Restless Nights

Hei An stood in the doorway of his new room, his eyes scanning the sparsely furnished interior. A narrow wooden bed was pressed against one wall, covered with plain bedding. A small table sat near a single window that overlooked the sprawling grounds of the Blackfeather Sect. The moonlight streaming through the window cast long shadows on the floor, giving the simple space a tranquil atmosphere.

With a sigh, Hei An set his bag down in the corner and lay down on the bed. The last few days had been so tiring—a whirlwind of travel, introductions, and formalities. His muscles were stiff, reminding him that he hadn't yet fully recovered from his long journey.

Yet, despite his exhaustion, there was a spark of hope in his chest. The sect was a new beginning, a chance to grow stronger, to cultivate, and to uncover the truth behind his village's destruction.He fell onto the bed, letting his body finally relax for the first time in what felt like weeks.

The cool night breeze drifted through the window, carrying with it the faint sounds of the sect—the occasional chirping of nocturnal insects, the rustle of leaves, and the distant hum of energy from disciples still training late into the night.

As Hei An's eyelids closed, memories began to flood his mind.

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It began with laughter—Ling'er's laughter.

"Big brother An," she teased, tugging at his sleeve as they stood by the riverbank. Her dark eyes sparkled with mischief, her smile brighter than the sunlight reflecting off the water. "You promised you'd take me to see the lanterns this year. Don't forget!"

"I won't," he replied, grinning. "You're impossible to forget."

The scene changed. The sky went dark, the riverbank set ablaze. Her laughter turned into screams, her smile to a look of terror, reaching out for him with an outstretched arm. The heat of the flames burned his skin, and it was filled with ash and smoke.

Then he saw his father—strong, resolute, standing in front of their burning home. His voice was steady, even as chaos raged around them. "Run, Hei An."

The picture of Ling'er slipping from his grasp burned in his mind, followed by his father's voice calling out one last time before everything faded into darkness.

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Hei An woke with a jolt, his chest heaving and his heart pounding. He sat up, his hand pressed to his forehead, the echoes of his dream lingering like an unshakable shadow. The room was silent except for his ragged breathing, and the moonlight filtering through the window felt cold against his skin.

He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, sitting with his elbows on his knees and his fists clenched. The memories were relentless, reminding him constantly of what he had lost.

"I don't even know who they were," he muttered to himself, his voice low and filled with frustration. His knuckles turned white as he tightened his fists. "But I'll find them. I'll find them and make them pay."

Xue Ying, perched on the window, let out a soft caw. The beast's red eyes glowed faintly in the moonlight as it tilted its head, watching him with an almost understanding gaze.

Hei An softened at the look at the creature. "At least I have you," he said quietly. "You gave me hope when there was nothing left."

The bird made another low caw and its presence somehow seemed comforting.

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No way sleep was possible. Hei An stood up, readied his robes, and had to know what this sect had going on. Cool night air rushed across him as he went out. Xue Ying fluttered at his shoulder.

The Blackfeather Sect was very large, combining elegant design and practical functionality. Pavilions with curved roofs stood against a backdrop of the surrounding mountains as lanterns placed upon them lighted up their cobblestone paths below. Training grounds stood scattered throughout, as their barriers remained humming faintly with lingering energy from prior practice sessions.

Hei An wandered down the paths, the peace of the night a sharp contrast to the turmoil inside his head.

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As he rounded a corner, he came across a group of disciples gathered by a courtyard. They spoke in hushed tones, but fell silent when they saw him.

"That's the one Senior Brother Wei Ren brought in," one of them whispered, looking over at Hei An.

"Yeah, Elder Huang accepted him directly," replied another in a tone dripping with curiosity. "No trials, no assessments. What kind of talent must he have to deserve that?"

Hei An turned his head to the side briefly and kept moving forward. He did not respond. Their whispers trailed him, attaching themselves to his back like an unwanted shadow.

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck as he muttered under his breath, "Maybe getting in through a recommendation wasn't such a good idea after all."

Further along, Hei An saw another disciple training his beast in a small grounds. The creature was a wolf-like beast, sleek and bright with green-glowing eyes, mimicking the movements of his tamer perfectly. The harmony between them was incredible, and Hei An found himself pausing to watch.

He felt a surge of determination as he watched. These disciples were skilled; every movement showed the bonds that had been formed with their beasts.

I have yet a long way to go," he thought, his hand caressing Xue Ying's feathers.

After much time, Hei An reached a secluded viewpoint located on the edge of the sect grounds. The valley spread below him like an expansive tapestry, now shrouded in the soft luminance of moonlight. There he stood for some time, the fresh air filling his lungs and washing out the thoughts in his mind.

The truth was undeniable—he had no names, no faces, and no concrete memories of the cultivators who had turned his village into a battlefield. All he had were fragments of his past and an unyielding determination to find the answers.

"This is only the beginning," he whispered, his voice firm despite the uncertainty in his heart. "I'll grow stronger, no matter what it takes."

Xue Ying let out a soft caw, as if echoing his resolve.