Arc 2: Chapter 3 — The Gate of Secrets & the Soul's Echo
Fen Hao leaned closer, his heart thudding in his chest.
After reading the scroll's cryptic lines, the Demon Lord fell silent.
Without a word, he turned and began to walk, each step an echo in the stillness.Fen Hao, Ziyan, and Xia followed—questions tumbling from their lips, but the Demon Lord did not answer.
They wound their way deeper into the fortress's heart, silence growing thick around them.Ten minutes passed in heavy quiet before they reached a gate carved from midnight stone.
The massive doors rose high as a mountain—On the left panel, warriors of demon, immortal, and mortal blood clashed against a force no one could name. Their faces were hidden behind tattoos, a mystery even in death.On the right panel, dragons and phoenixes tore at each other's throats—ancient beasts locked in endless battle.
Though it was only a carved painting, Fen Hao felt a tremor of power within—As if those battles still raged somewhere beyond the stone.
Xia's laughter broke the hush, light and mocking:
"What's wrong, Demon God? Scared by a painting?"She smiled, eyes dancing with mischief.
The Demon Lord drew a deep breath—an old, tired sound.He placed his palm against the door, blood blooming from the cut he made.
"This room holds both our greatest treasure… and our greatest fear."
The blood sank into the stone, and the doors groaned open.
Inside, a figure waited—an old man with a ghostly form, lips curled in a mocking smile.
"Oh, Demon Lord," the spirit said, voice echoing like distant thunder."Another attempt? After all these years… another try… ha ha ha ha!"
The Demon Lord's jaw tightened.
"Enough of your games," he growled. "I am here with our Demon God."
(For all his grandeur, the Demon Lord's eyes flickered—a bully to the weak, but wary before the ancient and unknown.)
The old man's gaze fell on Fen Hao, his laughter turning cold:
"Hmm… a soul on the edge of breaking apart… oh, bloodline colliding… and also—there is demon blood.""You'll face the echoes of your blood… and the ghosts of your past," he added in a low murmur, almost to himself.
After hearing "demon blood," Ziyan's breath caught. A flicker of frustration crossed her face—but then, almost in defiance of that frustration, a small smile tugged at her lips. She took a step closer to Fen Hao, her hand brushing his sleeve—wordless, but unwavering.
Fen Hao noticed her sudden closeness and the unusual softness in her eyes.
"Ziyan is behaving strangely," he thought, puzzled."After this is over, I'll have to talk to her… there's something she's not telling me."
Fen Hao stiffened, words caught in his throat.The room fell into a silence so deep it seemed to swallow the air.
Then, softly—Ziyan's voice broke through, gentle as snow:
"Whatever Fen Hao is… he is Fen Hao. I have known him only two weeks, but I know he is a good person.We all have secrets we cannot share."
Fen Hao turned to her, a gentle smile softening his eyes.Xia's eyebrows lifted, a low hum of surprise escaping her lips.
"Oh…"
The old man's eyes glinted, and he laughed again:
"Come here, little girl. Your blood—royal, deep and old. Are you a lost princess… or a traitor who fled?"
Fen Hao moved instinctively, stepping forward to shield Ziyan—a gesture as natural as breathing.
The Demon Lord cleared his throat, voice cutting the heavy air:
"Let us focus on the altar. The rest… we can discuss later."
The old man turned back to Fen Hao, eyes narrowing:
"Boy… you carry something dangerous inside you.If you can claim that dangerous thing as your own, then you could crush this mortal realm with a finger—just like… just like back then… wait—what did I say?No, I do not know anyone with this bloodline…"
Fen Hao leaned closer, his heart thudding in his chest.
"Back then?" he wondered.The words felt like memories half-remembered, brushing the edge of his soul.
He drew a breath, resolve settling in his eyes.
"No matter what lay ahead," he thought, "I will face it head-on. This is my path—I will not turn away."
He shook his head, laughter fading into a sigh:
"Enough talk. Step to the altar. Let it taste your blood."
Ziyan's eyes widened, fear and worry warring in her gaze. Her fingers curled in silent tension as she watched him step forward.
"It's dangerous…"
The old man's smile was cold and distant:
"Little girl, the real dangerous thing is that boy. You don't have to worry."
Fen Hao walked toward the altar, heart pounding.All this time, he had been searching—haunted by questions, desperate for answers.He thought, at last, he might finally find some answers.
He placed his palm upon the altar—Breath held, mind racing.
Unexpectedly, a voice echoed in the stillness—smooth and mocking, a whisper only he could hear:
"Finally… ahem, boy—I've been waiting for you.But you're so damn slow. Are you some kind of… slow monkey?"A pause, then a soft groan of exasperation:"Ah… this is driving me crazy…"
Fen Hao closed his eyes, a wry thought crossing his mind:
"It starts again… and I am tired of being shocked."[1]
End of Arc 2: Chapter 3
[1] maybe he might find some answer...