Bai Cheng stood at the center of the altar room, his breathing shallow, every strand of his body tense with expectation. The vibration of the runes had increased so much that it seemed like the noise was battering his skull.
The scroll in the center of the altar lay quietly, its tattered state hiding the colossal power that emanated from it.
"It's just a scroll," Bai Cheng muttered to himself, making his shaking legs carry him.
"Nothing to fear. Right, just take it and worry about the rest later."
His dog whimpered beside him, its hackles raised. Bai Cheng knelt, placing a hand on its head to calm it. "Don't worry, buddy. I've got this. Probably."
He moved forward, the buzz growing stronger with each step. His fingers touched the surface of the altar, and the whole cave breathed out, a deep, vibrating hum running through the air.
The runes along the walls blazed to life, burning with a light that made Bai Cheng cover his eyes.
Then, a voice—deep, old, and full of authority—thundered through the room:
"Who dares disturb the relics of the Eclipsing Flame Sect?"
The raw power of the voice knocked Bai Cheng back. "W-Wait! I didn't mean to intrude! I was just—"
The scroll ignited, blazing brightly and hotly, but somehow cold to the touch. Bai Cheng stood stock still, his heart racing. The fire danced from the scroll and wrapped around his hand like snakes of burning metal.
"What the—?!" Bai Cheng shouted, attempting to brush them off, but the flames did not abate.
They penetrated his skin, crawling up his arm and across his chest. His veins pulsed with a soft light, his whole body shaking as the heat seared from the inside out.
The voice came back, the tone commanding and foreboding:
"A mortal comes seeking the way of the ancients. Show your mettle, or die."
The ground beneath him cracked, and the cave began to collapse. Stones fell from the ceiling as the altar sank into the earth.
"No, no, no!" Bai Cheng scooped up his dog and ran for the closest corner, but the moving ground dragged him along.
The whole chamber moved and fell, the runes contorting into new patterns as if the cave itself were alive.
When the rumbling ceased, Bai Cheng was in a huge hall, its ceiling so high that it appeared to reach the heavens.
The room was lined with enormous stone pillars, which were carved with detailed images of battles, fire, and warriors holding weapons of unimaginable power.
At the center of the room was a throne, and upon it sat the immortal remains of a warrior, clad in rusted armor that still radiated an aura of dominance. In the skeletal hand rested a weapon—a halberd that seemed to pulse with life. Its dark, metallic surface was laced with glowing crimson veins, as though it contained a river of lava.
The humming returned, louder and more oppressive, making Bai Cheng clutch his head. The voice spoke again, this time from everywhere and nowhere:
"Prove your worth, or perish."
Bai Cheng fell to the ground, wheezing as the fiery pain in his body became unendurable. His veins ached as if they were burning, his skin covered in beads of sweat. His dog growled at his side, its terror apparent.
"Stop it!" Bai Cheng shouted, his voice hoarse. "I'll… I'll prove it! Just stop!"
The ache faded away, giving way to a creepy calmness. Bai Cheng stood unsteadily, gasping for air.
He stumbled towards the throne, each step taking what felt like an eternity. The halberd beckoned him, its light growing brighter with each step forward.
"Mortal," the voice replied once more, this time quieter but no less daunting. "Do you want power?
Bai Cheng paused. He didn't know what to say. "I don't crave power for myself," he lied, his voice shaking. "I need to live. To keep those I love safe. Isn't that reason enough?"
The halberd pulsed, as if acknowledging his words.
"Back off," Bai Cheng whispered, holding his staff.
Its body heat scorched the air, and it was difficult to breathe.
"Cut that out!" Bai Cheng growled, ducking beneath the wild swing.
The voice boomed once more, this time at the guardian beast:
"Do not strike the unworthy. Test his resolve."
"What now?" Bai Cheng asked, gasping.
The voice replied:
"Take the weapon. Show your courage."
Bai Cheng hesitated for a fleeting moment before he rushed towards the halberd
"Mortal, your journey starts here. But be warned, for power is both a blessing and a curse."
When the light began to dwindle, Bai Cheng turned to observe a figure materializing out of the darkness. The figure was not human but appeared to be composed of molten rock and flame, its shape fluid and volatile.
"Who. are you?" Bai Cheng questioned, holding the halberd tightly.
The figure didn't answer but raised a flaming hand toward him.