The pull of the abyss was overwhelming, an invisible force dragging me into its depths. The last thing I saw was my master, Jing Xuan, her faint, enigmatic smile lingering in my mind as the darkness consumed me.
I fell into a void where time seemed to stretch and twist, and my senses dulled. I didn't know if I was floating or falling, but then, with a sudden jolt, I found myself standing on solid ground.
Around me, the darkness began to fade, replaced by a world bathed in soft, golden light. I was atop a high mountain peak, the air crisp and serene. In the distance, an endless forest stretched out, its verdant canopy blending seamlessly with the horizon. The tranquility was striking—a world untouched by chaos, perfectly still.
The words of my master echoed in my mind:
"Experience the peace you seek for yourself."
This must have been her doing—a test, an illusion, or perhaps even an alternate reality she had created to challenge me. The very air hummed with a subtle energy, as if the world itself was watching, waiting for me to act.
I wandered the peak, exploring my surroundings. There was a small wooden house, a garden of vibrant flowers, and a stream trickling down the mountain. For a moment, I allowed myself to breathe, the serenity calming my nerves.
Yet, unease lingered in my chest. Was this truly the peace I sought? Or was it merely a fleeting illusion, a trap to test my resolve?
Day 1
At first, I embraced the simplicity of life on the mountain. I woke to the gentle calls of birds, drank from the stream, and marveled at the unbroken beauty of the forest. The peace was undeniable, a balm to my weary soul.
Yet, as the day stretched into night, the stillness grew suffocating. With no purpose, no challenge, I felt a creeping emptiness.
Was this all there was to peace?
Day 10
I ventured down the mountain, eager to explore the forest below. The trees stood like ancient sentinels, their roots weaving intricate patterns in the soil. The forest was alive with the sounds of nature, but it was a solitary life—no people, no conflict, no conversation.
Stolen story; please report.
At first, I relished the solitude, but as the days passed, I felt a growing restlessness. I had wanted peace, but this… this was something else entirely. It was isolation.
Day 30
My exploration led me to the edge of the forest, where I discovered a vast, glittering ocean. Its waves danced under the sunlight, a constant, rhythmic motion that contrasted with the stillness of the mountain.
I built a small shelter on the beach and spent my days fishing and swimming in the clear waters. For a time, the ocean became my new home, offering a sense of freedom that the mountain lacked.
But once again, the monotony crept in. Each day blurred into the next, and I found myself yearning for something more—something that would challenge me, push me beyond this endless routine.
Day 180
Driven by restlessness, I decided to sail across the ocean, hoping to find new lands. It took months to craft a boat sturdy enough for the journey, but when it was finally complete, I set out with renewed purpose.
The first weeks were calm, the sea a vast expanse of blue beneath a cloudless sky. But as I ventured further, the ocean turned treacherous. Storm clouds gathered, and the wind howled like a vengeful spirit.
Waves rose like towering beasts, crashing against my small vessel. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the chaos for brief moments before plunging me back into darkness.
A massive wave struck, capsizing the boat. I was thrown into the churning waters, my body battered and broken. As I sank, a bolt of lightning struck near me, its blinding light burning an image into my mind: the faint smile of Jing Xuan.
....
I awoke on the shore, my body aching but miraculously whole. The storm had passed, leaving behind a landscape ravaged by its fury. My boat was gone, and I was alone once more.
That's when I heard it.
ROAR!
The ground trembled, and I froze. The sound was unlike anything I had ever heard—deep, guttural, and filled with a primal rage. From the corner of my eye, I saw a shadow moving through the trees. It was massive, its form obscured by the dense foliage.
I scrambled to my feet, my mind racing. I had no weapon, no plan. The peace I had sought, the calm that had lulled me into complacency, was shattered.
The shadow drew closer, its presence oppressive. My instincts screamed at me to run, but my legs refused to obey.
Then, a familiar voice echoed in my mind—Jing Xuan's voice, calm and commanding:
"Yi Lian, peace is fleeting. Strength is eternal. Stand and fight, or be consumed."
Her words snapped me out of my paralysis. I clenched my fists, my heart pounding with adrenaline. This was my trial, my test. The peace I had desired was not a gift—it was a challenge.
The shadow emerged, revealing a monstrous beast unlike anything I had ever seen. Its eyes burned with an otherworldly fire, and its claws tore through the earth as it advanced.
I took a deep breath, my fear giving way to determination. I had survived the storm, the isolation, the emptiness. I would survive this too.
The beast charged, and with it, my trial truly began.