I could breathe! My eyes shot open as I gulped air like a drowning man. My chest heaved, each breath a struggle, as if my lungs were collapsing in on themselves. I scrambled to sit up, and the relief was immediate. Slowly, my breathing steadied, and the spinning room came to a halt. Finally, I could take in my surroundings.
I lay in a large bedroom, opulent and overwhelming, drenched in reds and golds. The air smelled of old money and decay. Golden statues of grotesque figures loomed in the corners, their faces twisted in silent screams. Heavy velvet curtains hung from the walls, their fabric thick with dust. The bed beneath me was ancient, its frame creaking at the slightest movement. The mattress was little more than a hard pad, and the blanket draped over me was sewn with gold thread,luxurious yet uncomfortable.
Black candles surrounded the bed, half-melted and still burning, their flickering light casting eerie shadows. Talismans hung from every corner of the bed, their symbols unfamiliar but ominous. A golden chain wrapped around my ankle, its weight cold and unyielding.
An older woman stood a few paces away, her presence commanding the room. She wore thick robes of deep purple and gold, the fabric rich and heavy. Two attendants flanked her, their eyes fixed firmly on the ground, as if afraid to meet my gaze.
"You're finally awake," she said, her voice clipped and cold, carrying the distinct accent of the north. It was a simple statement, but it carried an air of authority that made my skin prickle.
"Who?" I croaked, my throat dry and raw.
She didn't move, but one of her attendants rushed forward, pouring a small cup of water from a nearby pitcher. The attendant hesitated for a moment before holding it out to me, her hands trembling slightly. I grabbed the cup and drank greedily, the cool liquid soothing my parched throat.
The attendant scurried back to the woman's side, visibly relieved to be away from me. She acted as if I might lunge at her and tear her apart.
"I assume you're coherent enough now," the woman said, her tone sharp. "Listen carefully. I was told you should have most of your memories. Recount what happened right before you died."
"Died?" The word caught in my throat. I sat frozen, trying to process it. I was dead? But here I was, breathing, seeing, feeling. Yet I remembered the sword piercing my chest, the cold steel sliding through my ribs. Xue's face, his eyes locked on mine as he drove the blade home.
"Xue killed me," I whispered, my voice trembling.
"Yes," the woman confirmed, her tone matter-of-fact. "His Majesty, Emperor Xue Peng, dealt the killing blow. What else do you remember?"
"My family… they were gone. I was tricked, I think. I'm not sure."
"You killed Crown Prince Jin," she said, her voice cutting through the haze of my memories. "Ripped his heart out through his chest on his wedding night, no less. Right in front of everyone. And before that, you severed his father's head. It caused quite the stir."
"The stir," I repeated, disbelief coloring my voice. How could I have done such things? I couldn't imagine killing anyone, let alone tearing out a heart.
"You're skeptical," she observed. "Let me explain. When a human experiences great trauma or overwhelming emotion, it creates a window for demonic possession. The type of demon depends on the emotion. In your case, it was the demon of tears,heartbreak, mourning, and rage. You slaughtered half the celebration attendees in the streets and a quarter of the guests inside the palace. The guards were no match for you. They called you the Crying Angel."
"Angel?" I echoed, my voice hollow.
"Funny, isn't it?" she said with a faint smirk. "As you slaughtered, tears of blood streaked your face, and a soft glow followed you. You moved like an angel of death."
"How funny," I muttered, my tone bitter.
"Funny or not, you were no angel. You were a demonic possession. And I have revived that form."
I looked down at myself. I was draped in a soft white robe, my body seemingly normal,two legs, two arms, all my fingers and toes. No wings, no claws.
"What's so demonic about me?" I asked.
The woman tilted her head slightly, gesturing toward a mirror propped against the far wall. I turned to look, and the reflection staring back at me was unrecognizable. My hair, once dark, was now a stark white, cascading down my back in waves. My eyes glowed like liquid gold, otherworldly and terrifying.
"I don't look normal," I said, my voice barely a whisper.
"No," she agreed. "The demon's possession caused permanent changes. We can only revive the last living form."
"Why did you bring me back?" I asked, my voice rising. "What's your purpose?"
"I need you to enact your revenge," she said simply. "Your soul couldn't rest. For a year, it lingered in limbo, unaware. I've brought you back to complete your vengeance—to destroy those who wronged you."
"Why do you care about my revenge?"
"I don't care about you," she said coldly. "I care about myself. Your enemies are my enemies."
I fell silent, unsure how to respond. Her words were calculated, her motives hidden beneath layers of icy detachment. She was a northern noble, a woman of power and danger. The northerners were said to be as cold and unyielding as the mountains they hailed from. Some even whispered they weren't entirely human—that their blood carried the taint of demons.
"Where are we?" I asked, changing the subject.
"In my capital home," she replied. "I would have preferred to do this in my northern estate, but your body was held here."
"Held?"
"You died almost a year ago," she explained. "But your body didn't deteriorate—a side effect of your… condition. They entombed you far below the main temple, surrounded by wards and talismans. It was a hassle to retrieve you."
She said it as if I should be grateful.
"How did you get through?" I asked.
"Favors," she said dismissively. "We'll discuss that later. For now, get up. We have much to do."
A servant hurried forward, unlocking the golden shackle around my ankle. I stood slowly, my body heavy and unsteady.
"What happens after?" I asked suddenly. "After I complete my revenge?"
She paused, her expression unreadable. "I'm unsure. It could go two ways. You might die, your soul finally released to the depths of hell where it's bound. Or you might live, for however long you can."
"Bound for hell," I repeated, the words bitter on my tongue.
"Yes," she said. "A tragedy, to be sure. Now, no more questions. Let's go."
I followed the servants as they led me to a bathing chamber. The woman left once I was in the tub, leaving me with the skittish attendants. They moved cautiously, as if I might lash out at any moment. I tried to ignore their fear, but it was hard not to feel like a monster.
The robes they gave me were fine and soft,a delicate blush color with golden accents. My hair was pinned into a simple bun, adorned with a white hairpin. Once dressed, I was led to the main hall.
The woman, Madam Su, was already there, seated beside an older man dressed just as extravagantly and severely as she was. Two young men sat across from each other, a table of food between them.
"I would like to welcome our new family member, Xinyi," Madam Su announced.
I froze. "Xinyi?"
She shot me a glare, and I quickly bowed, remembering my manners.
"Xinyi is your name now," she said firmly. "Remember it."
A servant guided me to a seat beside one of the young men. "Xinyi will be staying with us indefinitely," Madam Su continued. " This is my husband, Wuying, and my sons, Duo and Li."
I nodded to each of them, taking in their appearances. Duo, seated across from me, was handsome but carried an air of disdain, his sharp eyes glaring at everything, even his food. Li, beside me, was more approachable, his friendly smile a stark contrast to his brother's scowl.
"Mother," Duo sneered, "what is the meaning of this? Adopting an oddity?"
"Watch your tongue," Madam Su snapped. "She is your new sibling. You will treat her with respect and protect her if needed. Do I make myself clear?"
Duo's jaw tightened, but he nodded. Li, however, leaned forward, his curiosity evident.
"Where do you hail from, Xinyi?" he asked.
I glanced at Madam Su, who gave no indication of how I should respond. "I come from the capital," I said carefully.
Li nodded, his gaze lingering on me. "This must not be to your liking," he said, gesturing to the food.
The meal was a spread of northern staples—bland, vegetable-based dishes with little seasoning. It was a far cry from the rich, spiced foods of the capital.
"I'm just not used to it," I admitted.
"She'll get used to it," Madam Su said firmly.
The rest of the meal passed in tense silence. When it was over, Madam Su rose and commanded me to follow her. She led me to a secluded study, its walls lined with ancient tomes and strange artifacts.
"You must have questions," she said, her voice softer now but no less commanding.
"Why am I here?" I asked. "Why did you bring me back?"
"Because you are a weapon," she replied. "A weapon forged in rage and sorrow. And I intend to wield you against those who have wronged us both."
Her words settled like a weight in my chest. "How are our enemies the same? Do you know who killed my family?"
"Those questions only you can answer," she said. "But know this: your fate is tied to mine. Betray me, and you'll find that death is the least of your worries."
Her warning sent a chill through me. I nodded, though my mind raced with doubts.
"Rest now," she said. "Tomorrow, your training begins."
As I lay in my room that night, staring at the ornate ceiling, I made myself a promise. I would have my revenge, no matter the cost. And when the time came, I would decide my own fate—not Madam Su, not the demon, but me.
For now, I would play my part.