500 YEARS AGO
The sky roared, thunderclaps echoing like warnings to a world about to shatter. On a vast battlefield, the Dragon Emperor stood menacingly, his body covered in glistening scales and engulfed in a blazing aura of fire. "Your power will never defeat me, Phoenix," he declared, his deep voice resonating throughout the cosmos. From his mouth, roaring flames erupted, scorching the earth beneath him, creating an inferno that consumed everything in its path.
The Phoenix, with its majestic fiery wings and radiant body, dodged the attack with agility. It soared high, evading the Dragon Emperor's claws aimed at its heart.
"Your dominion will only bring destruction, Dragon. You fail to see that balance is the key to life," the Phoenix replied, its voice calm yet brimming with strength. Every movement of its body sparked flames that deflected the Dragon Emperor's attacks, but it knew the world would not survive if this battle continued.
The Dragon Emperor crouched low, gathering energy in his flaming claws. "This world will bow to me, Phoenix. Nothing can stop me," he roared with fiery wrath, unleashing an immense explosion of energy.
The Phoenix ascended higher, evading the attack with extraordinary swiftness, but its sharp eyes saw how fragile the world was becoming under their clash. "I will end this war, Emperor," the Phoenix said, its voice filled with determination.
Amid the explosions, the Phoenix unleashed its final strike. Its light blazed intensely, scorching the air around it and creating a massive wave of fire. However, even gravely injured, the Dragon Emperor stood firm.
With a thunderous roar, he launched his ultimate attack, striking the Phoenix with immense power and tearing apart the fractured sky. The explosion shook the world, splitting the earth and opening the heavens wide.
The Dragon Emperor stood amidst the chaos, feeling his weakened body but harboring a sense of victory in his heart.
"You've lost, Phoenix," he muttered, though his voice was nearly swallowed by the profound silence. The Phoenix, though barely alive, managed to lift its head and gaze at the Dragon Emperor with wise eyes.
"You may have won today, Dragon," it said, its voice faint but clear, "but remember this… Balance will never be lost forever. Our descendants will return, bringing hope to this shattered world."
The Phoenix lifted its wings one last time, its fiery light surrounding it. "And when that day comes, the world will once again choose its path. Those born from fire and life will decide the fate of this world."
With a final breath, the Phoenix vanished in a flash of blazing fire, leaving behind only a legend to be passed down through generations. The world lay divided, and the two divine forces disappeared, but their battle would forever be remembered as a turning point in the world's history.
The Sky War changed everything. Though the world was divided into five great territories, hope remained. In the resounding silence, the fate of the world rested with the future generations those destined to rediscover the lost balance.
500 YEARS AFTER THE SKY WAR
"Huff… huff…"
Li Mei awoke, panting heavily, cold sweat dripping down her forehead. That dream again. She could feel the fire engulfing the world, burning with unstoppable force. The rumble of the skies was vivid, accompanied by screams that seemed to come from the depths of the earth. Amidst the flames, a glowing figure like a giant bird soared across the sky, its wings slicing through the air with incredible power.
"What is this?" Li Mei murmured, staring at the dark ceiling of her room. Her heart pounded rapidly, a mix of fear and confusion overwhelming her. The dreams were becoming more frequent, and this time they felt more real than ever.
She sat on the edge of her bed, trying to calm herself. As the sun began to rise, its morning light streamed through the window, bringing a little warmth into the room. Li Mei wiped her face, trying to push the dream out of her mind. But the images of fire and the haunting screams still lingered.
"Mother, have you ever had dreams like that?" Li Mei asked as her mother prepared breakfast in the kitchen.
Her mother, stirring a pot of food, gave a faint smile. "Dreams? Ah, they're just dreams, Mei. Don't dwell on them too much. The world is hard enough without chasing things we can't understand."
Li Mei wasn't convinced. "But, Mother, it feels like these dreams come from somewhere far away, as if they're important."
Her mother turned and looked at her with gentle yet knowing eyes. "Mei, sometimes we're given dreams, but it doesn't mean we must seek them out. Life is hard enough without adding mysteries we cannot grasp."
Li Mei sensed something strange in her mother's words a hidden fear. But she didn't want to burden her mother with difficult questions.
"All right, Mother," Li Mei replied softly, though her heart was filled with doubt.
That day, Li Mei returned to her daily routine in the fields. Though her body worked tirelessly, her mind was consumed by the strange dreams. As she pulled the weeds with her hoe, flashes of fire and the figure of the giant bird replayed in her head.
"Li Mei!" called Suyin, her close friend, waving from across the field. "What's wrong? You seem lost in thought."
Li Mei snapped out of her trance and shook her head. "Ah, it's nothing. I just… feel a little dizzy," she replied, forcing a smile.
Suyin walked over, looking concerned. "You must be sleep-deprived. Don't overthink it. Sometimes, we just feel confused for no reason."
Li Mei tried to hide her feelings. "Maybe… But the dreams feel so real, Suyin. Like something is calling me."
Suyin looked at her, puzzled. "Dreams? What do you mean?"
"It's like fire engulfing the world… and a figure flying in the sky," Li Mei explained softly, as though afraid someone might overhear.
Suyin chuckled lightly. "Maybe it's just a nightmare, Li Mei. We all have strange dreams sometimes. Don't think too much about it."
But Li Mei couldn't dismiss the emotions that came with the dreams. There was something powerful within her, telling her these dreams were more than just illusions. Something great was approaching, and she didn't know if she was ready to face it.
That night, as the village grew silent and the wind whispered outside, Li Mei fell asleep once more. This time, the dream was clearer than ever. The flames consuming the world and the giant bird soaring above now turned toward her.
Li Mei could feel the heat of the fire on her skin, yet she wasn't afraid. She felt… called. As if something waited beyond the flames—something that wanted her to come.
When Li Mei woke again, her heart was filled with confusion and unease. The dreams were becoming more frequent, and each time, she felt closer to something she couldn't understand. What did it all mean? And who was calling to her through these dreams?