The Awakening

The forest was silent. Too silent.

Li Wei's breath caught in his throat as he followed the deep clawed footprints. The mist clung to the trees like ghostly veils, shifting unnaturally in the stillness.

Mei Ling gripped his arm tightly. "We should go," she whispered.

Li Wei wanted to agree, but his eyes were fixed on the golden glow at the crater's center. Something powerful lay there—he could feel it in his bones.

Then, the air shifted.

A low growl rumbled from the mist.

Mei Ling stiffened. "Did you hear—"

A dark shape lunged from the trees.

Li Wei barely had time to react before something massive crashed into the ground before them, sending dirt and leaves flying. A beast emerged from the mist—a hulking, wolf-like creature with dark scales instead of fur. Its glowing red eyes locked onto them, steam rising from its flaring nostrils.

"A Duskfang," Mei Ling breathed in horror. "It shouldn't be here."

The Duskfang let out a guttural snarl, its muscles coiling as it prepared to strike.

Li Wei's heart pounded. They had no weapons. No way to fight something like this.

Then, from the heart of the crater, the golden light flared—and the beast hesitated.

For a moment, its burning eyes flicked toward the glow… as if afraid.

Li Wei clenched his fists. Whatever was in that crater—it wasn't just calling to him.

It was keeping the darkness at bay.

But for how long?

The Duskfang growled, its claws digging into the ground. The beast's hesitation didn't last long. With a deafening snarl, it lunged toward them, jaws wide open.

"Run!" Mei Ling shouted, grabbing Li Wei's arm and pulling him back.

The two darted toward the trees, their feet pounding against the wet earth. Branches whipped at their faces as they ran, the Duskfang's thunderous footsteps closing in behind them.

Li Wei's lungs burned, but the golden glow from the crater pulled at him, an invisible thread tugging him closer.

"This way!" Mei Ling yanked him toward a narrow path between the trees.

The beast roared, its claws tearing through bark as it chased them. Li Wei could feel the heat of its breath on his back.

Suddenly, a sharp burst of light erupted from the crater, illuminating the forest. The Duskfang screeched, skidding to a halt as the golden glow enveloped the area.

Li Wei turned, shielding his eyes. The light seemed to hum with power, a deep resonance that vibrated in his chest.

"What… is that?" Mei Ling whispered, her voice trembling.

Li Wei stepped forward, his gaze locked on the crater. The golden light began to take shape, swirling and condensing into a small, floating orb. Symbols—ancient and glowing—danced across its surface.

The orb pulsed, and a voice echoed in Li Wei's mind.

"You are chosen."

Li Wei froze. The words were not spoken aloud, but he felt them deep within his soul.

The Duskfang snarled again, shaking off its fear. It stepped closer, its claws gouging the earth.

But before it could strike, the orb flared brighter, sending out a wave of energy that knocked the beast off its feet. The Duskfang howled, then turned and bolted into the shadows, disappearing into the mist.

Li Wei stood there, stunned, as the orb floated toward him. It stopped just inches from his face, its light warm and soothing.

"What is this?" he murmured.

Mei Ling stepped closer, her eyes wide with awe. "I think… it's a relic."

The orb pulsed again, and Li Wei felt a surge of energy course through him, like fire and lightning coursing through his veins.

"Li Wei," Mei Ling said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't think this is just any relic."

He reached out, and as his fingers brushed the orb's surface, the light engulfed him completely.

The moment Li Wei's fingers touched the orb, a surge of golden energy exploded outward. The world around him faded into a vast expanse of swirling light, his body weightless as if he were floating between heaven and earth.

A voice—ancient and powerful—whispered in his mind.

"The seal is breaking. The guardians have fallen. You must awaken."

Visions flashed before his eyes. A sky split apart by fire. A temple crumbling beneath the weight of an unseen force. Shadowy figures with glowing red eyes—the Eight Demon Kings, bound by celestial chains, their rage shaking the heavens.

Then, the vision changed. He saw himself, standing atop a mountain, cloaked in white and gold, wielding a blade of pure light. Power surged through his veins, an untamed force waiting to be unleashed.

Suddenly, everything snapped back into place.

Li Wei gasped, staggering backward as the golden light faded. His heart pounded wildly, his body trembling with energy that wasn't there before.

"Li Wei!" Mei Ling's voice pulled him back to reality. She grabbed his arm, eyes filled with panic. "What just happened? You—You were glowing!"

He looked down at his hands. The golden light had vanished, but something felt… different. Stronger.

The orb had disappeared, but in its place, a faint celestial mark now glowed on the back of his right hand—a sigil unlike anything he had ever seen.

Mei Ling's breath hitched. "That mark… It's from the old legends."

Li Wei swallowed hard. He didn't know what had just happened, but deep inside, he understood one thing:

This was no ordinary relic.

Li Wei's hands trembled as he stared at the celestial mark on his skin. It pulsed faintly, as if alive, a soft golden glow tracing the intricate patterns. It wasn't painful, but he could feel something inside it—like a spark waiting to ignite.

Mei Ling took a step back, her fox-like eyes wide with uncertainty. "Li Wei… what did that thing do to you?"

He swallowed, flexing his fingers. "I don't know. But I feel… different."

A sudden gust of wind rustled the trees, sending a chill down his spine. The forest, once eerily silent, now felt watchful.

"We need to go," Mei Ling said quickly, glancing around. "If that Duskfang was scared of this thing, who knows what else might come looking for it?"

Li Wei nodded. His body still tingled with residual energy, but instincts told him she was right. Whatever had just happened to him—whatever power had awakened—it wasn't meant to be seen by ordinary people.

As they turned to leave, Li Wei felt a strange pull toward the crater one last time. He resisted it, pushing down the unease twisting in his gut.

But deep in his heart, he knew this was just the beginning.

The golden sigil burned softly against his skin, as if whispering to him:.

The seal is breaking. The world will need you.

And for the first time in his life, Li Wei was afraid.