Whispers of the Lunar Curse

The forest swallows Li Wei whole, its dense trees casting long shadows in the fading light. The air feels heavy, as though the curse itself weighs upon the land. Every step crunches on the dry leaves beneath their feet, the sound unnaturally loud in the eerie silence. The whispers, ever-present, grow stronger, swirling around Li Wei like an invisible storm.

Following the vague directions given by the elders, Li Wei finally comes across the ruins of Xia Wen's ancestral home. The once-grand mansion is now a crumbling skeleton of stone and wood, overtaken by moss and vines. The entrance, though partially collapsed, still stands, its frame carved with faded symbols that resemble those on the amulet.

Li Wei pauses at the threshold, gripping the amulet tightly. The pulsing glow grows stronger, as though urging them to step inside. Steeling their resolve, they push through the broken doorway and enter the ruins.

---

The interior is dark and suffused with an unnatural chill. Dust hangs in the air, illuminated by the faint light streaming through the cracks in the walls. Li Wei's flashlight cuts through the gloom, revealing broken furniture, shattered porcelain, and remnants of a once-prosperous family.

As they move deeper into the ruins, the air grows colder, and the whispers shift. The once-chaotic murmurs begin to form coherent words:

"Li Wei...return what was taken..."

The voice is sharp and full of anguish, sending a shiver down Li Wei's spine. They ignore it, focusing on their mission. The elders had mentioned a hidden journal—something that could shed light on Xia Wen's ritual and the origin of the curse.

Their search leads them to what remains of a study. Broken bookshelves line the walls, their contents strewn across the floor. Li Wei carefully sifts through the debris, scanning for anything of significance.

After what feels like hours, their fingers brush against something solid—a wooden box, buried beneath a pile of rubble. The box is intricately carved with symbols similar to those on the amulet. Li Wei pries it open, revealing an aged journal inside, its cover worn but intact.

---

The journal is filled with handwritten notes, diagrams, and detailed accounts of the ritual that Xia Wen performed centuries ago. As Li Wei flips through the pages, a horrifying truth begins to emerge.

The spirits bound to the amulet were once protectors of the village, benevolent guardians worshiped by the villagers. But Xia Wen, driven by fear and ambition, betrayed them. Falsely believing the spirits would one day turn against the village, Xia Wen devised a binding ritual to trap their souls, ensuring they could never harm anyone.

However, the ritual was incomplete. The spirits were not only trapped but also left in eternal torment, their rage growing stronger with each passing generation. Xia Wen recorded their final words in the journal, a chilling plea:

"We were protectors, not destroyers. You have made us what we are. One day, your bloodline will pay for this crime."

Li Wei's hands tremble as they read the final entry. The spirits had never been villains; they were victims of Xia Wen's paranoia and cruelty. The curse was not merely vengeance—it was justice for a betrayal that had gone unanswered for centuries.

Before Li Wei can process the weight of this revelation, a sudden gust of wind extinguishes their flashlight. The room plunges into darkness, and the whispers swell into a cacophony of voices.

"You cannot undo what has been done...but you will pay the price."

The temperature drops further, and shadows flicker along the walls, coalescing into the forms of the spirits. Their ethereal faces are twisted with anger and sorrow, their glowing eyes fixed on Li Wei.

Li Wei stumbles back, clutching the journal and the amulet. Their voice trembles as they speak, "I know the truth now! Xia Wen wronged you, but I can make it right. Tell me what I need to do!"

The spirits hesitate, their forms flickering as though caught between rage and reason. One of them steps forward, its voice a haunting echo:

"If you truly seek redemption, return what was stolen. But know this—redemption comes at a price. Are you willing to pay it?"

Li Wei swallows hard, their determination outweighing their fear. "I'll do whatever it takes."

---

**Quiz Question:**

What do you think the spirits mean by "return what was stolen"?

a) Destroy the amulet and free their souls.

b) Perform a dangerous ritual to reverse the binding.

c) Sacrifice something precious as penance for Xia Wen's betrayal.