Pathway To Eternity

"Young one, open your ears. For an unchecked mind, power brings out its full ignorance. With that comes the dangers, both intentional and unintentional. You see, knowing our power levels, we were defiant of the heavenly ways. We abandoned the universal laws and made our own ways. Lost in time, dangerous intentions crept into our hearts. Many were the havoc we wrecked. And indeed, souls died due to our actions. "

He nodded his head, non-nonchalantly, as he glanced towards Ju-Feng.

"Many souls, to be sincere. Though, we didn't attract the attention of the divines or the  celestials, the gathering of the gods noticed and got involved. The consequences? Either to be imprisoned or have death-fights. Fight would have been futile, we would just be killed in the end. Surrendering was the better option, none of us wants to face the sisters for reincarnation. Hence, where we are now. But we are still grateful that we are made guardians of different dominions. This was an easier way out for us, despite the fact that my soul is here and my body is chained somewhere else. Extreme danger I was, that, I acknowledged."

The nimbus light surrounding the Rakshasan god dimmed as he descended from the mid-air.

"As the guardian and gatekeeper of the Gloomvale, I've had enough time to reflect on the past deeds. My soul is much more enlightened and at peace now. Nonetheless, I have seen the content of the scroll and this I acknowledged. Now to you. What do you seek in return, young one?"

"Senior, this young one seek the Soul Banishing scroll."

"That's an audience with the heavenly sage of divination. The Immortal Oracle. Only from her can you get what you seek. Get ready to take the path through the darkness then."

The Rakshasan god floated a bit higher of the ground and his light flared as he flicked his fingers. A narrow path materialized out of the darkness. The path extended all the way to the other side.

"The Path Of Sorrow. This is yours to take if you want to, young one. Do you?"

"Yes, senior."

Ju Feng answered in a sad tone as he nodded his head. He looked at the darkness again, with a feeling that he couldn't stop himself from walking in the shadows of death. Deep down he knew death was always holding his hand.

Another bright flare from the god attracted his attention. He turned on time to see the god made a hand seal as a thread if light streaked out of him and into the hand of the god. The hand of the god continued to glow brightly as a light orb started to materialize. In an instant, a veined light orb had been formed and handed to Ju Feng.

"This is the Orb of Vale. The light indicates your life-force. Don't let it fizzle out. Many are the souls lost to the darkness. If you are ready, you may proceed."

Ju Feng was about to step onto the path when he was signalled to stop.

"Oh, by the way, take this bamboo strip and give it to Frost-Dreamer. That is, if you make it back to him. At least, in your afterlife, you'll know I repaid your effort even if you loose your life here. Don't beat yourself, young one, there's nothing you could have done otherwise. You may now proceed."

"Thank you senior."

Holding the orb of light, tightly in his hand, Jufeng stepped onto the narrow path.

"En."

The moment his feet touch the ground of the path, the voice of one of the manifestations sounded in his mind.

"Ju Feng!  Or isn't that your name? Yes? Aha, let me introduce myself. I'm the Heckler. The manifestation that sits on the tip of your nose. Thank you for coming to my world. I'm honoured. But that your name, Ju Feng, I don't like it. It's a curse. You don't know that, do you? Just mentioning your name wants to make me rip my heart out. What kind of a soul would b.a.r.e a cursed name like that? Ju Feng. Sounds more like a heavens curse. Are you a cursed soul? No? How do you know you are not a cursed soul? Even pronouncing your name makes me want to cut my tongue out. Born cursed and given a cursed name. Totally cursed."

Ju Feng couldn't help but shook his head in grievance. He knew there was a curse about himself he couldn't name. To hear it now, but confirmed this realization.

"But, I don't blame you. I mean, look at your life. It's a cursed life. What? You have a say? Do tell me. Ah, this is worse than sadness. Your parents must have despised you to a great extent. To give you that name and added to your curse, they really hated you. No? Can't you see for yourself? Well, how can you see for yourself? You wake up in the morning, you do a little puny exercise, you eat some puny turtle meat, drink some puny goat milk and sleep as ignorantly cursed as you are. Have you forgotten how you were kept in isolation with no friend, living under a little hill? Now you know why. You are cursed. Your family understood that some curses do spread. They tried to keep others safe from you, yet, here you are. Trying to curse me too. Don't you agree with me that you should have killed yourself?"

The manifestation disappeared, bringing a much needed relief to Ju Feng as he felt like sitting down and be lost in thought. But he knew that if he stopped, he would never be able to carry on. As he was relishing the brief respite, another voice sounded in his mind.

"Death-bringer! Surprised? Oh, I know who you are. If I may introduce myself, I'm the Soul-Taunter. So, let's talk, soul to soul. If I were you, death-bringer, I will gladly feed my soul to the wraiths and let it be done with. End to your wretched and miserable life. Do you even know how many death you have caused, knowingly and unknowingly? Directly and indirectly? Ah, you will cry as I'm crying for you right now, if you do. Xuanpu! Hundreds of people died because of your stupid ignorant self. Many innocent children were killed because of you, death-bringer. It doesn't matter if you were still in the w.o.m.b or nor, it was because of you. Ankhora! Many are the numbers of the dead, also because of you."

"Nooo."

Ju Feng screamed out in pain. Despite hearing this before at the entrance to the palace of the jade emperor,, the pain was still too much for him to bear.

"And if I mention those that have died without having any knowledge of you, you will jump into my hand and beg me to take your soul. How many souls are you willing to destroy? Not all of them even had the chance to reincarnate. They are on you. Your soul is tainted, death-bringer. Can you see the life you live? Won't you agree with me that you should have killed yourself?"

As the manifestation vanished, Ju feng stared at the light orb in his hand. Its shine is getting dimmer as the time passed by. The distance was still a long one. He knew he was in dire situation and could easily loose his life. Just as he was ruminating on this, he heard another voice.

"Hello, Death-Walker. You can call me, Soul-Mocker. The eternal mocking shadow."

Sorrowful heavens.