God Of Shadows: Ascension Of The Celestial Orphan

The sun was low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of crimson as we approached the base of Mount Tianxu. From afar, the mountain looks like a sleeping dragon, its peaks is covered in the clouds. The Celestial Lotus Sect is build at the top of the mountain, its palaces, and temples stretching into the mountain's cliffs, somehow defying the laws of nature.

I felt a chill run through me as I remembered the vision from the Memory Crystal. The man with an identical pendant like mine, standing at the top of this very mountain. Who was he? And why did he have a pendant just like mine?

"You are okay?" Yue Ling asked, her eyes flicking to the pendant around my neck at interval. She hadn't asked about the vision, but I knew she was curious, and worried as well. And I wasn't ready to talk about it to anyone yet.

"Yeah," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just… nervous."

She grinned, bumping my shoulder.

"Who wouldn't be? This is the most powerful sect in the Mortal Realm. We're about to compete against the best cultivators alive." Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"And we're going to win, I am so sure of that."

I laughed, her encouraging words is what I like most about her .

" You are right! There is no turning back now."

Together, we approached a place to the sect called 'Stairway of Ascension', it is a path carved into the mountain's side, spiral shaped, and upwards into the clouds.

Hundreds of other youths were gathered, their eyes burning with ambition just like mine. Some wore fine robes, their clans' emblems embroidered in gold, silver or bronze. Others were like me, orphans, wanderers, rogues, just here to prove themselves. To prove ourselves worthy of entering the sect.

A suddenly hush fell over the crowd as a figure descended the steps, his robes shimmering with golden celestial light. He moved with inhuman grace, his eyes cold, and calculating. As if looking for those with weak energy, those unworthy of participating in the sect's competition.

"That's Elder Han, the Guardian of the First Gate," Yue Ling whispered.

"They say he can see through lies… and into people's souls."

Elder Han's gaze swept over us, his presence both suffocating and unbearing.

"Welcome to the Celestial Lotus Sect," he announced, his voice echoing off the mountain walls.

"You stand at the base of Mount Tianxu, where legends are born, and the weak are forgotten." A chill ran through me as his eyes lingered on me, his expression unreadable.

"Did he… sense the power of pendant within me?" I questioned myself inwardly.

"The path to immortality is paved with trials," Elder Han continued. "Only those who conquer their fears, break their limits, and defy fate itself will be worthy of the Lotus of Ascension." He raised his hand, and the air shimmered with great energy.

"Your first trial awaits: It's the Gate of Reflection."

Suddenly, the mountain rumbled, and the ground shaking as an archway appeared behind him, it was formed from a swirling mist. The Gate of Reflection.

"Step through the gate," Elder Han commanded, his eyes gleaming. "Face your true self… or be lost forever."

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. Face my true self? Does that mean… my shadows? The power of the pendant? The Primordial Celestial Dragon?" Yue Ling gripped my arm, her eyes fierce.

"Whatever we see… we face it together." I nodded, my resolve hardening again. We stepped forward, joining the other candidates.

One by one, they vanished into the mist, their forms swallowed by the gate. Some screamed, their voices echoing, then cut off. Others emerged, their faces pale, and eyes hollow.

Our turn came. I took a deep breath, stepping through the archway. The world twisted around us, and the ground vanishing beneath my feet. It was as if I was falling… spinning… and pulled into darkness beyond.

*******

THE GATE OF REFLECTION

I hit the ground hard, the air knocked from my lungs. I gasped, forcing myself up, my surroundings coming into focus. I was in a vast hall, its walls is made of mirrors. Hundreds of reflections stared back at me, their faces familiar… too familiar.

Actually It was me. Hundreds of versions of me, each one slightly different. Some were younger, others older. Some looked hopeful, others bitter, their eyes filled with pain.

One stepped forward, the eyes in the mirror were burning with anger. "Why did you let her die?" one of my reflection spat, his voice raw with grief. "You were supposed to protect her!"

And my heart clenched. I recognized him. He was me… the me from the night my sister died. I took a step back, my mind reeling from pain "No… I tried… I was just a kid…"

"You were weak!" Another reflection emerged, his face twisted with hatred. "You ran away! You survived, but she didn't. You should've died with her!"

I staggered backwards, the words felt like knives in my heart. Memories flooded back! The fire, the screams, my sister's hand slipping from mine. The shadows that saved me… and took her.

"No!" I screamed, my Qi energy flaring up. "I didn't choose to live! I didn't want this curse!"

Then the reflections laughed, their faces distorting slowly. "You call it a curse… but you use its power. You embrace the shadows… just like he did."

Suddenly my blood ran cold. "He… who?"

The mirrors rippled quickly, their surfaces swirling like moving water. A figure appeared, his back turned. He was tall, his hair long, and black as midnight. Around his neck hung a pendant, glowing with the same dark light as mine.

He turned, his eyes cold, empty… and identical to mine.

"No… that's impossible…" I whispered, stumbling back. "Who are you?"

The figure stepped forward, his voice sounds hollow. "I am the Shadow of Despair. I am what you will become."

I shook my head vigorously, refusing to believe it. "No! I'm nothing like you!"

He smirked, while darkness swirls around him. "You cannot escape your fate. You will inherit the shadows… and bring ruin to the Celestial Realms."

Suddenly, the mirrors shattered, and the shards swirling around us. His form grew, his body shifting into a massive dragon made of shadows. Its eyes burned with malice, and its roar shaking the hall.

Suddenly the Shadow Dragon lunged forward at me, its fangs lengthy. I raised my hands, and the shadows swirl around me, reacting to its power. And they answered my call, forming a barrier, but the dragon tore through it, its claws raked roughly across my chest. Pain exploded through me, my Qi energy flickering sharply.

"You are weak," the dragon hissed loudly, its voice echoing with mine. "You deny your power… and that is why you will fall."

I gasped loudly, my vision slowly blurring. I was losing… losing slowly to myself.

Then, I heard her voice. "Li Tian!"

Yue Ling burst through the mist, her sword flames blazing. She slashed at the dragon, her sword cutting through its shadowy form, and it howled loudly, recoiling from her aggressive attacks.

Weakly I struggled to my feet, my pendant pulsing with energy. Her courage attacks at the shadow dragon, reignited my resolve. I wasn't alone. And I can't be controlled by shadows.

I took a deep breath, my outer Qi energy surging. "I am Li Tian! And I decide my own fate!"

The shadows responded aggressively to my statement, merging with my outer Qi. I felt their power, but this time… I was in control.

With a roar, I charged forward, my outer energy, and Yue Ling's flames entwining, swiftly, I striked the dragon's heart.It gives a loud shout, before its body shattered, and darkness disappearing slowly.

The Gate of Reflection crumbled, and the light returning.

But the shadows… they lingered, whispering… waiting for my next move.