grey_igorot

Fate and the Cursed Child


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On a dark, stormy night, a child named Ye Ling is born in a remote village. His arrival is marked by thunder and shadows, and the village elder warns that he is a cursed child, destined to bring calamity. Despite the villagers’ fear and mistrust, Ye Ling’s mother believes he is innocent and protects him, allowing him to grow up on the village outskirts.

As Ye Ling grows, he begins to sense a strange power within him—a dark, primal force that stirs under intense emotions, granting him unusual strength but at a dangerous cost. This power draws the attention of mystical creatures, spiritual clans, and beast tribes, who see him as either a weapon or a threat. Seeking to break his curse and uncover his origins, Ye Ling embarks on a journey beyond the village, determined to control his “beast” within and to understand the destiny that binds him.

On this path, he encounters allies and rivals: a mysterious girl who attempts to tame his power, a beast king who views him with equal parts fear and respect, and an old friend bound to his fate. Through battles, trials, and sacrifices, Ye Ling transforms from a rejected boy into a formidable force. As he learns to tame and harness his cursed nature, he discovers that his curse may be the key to reshaping his destiny.

But as he approaches the truth, Ye Ling faces an ultimate choice: to fully embrace his power and control his own fate, or to sacrifice himself to prevent the foretold disaster. In the end, he will decide if his curse is truly his doom or a path to freedom and redemption.

Fate and the Cursed Child

Ye Ling's arrival at the Order's temple was greeted with solemn whispers and curious stares from the other disciples. While some saw him as a dangerous addition, others were eager to witness the potential within him. However, Ye Ling's reputation as the "Cursed Child" kept most of them at a distance, and he could sense their cautious energy as he walked past. He wasn't here for friendships or approval; his mission was clear—gain control over the curse that shadowed his destiny.

After his initiation, Ye Ling was summoned by an elder named Tianlao, a wise man known for his mastery over illusion and the art of restraint. With eyes that seemed to hold centuries of wisdom and a calm demeanor, Tianlao was known for guiding young talents to channel their abilities without letting ambition consume them.

In their first meeting, Tianlao regarded Ye Ling thoughtfully before speaking. "You carry the weight of darkness within, but it is not your burden alone. It's a force that will either shape or destroy you, depending on the choices you make."

Ye Ling's gaze was firm. "Then teach me, Master Tianlao. Show me how to wield this power without losing myself to it."

Tianlao's lips curved into a slight smile. "You must first learn patience. The beast within you cannot be tamed by strength alone. Only through balance can you hope to control it."

First Lesson: Meditation and Focus

Tianlao introduced Ye Ling to meditation, a practice that felt frustratingly passive compared to the intense training Ye Ling had expected. They sat in the temple's secluded courtyard at dawn, a time when the world seemed at peace, and Tianlao instructed Ye Ling to close his eyes, empty his mind, and listen to the silence around him.

At first, Ye Ling found it difficult. His mind was a storm of memories, regrets, and fears. The darkness within him was restless, stirring like a wild beast. But with each session, he began to understand Tianlao's teachings. By quieting his mind, he could feel the curse's energy ebb and flow, no longer an uncontrollable force but something that responded to his will.

After weeks of disciplined meditation, Tianlao took Ye Ling to a chamber within the temple called the Abyssal Chamber. In its center burned a mystical flame known as the Abyssal Flame—a fire that represented the balance between light and darkness. Tianlao instructed Ye Ling to reach out to the flames with his energy, a task that required intense focus.

Ye Ling extended his hand, feeling the fire's warmth without allowing it to consume him. The flames responded, flowing around his fingers without burning them. In that moment, Ye Ling realized the essence of what Tianlao had been teaching him: his power did not need to be feared or suppressed but could be guided, tempered, and respected.

As they left the chamber, Tianlao gave him a final lesson for the day. "Remember, the flame will always be there, but it is your choice whether you let it light your path or engulf you. The real challenge lies in learning to walk alongside it without losing your way."

Ye Ling felt a deep respect for the elder's wisdom. For the first time, he felt that his curse could be more than a burden—it could be the key to something far greater, perhaps even his destiny. This was only the beginning, but with Tianlao's guidance, Ye Ling felt a spark of hope for the path that lay ahead.

Chapter 16: The First Mentor from the Order