chapter 18:The Awakening

Chapter 18: The Awakening

Lin Yue's head throbbed as she struggled to open her eyes. A faint hum echoed in the space, and as her vision cleared, she realized the once-calm surroundings were in disarray. The glowing jade on the table had shattered into shards, and the air felt charged with an unfamiliar energy.

She scrambled to her feet and rushed to Li Wei's side. He was still lying on the bed, his face pale, but the fiery mark on his forehead continued to glow faintly. The children stirred in their beds, Ren An's voice breaking the silence.

"Mother, what happened?" Ren An asked, his small face filled with concern.

Before Lin Yue could answer, Fei Feng flapped his wings and landed on her shoulder, his feathers ruffled. "Something has shifted. That jade—it's no ordinary relic."

Lin Yue frowned. "I don't care what it is. All I care about is Li Wei waking up!" Her voice cracked as she looked at him, still unresponsive.

Ren An stepped forward, his brows furrowing as he stared at his father. His small hands glowed faintly with water energy. "Mother, I think I can help."

Lin Yue froze. "What do you mean? Your ability is water… how can you—"

"I don't know," Ren An admitted. "But I feel something. Like I'm supposed to try."

Fei Feng flapped nervously. "It's risky, Lin Yue. He's just a child."

But Lin Yue knelt beside her son, gripping his shoulders. "If you think you can help, then do it. Please."

Ren An nodded with determination. He placed his hands on Li Wei's chest, and a soft blue glow spread from his palms. The light grew brighter, and Lin Yue could feel the room's air shift, as though life itself was being drawn into Li Wei's body.

The glow intensified, and Ren An's small frame began to shake from the strain. Lin Yue placed a steadying hand on his back.

Sweat dripped from Ren An's forehead as the glow reached its peak. Then, with a sudden flash, the light disappeared, and Ren An collapsed into Lin Yue's arms.

"Ren An!" she cried, checking him quickly. He was breathing but unconscious, his face peaceful.

Lin Yue turned her attention back to Li Wei. For a moment, nothing happened. Her heart sank, tears welling in her eyes. "Please, Li Wei…"

Suddenly, his fingers twitched. Then his eyes fluttered open, hazy but alive.

"Lin Yue…?" he whispered.

She sobbed in relief, gripping his hand tightly. "You're awake! Li Wei, you're awake!"

Li Wei blinked, his gaze shifting to Ren An, who lay unconscious in her arms. "What happened?"

"Ren An… he healed you," Lin Yue explained, her voice thick with emotion. "He used some kind of power. He saved you."

Li Wei's eyes softened as he looked at his son. "He… did that?"

Before Lin Yue could respond, a low rumble echoed through the space. Fei Feng squawked, flying to the center of the room. "Something's wrong!"

The shattered shards of the jade began to float, glowing with an intense light. A vortex of energy formed in the center of the space, pulling objects toward it.

"Get the children!" Lin Yue shouted, holding Ren An tightly.

The other children woke up, crying as the space trembled around them. Lin Yue struggled to keep her footing as she pulled the others into her arms.

Li Wei, still weak, tried to sit up. "What… what's happening?"

"The jade!" Fei Feng screeched. "It's trying to release something!"

The vortex grew stronger, and a deafening roar echoed from within it. Lin Yue's heart raced as she clutched her children tightly, her eyes locked on the swirling energy.

From within the vortex, a dark shadow began to emerge, its form massive and menacing. The roar grew louder, shaking the very foundation of the space.

Lin Yue's breath hitched as she stared at the shadow. "What is that…?"

Fei Feng's voice trembled. "Something that should never have been awakened."

The shadow took form—a massive creature with glowing red eyes and a body wreathed in flames. Its presence filled the space, radiating an overwhelming aura of power.

Lin Yue glanced at Li Wei, who was struggling to stand.

He gritted his teeth, summoning the fire energy within him. The mark on his forehead flared to life, and he stepped forward, his legs shaking but his determination unwavering.

"I'll stop it," he said, his voice firm despite his weakened state.

Lin Yue's heart clenched as she watched him. "Li Wei, you're not strong enough—"

"I have to," he interrupted, his gaze never leaving the creature. "Get the children somewhere safe."

The creature let out another roar, its fiery body surging forward. Lin Yue pulled the children close, her mind racing as the space seemed on the verge of collapse.

As Li Wei prepared to face the creature, the mark on his forehead glowed brighter, and a familiar voice echoed in his mind: "The Tree of Life has chosen you. Prove your worth."

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