The sky poured down rain in torrents, and thunder shook the earth like a beast roaring in rage. Liang and his wife, Ming, were running as fast as they could toward an unknown destination, cradling their infant son, Jing, in their arms.
Dark beasts surrounded them on all sides, led by their king, Xiao Ming.
"We have to move—now!" shouted Liang, gripping his mighty sword. "They're closing in!"
Ming ran beside him, holding baby Jing tightly to her chest. "What do we do? We can't outrun them!"
Liang glanced at his wife and son, a resolute fire burning in his eyes. "I'll do what must be done. I'll protect you—no matter what."
Suddenly, the dark beasts attacked.
In a flash, Liang transformed. His appearance shifted into something else—something terrifying. He unleashed a storm of power and tore through the monsters with merciless fury. But no matter how many he struck down, more kept coming.
"I have to use the secret technique!" he yelled, opening a swirling black portal. "Jing… I have to send you somewhere safe!"
Ming looked at him in horror. "What are you doing? No—don't!"
Liang looked at her, then at Jing, sorrow filling his eyes. "I have no choice. I'll protect him… no matter the cost."
And with that—
He threw Jing into the black portal...