "Just hold still," she reached for Xiao's upper right arm, and wrapped her makeshift bandage around the large gash. "I heard this can help in preventing further blood loss. It should be alright for now."

Xiaoqiao finally saw her sister smile again – one that wasn't mixed with any tears or sadness. It was a genuine one. That smile, she was really thankful that she had a big sister who was so caring and cute. She grinned. "Yup! Thank you sis-"

Suddenly, they heard a frightening sound. It sounded like the walls were destroyed, and to their confirmation, they looked to their right, and they saw that the room has been partially destroyed thanks to a boulder. It was covered in flames.

Wait a minute, Daqiao thought. Most of the things here are made of wood, then doesn't that…

To her horror, the fire was spreading, fast. "Run!"

They ran as fast as they can to the end of the hallway, with the numerous torches serving as their guide so they wouldn't run onto any walls.

Daqiao looked behind and saw how the fire was catching up to them. They had to get out of here quickly.

They soon stopped as they encountered two different paths – an intersection of some sort. It was either they go straight or go to the left. Xiaoqiao recalled it quickly. "This way sis!" They took the path ahead.

But things didn't go as planned, as the path was soon engulfed in flames by the already-ignited falling debris. Daqiao soon realized it: those invaders, they were attacking multiple areas of the castle, rather, they were destroying it.

Since they had no other choice, they had to go left. They just hoped that it wasn't a dead end. But this path looked different. It was too narrow, well, at least compared to that other path and the other hallways in the castle they remembered passing through during the peaceful days.

Xiaoqiao frowned. "Something doesn't feel right about this place…" Who knew the castle had a place like this?

Daqiao agreed, but what else can they do? "I-I thought so too, but we have no other choice…" She looked behind, and saw the intense bright flames getting dangerously close, decimating everything in its path. "We have to keep moving! Come on!" She grabbed her hand.

They encountered a flight of stairs that was leading down. It looked too dark, even with the raging flames just behind them. But they continued running; there was simply no time to rest anymore.

After using up all their energy to run, they finally found a large single door. It was a metal door, so it had to be heavy; another obstacle they had to encounter. Yet it also had its benefits. With the concrete walls and this, the fire shouldn't be able to go through, hopefully, Daqiao thought.

She saw the lock and realized it was a familiar one. It should be easy to unlock as all it needs is to rotate that big piece of wood in the middle, but that wasn't the part she was afraid of. It was opening the door itself. With Xiaoqiao's wounds, it was gonna take awhile to open it. But time was running out.

Daqiao pushed as hard as she can, but the door was only opening slowly.

Xiaoqiao wasn't just gonna stand there, no way. "Sis, let me help!"

But her elder sister hesitated. "But you're injured!"

"No it's okay, I can use my left side to push."

Daqiao just had to agree with her. This was no time to argue.

And soon, the opening was enough for the two to get in.

Daqiao let her little sister go first, as she grabbed the torch near the door before going in.

They pushed back as hard as they can to close it, to prevent the fire from getting in. In the nick of time, they closed it successfully. Daqiao secured the door by putting the piece of wood back in its original place.

As she expected, the room had two unlit torches on each end of the door. She used her torch to light both up, and placed it down afterwards, the feeling of exhaustion finally kicking in.

The two sisters just slowly sat down by the door, using it as something to lean on. They panted.

Xiaoqiao rested her head on her sister's left shoulder, chuckling weakly. "We made it…" So tired, she thought.

Daqiao chuckled as well. "Yeah…" She placed her hand over her chest, feeling the rapid beating of her heart.

Their quick and heavy breathing echoed throughout the room. They were able to see each other's faces, thanks to the two torches.

Xiaoqiao had to take her time to catch her breath, before asking, "What is this place?" She could only move her eyes to look around and her head slowly, as her body was still exhausted from all the running, not to mention her large wound slowing down her recovery. Yet all she could see was nothing but darkness. She literally couldn't see anything beyond what the two torches could illuminate. The thick darkness, despite her usual cheerful attitude and willingness to go out in battle, was one of her weak points.

Daqiao stood up slowly, still tired. She grabbed one of the torches, as the one she brought in had died out. "Xiaoqiao, just stay by the light okay?"

"Sis? Where are you going?" She didn't want her sister to leave her side, not to mention how comfortable she was getting using her shoulder as a pillow.

"Don't worry, I'm not going far." She walked to every corner of the room, hoping to find at least something useful. All she found was nothing but gathered dust, making her sneeze rather cutely.

While Xiaoqiao couldn't see her sister's face clearly, she could imagine how she looked like when she sneezed. It made her chuckle. Sis is so cute!

Daqiao walked straight and seconds later, she indeed didn't go far. She realized the room wasn't that big, as she already reached the other side. She walked by the wall and soon found a door. She suddenly heard her sister.

"S-sis? What's happening there?" Whatever her sister was looking at was all a blur to her, being at the other end of the room and all.

Daqiao turned the wooden lock around and opened the door slowly with how heavy it was. Seeing what's on the other side gave her a little relief.

Xiaoqiao could only hear the commotion, and it was making her curious. "Sis?"

Daqiao walked back towards her little sister. "Looks like we found the exit," she smiled, which Xiaoqiao also returned. "Come on, let's go." She gently pulled Xiaoqiao's uninjured arm to help her stand up.

As they got out of the room, with Daqiao securing the door lock in place, Xiaoqiao couldn't help but wonder as she looked back, "What was the point of that room? I mean it was empty and it was between these two hallways…"

Daqiao has been thinking hard about it too, but even she couldn't come up with a definite answer. "I'm not really sure, but that's not our concern right now. We just have to focus on getting out of here, and treat your wound." She decided that the torch wasn't that useful anymore, as the moonlight helped in making them see clearer. This hallway they just went in was like that of a terrace or balcony, with its one side being open for viewing pleasures of nature surrounding the castle.

This area of the castle still remained untouched. It was so quiet, yet that gave them an eerie feeling, since it was only the two of them walking there.

Xiaoqiao frowned. I wonder what's happening on the other side… I hope they're… She suddenly felt her knees tremble making her grab her sister's shoulder, groaning.

"Xiaoqiao what's wrong?!"

Xiaoqiao put a hand over her forehead. "I'm just feeling a little light-headed…" She looked down on the floor.

"We really have to treat your wound." Daqiao held her shoulders. "But are you sure you can walk? I can go look for something in those rooms while you rest here." She glanced at the said rooms to the right.

Xiaoqiao shook her head, and tried her best to put up a smile. "No, it's okay, I can keep going."

"Are you sure? We can rest for awhile, this place doesn't seem-" They heard an explosion from their right. The once serene area had now turned to chaos. It was the same culprit – a flaming boulder. Both sisters were really getting anxious seeing the same weapon of peril again.

Time was of the essence. Daqiao grabbed her little sister's hand. "Run!"

As they ran, they witnessed the flames engulfing everything in its path, even the ceiling, which caused debris to fall.

Xiaoqiao, however, couldn't keep up. She was getting tired too quickly. So tired… "Sis… wait…!" She let go of her sister's hand and grabbed on to the nearby railing, slowly collapsing to the floor.

"Come on, we have to keep moving!"

Xiaoqiao panted. "You have to… leave without me sis..." All this running had finally taken a toll on her. She's been running ever since she decided to rescue her sister, but now, her body was giving up.

"W-What? What are you saying?!" Tears were already forming in Daqiao's eyes. Her sister was giving up… why?

Hearing her sister's whimpers made her feel guilty, but her body was too exhausted. "I can't… run anymore…" Her heart was beating so fast.

Daqiao kneeled beside her. "Y-you can't give up now! Please…."

The flames were catching up.

"Sis, please… you have to go…" At least I was able to free sis from those ropes... now she has a chance... but me...

But Daqiao disagreed. What was the point in rescuing her if one of them doesn't make it out alive in the end? She didn't want her sister's courageous attempt to rescue her be all for nothing. She didn't want that outcome, never. "…No…" She furrowed her brows. "I'm not leaving you behind! Understand?!"

Xiaoqiao was surprised by her stern tone.

Daqiao put her hand behind Xiaoqiao's back and the other under her knees. She gathered all her strength and carried her little sister, bridal style. "We are getting out of here, together!" All this strength - she was in a state of adrenaline rush.

Xiaoqiao put her uninjured arm around her sister's neck. She was left speechless. To think that her big sister had such strength, she was really amazed. And to think she would go this far for her. Sis…

As the flames got dangerously close, Daqiao started running faster. "We are NOT gonna die here!" Her roar echoed through the area, proving her determination to save her sister. In her current state, she couldn't feel the exhaustion, her feet just kept moving as fast as they can. It was like she was temporarily boosted with a lot of stamina. Come on! She could see the end of the hallway. The stairs leading down was in their sights.

But the flames were still catching up. No, that didn't scare her, not this time. Just a little… more! Another boulder from the other side emerged from one of the rooms, turning the debris from the wrecked room and hallway into dangerous shrapnel-like projectiles.

The worst had happened. Large pieces of debris blocked the way down. Daqiao gulped. They had no choice. This was their only chance. She looked at her sister, "Hold on tightly okay!"

Xiaoqiao followed her command, but she had no clue what her sister was going to do, until…

She jumped halfway down from the side of the stairs, just high enough to reduce the chance of injury, and just in time before the whole area was engulfed in flames.

The sisters rolled through the grass, breathing heavily.

Everything seemed to move slow in Daqiao's eyes, from the rising of the smoke, and to the thousands of falling debris. Unwanted tears and cuts had designed her clothes. Her adrenaline rush had ended, and she soon felt all the exhaustion and how drained she really was. She took one last move to turn her body around, and she saw her little sister. She heard her coughing, but it was her sign of relief, knowing that she was still alive. A weary smile formed on her face.

At least now, she could close her eyes. She slowly drifted into unconsciousness, only hearing the muffled voice of her sister calling her out before everything went dark.