The sky was a deep indigo, the last traces of daylight fading as Lin Xi stood by the riverbank, gazing into the shimmering water. Her reflection wavered in the current, distorted and unfamiliar, much like the memories that had begun to resurface in her mind.
It started as whispers—soft, disjointed echoes of a past she could barely grasp. Faces she didn't recognize, voices that seemed familiar yet distant. But now, as the pendant around her neck pulsed with energy, those whispers were growing louder, more insistent, calling her to remember.
Lin Xi clutched the jade pendant tighter, feeling its warmth seeping into her skin. She closed her eyes and let the memories flood her senses.
In her mind's eye, she saw a vast battlefield. Armies clashed, swords gleaming under a blood-red sky. At the center of it all, a young woman stood, her armor battered but her stance unwavering. She raised a sword, its blade shimmering with ancient power, and with a mighty swing, she struck down a shadowy figure—one whose face Lin Xi could not make out.
Then the vision shifted.
Now, she was standing at the top of a mountain, overlooking a city in flames. The scent of smoke filled the air as she heard cries of despair. A man's voice reached her ears, calling her name, but when she turned to face him, the vision dissolved into mist.
Lin Xi gasped, her eyes snapping open. Her heart raced as the fragments of her past lives slipped away, leaving her breathless. She had seen this before—glimpses of these lives, moments of battles long forgotten. But tonight, something was different. The memories felt closer, more real, as if the veil between her past and present was thinning.
"Are you all right?"
The voice startled her, and she turned quickly to see Su Qinghe standing behind her. His expression was calm, but his eyes were searching, as if trying to read her thoughts.
"I'm fine," Lin Xi replied, though her voice was strained. "It's just… the memories. They're becoming stronger."
Su Qinghe walked closer, his gaze never leaving her. "It's to be expected. The more you unlock the pendant's power, the more your past lives will reveal themselves to you. But you must be careful."
Lin Xi frowned. "Careful of what?"
"Of losing yourself in them," he said softly. "The power you carry is immense, but it comes with a cost. Your past selves were powerful, yes, but they also carried the weight of their battles, their losses. You cannot let those memories control you."
She nodded, but the weight of what she had seen still lingered heavily in her mind. "I just need to understand. Who was I in those lives? Why do I keep seeing battles?"
Su Qinghe's expression darkened, and for a moment, Lin Xi thought he wouldn't answer. But after a long pause, he spoke.
"You were a Guardian," he said quietly. "In each of your past lives, you stood against the forces that threatened to destroy the realms. The battles you see… they are echoes of your former struggles, battles you fought to protect the world from the darkness."
Lin Xi's heart tightened. A Guardian? She had suspected something of the sort, but hearing it confirmed made everything feel more real. "And the figure I saw… the one in the shadows?"
Su Qinghe hesitated, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. "That shadow is what you must face again. The Black Dragon Emperor."
The name sent a chill down Lin Xi's spine. She had heard whispers of the Black Dragon Emperor, a being of immense power who had been sealed away centuries ago. But those whispers were often shrouded in myth and legend, details lost to time. Now, it seemed those myths were coming to life.
"And what about you?" Lin Xi asked, her gaze locking with his. "You know so much about me and my past. But who are you, really? What is your role in all of this?"
Su Qinghe's expression softened, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I am just a scholar. My duty is to guide you, to help you unlock the knowledge you need to fulfill your destiny. Nothing more."
Lin Xi didn't believe him. There was more to Su Qinghe than he was letting on, but she knew now wasn't the time to press him. There were greater things at stake.
She took a deep breath, letting the cool night air calm her racing thoughts. "Then help me understand what I need to do. How do I stop the Black Dragon Emperor?"
Su Qinghe stepped closer, his voice low and serious. "The Emperor is not just a being of great power. He is a force of destruction, fueled by the darkness that festers in the hearts of men. To stop him, you will need more than just the strength of your past lives. You must master the power of the pendant, and more importantly, you must find the Guardians who remain."
"Other Guardians?" Lin Xi asked, surprised. "Are they still alive?"
Su Qinghe nodded. "They are scattered, hidden away in the far corners of the world. Some have fallen into despair, while others have forgotten their purpose. But they are out there, and you will need their help to face what's coming."
Lin Xi's mind raced with possibilities. If there were others like her, others who had fought alongside her in past lives, perhaps they could stand together once again. But the path ahead was uncertain, and the weight of her responsibility felt heavier than ever.
"I don't even know where to begin," Lin Xi admitted.
Su Qinghe smiled faintly. "You've already begun. The rest will come in time."
As the fire crackled between them, Lin Xi couldn't help but feel that something monumental was about to happen. Her past was calling, her future uncertain, but one thing was clear—this battle was far from over.
And she was ready for whatever came next.