When Chen Li finally made his way back out of the forest, the sun was just beginning to rise on the horizon. The world around him felt different, lighter, as though a weight had been lifted not just from him, but from the world itself. The air was crisp, the colors of the morning brighter than he remembered.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Chen Li felt at peace.
He took a deep breath and looked back at the forest. The twisted trees and misty shadows that had once terrified him now seemed distant, almost harmless. It was hard to believe that the dark, oppressive nightmare he had endured was over.
As he walked away, he thought about the old man's warning and how it had led him here. Without his guidance, Chen Li might never have found the strength to face the Wraith. But now, the Wraith was gone, and Chen Li felt free—free from the fear that had once controlled him.
The road ahead seemed open, limitless.