NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Chapter 4: The Hidden Depths
The dense forest loomed around Zhen Yang as he ventured deeper, his steps careful yet deliberate. The whispers in his mind—faint, like echoes in a cavern—grew stronger. It wasn't memory but something darker, an instinct clawing its way to the surface. With every step, the shadows seemed to dance, as if alive and welcoming their sovereign.
He had wandered far from the Zhen family estate, further than he had ever dared before. Each tree towered like a guardian of secrets, its branches clawing at the sky. Somewhere within these woods, he felt the pull—a subtle, inescapable force guiding him to something significant.
His breath steadied as he reached a clearing. The air was heavier here, tinged with an unnatural chill. At the center of the clearing was an ancient stone altar, covered in moss and vines. Strange symbols were etched into its surface, glowing faintly in the dim light.
"This… feels familiar," Zhen Yang muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he examined the symbols. They weren't just carvings; they were alive, pulsating with an energy he couldn't name.
The whispers grew louder. *Claim it. It is yours.*
Zhen Yang hesitated. Despite his growing strength, he knew enough to recognize danger. But something deeper urged him forward, a force too powerful to resist. He placed his hand on the altar.
The ground beneath him trembled. A crimson light erupted from the symbols, enveloping him in its glow. Pain seared through his body as the light penetrated his flesh, carving the symbols into his very being. He gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out. This wasn't the first time he had endured agony, though he didn't know why he was so certain.
As the light faded, Zhen Yang collapsed to his knees, his breath ragged. He felt stronger, but it wasn't just physical. A flood of knowledge surged through his mind, fragments of an ancient language, techniques, and rituals. One word stood out among them: "Abyss."
"What… have I become?" he whispered, staring at his trembling hands. His crimson eyes glowed faintly, their intensity growing as the newfound power coursed through him.
Far away, back at the Zhen family estate, unease rippled through the halls. Elder Zhen Xuan, a man known for his sharp instincts and cold demeanor, sat in his meditation chamber. The candles flickered, their flames bending unnaturally.
"A shift," he murmured, opening his eyes. "Something stirs in the shadows."
A servant entered, bowing deeply. "Elder, there is news. The third son… Zhen Yang… has been seen leaving the estate. He's been gone for days."
Zhen Xuan's expression darkened. "The boy?" He paused, as if weighing his next words. "Send someone to track him. If he's stumbled upon something he shouldn't have, we must know."
The servant hesitated. "And if he has?"
"Then he will be dealt with," Zhen Xuan said coldly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Meanwhile, Zhen Yang's newfound strength had not gone unnoticed by the forest's denizens. A pack of shadow wolves circled the clearing, their glowing red eyes fixated on him. These beasts, corrupted by the dark energy of the woods, were predators unlike any others.
Zhen Yang rose to his feet, his exhaustion replaced by a cold determination.
"So, this is my first test," he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. He extended his hand, and the crimson flame flickered to life once more, brighter and fiercer than before.The wolves lunged. Zhen Yang moved instinctively, dodging their attacks with precision. He struck back with lethal efficiency, his flame reducing the creatures to ash. As the last wolf fell, he stood amidst the carnage, his breathing steady.
"This power… it's only the beginning," he said, his voice low but resolute. The altar's symbols continued to glow faintly, as if acknowledging his victory.
He turned back to the altar, placing his hand on it once more. This time, the energy it emitted was calm, almost welcoming. The whispers in his mind had quieted, replaced by a single, clear thought: "Rise."
Zhen Yang clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. The path before him was treacherous, but he would walk it without hesitation. For the first time, he felt a sense of purpose—a destiny waiting to be claimed.And he would claim it, no matter the cost.