Awakening in the land of the shadows -3
It was early, though "early" was a vague concept in the midst of the winter storm that had ravaged the eastern regions for some time. It was impossible to tell where you were in the cycle of the day—was it morning or night?
A sound of an explosion!
The sound echoed throughout the village, now stripped of its former glory, leaving behind only shadows of ghosts dancing on the edges, far from the fire kindled for a nearly nonexistent warmth. Xiao Feng emerged from the wooden hut after placing the rabbit he had caught on the ground, carefully closing the door behind him. Cautiously and slowly, he moved towards the east, specifically towards the cemetery. When he and his friend had come to this village, fleeing from their pursuers, the cemetery had been the most terrifying place in this hellish village. Stories said it was a mass grave for those who had lived in the village six years ago. Of course, the blame had been placed on his clan, the Vicious Snake, but he and the clan were innocent of the villagers' blood. Burdened by the heavy load of his past, he had fled to this village, vowing never to set foot in its cemetery. Despite the strange sounds and energy that emanated from the graves at night, he had never dared to go near them. But here he was now, moving towards it. He didn't know if it was madness or something else, but he was like a man enchanted, drawn toward it. He approached with heavy steps on the thick ice, his feet sinking as he moved closer to the graves.
**Boom boom boom**
The sound of a steady, heartbeat-like rhythm.
**Boom boom boom**
A fixed rhythm, gripping his heart, enchanting him, calling him.
**Boom boom boom**
It was right in front of him.
**Boom boom boom**
Despite the faint light, barely visible—was it the moon or the sun?—and despite the falling snow, he was a seasoned fighter who could focus his Qi energy in his eyes to see what lay ahead of him.
It was tall, with a long, snake-like neck. Its facial features were unclear, and its body was bare, standing before him.
A demon!
**Boom boom boom**
But it was not like any demon he had seen before; it kept writhing and changing shape, sometimes with a long neck and towering height, sometimes as a dwarf, sometimes on all fours like an animal, and sometimes with a bloated body.
**Boom boom boom**
He reached for the sword at his waist to draw it. His movement was difficult as half his leg was buried in the snow up to his knee. The sound of that rhythm was affecting his mind, making him unsure of his location.
He focused his energy on the sword. The demon began moving towards him, so fast that he could barely see it, but he had to swing his sword, hoping to hit something.
His sword moved, leaving behind three shadows, each in a different direction, striking four spots at once, aiming at the advancing demon.
**Boom boom boom**
Suddenly, he saw the back of a person standing in front of him, with the demon's pale hand gripping them. It was a body without a head, while to his left, he saw the demon's face. He saw the empty eye sockets and the long hair—yes, he had been killed, his head severed from his body without feeling any pain or even realizing it.
**Boom boom boom**
---
"Where am I?"
Steps.
"What is this place?"
Steps.
"Why can't I speak?"
Steps.
Not even the sound of a raspy breath escaped his throat.
Jun moved lightly over the accumulated snow as if he were a butterfly among flowers. His tall body moved gracefully, as if he knew where he was headed in a place he didn't recognize. The place was enveloped in winter, yet despite this, he didn't feel cold. He felt his body moving in strange ways—growing taller and shorter, becoming fatter and thinner.
Yes, he remembered. With these same steps, he used to walk toward his home long ago. Yes, if he kept walking, he would reach his house. He would see his sister and his parents. Perhaps they would scold him for staying out late. Here he was, standing in front of the wooden door, feeling as if he were about to cry.
He pushed the door slightly inward and stepped inside.
The place was dark.
But there, at the far end, something was pulsing.
Something warm.
Like the thing he encountered before.
He felt happy and forgot that he was looking for his parents—whatever that thing was he had been searching for, it didn't matter now. What mattered was this pulsing thing.
He approached it quickly, eagerly, and leaped high, looking at the pulsing object with longing and reaching out his hands toward it.
---
A strange warmth enveloped the body of the 18-year-old young man as he sat naked, his back resting against a bed soaked in blood, which also covered his body. Jun opened his eyes with difficulty, as the scent of flowers and perfumes teased his nostrils. His well-proportioned white body and long black hair stood out as he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a green glow in his sockets. His pupils were in place, and his eyes shone white with a green iris, casting a gaze upon what stood before him.
A massive deer, as tall as two men, with long, sprawling antlers as wide as a house, stood before him. Flowers grew from its body, emitting a soft green light—the beautiful light that brought warmth to Jun's body.
The deer opened its mouth, and from it came human words:
"Welcome back, my friend."