Chapter 1: Ashes of Home

A young boy's bare feet skimmed the ground, the earth cool beneath his soles as he darted through the familiar path behind his home. He could feel the wind rush past him, carrying the scent of pine and fresh rain. It had rained earlier, leaving the village's dirt roads damp, soft underfoot. He didn't mind. If anything, it made the race against the evening sun all the more thrilling.

"Lan Wei! You're going to fall if you keep running like that!" His mother's voice rang out, warm and melodic, but he barely heard her.

Instead, Lan Wei's gaze was fixed ahead—on the sprawling wilderness just beyond the village, where the mountains loomed like guardians in the distance. His father once told him that those mountains held secrets older than any human, that ancient cultivators had once passed through them, seeking immortality. It was an idea that captivated him, though Lan Wei wasn't so sure he believed it.

His foot caught on a rock, and with a sharp inhale, he stumbled forward, barely catching himself on the wet ground. Laughter bubbled up from his chest before he could stop it.

"Guess I should've listened to her," he muttered, grinning to himself.

He pushed himself up and turned to see his mother standing at the doorway, hands on her hips, pretending to scowl at him. He waved, earning a reluctant smile in return. She always gave in when he smiled.

He walked back toward their small home, feeling the familiar comfort of the wooden walls that had seen so much life. His mother was already back inside, stirring something in the pot. The smell of herbs filled the room—likely for his father again. His illness had worsened recently, though they tried not to speak of it in front of Lan Wei.

Lan stepped inside and quietly made his way to his father's room. The light in the room was dim, but he could see his father sitting by the window, staring out into the gathering twilight. His father's once-strong frame had thinned in the past few months, and there was a hollowness to his face that Lan tried not to dwell on.

"You were out running again," his father said without turning, his voice low but steady. "I could hear your mother fretting from here."

Lan Wei chuckled softly, moving to sit beside his father. "She worries too much."

"She worries because she loves you," his father replied, his tone gentler now.

For a moment, they sat in silence. Outside, the wind picked up, rustling the leaves. There was a peace to the evening, a quiet Lan Wei had grown used to. It was a life he cherished—simple, grounded, untouched by the chaos of the world beyond the village.

But then his father spoke again, his voice more serious this time. "Lan Wei, you've always wondered about the world beyond, haven't you?"

Lan hesitated, caught off guard by the sudden change in tone. "I guess… sometimes," he admitted. "But I'm happy here."

His father looked at him then, his eyes filled with something Lan couldn't quite place. "There's more out there than you know. More than I've ever told you. One day, you'll understand. But for now… stay as you are. Don't rush to know the world's secrets."

Lan frowned but nodded. His father had always been somewhat cryptic, speaking in half-truths or riddles. He figured it was just his way. There was no point in questioning it further.

Lan Wei awoke to the sound of the village coming to life. The distant clamor of tools, the soft murmur of neighbors greeting each other—it was a routine he loved. But today felt different. There was a weight in the air that he couldn't shake off.

He grabbed his satchel and headed out, knowing he had to find the herbs his mother needed for his father's medicine. His mind wandered to his childhood friend, Mei, as he made his way toward the forest. She had been acting strange lately—distant, quieter than usual. He'd see her later, he thought, and maybe get a laugh out of her. That always cheered him up.

The forest was thick and quiet, the ground beneath his feet soft from the night's rain. As he knelt to pick the herbs, his thoughts strayed to his father's words. There's more out there than you know. What had he meant?

His hand brushed against something cold.

Frowning, Lan Wei glanced down. At first, it seemed like an ordinary stone, but there was a faint red glow emanating from it. It was buried partially in the dirt, but the light pulsed like a heartbeat. He hesitated for a moment, then dug it out.

It was a shard, smooth and cool to the touch, no bigger than his palm. The red glow was faint but persistent, as if the stone itself was alive. He turned it over in his hands, curious but not entirely sure what it was.

Just then, a branch snapped behind him.

Lan Wei spun around, his heart racing. But it was only Mei, standing a few feet away, her expression unreadable.

"You scared me!" Lan laughed, though there was a nervous edge to his voice.

"I didn't mean to," Mei replied, her voice softer than usual.

She stepped closer, her gaze drifting to the shard in his hand. "What's that?"

Lan looked down at the stone, then back at her. "I'm not sure. I just found it here."

Mei's eyes flickered with something Lan didn't quite understand, but she smiled and nodded. "It's probably nothing. Just a trinket."

"Yeah, probably," Lan said, though something about her reaction unsettled him. He slipped the shard into his satchel and stood. "We should head back. I've got to bring these herbs to my mother."

Mei smiled again, but this time it didn't reach her eyes. "Right. Let's go."