Three days before the Eclipse, in a high northern camp of jade tents and frost banners. Xue Lian kneels on a white fur mat while Shuang He stands behind her with a sword tray. Cold morning light, snow drifting upward from formation flags.

Inside the ritual tent, Beitang Shiyue inspects Xue Lian before the departure. Shuang He waits at the edge, tense but silent. The lighting is cold, filtered through frost silk.

The neutral Eclipse Terrace stretches over a frozen crater lake. Northern white banners face southern red banners. Thousands of talismans and wager slips hang from bronze rails.

Southern drums thunder as Chi Yanluo descends from a black palanquin. Red-robed attendants kneel around him. Xue Lian watches from across the terrace.

The two family heads watch from opposed viewing platforms. Chi Huangdu sits among flame banners. Beitang Shiyue stands beneath white crane banners.

The duel officials prepare the formal opening. The sky dims though the Eclipse is still days away, making the terrace feel preordained.

A wandering dice seller appears where no outsider should be. Guards seem not to notice. He carries a black lacquer dice cup and bone dice necklace under a bead veil.

The bone dice strike the frozen stone. Their carved faces shift into likenesses of Lian and Yanluo. A red thread of fate erupts between the dice and both duelists.

Lian and Yanluo attack the red thread with their opposing arts. The thread tightens instead of breaking, and both feel the first sting.

The veiled busker stands atop the bronze eclipse bell as impossible wind lifts his bead veil slightly but not enough to reveal his full face. Red thread connects Lian and Yanluo below.

Panic and outrage roll through the terrace. Both family heads shout orders. Lian and Yanluo remain connected in the center, suddenly isolated despite the crowds.

In the chaos, a southern guard's thrown blade grazes Chi Yanluo's shoulder while Xue Lian stands untouched across the terrace. The same red line opens on Lian's shoulder.