Tang Xan stepped into the old house. Dust floated through the air, and the floorboards creaked
under his shoes. The silence inside was thick — not just empty, but watching.
He looked around, calling softly, "Tang Wing… are you here?"
No answer.
He sighed, ready to leave. But as he reached the door, the air shifted. A faint hum filled the room —
low, deep, and alive. The walls rippled like water.
Then everything exploded into light.
A blinding wind surged through him, twisting his vision. His body froze in the real world, standing
still — but his mind was pulled somewhere else. He opened his eyes and found himself standing in
a vast, glowing forest. Trees of golden bark stretched into an endless sky, and the air shimmered
like a dream.
"What… is this place?" he whispered.
Leaves rustled. From the shadows, a massive leopard emerged — its fur black as midnight, its eyes
burning like molten gold. It growled, each step shaking the ground.
Tang Xan stumbled back. "No… no, stay away!"
The beast lunged — but before it could strike, a roar split the air.
A lion, huge and radiant, burst through the trees. Its mane blazed with golden fire. With one swipe
of its paw, it crushed the leopard into light and ash.
Tang Xan fell to the ground, staring in disbelief. The lion turned toward him, its eyes glowing with
intelligence.
"W-what are you?" Tang Xan stammered, stepping back.
The lion moved closer — and then, suddenly, vanished. A flash of light appeared before Tang Xan
— the lion had teleported right in front of him.
Tang Xan froze. The forest stilled. Time itself seemed to stop.
Then, the lion's form shimmered, bending and reshaping until a tall man stood there — golden hair
flowing like sunlight, armor shining faintly.
"I am the Ancient Lion of Light," the figure said, voice deep and commanding. "Guardian of
balance… and the last flame of hope."
Tang Xan trembled. "W-why are you here? Why did you attack me?"
The man smiled faintly. "Attack? Ah… just joking. You're brave to enter my realm, boy."
He glanced around thoughtfully. "Ah, I see. The dimensional rift opened here — I used it often to
rest. You must have stepped into it by chance."
Tang Xan swallowed hard. "I… I was just searching for my friend."
The lion's eyes softened. "Your friend's name… is it Tang Wing?"
Tang Xan froze. "How do you know that?"
The man's golden eyes glowed brighter. "I can see your past… your heart. And I know where your
friend has gone."
Tang Xan's heart pounded. "Where is he?"
The lion turned away, his voice low. "He walks a dark path now — guided by my old friend… Draco,
the Dragon of Shadows. Once, we fought side by side to protect the worlds. But he was consumed
by darkness. Now, his student follows the same road."
Tang Xan's breath caught. "So Tang Wing… is with him?"
"Yes," the lion said quietly. "And he will not return easily."
He paused, a faint tremor running through his voice. "My strength fades… the battle with Draco cost
me much. Soon, I may vanish from this world. But before that happens… you, Tang Xan, must take
my place."
Tang Xan's eyes widened. "Me?"
The lion nodded slowly. "I will teach you the Light's Will — the power that can cut through the
darkest shadow. If you accept, your destiny will never be the same."
The forest shimmered again, light swirling around them both.
Tang Xan looked down at his trembling hands… and then, toward the endless horizon of gold. "I'll
do it," he said quietly. "If it means I can save him."
The lion smiled faintly — proud, yet sad. "Then our journey begins… successor of light."
Far away, in the dark world beyond dimensions, a dragon's eyes opened — crimson and cold. A
whisper spread through the void.
"So… the Lion has found his heir."
The balance of the universe trembled. And the friendship once pure began to burn in the fire of fate.
End of Chapter 4