ECHOES OF THE PAST

The mountains loomed closer now, their jagged peaks like the teeth of a beast waiting to devour them. The air had grown colder as they climbed, a biting chill that seeped into their bones. Each step felt heavier, not just because of the altitude, but because of the weight of what they'd already endured—and what still lay ahead.

Yuzi, Kiran, and Thorne pressed forward in silence, their breaths misting in the air. The forest had thinned out, giving way to rocky paths and sparse vegetation. The sounds of nature were still absent, as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

"Do you feel that?" Thorne asked, breaking the silence. His hand hovered over the hilt of his sword, eyes scanning the horizon.

Yuzi nodded, his senses heightened. There was something unnatural about this place, as if the very ground beneath their feet was watching them. The oppressive feeling of being followed hadn't left since their encounter with the beast in the forest. If anything, it had grown stronger, more sinister.

"We're close," Kiran said, his voice low. He gestured toward a narrow path that wound its way up the side of a steep cliff. "The sage's dwelling is at the top of this ridge. But be on guard. There could be more waiting for us."

Yuzi's grip on his sword tightened as they began their ascent. The path was narrow, with sheer drops on either side. One misstep could send them plummeting into the abyss below. But they couldn't afford to hesitate. The answers they sought were within reach.

As they climbed, Yuzi's mind raced. The encounter with the beast had left him shaken, not just because of its ferocity, but because of the light. The power inside him had surged to life without warning, more potent than ever before. It had saved them, but Yuzi didn't fully understand it. Why had it activated? Was it something he could control, or was it acting on its own?

The Power God's words echoed in his mind: "You will not know strength until your 20th year." Yet here he was, not yet 20, wielding a force he couldn't comprehend. What did it mean? Was he breaking some rule of this world? Or was there something more to the power than he had been told?

Lost in thought, Yuzi barely noticed when they reached the top of the ridge. The sage's dwelling lay before them—a small, unassuming hut made of stone and wood, nestled against the side of the mountain. Smoke rose from a chimney, the only sign of life in the desolate landscape.

"This is it," Kiran said, his voice filled with relief. "Let's hope the sage is as wise as the stories say."

Yuzi approached the hut cautiously, his heart pounding. There was something about this place that felt ancient, as if time itself moved differently here. The air was thick with magic, an energy that hummed beneath the surface.

He knocked on the wooden door, and for a moment, there was no response. Then, slowly, the door creaked open.

An old man stood in the doorway, his face weathered and lined with age. His eyes were sharp, though, gleaming with intelligence and something else—something Yuzi couldn't quite place. He wore simple robes, and his long white beard brushed against his chest.

"You've come far," the sage said, his voice low and gravelly. "And you seek answers."

Yuzi nodded, stepping forward. "We were told you could help us. We've encountered forces… powerful forces. I need to understand what's happening to me."

The sage's gaze flickered to Yuzi's sword, still faintly glowing with the remnants of the light. His eyes narrowed. "Ah, the light. I see. Come inside. There is much to discuss."

They followed the sage into the hut, which was dimly lit by a small fire in the hearth. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books, scrolls, and strange artifacts. In the center of the room was a simple wooden table, where the sage gestured for them to sit.

"I know why you're here," the sage said, sitting across from them. "You were touched by the light, yes? Given a second life, with a promise of power beyond measure."

Yuzi nodded. "But the Sentinels—they said the light wasn't meant for me. And now this power is manifesting earlier than it should. I don't understand any of it."

The sage stroked his beard thoughtfully. "The light is an ancient force, older than the gods themselves. It is not something to be given or taken lightly. The Power God may have thought he was doing you a favor by bestowing it upon you, but he did not consider the consequences."

"Consequences?" Thorne asked, frowning. "What do you mean?"

The sage sighed. "The light is alive, in its own way. It seeks balance. When it is given to one who was not destined for it, it creates a ripple—a disturbance in the fabric of the world. That is why the Sentinels came for you. They are not mere guardians. They are enforcers of balance. And they will stop at nothing to correct what they see as a mistake."

Yuzi's heart sank. "So, they'll keep coming for me?"

The sage nodded gravely. "Yes. As long as the light remains within you, they will hunt you. And each time they come, they will be stronger, more determined. The beast you encountered was merely a test, a precursor to what's truly out there."

Kiran shifted uneasily in his seat. "So what are we supposed to do? Is there any way to stop them?"

"There may be," the sage said, his eyes glinting. "But it will not be easy. The light is tied to your very being now. Removing it would mean… unmaking you."

"Unmaking me?" Yuzi echoed, his blood running cold.

The sage leaned forward, his voice serious. "You are no longer the man you were before the light touched you. It has become a part of you, entwined with your soul. To remove it would be to erase who you are. But that may be the only way to stop the Sentinels."

Yuzi sat back, the weight of the sage's words sinking in. Could he really unmake himself? Was that even a choice he could make? The power he had been given was immense, but if it meant endless pursuit by these terrifying forces, was it worth the cost?

"There is another way," the sage said after a long pause. "But it is dangerous, and there are no guarantees."

"What is it?" Thorne asked, his voice tense.

"The Sentinels are bound by the laws of balance," the sage explained. "But there is a way to challenge them, to face them head-on and prove that you are worthy of the light. If you succeed, they will no longer hunt you. But if you fail… you will be destroyed, along with the light."

Yuzi's heart raced. The thought of facing the Sentinels again, especially knowing they would be stronger next time, terrified him. But the alternative—erasing himself—seemed unthinkable.

"How do I challenge them?" Yuzi asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The sage stood up and walked over to a shelf, retrieving a small, intricately carved stone. He placed it on the table in front of Yuzi. "This is a fragment of the Realm of Shadows, where the Sentinels originate. If you take this stone and enter their realm, you can face them directly. It is the only way to prove your worth."

Yuzi stared at the stone, feeling the weight of the decision before him. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but it was his only chance to control his fate.

"I'll do it," he said finally, his voice firm. "I'll challenge the Sentinels."

The sage nodded, his expression somber. "Then prepare yourself, Yuzi S. Tung. For once you enter the Realm of Shadows, there is no turning back."