Chapter 2: Echoes of the Past

Sleep eluded Ye Xiu that night. The vendor's cryptic warning gnawed at his thoughts, intertwining with memories of his father—a man shrouded in mystery, whose sudden disappearance had left a void filled with unanswered questions. The pendant was the sole relic of his father's existence, a silent testament to a lineage Ye Xiu barely understood.

Determined to seek answers, Ye Xiu ventured into the remnants of the city's library district at dawn. The once-grand edifices now stood as hollow shells, their interiors ravaged by time and neglect. Yet, amidst the decay, fragments of knowledge remained, waiting to be rediscovered.

Navigating the labyrinth of toppled shelves and scattered tomes, Ye Xiu's fingers brushed against a dust-laden volume titled "Legends of the Forgotten Epoch." Its pages, though brittle, held tales of ancient warriors and mystical artifacts—stories that had faded into obscurity with the march of progress.

One particular entry seized his attention: a depiction of a wooden sword, eerily reminiscent of his pendant.The accompanying text detailed the artifact's rumored origins:

"Known as Calamity's Edge, the wooden sword was once wielded by warriors who transcended human limits, capable of cutting through realms and sealing immense dangers. Yet, legend spoke of a terrible price paid by each bearer—vitality drained, lifespan shortened, a fate inseparable from wielding such power."

Ye Xiu felt his heartbeat quicken, his mind flooding with questions. Could this wooden sword truly be Calamity's Edge? If so, how had it ended up as a simple heirloom passed through his family? Most importantly, why had his father concealed such a powerful and dangerous legacy from him?

Closing the ancient tome, Ye Xiu tucked it carefully into his satchel, knowing it might hold more secrets yet undiscovered. Outside, daylight dimmed into dusk, shadows stretching long across the desolate cityscape. He swiftly navigated the deserted streets, senses alert, feeling more vulnerable than ever before.

A sudden crash echoed through the silence, causing him to spin around sharply. From an adjacent alley, a hooded figure darted out, clearly fleeing from something—or someone. The figure stumbled, collapsing onto the cracked pavement only yards ahead of Ye Xiu.

Instinctively, Ye Xiu moved forward, helping the figure to their feet. Beneath the hood, a terrified face met his—a young woman, roughly his age, her dark eyes wide with panic.

"Please," she whispered desperately. "They're coming."

Before Ye Xiu could question further, three heavily armored men appeared, weapons drawn, their uniforms bearing the insignia of the formidable Tianqiong Group, the dominant power that governed the fractured remnants of civilization through brutal efficiency.

"Hand her over," one commanded coldly, voice distorted through a helmet speaker.

Ye Xiu hesitated briefly, but the desperation in the woman's eyes, coupled with his innate distrust of the Tianqiong Group, solidified his decision. He placed himself protectively between the girl and her pursuers.

"She's with me," he replied firmly, fingers instinctively moving toward the pendant around his neck.

The leader laughed derisively. "Kid, you're making a fatal mistake."

Ignoring the threat, Ye Xiu grasped the pendant, feeling it pulse in response to his urgency. The moment his hand fully enclosed it, the familiar surge of painful energy raced through him, veins searing beneath his skin, agony lancing through every nerve. Yet he welcomed it, knowing it meant the power had awoken.

Instantly, the wooden sword expanded from its pendant form into a full-length blade. Crimson threads rippled along its length, glowing ominously, illuminating Ye Xiu's determined expression.

The soldiers hesitated visibly, clearly startled by the transformation, their stance shifting defensively.

"Calamity's Edge…" muttered one nervously, his voice betraying recognition and fear.

Before the soldiers could regain their composure, Ye Xiu lunged forward, blade arcing gracefully despite the pain. Each swing resonated with the force of his intent, the sword slicing effortlessly through their reinforced armor. They scattered quickly, retreating to the shadows.

Breathing heavily, Ye Xiu felt exhaustion pulling at his limbs, the cost of wielding the blade evident in his trembling hands and blurred vision. He turned toward the young woman, who watched him with astonishment and relief.

"Who… who are you?" she stammered, eyes fixed on the sword now shrinking back to its pendant form.

Ye Xiu concealed it quickly, trying to steady his breath. "A friend," he finally said, managing a weak smile. "Come on, we need to move."

They fled into the growing darkness, unaware that from the shadows, watchful eyes had observed the entire encounter, already reporting back to unseen masters.