My mind wavered, a sudden fog creeping in as though something was trying to stop me from remembering. Then, without warning, a presence surrounded me. It wasn't one, or two, but many—each one felt heavy, ominous. The weight in the air crushed me. I knew it. This time, I was going to die.
They moved toward me, relentless, closing in all at once. Fear clenched at my chest, but I had no choice. I had to fight. I gathered the remnants of my strength, ready to summon the Black Flame—but before I could, an unexpected presence cut through the tension.
A figure appeared, graceful yet dangerous. Like a phantom, she moved with a fluidity that seemed otherworldly. With every swing of her blade, heads fell, blood spilled, and her presence was an omen of death.
I couldn't help it. My lips parted, my voice soft, almost a whisper. "Who… are you?"
She stopped, turning her eyes to me. They were like a storm—calm on the surface but filled with an intensity I couldn't quite understand.
"My name is Sylvia, the Cursed Immortal."
The words hung in the air, a strange reverence in them. It felt like fate had drawn this moment together, like the heavens themselves were watching. And just then, the system's voice echoed through my mind, marking the beginning of something I didn't understand yet.
[Your Aspect's Path has been unlocked]
[You have discovered the path to become the ???]
[You have unlocked ??? Path]
[A task has appeared]
[Become the disciple of the Cursed Immortal and learn her battle art]
[Reward: 1st Path – Sorrow's Dance]
I didn't fully understand what was happening, but deep inside, something stirred. I knew this woman, this being, was the key to my survival. She was my hope.
Without thinking, the words slipped out. "Please… take me as your disciple."
She looked at me, her eyes hardening, her gaze cold. "No. I can't teach you." Her voice was final, her decision made. And yet, despite the rejection, I felt a strange pull—something unspoken, something that connected us in a way I couldn't explain.
That was all she said. She returned to her silent state, moving as if I weren't even there. But the pain in her eyes spoke volumes. I realized then—she wasn't just refusing to teach me because of pride or indifference. She was trying to protect me. And in that moment, I saw more than just a warrior; I saw someone who had been broken by a burden far heavier than mine.
Her art—her battle style—was as terrifying as it was beautiful. Each movement she made was precise, deadly, and mesmerizing. It felt like she was dancing with death itself. And somehow, without understanding it fully, she had unlocked my Aspect Path.
---
Rune: Aspect's Path
[Path of the ???]
1st Art – Locked
2nd Art – Locked
3rd Art – Locked
4th Art – Locked
5th Art – Locked
6th Art – Locked
7th Art – Locked
8th Art – Locked
---
Why was my path so long? Why were so many arts locked away? Each Aspect had its own path, a journey that the Awakened had to walk, but mine… mine felt like a mountain that would never end. How could I master them all?
I didn't know. But one thing was certain: I had to become her disciple. I had to learn from her. The thought consumed me, driving me forward despite my fear.
---
A few days later, I returned to the cave, determined. I found Sylvia exactly where I had left her. The tension in the air was thick, as if it, too, was waiting for something. I knelt before her, lowering my head in respect, in plea.
"Why won't you accept me? Please, I'll do anything you ask. Teach me."
She stared at me, her eyes narrowing, a flicker of anger passing through them. I could feel it—her frustration, her unwillingness to burden me with what she carried. But still, she answered.
"To learn my art, you'll endure a pain worse than anything you can imagine. I can't pass my curse to you. Leave now, and don't bother me again. If you do, I will kill you."
Her words were cold, but there was something there—a pain, a truth that stung with the weight of experience. She wasn't just a master; she was a warning. And yet, beneath that, I could feel something else. She wasn't just rejecting me. She was trying to protect me from herself.
I stood there, understanding her words, but my heart didn't waver. I knew, deep down, that I couldn't walk away. She had saved me, after all. She had seen something in me that I couldn't even see in myself.
And so, I remained. I felt her gaze on me, sharp and unyielding. I would prove my worth, no matter the cost.
---
☆☆☆
A week passed. A long, restless week where I stayed at the edge of her presence, waiting. Then, one day, she finally spoke.
"Kill the guardian of this place, and I'll agree."
My shadow seemed to stir at the challenge, trying to warn me away, but I knew this was my only chance. There was no turning back now. I nodded, my voice steady despite the storm within.
"I agree."
Sylvia didn't respond. She simply turned and walked away, leaving me with my thoughts. She had made her challenge clear. Now, it was up to me to meet it.
I knew what I had to do. The guardian would not be easy to defeat, but I had a plan.
I began crafting shuriken from the remains of the sirens that roamed the caves. I infused them with shadow, letting the mist from my power coat them. They became intangible, able to pass through anything—but they were hard to control. I had only 20 seconds before they would revert back to their original form.
It was a risky plan, but it was the only one I had. I would need to grow stronger, to master my control over my powers, if I were to have any hope of succeeding.
---
In this moment, everything was still not clear. My path, my purpose—it all lay ahead of me, and I would fight for it. Sylvia's curse, the guardian, my Aspect's path… I would face it all. And I find the truth