Lei Zhen's heart pounded in his chest as the creature's massive form loomed before him, blocking the path deeper into the temple. Its eyes, glowing with a malevolent red light, locked onto him, and the air itself seemed to freeze.
"You are mine, Lei Zhen," the creature growled, its voice shaking the walls. "You were born to serve me. It's time you embraced your fate."
Lei Zhen's breath caught in his throat. His body felt heavy, as if the creature's presence alone was dragging him into the depths of despair. The dark power that radiated from it was suffocating, but deep within him, something stirred—something ancient, something that had been dormant for far too long.
"I won't let you control me," Lei Zhen spat, his fists clenched. "I'd rather die than become your puppet."
The creature's lips curled into a cruel smile. "You think you have a choice? Your bloodline is bound to me. You cannot escape it."
A wave of energy surged from the creature, a tidal wave of darkness that crashed against Lei Zhen. He staggered backward, struggling to maintain his footing. The force of the attack was overwhelming, a force that felt like it could tear through him at any moment.
Xian Mei's voice echoed in his mind. "You have to awaken your true power. It's the only way to defeat it."
Lei Zhen's mind raced. His true power? What did she mean? He had no idea what she was talking about, but the urgency in her voice told him there was no time to waste.
With a roar, Lei Zhen forced himself to stand tall, his body trembling from the intensity of the creature's presence. His hands crackled with energy as the ancient power in his blood began to awaken, answering the call of the creature before him. The ground beneath him trembled, and for the first time, he felt the weight of his heritage—his bloodline was real. He was the descendant of the ancient ruler, and with it came power beyond his understanding.
But the cost was clear.
The creature's grin widened as it watched Lei Zhen struggle to harness his power. "You think that's enough? You are a child playing with forces you cannot control. You are nothing compared to me."
Lei Zhen's vision blurred as the power surged within him, threatening to consume him. Pain shot through his veins, as if his very soul was being torn apart. He gritted his teeth, trying to hold on, to force the power to obey him.
"You must fight it," Xian Mei's voice whispered, but it was distant, fading.
The creature raised a massive hand, its claws glinting in the dim light, and with a snarl, it unleashed another wave of darkness. This time, it wasn't just an attack—it was an onslaught. The energy filled the air, crushing the temple's walls, and Lei Zhen felt the ground give way beneath him.
"No!" Lei Zhen shouted, reaching deep inside himself, desperate to control the power that surged through him. His body burned, his blood felt like it was boiling, but then, in that moment of agony, something snapped.
A burst of light erupted from his body, blinding and fierce. The dark energy surrounding him recoiled, hissing as if it were burned by the sheer force of the light. Lei Zhen's eyes widened as he saw the energy he had unleashed—a power beyond anything he could have imagined, a power that had lain dormant in his blood for centuries.
But with the power came a cost. His body trembled violently, and the world around him spun. He could feel the strain it placed on him, the price of calling upon such an ancient force.
"I warned you," the creature sneered, its eyes flashing with fury. "You cannot control it. You cannot control me."
Lei Zhen's knees buckled as the force of the power threatened to overwhelm him. He gasped for air, struggling to stay conscious. The creature's mocking laughter echoed in his mind, the sound of a predator toying with its prey.
But just as he thought he might collapse, a sudden surge of strength flowed through him, and he found his voice. "I won't lose to you."
With a fierce cry, Lei Zhen pushed forward, his hands glowing with light, and he launched a powerful strike at the creature. The energy crackled through the air, and the ground beneath them shook violently. The creature recoiled, a snarl escaping its lips.
But just as the blow seemed to land, the creature twisted its form, its body shifting like smoke, and the attack passed harmlessly through it. Lei Zhen's eyes widened in horror.
"No... no, this can't be..." he whispered.
The creature's form solidified once more, standing before him as if nothing had happened. It sneered at Lei Zhen, its voice dripping with malice. "Fool. You still don't understand. You are nothing without your heritage. You cannot defeat me with mere power. The only way you can survive... is to give yourself to me."
Lei Zhen's blood ran cold. "I will never..."
But before he could finish, the creature raised a clawed hand and pointed directly at him. A wave of energy shot out, striking Lei Zhen squarely in the chest.
Cliffhanger: Lei Zhen's body crashed to the ground, his vision fading to black. The creature's voice echoed in his mind, mocking him: "You are mine. There is no escape."