The raven, its sleek black feathers reflecting the dim light of dusk, dove once more toward the boy. Its movements were no longer reckless. This time, there was an unnerving intelligence behind its actions. Just as its sharp beak seemed poised to pierce his chest, it suddenly changed course, halting mid-flight and veering sideways.
The bird's inky eyes glinted with malice as it feinted an attack, spreading its talons wide and swiping at the boy with lightning speed. Li Wei barely had time to react, diving to the ground just as the claws grazed the air where his head had been. A cold sweat drenched him as he scrambled backward, trembling.
The raven was no ordinary spirit beast—it had sensed something unusual, something powerful, in the boy. That fleeting burst of energy earlier had left it cautious, and now it stalked him like a predator, wary but determined.
Li Wei's breath came in ragged gasps. He clutched at his chest, trying to steady himself, but fear gripped him tighter than any physical wound. He glanced at the faint outlines of the village in the distance. It was so close, yet impossibly far. His voice cracked as he screamed for help, but the sound barely carried over the raven's piercing screeches.
With his back to a jagged rock, Li Wei's options dwindled. His hands shook as he grabbed a loose stone from the ground and hurled it at the bird. The raven batted it aside with a flick of its wing, barely fazed. He then raised his flute, gripping it tightly. It wasn't much of a weapon, but it was all he had.
As the raven closed in for another strike, a shadow appeared—swift and silent, as if materializing from the very earth. There was no warning, no sound of footsteps, just the sudden, commanding presence of another figure.
The stranger moved with feline grace, his steps fluid and calculated. The ground beneath him seemed to hum with energy, and his hand flicked out in a motion too fast for the eye to follow.
The raven shrieked as a blast of force slammed into its side, sending it careening to the ground. It scrambled back to its feet, its wings flaring wide, but the stranger didn't relent. In an instant, he seemed to blur, merging with the faint silhouette of a beast behind him. The ethereal image of a lithe creature—a catlike spirit with sharp claws and glowing eyes—flickered briefly before vanishing into his form.
The raven hissed, its feathers puffing up as it prepared to counterattack, but the man moved first. He lunged forward, his movements almost animalistic, and his claws—enhanced by his spirit—tore through the raven's defenses. The bird screeched, stumbling as blood stained its once-imposing feathers.
Li Wei watched in stunned silence, his mind struggling to process the sight. The man's attacks were deliberate, every strike precise and unrelenting, like a predator toying with its prey before delivering the final blow.
When the raven finally collapsed, too injured to stand, the man stepped back, his glowing eyes dimming as his spirit receded. He turned to Li Wei, his face partially shadowed, and crouched to the boy's level.
"You're safe now," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Are you hurt?"
Li Wei blinked, his fear and confusion mingling with exhaustion. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. His vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to tilt. The stranger's voice became distant, and the boy's body slumped forward, too drained to resist the pull of unconsciousness.
The last thing he saw was the stranger catching him before he hit the ground, his voice faint yet oddly reassuring.
---
Li Wei's eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry and his head heavy. The faint scent of herbs filled his nostrils, mingled with the faint woodsy aroma of the small house he called home. His gaze slowly adjusted to the dim light of the room, and he realized he was lying on a familiar bed—his bed.
As the fog in his mind cleared, memories of the raven's attack came rushing back. His heart skipped a beat, and he sat up suddenly, wincing as a sharp pain shot through his side.
The noise must have alerted someone, as the door creaked open, and his mother hurried in. Her eyes were wide with worry, and she nearly dropped the cloth she was holding as she rushed to his side.
"Li Wei!" she exclaimed, kneeling by the bed and placing a hand on his forehead. "You're awake! Are you alright? Do you feel any pain? What were you thinking, wandering into the valley alone?"
"I-I'm fine, Mother," Li Wei stammered, trying to reassure her. He reached up to take her hand, but she was already inspecting him for injuries, her gentle hands brushing over his arms and shoulders.
"You were unconscious when they brought you back," she continued, her voice trembling. "The spirit master who saved you said it was a stage one iron-feathered raven. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"
Before Li Wei could answer, a deep voice interrupted them. "He knows now."
Li Wei's father entered the room, his presence commanding as he stood in the doorway with his arms crossed. His face was stern, but his eyes betrayed a mix of fear and relief. He stepped closer, his boots thudding softly against the wooden floor.
"Li Wei," he began, his tone firm, "you could have been killed. Do you understand that?"
"I—I didn't mean to go that far," Li Wei replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was an accident."
"An accident," his father repeated, shaking his head. "Do you think that raven cared whether it was an accident or not? You need to understand the risks of the valley. It's not a place for playing."
His mother shot her husband a look, gently placing a hand on Li Wei's shoulder. "He's been through enough, don't you think? Let him rest."
Li Wei shrank back slightly, feeling both ashamed and frustrated. He wanted to explain what had happened, to tell them about the strange power he'd felt and how the earth had moved beneath him, but the words wouldn't come. The memory felt distant now, as if it had happened to someone else.
His father's expression softened slightly, and he let out a heavy sigh. "Your mother's right," he said at last. "Rest for now. We'll talk more later."
Li Wei nodded, sinking back into the pillows as his mother fussed over him again. Her touch was gentle, her presence soothing, but his mind was far from calm. He couldn't stop thinking about the spirit master who had saved him, about the raven's calculating movements, and most of all, about the strange sensation that had coursed through him.
What had he awakened?
---
Word count 1140 or so