Shadows in the Flame

Wei Feng could hardly believe it. A year ago, he was the boy without a weapon, laughed at and pitied in equal measure. Now, after proving his worth against Xu Min, he had been accepted by the **Soulbound Clan**. He was no longer an outcast. But as he sat alone under the cherry blossoms in the clan courtyard, watching petals drift on the breeze, he realized that his journey was far from over.

The souls within his sword stirred, their presence as constant as his own heartbeat. He could feel their emotions — whispers of pride, determination, and even a flicker of regret. It was strange to be surrounded by fragments of others' lives, yet somehow it made him feel… complete.

As he sat there, lost in thought, footsteps approached.

**Lan Mei** stepped into view, her green robes fluttering like leaves in the wind. She was one of the clan's top fighters, known for her mastery over flames, and her stare was as sharp as her fiery attacks. Wei noticed the intensity in her gaze; it was rare for her to speak to him, let alone seek him out.

"Wei Feng," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I heard about your duel with Xu Min. Quite a spectacle you put on."

Wei nodded, unsure of her intent. "Thank you, Lan Mei. It wasn't easy."

She smirked, folding her arms. "And yet, you won. But don't let one victory get to your head. Xu Min was skilled, but there are others in this clan — and beyond — who could overpower you in an instant."

Wei's confidence wavered. She was right; his victory over Xu Min was a beginning, not an end. Still, he felt the urge to defend himself. "I know there are stronger fighters. I'm not delusional."

Lan Mei's smirk faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "There's more to strength than power alone, Wei Feng. Have you ever considered the cost of binding souls to a weapon?"

Wei hesitated. He hadn't thought much about the implications. The souls within his sword felt like allies, guides even. But he had no idea what they had given up in becoming part of his weapon.

"Tell me," she continued, her eyes narrowing, "do you know why most of us never choose a weapon that binds souls?"

Wei shook his head. "No, I assumed it was because it's rare… or difficult."

"It's because it's dangerous," she replied. "Soulbinding is a curse as much as it is a gift. The souls you bind may serve you now, but they are restless, Wei Feng. Their pain, their regrets, their anger… it will bleed into you over time."

The revelation hit him like a punch. He thought back to the whispers he'd heard, the flashes of memories. Had he been absorbing their emotions without realizing it?

Lan Mei continued, her voice almost sympathetic. "If you don't control them, they'll control you. A soulbound weapon can empower its wielder, but it can also consume them."

Wei clenched his fist around the hilt of his sword. The souls within it pulsed, almost as if reacting to her words. "I… I can handle it. They chose to help me."

She sighed, shaking her head. "Perhaps. But be careful. Power always comes at a price."

With that, Lan Mei turned and walked away, leaving Wei alone with his thoughts.

---

The next morning, Wei was called to the training grounds, where Elder Ma awaited him. Her expression was stern, as always, but there was a flicker of interest in her gaze.

"Today, we will test your skill with your weapon," she announced. "Lan Mei told me about your duel with Xu Min. Impressive, but far from enough. If you truly wish to survive in this clan, you'll need to be stronger — and smarter."

Wei nodded, his determination rekindling. "I'm ready, Elder Ma."

She motioned toward a distant hilltop, where a wooden training dummy stood. "Destroy that dummy. And do it with a single strike."

Wei frowned. The hill was at least fifty paces away. "You want me to reach it from here?"

"Correct," Elder Ma said, folding her arms. "A true master can channel their power beyond the reach of their blade. A Soulbound Warrior's strength is not limited to physical distance."

Wei took a deep breath, focusing on his sword. He closed his eyes, feeling the spirits within stir. He could sense their eagerness, their desire to be unleashed. Channeling his energy, he swung his sword through the air, visualizing the attack reaching the distant dummy.

Nothing happened.

He opened his eyes to see the dummy still intact, untouched.

Elder Ma shook her head, a hint of disappointment in her gaze. "Again. This time, focus. Don't just rely on the souls. Use your own spirit."

Wei gritted his teeth, frustration building. He tightened his grip, feeling the pulse of the souls within the blade. He was trying too hard to use their power alone. What Lan Mei had said returned to him: he had to control them, not rely on them.

Closing his eyes once more, he took a steadying breath. He focused, not on the souls, but on the connection he felt to them, the unity they shared. He imagined his spirit intertwining with theirs, merging into a single, focused strike.

Then, with a swift motion, he swung his blade, releasing a burst of energy that streaked through the air. A shimmering arc raced toward the dummy, and when it made contact, the wooden figure exploded into splinters.

Wei opened his eyes, staring in awe at what he'd done.

Elder Ma nodded, her expression softer. "Good. That is the strength you need to master. Soulbound Warriors are not mere soldiers. They are conduits for the spirits, and their power is as much spiritual as it is physical."

Wei lowered his sword, feeling a sense of accomplishment mingled with trepidation. He had achieved something new, but he also felt the burden of responsibility grow heavier.

"Remember this lesson, Wei Feng," Elder Ma continued. "You are more than a weapon, and those souls within you are more than just tools. Treat them as equals, and they will guide you. Disregard them… and they may one day turn on you."

He nodded, feeling a newfound respect for the souls he carried.

As he left the training grounds, he couldn't shake the feeling that his journey had only just begun — that his connection to the spirits was deeper, more complex, than he had imagined. And somewhere, lurking in the shadows of his mind, he felt a hint of something darker. A fragment of one soul in particular — angry, vengeful, powerful — whispering promises of greatness… and ruin.

For now, he would embrace this path, balancing his power with restraint. But as he looked up at the distant mountains, he couldn't shake the feeling that a storm was coming.