The moment Kael stepped through the archway, the air changed. It wasn't just cooler—it was… reverent. Like the room was holding its breath, waiting for something to awaken.
The chamber stretched wide, lit only by the faint blue glow of spirit lanterns hanging from aged vines clinging to marble pillars. A pool of crystal-clear water sat at the center, its surface unnaturally still.
Kael blinked. "Did we walk into a sacred spa?"
Seris hushed him, but Aria looked intrigued. "This is a Restoration Chamber. Ancient cultivators used them to recover before facing higher trials."
Kael grinned. "Finally. A room that doesn't want to kill us." He kicked off his boots, dipped a toe in the water—and instantly regretted it.
The water wasn't cold. It was awake. Energy surged up his leg like lightning before settling, warm and pulsing, into his core.
"What the actual—" he muttered, stumbling back.
Aria stepped beside him, placing a hand on the water. "It's reacting to your mana. This place is attuned to Lotus energy."
Of course it was.
---
They rested, or tried to. Seris meditated by the pool while Aria examined carvings on the walls. Kael found a corner and flopped down dramatically. The room might be peaceful, but his mind wasn't. Images from the Soul Warden trial still clawed at his thoughts—especially that vision.
The man with his face. The voice full of power and pain.
Was that truly a past life? A spiritual echo?
Or something worse—something that knew him better than he knew himself?
Kael stared at the ceiling. "Alright, ghost grandpa. You wanna play mentor, at least buy me dinner first."
A voice, cool and amused, echoed faintly in his mind.
"You still speak in riddles. Good. It means the flame hasn't died yet."
Kael sat up. "Oh no. No mystic cryptic whispering. We're done with that."
The voice chuckled. "Then stop poking where you're not ready to burn."
Kael's jaw tensed. "You gave me questions without answers. You cracked my head open and poured in some drama about legacies and enemies and then poof. Not cool."
No response. Just silence—and the distant sound of water dripping. Kael sighed. Maybe he was just going crazy.
---
Aria called him over to the far wall. "Kael. Look at this."
A mosaic—faded but intact—showed a lotus in full bloom, surrounded by six veiled figures, all radiating black and red aura.
Kael's eyes narrowed. "That's my mana color."
Seris joined them. "The Veiled Lotus Sect. Wiped out centuries ago. They say their cultivation technique fed on duality—light and shadow, peace and rage."
Kael smirked. "Sounds dramatic. I love it."
But Aria's gaze lingered on the central figure. "This one… he looks like you."
Kael leaned closer. The figure's face was blurry, but the outline was familiar—shoulders, stance, even that cocky tilt of the head.
Kael stepped back. "Nope. Not thinking about reincarnation. Not today."
---
Later, while Seris slept and Aria wrote in her journal, Kael wandered back to the pool. He stared at his reflection. Black and red mana pulsed faintly beneath his skin, like it had a heartbeat of its own.
"Lotus Vein. Duality. Mystery trials. Ghost versions of myself giving lectures..." He dragged a hand through his hair. "I just wanted to level up and maybe punch a tiger demon. Not... this."
Suddenly, a ripple passed through the water—and Kael's reflection grinned. Except... he wasn't.
The reflection spoke. "Running from answers won't stop the questions."
Kael stumbled back. "Okay, I officially hate this room."
---
They moved on the next morning. The trial path twisted downward into a fog-covered corridor lit by crimson orbs. The floor was carved with lotus patterns that shimmered as Kael passed. He didn't like how they watched him.
The air grew colder. Seris drew his blade. Aria prepared a chant.
Kael muttered, "Please, no more talking ghosts."
Instead, they got something worse.
A voice echoed through the fog—low, rasping, amused.
"So… the fractured one walks again."
A figure emerged. Tall, cloaked in a patchwork of bones and rags, its face a porcelain mask cracked across one eye.
Aria gasped. "That's not part of the trial."
Kael tilted his head. "No kidding. Is that what fashion looks like after death?"
The figure didn't laugh. It raised a bony hand—and the fog pulsed with killing intent.
"Child of the Lotus," it hissed. "You reek of forgotten sins. You should not be here."
Kael cracked his neck. "Neither should a haunted scarecrow. Yet here we are."
The battle was instant. The masked figure moved like a shadow, warping space as it struck. Seris met it head-on while Aria summoned defensive runes. Kael, meanwhile, felt his mana surge—unbidden. Black and red tendrils erupted around his fists, guiding his strikes.
But something was wrong. The masked figure was studying him. Not fighting to kill—fighting to learn.
"Show me," it growled. "Show me the mark."
Kael snarled, "I don't even know what you're talking about!"
He lunged, his aura flaring violently. A lotus pattern bloomed briefly under his feet, and the figure hesitated.
That was the opening. Seris struck true, slicing across the figure's chest. Aria's chant bound it with ethereal chains.
Kael stepped forward, fists glowing. "You want the mark? Here's a full-course meal."
With a roar, he punched the figure dead center. The lotus energy flared—and the figure disintegrated into mist.
Just like that, the fog vanished. The corridor cleared. Silence returned.
Kael dropped to one knee, breathing hard.
Seris sheathed his sword. "That thing… it wasn't a spirit or beast. It was alive."
Aria's hands trembled slightly. "It knew who you were. Or who you're becoming."
Kael stood. "And I still don't know what that means." He exhaled. "Great. So now we have murder fog and stalkers."
---
Later, as they approached a fork in the path, Kael paused. A faint scent drifted from the left corridor—herbs, broth, and mushrooms.
His eye twitched. "No. No way."
He turned the corner and found... a small wooden bowl. Steam rising. Golden broth. A single lotus petal floating on top.
Kael stared. "Soup. Again?"
Aria blinked. "What?"
Kael picked up the bowl, examining it. His mana pulsed warmly.
Then, in faint glowing script along the bowl's rim, words appeared:
"You're welcome. One imprint loyalty point earned."
Kael barked a laugh. "Oh, this again."
Seris looked concerned. "Is that safe?"
Kael slurped the soup. "It's always safe. Weirdly effective too." He wiped his mouth. "Honestly? The soup is the only thing in this place I trust."
---
As they camped for the night, Kael stared into the fire.
His past was unraveling. His future uncertain. But for now, he had soup, sarcasm, and two allies who hadn't tried to kill him. Yet.
The storm was coming.
But tonight? He'd rest.
And tomorrow… he'd raise hell.