The autumn wind blew from the north, bringing with it a sense of morbid loneliness. Shijie lay there, battered and broken, his body a canvas of pain. The once vibrant foliage around him seemed to mirror his plight, its colors fading into a somber palette as if mourning the impending loss.
The rustling leaves whispered tales of ancient battles fought on these very grounds, tales of warriors who had faced insurmountable odds and emerged victorious. But Shijie's spirit was waning, his will to survive flickering like a dying ember in the encroaching darkness.
As the wind whistled through the trees, it carried echoes of distant cries that resonated with his own anguish. The symphony of nature, once a source of solace, now felt like a cruel mockery. Shijie closed his eyes, embracing the stillness that wrapped around him, and memories flooded his mind.
