The challenger of Destiny

Shadow of the Past

Blood dripped from Jihan's fingertips, falling onto the rocky ground of Mount Hua Shan. A week had passed since he left Wei Zhang, but the screams from the village still haunted him every night. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see were flashes of golden light-the last signs of his teacher's resistance.

“True strength is in your heart,” Jihan repeated Wei Zhang's words, her voice hoarse from lack of use. His bloody hands gripped tightly the scroll his teacher had given him. Seven days of climbing this mountain without stopping, and he still hadn't found Lin Mei.

The sun was sinking into the western horizon when Jihan reached a small plateau. His burly body trembled with fatigue, but his blue eyes still burned brightly. Before him stood a half-collapsed old temple, almost hidden by the mountain mist.

“Who dares set foot on this holy ground?” a feminine yet cold voice broke the silence.

Jihan turned quickly, but there was no one behind her. Her instincts screamed danger. The water from her leather pouch moved wildly, forming a shield around her body.

“Ah,” came the voice again, this time from above. “You carry the markings of the Water Guardian. But...” A shadowy figure leapt down with graceful movements, landing soundlessly before Jihan. “...you are not Li Wei.”

The woman was probably about her mother's age-or at least that's how it looked. Her snow-white hair fluttered in the mountain breeze, contrasting with her black clothes that resembled a priest's robe. Her eyes flashed reddish in the twilight.

“I'm looking for Lin Mei,” Jihan said carefully, still maintaining her water shield. “Wei Zhang sent me.”

The woman's expression changed in an instant. “Wei Zhang?” Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Didn't he already-” Her words trailed off when she saw the scroll in Jihan's hand. “Where did you get that?”

“Wei Zhang gave it to me, before...” Jihan swallowed. “Before Kai Wen attacked our village.”

Lin Mei-because she seemed to be the one-was silent for a while. The mountain breeze picked up, carrying the scent of impending rain.

“Follow me,” she said finally, turning towards the temple. “And don't try to use your powers inside. This place... has its own rules.”

The interior of the shrine was much more spacious than it looked from the outside. Candles lit themselves as they passed, illuminating the seemingly endless hallways. On the walls, Jihan saw carvings similar to the symbols Wei Zhang had drawn by the river.

“Sit down.” Lin Mei pointed to a sitting cushion in the center of the main room. In front of her, a low wooden table was filled with old scrolls and various herbs.

Jihan placed the scroll Wei Zhang had given her on the table. Lin Mei opened it slowly, her eyes moving quickly to read the contents. Occasionally her eyebrows rose, and once she even held her breath.

“Stupid,” she muttered under her breath. “You always act alone, Zhang.”

“What did the scroll say?” Jihan ventured to ask.

Lin Mei gave her a sharp look. “The Guardians' last secret,” she replied curtly. “And...” he sighed, ”...your mother's true identity.”

Jihan's heart seemed to stop beating. “You... you know my mother?”

“Li Wei?” Lin Mei smiled faintly. “Of course. She's my most talented student. And also...” he paused for a moment, ”...the most stubborn.”

Before Jihan could ask further, the sound of an explosion shook the temple. Dust fell from the ceiling, and candles swayed wildly.

“They're coming faster than I expected,” Lin Mei got up with quick movements. “Kai Wen must have followed your trail all the way here.”

“What should we-”

“Shut up and watch carefully,” Lin Mei cut off Jihan's words. Her hands formed an intricate seal, and her rosy eyes began to glow brightly. “Because what you're about to see now... is the true power of a Guardian.”

The temple floor shook violently. From the shadows, dark figures began to emerge-creatures that looked human but moved unnaturally.

“Shadow puppet,” Lin Mei hissed. “She's using her stolen souls to make soldiers.”

Jihan got up, ready to fight, but Lin Mei held her back. “Don't. You're not ready to face them. Watch and learn.”

Lin Mei stepped forward, and instantly the room temperature dropped dramatically. Ice began to form on the walls, creeping like crystal tendrils that were both beautiful and deadly.

“But... isn't the Guardian's power only one type?” Jihan asked confused. “Like me controlling water...”

“That is the greatest folly of young Guardians,” Lin Mei replied as she dodged the Shadow Puppet's attack with graceful movements. “Thinking their powers are limited to a single element.”

As if to prove her words, Lin Mei moved her hands in intricate patterns. The ice on the wall shattered into thousands of needles, shooting towards the Shadow Puppets. But before hitting the target, the ice needles turned into flames-burning the puppets to ashes.

“How is that possible...” Jihan was stunned.

“Because the true power of a Guardian,” Lin Mei turned to her, ”is the ability to understand and control all forms of energy. Water, fire, ice... they are all just manifestations of the same energy.”

A second explosion shook the temple, stronger this time. The front wall collapsed, revealing a tall, black-robed figure standing in the doorway.

“Lin Mei,” the heavy voice made Jihan's hair stand on end. “It's been a long time.”

“Kai Wen,” Lin Mei greeted coldly. “Still chasing a power you can never understand?”

The man laughed-the same laugh Jihan had heard in the village. “I will never understand?” He raised his hand, and instantly the air around them grew heavy. “I have already surpassed your antiquated understanding.”

“Run,” Lin Mei whispered to Jihan. “Take the scroll and go to the basement. You'll find an altar with the Dragon symbol. Put the scroll there.”

“But-”

“RUN!”

Jihan grabbed the scroll and ran towards the side door. Behind her, a fierce battle began. Lin Mei and Kai Wen moved in a dance of death-ice met fire, water fought lightning, earth clashed with wind.

The hallways of the temple were like a maze, but somehow Jihan's feet knew where to go. She found a hidden staircase behind a Buddha statue, leading underground.

Behind him, the sounds of battle intensified. The walls shook, and several times he almost fell when the stairs cracked.

The basement was a large round room with pillars decorated with carved dragons. In the center, a stone altar emitted a dim bluish light.

Jihan ran to the altar, but before she could put down the scroll, a cold hand gripped her shoulder.

“Such an obedient child,” Kai Wen smiled, his handsome face stained by a burn mark on the left side. “Exactly like your mother.”

“At... where is Lin Mei?” Jihan asked, trying to calm her frantic heartbeat.

“Oh, her?” Kai Wen shrugged. “Busy with some... old memories.”

Jihan tried to use his strength, but there was no water he could control in this room. Cold sweat ran down his back as he realized he was trapped.

“You know,” Kai Wen continued, his pitch-black eyes fixing Jihan with a hungry gaze, ”your mother also tried to protect you in the same way. Sealing away your powers, sending you far away. But see now...” he smiled wider, ”you came to me willingly.”

“What do you want?” Jihan asked, trying to buy time.

“What do I want?” Kai Wen laughed. “I want to free you all. The Guardians with their ancient, restrictive rules, who fear their true power.” He raised his hand, and black energy began to flow from his fingers. “And you, Jihan, will help me do it.”

Suddenly, the floor beneath their feet shook violently. The pillars began to crack, and the altar light flickered unsteadily.

“No...” Kai Wen looked up with a pale face. “No way...”

Lin Mei's soft laughter echoed in the room. “You forgot one thing about this temple, Kai Wen.” Her voice rang out from all directions. “This place... is the tomb of the Guardians.”

The floor began to crack, and from the cracks, golden light radiated brightly. Jihan felt a familiar energy-the same energy she had felt from Wei Zhang on her last day.

“Now, Jihan!” shouted Lin Mei. “Put the scroll on the altar!”

With one swift movement, Jihan broke free from Kai Wen's careless grip and ran to the altar. Just as the scroll touched the stone surface, a bluish light exploded filling the room.

And in that light, Jihan saw it-thousands of transparent shadows, each with eyes that glowed in different colors. The fallen Guardians.

“No... NO!” Kai Wen shouted angrily. Black energy emanated from his body, trying to fight against the increasingly bright golden light.

But it was in vain. One by one, the shadows lunged towards Kai Wen, piercing through his body like spears of light. Each strike made his black energy weaken.

“It's not over yet!” Kai Wen growled between his shouts. “This power... is my destiny!”

With a final desperate move, he hurled a ball of black energy at Jihan. But before it could reach its target, a shadow darted forward-the shadow of a woman with long hair and very familiar blue eyes.

“Mom...” Jihan whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Li Wei-or the shadow-smiled gently. Her transparent hand touched Jihan's cheek, and instantly memories flooded into her mind. Memories of her childhood, of her mother teaching her to control water secretly, of their last night together...

“I'm sorry mom,” Li Wei's voice sounded distant yet clear. “But now... is your time to rise.”

The golden light grew brighter, blinding. Kai Wen let out a scream that slowly faded to a whisper, then disappeared altogether.

When the light finally dimmed, Jihan found herself kneeling on the floor of the crypt. The altar before him had been smashed to pieces, and Wei Zhang's gift scroll had turned to ash.