The heavy stone gate stands before Li Wei like an ancient guardian, silent but all-knowing. The pulse of the symbols on the surface vibrates faintly in the air, like the hum of a distant heartbeat. Li Wei can feel the weight of its presence, and the curse inside them stirs as if reacting to the gate's power.
Jian stands beside them, watching the gate with a mixture of reverence and caution. "It's not just a gateway," he murmurs, almost to himself. "It's a barrier—a test. Only those who truly understand what lies beyond can pass."
Li Wei glances at him. "A test? What does that mean?"
Jian doesn't answer immediately. Instead, he steps forward, his hand reaching out toward the gate. The symbols flare briefly in response, the air thickening as if the world itself holds its breath. Jian's fingers brush the surface, and suddenly, the symbols glow brightly, casting long shadows across the ground.
The ground trembles, and a deep rumble emanates from the gate. Li Wei instinctively steps back, eyes wide. The curse inside them stirs violently, reacting to the powerful force unleashed by the gate.
"Stay calm," Jian warns, his voice sharp. "You need to be prepared for what's coming."
Li Wei takes a steadying breath, forcing themselves to focus. This isn't just a gate—it's a barrier to something much more ancient and powerful. The spirits' whispers grow louder in their ears, a constant reminder of the price they've already paid.
The symbols on the gate shift, rearranging themselves as if alive, and the stone creaks with a slow, grinding motion. With a final groan, the massive gate begins to open, revealing the path beyond—dark and shrouded in mist, a foreboding passage that seems to stretch on forever.
---
"Is this it?" Li Wei asks, their voice tinged with uncertainty.
Jian nods. "This is where the true test begins. The Well isn't just a place—it's a journey. The deeper you go, the more you'll learn about yourself, your bloodline, and the curse that binds you."
Li Wei looks at him, their gaze intense. "And what happens if I fail?"
Jian's expression hardens, his eyes shadowed. "Failure means the end. The curse won't just consume you—it will spread, and everything you've tried to protect will be lost."
Li Wei swallows hard, feeling the full weight of his words. The curse inside them thrums violently in their chest, as if it, too, understands the stakes.
---
Taking a deep breath, Li Wei steps forward, entering the mist-shrouded path. The air grows colder as they move deeper, the oppressive weight of the curse pressing harder against their skin. The deeper they go, the more they feel the shifting energy around them. It's as if the very ground beneath their feet is alive, pulsing with an ancient force that resists their every step.
Suddenly, the mist clears, revealing a massive cavern. At its center, an enormous stone **well** sits, its surface smooth and polished, glowing faintly in the darkness. The sight is breathtaking—beautiful, yet ominous, as if the Well itself is waiting.
The energy in the cavern is overwhelming, and Li Wei feels as though the curse is reaching out, drawn to the power of the Well. The whispers are louder now, almost deafening, urging them forward.
Li Wei hesitates, their hand gripping the amulet tightly. "This is it," they whisper. "This is the Celestial Well."
Jian steps forward, his face tense. "Approach carefully. The Well will test you in ways you can't predict. It will show you what you fear most, what you've been running from."
---
As they approach the Well, a low hum fills the air. The stone surface of the Well shifts, the faint glow intensifying. The atmosphere becomes heavy, thick with anticipation. Li Wei takes another step, and suddenly, the world around them seems to shift.
---
**Vision**
Li Wei is no longer standing in the cavern. Instead, they find themselves in a **dreamlike realm**, the air around them thick with an unnatural fog. The landscape is twisted—familiar, yet wrong—like an alternate version of the village they once called home.
There's a presence here—something watching. Li Wei can feel it, the weight of eyes upon them. A figure emerges from the mist, tall and imposing, cloaked in shadows.
"You've come," the figure says, its voice echoing in their mind.
Li Wei's heart races. "Who are you?"
The figure steps closer, and the mist parts to reveal a face—a face that is **their own**. The shock of recognition freezes them in place.
"I am you," the figure says, its voice cold and distorted. "I am everything you fear, everything you deny. The curse, the pain, the darkness—it is all within you."
Li Wei stumbles back, horrified. "No... this can't be real. You're not me."
The figure's expression shifts, becoming cruel, mocking. "Do you not see? You are already lost. The curse was never just a force outside of you. It's within you, in your blood, in your very soul. You cannot escape it."
The ground beneath Li Wei trembles, and the vision fades. The mist begins to recede, and the stone Well looms before them again. The echo of the figure's words hangs in the air, **clinging** to Li Wei's mind.
---
Li Wei stands there for a long time, their breath coming in short gasps. The curse pulses violently in their chest, as if reacting to the vision. They grip the amulet tightly, trying to calm the storm inside them. **What was that?** Was it a warning? Or a reflection of the truth they've been avoiding?
Jian stands by, his eyes shadowed, watching without speaking. Li Wei knows that this is only the beginning of what lies ahead. The Well has shown them a glimpse of their greatest fear—but they have no choice but to keep moving forward.