Empire (Xichen X OC)

Chapter 1

In our world, energy is more than just a word and ghosts are more than just stories. Everything is real, connected and paranormal. Spirits that found no peace, angry individuals that died unfairly, all of them take forms, possess and cause havoc.

Across the lands, big and small clans train experts to deal with such matters, known to everyone as, Cultivators. Both men and women work that job, but the latter usually settle early for a family.

They have the ability to use their own spiritual energy and a variety of techniques to level the fighting ground with the spirits, demons and ghosts. Most, take payment for their jobs but there are a few who do not.

I met them for the first time when I was 4 and they saved my village, unfortunately barely anyone survived; including me. With my family gone, I started to roam the streets of the nearest city, trying my hardest to survive by any means necessary.

One day, I tried to steal from a woman but was caught. To my surprise, this woman acknowledged my spirit and took me in her house, up into the tallest mountain. There I was taught cultivation, forming a strong golden core.

I was also given a name. She gave me a name, Xi which meant light of day. I still do not understand why but I never truly asked; I just accepted.

I became her disciple, one of many. All of us were taken from the street to be taught and make a vow, to never leave her and the mountain. Yet, I always yearned to go back and explore the world. I also wanted to get a name, become known but as a woman was hard and even harder when I had to stay in the village.

I kept training, always wishing I could go down there. When I was 14, my teacher gave me three gifts.

My first, was a sword, my first-class spiritual weapon. The sheath was a dark cherry wood with green plant veins carved around it. The hilt matched the colour and the blade was simple. Not the most expensive material but it was strong and could do its job. No extravagant design on it either, simply its name carved; Zixiu (自修). It translated 'to cultivate one's self', wanting me to keep cultivating myself and becoming better, correcting my mistakes and reaching true peace.

My other gift was a flute, made from a special type of bamboo. I always favoured music and told them that if I could learn music cultivation and cleansing I would. The flute didn't have a name and I could choose it, which I did and carved it on the hilt. Suì bō (碎波), crushing wave because I loved the sound of water crashing on rocks and sore that I always read and heard about. I dreamt of visiting it one day.

My third and last gift was my courtesy name: Tengchao which meant to soar and to surpass, an indication that one day I would surpass many of her other disciples and I did. When I reached almost 17, I took my decision to leave; leaving behind the place I once called home, my friends and the woman I saw as a mother.

I dressed as a boy, being undercover much easier while going for night hunts. I helped those who couldn't for small to almost no payment while hoping to get a name for myself. It wasn't easy with all those big clans getting the spotlight.

There were times I sort of regretted leaving, but I knew that I was never allowed to go back. I had broken my vow and it could not be amended and so I kept travelling.

My clothing was simple, a dark brown robe with a red-brown band around my waist and an olive-green undershirt. My hair was half tied up and held by a simple light green ribbon while the rest reached the end of my waist.

As long I covered my chest and be thankful for my not-great puberty, I could easily pass as a man. I knew how to talk, make my voice slightly rougher and act. My face perhaps seemed a little bit feminine but that was not uncommon.