The world watches through cracked glass.
But in the mirror, not everything reflects true.
Skyfall Citadel – Throne of Ash
The chamber was vast and silent.
Pillars of obsidian rose into mist-choked air, and between them floated orbs of pale fire — whispering, judging, waiting.
At the center sat a man cloaked in shadowed robes, his face hidden behind a crown of bone thorns.
He was known only as Warden Grey.
Before him, the mirror hovered — an artifact long forgotten by the world above.
The Bone Mirror.
Forged in the age of the Soul Wars. Once shattered. Now stitched with the marrow of traitors.
It reflected not the image… but the intent.
The mirror rippled.
Smoke coiled inside.
Then it showed Rael.
Cloaked. Bleeding. Walking the edge of Linhai's market district with a scythe wrapped in cloth slung over one shoulder.
"He's waking," Warden Grey whispered. "The fire still burns."
The flames behind him howled.
And the command went out.
"Let the Seers observe. Let the Bone Cult hunt. He enters the game not to play… but to burn the board."
Linhai – East Docks, Riverbend Ward
Morning mist still clung to the rooftops like wet silk.
Rael crouched atop a moss-covered beam, watching a hawker below struggle to unload crates of fermented lotus root.
His hand gripped a small beast core — cold and faintly glowing.
Not for battle. But for practice.
[Qi Absorption Initiated – Beast Core (Grade: Low-Tier Ironjaw Boar)]
[Progress: 34/100]
[Soul Echo Stable – Dual Soul Influence Suppressed]
He closed his eyes and let the cold essence flow in.
His breath followed the rhythm of an old martial pattern — one he had pieced together from stolen scrolls and broken memories.
"Every strength I gain," he murmured, "must be earned. Or it rots."
The core cracked. A trickle of energy seeped through his meridians.
Small gains.
But real ones.
Elsewhere – Yue Clan Compound
Yue Qingshi paced along the moon-viewing platform, her fingers wrapped around a sealed jade letter.
She had opened it thrice.
Each time, the words remained the same.
Command: Sever Ties with the Outcast.
Failure to comply results in demotion and reassignment to the South Dust Mines.
She sat slowly, looking toward the distant sea of mist beyond Linhai.
"Why does it matter?" she asked aloud.
A servant nearby looked up.
"Miss?"
Qingshi smiled faintly. "Nothing. Just arguing with my ancestors again."
She stood.
Then burned the letter without a word.
South Linhai – Shadow Alley
The boy's name was Mok.
He was eleven, one arm missing, the other holding a knife too big for his frame.
And he stood between Rael and a street gang called the Fangbrick Teeth.
Rael had simply been passing.
But when he saw the boy kicked, pinned, and forced to the ground — he stopped walking.
Then turned.
Then broke five bones with a jug handle.
The rest ran screaming.
Mok stared, stunned.
Rael offered him a hand.
"Street rats live short."
"I ain't scared."
"No. But you're alone."
Mok hesitated, then gripped Rael's hand.
"Not anymore," Rael said quietly.
[Bond Formed: Shadow Disciple – Mok]
[Stat Link: 2% (Passive) | Training Bonus: Active]
[Warning: Mortal soul fragile – risk of damage from cultivation attempts]
Nightfall – Riverside Shrine
Rael trained.
Mok watched, mimicking poorly.
The moon was high, full and cracked.
Yue Qingshi arrived silently, stepping over old moss and half-buried incense pots.
"You're recruiting now?" she asked, eyeing Mok.
Rael didn't pause his movement — a flow between four stances of a swordless form.
"He'll die without someone."
Qingshi sat beside Mok.
"Do you want to cultivate?" she asked.
The boy blinked. "Dunno. Maybe."
She flicked a finger — a thread of Lunar Qi danced across her palm.
"It's painful."
"I can take it."
Qingshi smiled.
"Then someday, you will."
Deep in the Forest – Mirror Hunters Move
Clad in skin-bound robes and bone masks, the Mirror Seers moved through shadow.
Each carried a shard of the original Bone Mirror in their chest — embedded into the ribs.
They moved silently.
Bled mist when wounded.
And spoke only to the dead.
Their leader, Cracked Seer Vaol, held a scroll soaked in soul wax.
He unrolled it.
Rael's image — not his face, but his intention — bled across the parchment.
Vaol tilted his head.
"Interesting," he croaked.
"He remembers. He learns. And he will kill again."
Linhai – Abandoned Armory
Rael unwrapped the cloth around the scythe.
Still incomplete. But forming.
Blade forged from melted beast fang, edge cooled in blood of the first thing he ever killed in TAO.
He sat with it across his knees.
And waited.
Yue Qingshi arrived with steamed buns. Mok trailed behind, carrying tea.
Rael broke the bun in half, handed a piece to Mok.
Then said nothing for a long time.
Finally—
"Someone's coming."
Qingshi blinked. "Now?"
"No. Soon."
[System Prompt: Unknown Tracking Signature Detected – Source Linked to Bone Qi Traces]
[Suggested Action: Relocation or Elimination]
[Beast Core Detected Nearby – Qi: 620 | Grade: Unknown]
Rael stood slowly.
Scythe in hand.
Mok's breath caught. Qingshi reached for her fan blade.
Then—
A whisper echoed across the empty hall:
"Your reflection bleeds, little reaper…"
And the lanterns exploded into ash.