Shadows of the Past
The night air was thick with tension as Lin Yue and Shen Wei left the lantern-lit courtyard. Xiangcheng's twisting alleys felt alive, every shadow a whisper, every distant footstep a warning. Lin Yue could still feel the pulse of her awakened blood, vibrating in sync with the city.
Shen Wei's eyes scanned the darkness. "You are stronger now," he said quietly, "but awakening is only the first step. Knowledge and caution will keep you alive."
Lin Yue shivered. "I feel… everything. The city, the hunters, the bloodlines. It's overwhelming."
He nodded. "That is the gift and the curse of your blood. It connects you to Xiangcheng's history, to its secrets—and to the betrayals that have been buried for centuries."
They paused at the entrance of an old bridge that arched over the quiet river slicing through the city. Shen Wei rested a hand on the worn stone railing, his gaze distant. "You must learn the past, Lin Yue. Every bloodline has sins, every family holds secrets, and the crimson moon… it remembers all."
Lin Yue followed his gaze, the moon's red light glinting on the river's surface. "Where do we start?" she asked.
Shen Wei gestured toward an alley that led deeper into the old city. "There is a place where the elders keep records—ancient scrolls, letters, and chronicles of those who shaped Xiangcheng. There you will learn about your ancestors… and why your bloodline matters."
Lin Yue's heart raced. "What if I don't like what I find?"
"You may not," Shen Wei admitted. "But knowledge is power. And the city respects only those who understand the past."
As they turned into the alley, a faint howl echoed above, cutting through the night air. Lin Yue's instincts flared. "They're close," she whispered.
"Yes," Shen Wei said grimly. "The hunters are never far. They sense awakening. They mark those who could upset the balance."
Lin Yue's pulse quickened. So many dangers, so many secrets… She could feel the weight of the city pressing down on her shoulders, but with Shen Wei by her side, a spark of determination ignited.
"Ready yourself," he said, his eyes glinting in the crimson light. "The shadows of the past will show you who you are… and who you must become."
With every step, Lin Yue felt her connection to the city strengthen. The alleys whispered, the river murmured, and the crimson moon cast its watchful gaze over Xiangcheng. Her destiny was no longer hidden—it was unfolding, one shadow at a time.