The first rays of dawn broke over Emberhold as Kai raced through narrow, winding streets toward the city gates, his heart pounding. He could still feel the weight of Master Ashan's warning ringing in his ears: "If you value your life, follow the blade's call… and don't return."
Emberhold's Council was a shadowy force that loomed over every corner of the city. Formed by the city's ancient founding sects, the Council had the authority to dictate laws, control spirit weaponry, and enforce the hierarchy that kept the city's power firmly in the hands of the cultivators. Its members were cultivators of the highest level, chosen not only for their strength but for their unbreakable loyalty to the Emberhold Guard. They controlled everything—from the resources used in forging to the access to spirit cultivation techniques. The Celestial Hall, their fortress within the city's heart, was a stark, towering structure, visible from every district and an ever-present reminder of the Council's reach.
For years, the Council's influence had seemed distant to Kai, a young blacksmith with no ambition for power or recognition. But now, he was entangled in its net, wielding a forbidden blade that could challenge the authority of Emberhold itself. He had no idea why the blade had chosen him or what its whispers meant, but he understood one thing: he had to leave, or he would face the Council's wrath.
As he slipped through the alleys, flashes of memory washed over him, fragments of his life leading up to this moment. Kai was born to two humble artisans, blacksmiths from the lower districts of Emberhold. His father, Doran, was known for his skill in crafting basic tools and weapons, while his mother, Lena, specialized in armor, her work sought after by guards and hunters alike. They came from a small clan called the Ironbound—a group of dedicated metalworkers who valued skill, resilience, and tradition above all else. Though not a prestigious clan, the Ironbound were respected for their consistency and the quality of their work. They were one of the oldest blacksmithing clans in Emberhold, and their work had shaped much of the city's foundation.
Growing up, Kai had watched his parents work long hours, their hands worn from years of hammering, tempering, and refining. He admired their dedication and the quiet pride they took in their craft. When he turned ten, his father had gifted him his first hammer, an unremarkable but sturdy tool. He remembered the feel of its weight, the roughness of its handle, and the way his father had smiled and said, "In your hands, even simple metal can become something extraordinary."
For years, Kai honed his skills, following the path of the Ironbound. Blacksmithing in Emberhold had a strict hierarchy. At the bottom were the apprentice smiths, those who labored under the instruction of their masters, learning the basics of metalwork and tool-making. Next came the journeymen, capable of crafting weapons, armor, and various utilitarian items for the people of Emberhold. Above them were the master smiths, skilled enough to forge spirit-infused weapons for trained cultivators. The highest level, though rarely achieved, was that of a Celestial Smith—a blacksmith who could forge legendary weapons infused with spirit energy from the stars themselves.
Only a handful of Celestial Smiths had existed throughout Emberhold's history, and most of their techniques were lost to time. It was said that the Council kept the secrets of Celestial Smithing locked away, fearing that such power in the hands of commoners could disrupt their authority. Kai had never aspired to that level. He was content, or so he thought, to work in his father's forge, honing his skills and learning the patience it took to become a master blacksmith. Yet, here he was, bonded to a Celestial Blade and drawn into the orbit of powers far beyond his comprehension.
As Kai reached the edge of the lower district, he heard the distant sound of bells—a citywide alarm. His heart sank; the Council was already aware of his escape. They would send their most skilled trackers after him, cultivators with the power to hunt and capture even the most elusive quarry. He slipped into a shadowed alley, taking a moment to catch his breath and think. The Wildlands lay just beyond the city gates, a vast and dangerous place where few dared venture without strong spirit protection.
He couldn't go back to his family, and even thinking of his younger sister, Mara, made his heart ache. She was only thirteen, still training as a novice blacksmith. If the Council questioned his family, they would be at risk simply by association. He thought of his parents, their stern but loving guidance shaping him over the years. He had to protect them, even if it meant staying far away.
Shaking himself, Kai turned his attention back to the path ahead. He had no choice now but to make it to the Wildlands and find a way to escape the Council's reach. But as he neared the edge of the city, a familiar figure blocked his path.
"Kai," the voice was calm, measured. Master Ashan stood before him, his crimson robes a stark contrast to the gray morning mist that hung over the streets.
Kai froze, his grip tightening on the blade. He hadn't expected to see the councilman again so soon. His mind raced, wondering if this was a trap or another warning.
Ashan's eyes, sharp and unyielding, studied him with an unsettling intensity. "You should have fled the moment you left the workshop," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Council's wrath is not something you can outrun, especially with a Celestial Blade in your possession."
Kai squared his shoulders, raising the blade defensively. "You told me to run, but you're the one standing in my way."
Ashan's gaze softened, just for an instant. "I am here because I know what the Council will do if they capture you. And I know what that blade means."
Kai hesitated, a surge of uncertainty gnawing at him. "Why do you care?"
Ashan took a step closer, his voice lowering. "Because, blacksmith, I was once like you. I held a Celestial Blade many years ago, a weapon that almost consumed me. But I survived, and in return, the Council took it from me and locked away its power."
The revelation sent a shock through Kai. Ashan—one of the Council's own—had once wielded a Celestial Blade? The implications were staggering.
Ashan's expression grew darker. "You are bound to a destiny you cannot escape, Kai, just as I was. But if you stay here, the Council will crush you before you even understand your purpose."
Kai's mind spun with questions. Why would Ashan, a high-ranking councilman, share this with him? What did he mean by purpose? He took a shaky breath, looking Ashan in the eye. "If that's true, then what am I supposed to do?"
Ashan glanced around, ensuring they were alone before he spoke. "You must go to the Silent Mountains, beyond the Wildlands. There, you will find answers. But be warned—many have tried and failed to reach it. The mountain paths are treacherous, and creatures far more powerful than the Emberhold Guard roam those lands."
Kai felt the weight of Ashan's words settling over him. The Silent Mountains were a place of myth, filled with tales of spirits and ancient beings older than Emberhold itself. The journey would be perilous, but something deep within him responded to the idea, as if the blade itself yearned to go there.
"But why would you help me?" Kai asked, narrowing his eyes. "You're part of the Council."
Ashan's face twisted in a bitter smile. "The Council is not what it once was, and the power they hold has corrupted them. I swore my loyalty to Emberhold, but that loyalty does not extend to a council that sacrifices its own for the sake of power. If you succeed, you may uncover secrets they wish to remain buried."
Before Kai could respond, a flash of light burst down the alley. Three council guards, their weapons drawn and glowing with spirit energy, appeared at the far end, blocking his escape route.
Ashan's expression turned grim. "No more time for questions, blacksmith. Go, now! The Wildlands are the only place where they won't follow."
Kai's heart thundered as he glanced between Ashan and the guards, who were closing in with deadly intent. Ashan raised his own weapon, a glint of steel in his eyes as he faced his fellow councilmen. "Go! And don't look back!"
Kai nodded, 'I pay back my debts, someday, I will repay this kindness' he said, a surge of gratitude and resolve coursing through him. He turned, sprinting toward the city gate, the Wildlands stretching vast and unknown beyond it.
Just as he reached the edge, he heard the clash of blades and a shout of pain behind him. Ashan's voice echoed in his mind, a final command pushing him forward: "Fulfill the blade's call."
But as he crossed into the Wildlands, Kai felt the unmistakable presence of something ancient and powerful watching him from the shadows. He was not alone.
The path ahead would reveal answers, but also threats beyond anything he had ever known.