The temple, now behind them, feels like a distant memory. The oppressive shadows that had once threatened to swallow them are still fresh in Li Wei's mind, lingering like an unshakable fog. Despite their victory—however fleeting it might have been—Li Wei can't shake the feeling that the true battle has only just begun.
Jian walks beside her, his steps quick and measured, his face drawn with the weight of their recent encounter. He knows, just as she does, that the entity they faced is only one part of a much larger puzzle. The Orb, the entity, the darkness that had clung to the temple—all of it is interconnected, and they have yet to fully understand the forces at play.
"The shadows in that temple… they weren't just guardians," Li Wei says, her voice quiet but firm. "They were something more. Something ancient."
Jian doesn't respond immediately, his gaze ahead, but his lips tighten. "I've been thinking the same thing. It's not just the Orb we need to worry about. It's the curse that's tied to it. Whoever—or whatever—is after the Orb will stop at nothing to control it."
Li Wei shudders at the thought. She hadn't realized just how deep the curse ran, how far-reaching the consequences of their actions could be. And if the entity was any indication, they had barely scratched the surface.
As they make their way through the dense forest that surrounds the temple, Li Wei's thoughts continue to race. They can't continue running forever. Sooner or later, they'll need answers—answers about the Orb, the curse, and the entity they had faced. But where can they find those answers?
Jian stops suddenly, holding up his hand as a signal for Li Wei to do the same. They're nearing the edge of the forest, and the path ahead is clear, but something doesn't feel right.
Li Wei looks around, her senses on high alert. "What is it?"
Jian's eyes scan the trees, narrowing as he catches a flicker of movement. "We're not alone," he mutters.
Before Li Wei can ask what he means, a figure emerges from the trees—tall, with a hooded cloak that seems to blend seamlessly with the shadows. The figure's presence is unsettling, like a wisp of smoke that refuses to be grasped.
"Who are you?" Li Wei demands, her hand instinctively hovering near the Orb at her waist, ready for whatever might come next.
The figure chuckles, the sound hollow and unnerving. "I am someone who has been watching you both for quite some time."
Jian steps forward, his hand instinctively reaching for a weapon that's no longer there. "What do you want?"
The figure's cloak shifts, and for the first time, its face is revealed—a pale, almost translucent complexion, with eyes that gleam a strange, unnatural shade of violet. "I am not your enemy," the figure says smoothly, its voice calm and measured. "I am here to offer you a choice."
Li Wei's heart skips a beat. "A choice?" she repeats, skeptical. "What kind of choice?"
The figure steps forward, its movements smooth and calculated. "You seek answers, don't you? About the Orb, about the curse. I can help you."
Jian's brow furrows, and he steps in front of Li Wei, his posture protective. "How do we know we can trust you?"
The figure smiles, though there's no warmth in it. "Trust is earned, not given. But I can assure you, the path you walk now will only lead to more danger. If you want to survive, you need to know the truth."
Li Wei exchanges a glance with Jian, her thoughts racing. She doesn't trust this stranger, but something about the offer intrigues her. They need answers, and it's clear that their journey has only just begun.
"What's the catch?" Li Wei asks, her voice cautious.
The figure tilts its head, as if considering her question. "The truth is not always what you wish to hear," it says softly. "But it will set you on the right path."
Li Wei's gaze sharpens. "And if we refuse?"
The figure's smile fades, its eyes hardening. "Then you will continue down the dark road you've started, without any guidance. You'll find yourself swallowed by the very forces you seek to control."
Li Wei's pulse quickens. She's not sure whether to accept the offer or walk away, but deep down, she knows they can't keep stumbling in the dark. They need guidance.
The figure takes a deep breath, as though it can sense the hesitation in the air. "Very well," it says, the calmness in its voice masking something deeper. "The Orb you carry is not just an object of power—it is a key. A key to an ancient and dangerous legacy, one that has been hidden away for centuries. Those who seek it have their own reasons, but none of them are benign. You are not the first to try to control the Orb. And you won't be the last."
Li Wei's heart pounds in her chest. A key? To what?
"There are others who will come for it," the figure continues. "Powerful, ancient beings who have waited for the right moment to claim it. They are the ones who will stop at nothing to take control of what is yours. And once they do, the world will change—forever."
Jian's expression hardens. "And how do you fit into all of this?"
The figure's violet eyes gleam, and it takes a step back. "I am someone who has been tasked with guarding the knowledge of the Orb. But I am not without my own motives. The forces that seek the Orb are not my allies. They are my enemies. And I will help you defeat them."
Li Wei's head spins with the weight of what she's just learned. The Orb is not just a tool—it's a weapon, a key to something much bigger than they had imagined. And now, it's clear that there are people—beings—who have been waiting for its return. They are powerful, dangerous, and relentless.
"Then show us what we need to do," Li Wei says, her voice steady, though her heart is racing.
The figure nods, its smile returning—but this time, it's a smile that doesn't reassure her. "Very well. Follow me. The truth is closer than you think."