1 The Beginning

A fierce light exploded in the cosmos and space coiled around it. Dark energy swirled a large vortex around this collapsing star. Energy fluctuated wildly and rushed in and out of the core. Suddenly, there was a massive explosion and the core was shot out into the dark void.

It was a brilliant star, made of silver and moonlight. It rushed through the vast lands, shooting across the sky like a dragon as if it were in search of a host.

At the very same time, a small boy was born. His mewling cries shook his entire village. With a long and drawn out wail, he finally quieted down. He had beautifully wet eyes and a smooth face. Pearly white skin adorned his body and a prodigious strength lay in his tiny little fists. Whenever he smiled, he gave off a radiant aura.

They smiled down at their child. Unbeknownst to them, a star was rushing towards their son. With a boom, it immediately crashed into the child's chest and was absorbed. No one seemed to have noticed this and yet the boy began to smirk. Energy rotated in his chest and he slowly breathed in and out. With each breath, he sucked in spatial energy. The legend had begun.

5 years later

The boy ran through the streets, rushing for his parent's house. His name was Fang Zhen and he was the unfortunate son of two terrible parents. He was a mischievous rascal who raised hell wherever he went and yet was simultaneously adored by everyone in the village. The only people whom he genuinely disliked in his life were his parents.

Every single day, they would abuse him whether it was verbally or physically. Despite their continuous abuse, Fang maintained a somewhat positive view on life.

Running through the streets, he kicked up clouds of dust. They swirled around his body as if tendrils from some long lost corpse of the earth.

"MA! DA! I'm HOME!" he shouted as soon as he got home.

"Idiot! Is this what you do? Why did I even decide to raise you? You ungrateful child!" his mother screamed as she saw his dirty state.

The child smiled ruefully as if he was attempting to be sorry for his dirty clothes, but knew that it would make no difference because the end result would be the same anyway. Shaking her head, his mother scowled and screamed at him. He crouched away and retreated from her abusive voice. Eventually, his father came home and sat down. He was tired from a long day at work. As soon as he saw his son, his tired and droopy eyes lit up with displeasure.

"HEY! IDIOT! Why aren't you studying?" his father thundered.

"I'm sorry, dad. I was doing my chores..." he began.

"I DON'T CARE!" he shouted.

He then proceeded to hit Fang. With each blow, Fang's soul crumbled slightly. Crying, he stood, too afraid to do anything. Eventually, the abuse stopped as his father left.

"You worthless child..." his father sneered.

Turning around, he left the crying Fang alone. Sniffling, Fang nursed his bruises. He slowly walked upstairs to begin reading.

When night fell, he snuck out of the house. As soon as he left, two figures draped in dark shadow hurried out carrying large sacks.

"We're just going to abandon him? Good riddance," a voice called as the two figures left.

This was the last time that Fang ever saw his parents again. In the future, he was raised by the village and given the loving home that he never had before.

Running through the streets, he reached his friend's house. Knocking on the door, he stood in the dark night. The door opened and his friend was there. They nodded and his friend exited the house.

Clasping hands, they stood there sharing a moment of solidarity. Zhao Futian, his friend, knew the enormous amount of pressure that Fang went through every single day. Being unable to do anything to stop the situation, Zhao attempted to help him by taking his mind off the terrible situation.

The duo roamed the streets, being the children that they were. They climbed houses and trees, jumped on rafters and generally had fun.

"Hey," Zhao Futian called.

"Yeah?"

"Want to go check out an interesting place?" he asked Fang.

Knowingly, Fang smiled. They shot a mischevious grin at each other. They quickly ran towards the dark forest. Full with childish excitement, they ran towards the massive redwood trees, leaping and hooting in joy.

"Come on!" Zhao called.

Fang dutifully followed him deeper into the woods. The two advanced in the deepest parts of the forest until they reached a large cave. Zhao grinned.

"Come on! Let's go inside!" he cried.

Without waiting for his companion, he rushed inside the cave. Fang hesitated.

He took a step forward and tripped. Groaning, he got up. Looking around, he spied a black stone.

It looked like a crystal with a dark aura emanating from it. He slowly reached for the crystal. It called to him in an ethereal tone, invading the deepest recesses of his mind.

"Come here...."

"Boy... I can give you power...."

"More than you've ever had...."

"I can give you so much power..."

"Follow me..."

"Consume me...and you will dominate the heavens..."

Fang clutched the rock and brought it closer. He inspected it carefully. It looked like an uncut gem, with jagged edges and spiky points. Shrugging he threw it away.

"Sorry rock...you look too pointy... I'm not gonna risk slicing open my stomach for a smelly rock," he spoke nonchalantly.

"..."

"*@$!" the stone thought

And so he went into the cave, following his friend who had long gone inside, leaving the evil spirit stone to its lonely fate.