The Change

Sam cherished every moment spent at Sakana Cove, where the tea house and Seirei no Sushi offered unparalleled delights. Yet, his thoughts frequently wandered to the enigmatic Jade Fortress and the mysteries it concealed within its ancient walls. Compelled by a relentless curiosity, he found himself amidst the bustling fresh markets at dawn, meticulously selecting provisions for the journey that lay ahead. With only a modest sum of gold at his disposal, Sam was judicious in his purchases. He acquired a substantial pouch filled with dried fish, alongside crisp apples, vibrant oranges, and salted meats to sustain him. Additionally, he secured a flagon of the local brew, a testament to Sakana Cove's rich culinary heritage, among other essential sundries. This careful preparation underscored the beginning of an adventure that promised to be as perilous as it was thrilling.

As dawn broke, he embarked on his journey, under a sky painted with strokes of amber and gold that seemed to light his way. The villagers had warned him that the journey could span a week, should he possess the courage to undertake it. In the initial days, he followed the open trail, meandering through rice paddies and vast fields, making camp at spots where the ground was flat or water was plentiful. This period was serene; the daylight stretched long into the evening, the summer air was crisp, and there was always something that captured his attention. But as he progressed, the landscape transformed. Emerald bamboo shoots reached for the heavens, and the path he trod grew narrower, the daylight dimming as it filtered through the dense canopy overhead. He spent two days amidst varying hues of green and patches of bamboo so dark they seemed almost black. Gradually, the terrain began to ascend, the path grew increasingly rugged, and the lush vegetation gave way, revealing the earth's rocky bones beneath.

Mountains ascended majestically into the heavens, their silhouettes etching a stark line against the sky. There, to the east, perched high upon a secluded plateau, the ruins of the Jade Fortress shimmered, catching the last golden rays of the setting sun. Its ancient walls and broken spires, enveloped in a mystical glow, whispered secrets of ages past. As twilight surrendered to the encroaching shadows, Sam crested the plateau, his silhouette merging with the dusk. He made camp at the edge of the world, where the earth met the sky, preparing for the arduous journey ahead. The night promised no comfort, yet it was here, amidst the ruins of forgotten glory, that he sought the treasures hidden within the fortress's heart.

As the stars took their places in the night sky, casting a pale light over the land, Sam settled down, a small fire crackling at his back. The flames cast an amber glow, warding off the chill of the night air, yet a shiver ran through him, an omen of the trials to come. His dreams were a tumultuous sea, waves of visions crashing against the shores of his mind. A voice, ethereal and distant, called out to him from the depths of the darkness. It was familiar, like that of a long-lost friend, yet tinged with an undertone that set his nerves on edge. Something about it didn't sit right, a discordant note in the symphony of his subconscious.

Throughout the night, the voice ebbed and flowed, a spectral lullaby that both soothed and unsettled him. It was a guide and a harbinger, leading him through the veiled mysteries of his own psyche. As the voice faded into the silken threads of dawn, the first light of morning pierced the horizon. The sun, a fiery orb ascending from its slumber, bathed the plateau in a warm embrace, chasing away the remnants of the night.

Sam awoke from his slumber, the dreams dissipating like mist under the gaze of the rising sun. The voice, now a distant memory, left an imprint on his soul, a signpost pointing towards the unknown. With the dawn came a renewal of purpose, a clarity of mind that steeled him for the journey ahead. The ruins of the Jade Fortress awaited, a labyrinth of shadows and light, where danger and treasure danced in the delicate balance of fate.

Sam ascended the ancient, jade-encrusted wall, rising twenty feet above the ground, its surface a mosaic of varying shades of jade. To the west, a once-majestic tower lay in ruins, its form crumbled against the fortress's formidable stone boundaries. After navigating through the debris, Sam discovered a narrow crevice, barely wide enough to squeeze through. The cool touch of polished jade caressed his skin as he maneuvered into the darkness beyond.

The passage expanded into a vast antechamber, its grandeur hidden in the shadows. Securing a rope around his waist, he anchored the other end to a protruding stone, a silent sentinel in the gloom. With cautious steps, he descended into the abyss, the air growing cooler and moist, with droplets of water echoing onto the unseen floor below. The moment his boots touched the smooth, jade ground, Sam retrieved a torch from his pack. Striking his flint, he ignited the torch, its flame casting an otherworldly glow that danced across the immense walls, painting everything in a spectral green.

Venturing further, Sam explored adjacent chambers, each revealing more of the fortress's mysteries, until he stumbled upon a grand staircase. Carved from the same jade as the walls that surrounded him, the stairs spiraled downward, beckoning him into the heart of the fort, deeper into the unknown.

Descending ever deeper, Sam's journey through the staircase finally concluded, unveiling a vast chamber that sprawled before him. At each corner, dormant oil lamps awaited his touch. With a flicker of his flint, Sam breathed life into them, and the chamber's true essence was revealed. Dominating the heart of the room, an altar of white jade ascended from the ground—its rarity unparalleled, a precious variant seldom witnessed. Adorned with meticulous carvings of mythical beings and ancient symbols, the altar exuded an aura of mystique and power. Atop this sacred pedestal rested a box, also crafted from white jade, its surfaces smooth and reflective, catching the light in a dance of luminosity. From the base of the altar, deep channels carved into the floor stretched outwards, reaching the walls in a silent testament to forgotten rituals. The sight was nothing short of mesmerizing, coaxing a smile from Sam’s lips as he stood in awe of the beauty and mystery enshrouded within this hidden sanctum.

Gingerly, he advanced, scarcely comprehending the marvel that unfolded before him. The box's surface was flawlessly smooth, bisected by a seam that encircled its midpoint. Grasping the lid firmly, he lifted it open. Within, a faint purple luminescence emanated from a meteor cradled inside, casting a spellbinding glow. The voice that haunted his dreams now beckoned him closer, imploring him to grasp the meteor and savor its warmth. Holding it aloft, its heft was undeniable, and the purple radiance intensified. Suddenly, the meteor fissured, disintegrating to reveal a creature within—akin to a warm, slug-like entity, pulsating with a purple glow. Sam recoiled, yet the creature sprang into action at his movement. A mental voice greeted him, and in an instant, the being surged forward, attaching itself to Sam’s wrist and infusing him with its essence. It writhed, pumping a vibrant purple energy into his bloodstream. The encounter was brief; the creature expended its last vestiges of life into Sam, withered, detached, and tumbled to the ground. Sam's foot descended, grinding it into oblivion. Illuminated by the flickering oil lamps, his eyes now shimmered with a purple hue. Seizures gripped him, and he collapsed, succumbing to the overwhelming force. Silence ensued, and for two full days, he remained motionless. Upon awakening, the entity known as Sam ceased to exist. Within the depths of the Jade Fortress, a new being arose—Kemono, his gaze tinged with a subtle purple luminescence. The Beast was born

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