The cold winds whip through the cracks in the stone, echoing the distant voices of the past. Li Wei stands at the threshold of an ancient vault hidden deep within the mountain, the air heavy with the scent of decay and forgotten memories. The faintest glimmer of light from her lantern casts long shadows, illuminating the worn and weathered carvings etched into the stone walls.
Jian stands beside her, his expression unreadable, his eyes scanning their surroundings as though expecting something to emerge from the darkness at any moment. Since the defeat of the shadowy figure, the silence has been unsettling. Every step they've taken deeper into the mountain seems to only pull them further into the heart of the mystery. There are no answers here, only questions, questions that grow with every discovery they make.
"We've come this far," Jian says quietly, his voice low, a stark contrast to the unsettling stillness of the cave. "We can't turn back now."
Li Wei nods, her grip tightening around the lantern. There's a deep, gnawing feeling in her gut, a sense that the answers they seek lie beyond this vault. But she can't shake the feeling that something, or someone, is watching them. The flickering of the lantern's flame does little to reassure her, as the shadows seem to stretch unnaturally long, as though reaching for them.
She glances at Jian, his protective presence a constant source of comfort, but even his usually composed demeanor seems a little frayed, the tension in the air palpable. They've both fought the darkness, but they know—this is only the beginning.
The vault door looms before them, a massive stone slab inscribed with runes that pulse faintly, as though alive. Li Wei hesitates for a moment, the weight of the moment settling in her chest. It feels as though the vault itself is breathing, waiting for them to open it. She can almost hear the whispers from inside, muffled and distant, but unmistakable.
Jian steps forward, his fingers brushing lightly over the runes. The moment his hand makes contact, the stone trembles, the air growing heavier, thicker with the weight of something ancient. Li Wei feels a shiver run down her spine as the vault door slowly shifts, grinding open with a deafening creak.
The air inside is stale, untouched by time, and yet, it feels charged—alive with the promise of secrets long buried. Li Wei takes a deep breath, steeling herself for what lies ahead. They've uncovered the remnants of the curse before, but this vault… this is different. Whatever is inside, it is not just the remnants of the past. It is something far older, something that has been waiting.
The door opens fully, revealing a narrow chamber. As they step inside, the temperature drops, and the lantern's flame flickers, casting dancing shadows on the walls. The walls are lined with ancient books, scrolls, and artifacts, some of which seem to pulse with a strange, unsettling energy. But it's the center of the room that draws their attention.
In the middle of the chamber stands a large stone pedestal, and on top of it, a dark, crystal-like orb pulses with a soft, rhythmic glow. It feels as though the orb is calling to Li Wei, drawing her in with an undeniable pull, its glow intensifying as she steps closer.
Jian's hand instinctively moves toward her, his voice a warning. "Don't touch it. Whatever it is, it's not meant for us."
But Li Wei can't stop herself. The orb draws her in like a magnet, her fingers trembling as she reaches out to touch its surface. The moment her skin makes contact, a shock of energy races through her, so intense that it nearly knocks her back. The orb vibrates in her hand, sending a pulse of power throughout the room.
The air around them seems to shudder, and for a split second, Li Wei sees something in the shadows—a figure, half-formed, its outline flickering in and out of existence. It's as though the orb has opened a window to another world, to a time long forgotten.
Then, the figure speaks.
You should not have come here.
The voice is soft, distant, yet powerful. Li Wei freezes, her heart pounding in her chest. She knows that voice. It's the same voice she heard in the depths of the temple, in the moments before the curse was unleashed.
Before she can react, the orb pulses again, and the figure in the shadows becomes clearer—its face more distinct, the features now sharp and defined. It is a woman, her face hauntingly familiar. Li Wei's breath catches in her throat.
The woman's eyes—piercing, dark—seem to see straight into her soul.
You are the one I have been waiting for, the woman whispers, her voice like a faint echo in the room.
Li Wei's mind races. "Who are you?"
The woman smiles, but it's not a comforting smile. It's cold, calculated, as though she knows something Li Wei does not.
I am your past, she says simply. I am the one who set the curse in motion. And I am the one who will see it completed.
Li Wei takes a step back, the realization hitting her like a physical blow. The woman—the figure in the shadows—is the one who caused everything. She is the origin of the curse, the one who has been manipulating events from the beginning.
Jian moves quickly, stepping between Li Wei and the orb, his hand outstretched to shield her from whatever power is emanating from it.
"Li Wei," he says urgently, "We need to leave. Now."
But it's too late. The orb begins to glow brighter, its energy crackling in the air as the room shakes violently. The walls seem to close in, the shadows growing thicker, more oppressive. The woman's form begins to distort, flickering as though she is being pulled between worlds.
You cannot escape your destiny, she says, her voice now a haunting, distorted cry. You will awaken the curse in full. The end is coming.
Li Wei's mind is spinning, the weight of the woman's words crashing down on her. The curse. The end. What does it all mean? And why is she—why is she the one tied to all of this?
Jian grabs her arm, pulling her away from the orb. "Li Wei, focus! We can't let this power consume us. We have to leave before it's too late."
But Li Wei feels a cold presence behind her, something more powerful than anything they've faced so far. She knows that whatever is happening, whatever is awakening, is far beyond their control.
The vault trembles again, this time with greater intensity, and the orb pulses one last time, sending a wave of energy through the room. Li Wei and Jian are thrown back as the chamber begins to collapse around them. The shadows seem to claw at their heels, pulling them toward the center of the room.
"Jian!" Li Wei cries out, struggling to keep her footing. "We have to stop it!"
But Jian is already pulling her toward the exit, his grip firm and unyielding. The woman's voice echoes one final time, fading into the darkness as they make their way out of the vault.
It is only a matter of time.
As the vault door slams shut behind them, the rumbling begins to subside, and the air grows still once more. But the darkness lingers, pressing in on them from all sides, and the weight of the woman's words hangs over them like a looming storm.
"We're not done yet," Li Wei whispers, her voice filled with dread. "This isn't over."
Jian looks at her, his face grim. "No. It's only just beginning."