The World Hidden Within the Flesh of a God

The next morning, the village rose as usual.

The sun barely filtered between the mountains, and the heavy mist still clung to the thatched roofs.

But something… was wrong.

The birds did not sing.

The dogs refused to go outside.

And in the fields, even the wind seemed hesitant.

Shen Mu rose silently and stepped out of Shen Da's house.

The old man, as he did every morning, was hammering metal in his open forge.

But that day, he stopped.

— Mu… Are you alright?

The boy nodded.

— You look… different. As if your gaze sees through things.

There was a silence. Shen Da lowered his voice.

— It's happened, hasn't it?

Shen Mu didn't answer. He simply raised his eyes to the sky.

The clouds seemed… heavy. Very heavy.

---

Later, on the main street, the village chief shouted an announcement:

— The five sects will hold their annual selection this month!

— All children between the ages of 10 and 14 may register for the test!

— The Sect of Scorched Shadows will be present in person!

Cheers broke out. Wealthy families immediately rushed to enroll their children.

Shen Mu stayed behind.

— You're not going? Shen Da asked.

He shrugged.

— They don't see me. Even the testing stones refuse to react to me.

The old man stroked his beard.

— What if they don't see you… because you walk outside their light?

Shen Mu slowly turned his head toward him.

A strange flicker passed through his gaze.

— Maybe… they're simply not made to understand me.

---

That night, as the village slept, a figure appeared in the shadow of a black pine.

A man dressed in red and black robes.

A cloak embroidered with a single black flame.

He watched the village in silence. Then his eyes glowed gold.

— He's here. I sense… a mark the heavens forgot to imprint.

He snapped his fingers.

Behind him, three masked figures appeared.

— Prepare the Pact Stone. If he is what I believe… we must make him kneel. Or… extinguish him.