Mingma stood in the courtyard, his body still trembling with the weight of the curse that had taken root within him. The moonlight bathed the scene in an ethereal glow, casting long shadows over the ancient trees and stone pathways. He felt detached from everything around him, as if this world was a distant dream—a nightmare from which he couldn't wake.
His brother and sister stood before him, their eyes locked onto him with a mixture of concern and something more—something darker. The realization that they were no strangers, but rather, they knew the depths of his curse, sent a ripple of unease through Mingma. How could they know? How could they be so certain about his fate?
The woman's soft voice broke the heavy silence.
"You were never meant to survive the sacrifice, Mingma," she said, her tone heavy with sorrow. "The curse that now binds you is ancient. It's not just a mark on your soul—it's a force, a magic that will shape everything you do from now on."
Her words made the air around Mingma grow thick. The idea of a curse controlling him, altering his very being, sent chills down his spine.
The man, his brother, stepped closer. His angular features softened for a moment, and there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "It's a burden, a price for your survival. But there's no escaping it. We've lived with it too, in our own way."
Mingma's mind raced. He had to know more. His body felt strange, as if something was simmering beneath the surface, growing stronger with every passing moment. There had to be a way out, a way to control it.
"You speak of this curse as if it's something you've already accepted," Mingma said, his voice shaky but demanding. "But I can't live like this. What's happening to me?"
The woman sighed, stepping forward to stand beside her brother. "The curse you carry binds you to something ancient. Something that predates this world itself."
"We come from a world governed by laws," her brother continued. "Not the laws you might be familiar with, but the Original Laws of this existence. To gain power in this world, one must comprehend and master these laws."
Mingma's brow furrowed. Laws? He didn't understand. The more they spoke, the more the weight of his situation sank in.
"Original laws?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper. "What do you mean?"
The sister nodded. "The Original Laws are the fundamental forces that govern this reality. There are thirteen of them. But to wield power, one must understand the sub-laws that accompany each of the Original Laws. Only when you understand the core principles behind these laws can you begin to unlock your own potential."
Mingma looked at them, confusion still clouding his thoughts. The idea of comprehending laws, abstract and intangible, felt beyond his grasp. But the intensity in his brother's eyes suggested that this wasn't some philosophical conversation—it was the key to survival.
"Let me explain," his brother said, taking a step back to gesture toward the space around them. "These laws govern everything. From the power that resides within us to the very essence of life and death. The law of Sacrifice is one of the most dangerous—because it's connected to both creation and destruction."
The woman nodded in agreement. "Each law has a sub-law, an aspect that you must comprehend and harmonize with. There are those who specialize in a single law, while others may try to wield multiple laws, but the deeper the understanding, the greater the power."
Mingma's heart thudded in his chest. He could feel it—the pull of the curse, the strange magic now coursing through his veins. But the mention of power sparked something within him. This was the way forward. He had to understand these laws.
His brother began to pace, his voice taking on a more measured tone. "Let's start with the basics. The Law of Life and the Law of Death are the foundation of most powers in this world. But each of these has their sub-laws—Essence for Life, Decay for Death. To wield the Law of Life, one must understand the very essence of existence. To wield the Law of Death, one must embrace the inevitability of decay."
Mingma felt a knot form in his stomach. The power of Life and Death—it was no surprise that the curse was tied to this.
"But there are more laws," his sister added, "and each one governs different aspects of reality. The Law of Nature, Law of Light, Law of Darkness, Law of Time, Law of Space—each law comes with its own set of sub-laws. Some of these are more complex, more difficult to understand. But the power they grant is immense."
Mingma was beginning to grasp the magnitude of it all. It was as though the very fabric of existence could be bent and shaped by understanding these laws. But could he learn them in time? The curse weighed heavy on him, and with it, the knowledge that his every step was now tied to this dark force.
"You speak of these laws as though I can just learn them," Mingma said, his voice rising in frustration. "How am I supposed to understand them? How do I even begin?"
His brother placed a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. "You have no choice, Mingma. This is the path you must walk. There are others—those who have mastered these laws and shaped the world with their power. But the key to mastery is understanding the relationship between the laws, how they flow and connect."
The woman stepped forward. "We will help you understand. But first, you need to accept your fate. You are not the same as you once were. You are now a vessel for sacrificial magic. You must learn to harness it, to make it your own."
Mingma nodded slowly, his mind spinning. He could feel the power stirring within him, the magic that came with the curse. But he would need more than just that. He needed to understand the laws, to master them.
With a deep breath, Mingma closed his eyes, focusing on the pull of the power inside him.
He opened his eyes again and began to speak, as though the words themselves were taking shape in his mind.
"The Original Laws..." he murmured. "There are thirteen laws. Life and Death, Nature, Light and Darkness, Time, Space, Fate, Creation, Destruction, Order, Chaos, Soul, Spirit, and Will. Each law has its sub-laws that must be understood, internalized, and mastered."
He paused, remembering the weight of the curse. "The Law of Sacrifice, connected to Life and Death, is the core of my power. I must understand the sub-laws of Essence and Decay, how they intertwine with my existence."
His sister nodded approvingly, her eyes filled with determination. "That's right. You must begin with understanding your own curse—the essence of sacrifice that binds you. Once you master that, the others will follow."
His brother turned to him, his voice calm yet serious. "There's a system of power levels in this world. Each person, by understanding the laws, progresses through these stages. The weakest are known as 'Seers', those who can glimpse the laws but not yet control them. The next stage is 'Sages', who can manipulate the sub-laws. Beyond that are the 'Masters', those who understand and command the Original Laws themselves."
Mingma's mind began to clear, and he knew what he had to do. There was no turning back. The power coursing through him would be both his salvation and his downfall. The path ahead was unclear, but it was his to walk.
With a steadying breath, Mingma spoke again, his voice firm with resolve.
"I will master these laws. I will control my fate."
And with that, he stepped forward into the unknown, ready to face the darkness that lay ahead.
Power Level Chart
Seers: Those who can glimpse the Original Laws but cannot fully control them.
Abilities: Limited understanding of sub-laws, often used to predict future events or gain insight into magical phenomena. There are 9 sub levels in every stage
Sages: Those who can manipulate the sub-laws associated with the Original Laws.
Abilities: Limited control over life and death, able to influence elemental forces or time.
Masters: Those who have attained full comprehension of the Original Laws.
Abilities: Complete control over the laws, able to reshape reality, manipulate time and space, and harness life and death.
Gods: Beings who have transcended the Original Laws, becoming part of the very fabric of existence.
Abilities: Divine control over the universe itself, immortality, manipulation of fate, creation of new laws.