Chapter 2: The Awakening

Darkness enveloped Feng Yan, a void so deep and endless that it seemed to swallow her whole. There was no pain here, no sound, no sensation—just an infinite abyss stretching out in all directions. Yet, even in this boundless blackness, something stirred within her, a tiny flicker of awareness that refused to be extinguished.

She was dead.

The thought drifted through her mind like a distant echo, and for a moment, it brought a strange sense of peace. The pain, the betrayal, the anguish—it was all over now. She was free from the suffering that had plagued her life. But just as quickly as the peace came, it vanished, replaced by a burning need for revenge that reignited her consciousness like a flame.

No, she couldn't rest. Not yet. Not when those who had wronged her still drew breath.

As if responding to her thoughts, the darkness around her began to shift. At first, it was just a faint glimmer, a distant light barely visible in the void. But it grew brighter and brighter, until it was no longer just a light, but a powerful force pulling her toward it. Feng Yan didn't resist. She let the light guide her, her anger and hatred fueling her determination.

Suddenly, she was no longer drifting in the void. The darkness shattered, and Feng Yan found herself standing in a strange, ethereal space. It was like nothing she had ever seen before—a boundless expanse of swirling mists, illuminated by a soft, golden glow. The air was warm and fragrant, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and fresh rain. It felt both familiar and foreign, a place outside the realm of the living, yet somehow connected to it.

As she took in her surroundings, Feng Yan noticed something else—something that made her heart skip a beat. Her body, which had been broken and bleeding, was now whole. The bloodstains on her clothes were gone, and the pain that had once consumed her had vanished. She felt… different. Stronger. There was a newfound energy coursing through her veins, a power she had never known before.

But before she could dwell on this, a voice called out to her, soft yet commanding, like the rustling of leaves in a breeze.

"Feng Yan."

She turned toward the source of the voice and gasped. Standing before her, bathed in the golden light, was an elderly woman. Her long, silver hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her eyes—wise and ancient—were filled with a depth of knowledge that seemed to span centuries. She wore robes of shimmering gold and crimson, intricate patterns of dragons and phoenixes embroidered along the hem.

But it wasn't just the woman's appearance that stunned Feng Yan. It was the feeling of familiarity that washed over her, a deep, inexplicable connection that stirred something within her soul.

"Who… who are you?" Feng Yan whispered, her voice trembling.

The woman smiled, a gentle, sorrowful smile that seemed to hold the weight of a thousand lifetimes. "I am your great-grandmother, Feng Yan. I am the one who has watched over you from the shadows, guiding you, protecting you as best as I could."

Feng Yan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Great-grandmother? But… I don't understand. How is this possible? Why am I here?"

The elderly woman—her great-grandmother—stepped closer, her presence radiating warmth and comfort. "You are here because your time has not yet come, my dear. You have been wronged, and the heavens have heard your plea for justice. Your soul was brought here, to this sacred space, where the truth of your past and your true destiny will be revealed."

Feng Yan's heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to process the woman's words. "The truth of my past? What do you mean?"

The great-grandmother's expression softened, her eyes filled with a sadness that tugged at Feng Yan's heart. "There is much you do not know, Feng Yan. Much that has been hidden from you. You are not merely the adopted daughter of the Feng family. You are the true heir of a powerful, ancient bloodline, one that has been hunted by enemies for generations. To protect you, we had to erase your memories and place you with the Feng family, where we believed you would be safe."

Feng Yan felt as though the ground had been pulled out from beneath her. "But… but why? Why didn't you tell me? Why let me suffer all these years?"

Tears welled in the old woman's eyes as she reached out, gently brushing a hand against Feng Yan's cheek. "It was not our choice, my child. The enemies of our family are ruthless, and we feared that if you knew the truth, you would be in even greater danger. But we underestimated the cruelty of the world we left you in. For that, I am deeply sorry."

Feng Yan's emotions swirled within her—anger, confusion, grief. But beneath it all, there was a glimmer of hope. She was not powerless. She was not alone. She had a family, a true family, and a destiny that went beyond the pain and betrayal she had endured.

"What happens now?" Feng Yan asked, her voice steadier now, though still tinged with uncertainty. "What am I supposed to do?"

The great-grandmother's gaze hardened with resolve. "You have a choice, Feng Yan. You can stay here, in this realm, free from the pain of the mortal world. Or… you can return. Return to the moment when everything began to fall apart, and rewrite your fate. You have the power to seek justice for yourself, to reclaim the life that was stolen from you. But the path of vengeance is not an easy one. It will demand everything from you—your strength, your courage, and your heart."

Feng Yan's breath caught in her throat. The thought of returning to the world where she had suffered so much was terrifying. But the thought of leaving her enemies unpunished, of allowing Feng Yue and Jing Wei to live without facing the consequences of their actions, was unbearable.

"I want to go back," Feng Yan said, her voice firm, her resolve unshakable. "I want to make them pay for what they did to me."

The great-grandmother nodded, her expression solemn. "Very well, Feng Yan. But know this—when you return, you will not be the same. The fragment of your soul that was lost will be restored, and with it, your true power will be unlocked. You will no longer be the timid girl they once knew. You will be a force to be reckoned with, a storm that will sweep away all who stand in your way. But you must be careful. Power can corrupt, and vengeance can consume."

Feng Yan met her great-grandmother's gaze, her eyes burning with determination. "I will not be consumed. I will take back what is mine. I will find my true family, and I will make those who wronged me pay."

The great-grandmother smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes. "Then it is time."

She reached out, placing her hands on either side of Feng Yan's face. A warmth spread through Feng Yan's body, and she felt a surge of energy, like a river of fire coursing through her veins. It was overwhelming, but she welcomed it, embracing the power that was now hers.

"Remember, Feng Yan," the great-grandmother whispered as the light around them began to intensify. "You are stronger than you know. Trust in yourself, and you will prevail."

The light grew brighter, enveloping Feng Yan in its glow. The last thing she saw before the world disappeared was her great-grandmother's face, filled with love and hope. And then, everything went white.

When the light faded, Feng Yan found herself standing in a familiar place—the courtyard of the Feng family's mansion. But something was different. The air was warmer, the sky a deep shade of blue. She looked down at herself and realized with a start that she was no longer the broken, bleeding woman she had been moments ago. She was whole, unscathed, and… younger.

She was back. Back to the moment when it had all begun.

And this time, things would be different.

This time, she would not fall.