Kent paused, not turning back, his voice a low murmur as he replied, “I’m going to relieve my emotions.”
Tang Zi nodded, his expression one of understanding. “Go to Devil Mountain. Do not come back until you reach your limit. The Immortal Beast Spirit Gathering is fourteen days away. Remember that.”
Kent just nodded, his mind already set on the path ahead. He continued walking, his figure slowly disappearing into the shadowy embrace of the forest.
The only companion by his side was the baby dragon, curled up on his shoulder, its small head resting against Kent’s long hair in a sleepy state. The dragon, though young, seemed to sense Kent’s turmoil, its soft breathing a soothing presence amidst the chaos in Kent’s heart.
Behind him, his two pets watched with sad, worried eyes. Their usual playful energy was subdued, replaced by an understanding that their master was burdened by something far beyond their comprehension. They stood there, unmoving, their gazes locked on Kent’s fading figure as he disappeared into the darkness of the forest.
Tang Zi, sensing their unease, tossed a piece of fresh meat fried on the fire toward them. The smell of the meat usually would have had them bounding over, but this time, they merely glanced at it before returning their gaze to the spot where Kent had vanished.
Their eyes were filled with sadness and concern, as if they knew that their master was embarking on a journey that he had to face alone.
Tang Zi sighed, his heart heavy. He knew that the path Kent had chosen was a necessary one, but it didn’t make it any easier to watch. He could only hope that Kent would return stronger, with the fire in his heart tempered into a weapon that would serve him in the battles to come.
–
The night was as black as ink, the blanket that swallowed everything in its path.
Kent’s footsteps were steady but slow as he moved through the dense forest, his destination clear but his mind filled with countless thoughts.
The towering trees around him cast long shadows that twisted in the darkness, yet Kent barely noticed them. The usual sounds of the forest—the rustling leaves, the calls of nocturnal creatures—faded into the background, drowned out by the storm of thoughts raging in his mind.
Each word Tang Zi had spoken replayed in his head, echoing through his thoughts like a haunting refrain. ‘Your father is not a bad person. He just forgot about his role as your father…’
But how could Kent reconcile that with the endless pain his family had suffered? The image of his grandmother, her once-vibrant eyes dulled with the weight of sacrifice, plagued him. He could still hear her labored breaths, the faint murmurs of pain as she lay dying, having given everything to save him.
She was a force of nature, strong enough to live another thousand years, yet she had willingly surrendered her life to protect him. And even after ensuring his survival, she hadn’t returned to the Seventh Realm to save herself.
‘Why didn’t she save herself?’ The question stared at him, deepening the turmoil in his heart.
Lost in these thoughts, Kent’s feet moved almost of their own accord, carrying him forward through the forest. He walked with the slow, deliberate pace of someone deeply consumed by his own inner battle, unaware of the passing time or the dangers that lurked in the shadows.
Beasts crossed his path, their eyes gleaming in the dark, but they seemed to sense the tempest within him and chose not to approach. He walked on, oblivious to their presence, his mind far away in the memories of his past.
The night wore on, and before Kent realized it, the sky began to lighten. The first rays of dawn pierced through the canopy, casting a pale light over the forest.
The creatures of the night retreated, replaced by the softer sounds of morning—birds chirping, the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. Yet Kent’s turmoil persisted, the rising sun doing nothing to lift the weight on his heart.
The journey seemed endless, each step dragging him deeper into his own thoughts. His body ached, and his mind was clouded with doubt and sorrow, but he pressed on.
Without the aid of any treasures, it took him the entire day to reach the vicinity of Devil Mountain. The imposing peak loomed ahead, its jagged edges cutting into the sky like a dark sentinel watching over the blood-soaked land.
As Kent approached the blood pond that marked the boundary of the Devil Mountain, he paused. The sight of the crimson waters, still and eerie, brought him back to the present. He stood there for a moment, his eyes reflecting the pool’s blood-red hue. The determination in his gaze hardened, and with a deep breath, he pushed aside the emotions that had been tormenting him.
‘This is it,’ he thought. ‘I have to let go… or I’ll be consumed in the past. Let them answer every question!’ Kent fists clenched as he determined on his future course. Find your next read on empire
With that, Kent resumed his journey, his steps more resolute now. His mind cleared, his focus narrowed to the task ahead. As he crossed the blood pond, the oppressive air of the Devil Mountain closed in around him, but it didn’t deter him. He knew what awaited him there, and he was ready.
As he stepped into the familiar grounds where he had been before, a strange sense of calm settled over him. Kent stood still for a moment, taking in the surroundings. The wind howled around him, carrying with it the scent of earth and blood. He felt the weight of the place and the challenges it would soon throw at him.
But this time, he wasn’t just here to survive. He was here to conquer.
Kent’s expression hardened, the turmoil in his heart transforming into a steely resolve. He had come to Devil Mountain to face his demons, both the physical ones that roamed its peaks and the ones that haunted his past.
With that, Kent moved forward, the determination in his eyes a stark contrast to the storm that had raged within him.
–
Just wait for the blood bath guys 🙂