The Elder's Scrolls
Lin Yue followed Shen Wei through a narrow alley lined with crumbling stone walls. The air smelled of aged wood and incense, and the city around them seemed suspended in time. Every step brought a mixture of anticipation and unease.
"Here," Shen Wei whispered, pausing before an unmarked wooden door. He pressed his hand to it, and the surface shivered under his touch. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit chamber stacked with ancient scrolls and leather-bound tomes.
Lin Yue's eyes widened. "This… this is where the history is kept?"
Shen Wei nodded. "Every secret, every betrayal, every pact. The elders guard these for centuries. Tonight, you will see your family's story… and your place within it."
A masked elder emerged from the shadows. "Lin Yue," he intoned, voice deep and reverberating. "You have been chosen by the crimson moon. Now you must know why."
The elder handed her a scroll sealed with red wax. Lin Yue hesitated before breaking the seal. The paper felt fragile under her fingers, the ink faded but readable.
She began to read. Names, dates, alliances, betrayals—a family intertwined with the city's werewolves and guardians for generations. She saw her ancestors' courage, their power, and their mistakes. A sudden realization struck her: her bloodline was not just connected to Xiangcheng—it had shaped it.
"Your family," the elder said softly, "has carried a burden for centuries. They kept balance, but not without enemies. And now, that burden passes to you."
Lin Yue's hands trembled. "Enemies? Who… who would want to harm my family?"
"Many," Shen Wei said grimly. "Other bloodlines. Hunters. Those who crave power. Xiangcheng has always been a city of hidden wars."
She looked up, meeting Shen Wei's eyes. "And me? I… I'm supposed to fight all this?"
He nodded. "Not fight blindly. Learn, understand, and act. Your blood gives you strength, but wisdom will keep you alive."
A sudden noise outside made both of them tense. The wind whispered through the cracks in the walls, carrying faint sounds of movement.
"The hunters are near," Shen Wei said, his tone sharp. "They sense your awakening. We must be cautious. Knowledge is power—but it also draws attention."
Lin Yue felt the weight of the scroll in her hands and the weight of her destiny pressing down. She had awakened, learned of her ancestors, and discovered the dangers that now hunted her—but she also felt something else: a growing strength within, an understanding that the city's shadows could be hers to command if she had the courage.
The crimson moon shone through a small window, bathing the scroll and Lin Yue's determined face in red light.
"Prepare yourself," Shen Wei said, his voice calm but firm. "The trials are just beginning, and Xiangcheng waits for no one."