Beneath the Stone Stele lay a world that had been reduced to ashes.
Raging fires scorched the heavens. The distant mountain peaks were charred black, and upon them, collapsed temples and Dying Buddhas were all engulfed in flames.
And in the center of this ruined world, a peerlessly beautiful woman sat cross-legged amidst the fire. Three thousand Divine Locks descended from the Celestial Vault, piercing through her body and pinning her firmly in place.
"My name is Nuwa."
The peerlessly beautiful woman lowered her head. She looked at the tiny human with curiosity and spoke gently,
"You are… my child. One of my countless children. You are human."
Her voice was gentle, holding no trace of discontent or resentment. She leaned forward slightly, and the three thousand chains scraped against her bones, producing a grating sound like fingernails on a chalkboard.
