Chapter 2: The Burden of Power
The night had fallen silent, the valley below now bathed in moonlight, but Ethan Blackwood remained standing in the same spot, his thoughts in disarray. His mind was still reeling from the voice—the system—and the overwhelming surge of power that had just flooded his body.
Is this real?
The sensation of energy flowing through his body was unlike anything he had ever felt. His hands were trembling, and though he had always struggled to circulate Qi, now it seemed to pulse through his veins effortlessly. He flexed his fingers, feeling the power course through him like a wildfire, wild and untamable.
But the more he concentrated, the more the weight of it became clear. This wasn't just power—it was an inheritance. An immortal legacy, a gift from a being who had ruled realms and worlds. He had no idea what it all meant, but one thing was certain: he wasn't the same person anymore.
"Host has unlocked the first level of the Heaven-Devouring Void Art. Your Qi has been expanded beyond mortal limits. New abilities will be accessible upon further cultivation." The system's voice rang in his mind, cold and matter-of-fact.
Ethan took a step back, his heart pounding as he stared down at the pendant in his hand. What now?
He looked up at the sky, the stars shimmering like distant diamonds. His father's words seemed to echo in his ears again: "Do not let power corrupt you."
But could he control this? Could he walk the same path of righteousness his father had hoped for him, or was he already too far gone, swallowed by the dark power of the Heaven-Devouring Void Art?
"You must learn to control it, host. Power will corrupt you if left unchecked," the system added, as though sensing his unease.
A sudden rustling broke through his thoughts, and Ethan instinctively took a defensive stance, his Qi flaring out from his body. A figure emerged from the shadows of the trees. Ethan's heart raced as he prepared to fight, but the figure stopped, revealing a young woman with piercing eyes and a calm demeanor.
She was dressed in simple robes, but there was a sharpness to her features, an alertness in her gaze that suggested she was no stranger to danger. Her dark hair was tied back in a loose knot, and she carried a long sword at her side, the blade glinting in the moonlight.
"You're not from around here, are you?" she said, her voice soft but authoritative. "You're the one who unlocked that technique, aren't you?"
Ethan hesitated, lowering his stance slightly but not fully relaxing. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice wary.
"My name is Isabella Stone." The woman stepped closer, her gaze flicking over him, clearly assessing him. "I felt the disturbance in the Qi. No one from this village has that kind of power. But it's more than just power, isn't it? It's the legacy of the fallen immortal."
Ethan's heart skipped. She knows?
"You're not the only one to have felt the influence of that system," she continued. "I was once like you—seeking answers, hoping for something more." Her voice darkened for a moment. "But you must be careful. The fallen immortal's legacy is not something that can be controlled so easily. It corrupts those who seek it without understanding its price."
Ethan took a step back, his heart pounding. "What do you mean?"
Isabella narrowed her eyes. "I once studied under the same system. I thought I could control it, but it twisted me in ways I could never have imagined. I saw what it did to others—the endless hunger for power, the insatiable desire for more." She paused, her gaze locking with his. "The power you've unlocked is not a gift. It's a curse. The more you use it, the harder it will be to stop. You may find yourself destroying everything you hold dear."
Ethan took a step back, his hands trembling. "I don't want to destroy anything. I just... I need to get stronger. I have nothing left."
Isabella's eyes softened for a brief moment. "I understand. But be careful. Power always comes with a cost."
The air between them thickened with tension, and Ethan felt a surge of frustration rise in his chest. "What do I do then?" he asked, his voice cracking with emotion. "I don't have time to be careful. My family—my village—are depending on me. I need this power. I need to prove myself."
Isabella's gaze remained steady. "You are not alone in this, Ethan." She stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I will help you, but you must promise me this: do not let the system control you. Use it, but never become it."
Ethan looked at her, unsure of what to say. He had always been alone, but here was someone who understood his pain, someone willing to help him carry this burden. He nodded, though doubt still lingered in his heart.
Just then, the ground beneath them trembled, and a distant howl echoed through the valley, sending a chill down Ethan's spine.
Isabella's eyes widened. "Something's wrong," she muttered, drawing her sword. "We need to move."
Before Ethan could react, a figure appeared on the horizon, cloaked in shadows. It moved with terrifying speed, its aura dark and oppressive. As it drew closer, the wind seemed to grow colder, and the sky darkened with a strange, unnatural energy.
Isabella stiffened, her sword raised. "It's him," she whispered. "Victor Ashford."
Ethan's heart sank as the figure came into full view—an imposing man, dressed in black robes, his eyes glowing with a sinister light. His presence seemed to drain the very air around them, his power palpable.
"Isabella," Victor Ashford's voice rang out, mocking and cold. "So, you've taken another one under your wing? How quaint."
Ethan's pulse quickened. He could feel the immense pressure of Victor's presence, like a weight on his chest. His instincts screamed at him to run, but he stood frozen, his newfound power thrumming in his veins.
Victor's eyes turned to Ethan, narrowing with interest. "So, you're the one who has awakened the immortal's legacy. It's a shame, really. Such power should belong to someone who can control it. But it's clear you're still weak. I wonder how long that will last."
Isabella stepped forward, her sword gleaming with a cold light. "Leave him alone, Victor. This is between us, not him."
Victor chuckled darkly. "We'll see about that."
Ethan's heart raced, his mind spinning. I don't know if I'm ready for this. But if I want to survive... I have to fight.
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End of the chapter 2