Chapter 3: The Shrine of Darkness
Days passed, and the village slowly fell into a quiet rhythm. The air grew colder, and the first frost dusted the edges of the rooftops. Yùlíng found herself increasingly drawn to the woods beyond the village, where an overgrown path wound deep into the forest's heart.
One afternoon, she decided to follow it, clutching her lantern tightly. As she stepped onto the narrow trail, each footfall was muffled by fallen leaves. Her heart pounded with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
As she ventured further, the canopy thickened, sunlight filtering through the branches in fractured beams. The woods were alive with the rustling of unseen creatures, and the air was heavy with the scent of earth and decay.
Suddenly, she stumbled upon an old stone shrine, half-swallowed by moss and vines. It was small, with faded carvings of celestial symbols and faded inscriptions in a language she didn't recognize. She brushed aside the foliage, revealing a circular basin filled with dark water.
Yùlíng knelt by the shrine, peering into the water's surface. Her reflection wavered, distorted by ripples that seemed to ripple with strange energy. An inexplicable pull tugged at her heart.
From behind, she heard a soft crunching—footsteps approaching. Turning, she saw Zhēngfēng emerge from the shadows, his face illuminated by the fading light.
"It's here," he said softly, eyes fixed on the shrine. "This is the place I've been looking for."
"What is?" Yùlíng asked, voice barely above a whisper.
He hesitated, then reached out. "A gateway."
"A gateway?" she echoed, confusion flickering across her face.
He nodded. "To another world. Or maybe to memories long buried."
Yùlíng studied the water again, feeling a strange sensation—like a whisper carried on the wind, calling her closer. She reached out and touched the basin's edge, her fingers trembling.
"Why here?" she asked.
Zhēngfēng looked at her, his expression serious. "Because this place holds the secrets of what was lost—before the darkness took hold."
The woods had always seemed peaceful, but now it felt alive with hidden truths. She wondered what lay beyond the water's surface—what mysteries it guarded.
Yùlíng took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her past and the hope of something new.
Together, they stared into the dark water, prepared to uncover what lay hidden beneath the surface—and what it might reveal about themselves.