5 ： Shadows of Betra

elp　you　in　any　way　we　can.　Our　village　may　be　small，　but　we　have　brave　men　and　women　willing　to　fight　for　the　kingdom.”

    Touched　by　their　offer，　Sukie　and　Han　Fengling　thanked　the　villagers　and　began　making　preparations　for　the　journey　ahead.　Mei，　sensing　the　gravity　of　the　situation，　approached　Sukie，　her　eyes　wide　with　determination.

    “I　want　to　help，”　she　said　firmly.　“I’m　not　afraid.　I　want　to　fight　for　my　family　and　for　everyone　else　who　has　suffered.”

    Sukie　knelt　down，　placing　a　hand　on　Mei’s　shoulder.　“You’re　very　brave，　Mei.　We’ll　need　all　the　help　we　can　get.　But　remember，　your　safety　is　the　most　important　thing.　Stay　close　to　us，　and　we’ll　get　through　this　together.”

    As　they　set　out　for　the　capital，　a　sense　of　urgency　propelled　them　forward.　The　journey　was　long　and　arduous，　but　their　determination　never　wavered.　Along　the　way，　they　encountered　other　groups　of　villagers　and　rebels　who　joined　their　cause，　swelling　their　ranks　and　bolstering　their　spirits.

    One　night，　as　they　camped　by　a　river，　Sukie　and　Han　Fengling　sat　by　the　fire，　their　hands　intertwined.　The　flickering　flames　cast　a　warm　glow　on　their　faces，　and　for　a　moment，　they　allowed　themselves　to　relax　and　enjoy　each　other’s　company.

    “Do　you　ever　wonder　what　life　will　be　like　after　all　this　is　over?”　Sukie　asked　softly，　her　eyes　reflecting　the　firelight.

    Han　Fengling　looked　at　her，　his　expression　tender.　“I　do.　I　dream　of　a　world　where　we　can　live　in　peace，　without　fear　or　darkness.　A　world　where　we　can　build　a　future　together.”

    Sukie’s　heart　swelled　with　love.　“I　dream　of　that　too.　And　I　believe　we　can　make　it　a　reality.”

    Han　Fengling　leaned　in，　pressing　a　gen