The attic was cold. Candlelight flickered against the scroll's eerie black text.
> "First Principle: Pain is Proof. If your body screams, the Void listens."
Wang Wu drew a shallow breath. He sat cross-legged, pressing his palm to the first seal.
CRACK—
The seal shattered, and black veins immediately spread across his arm. A needle of invisible force stabbed into his chest—directly into his heart.
He screamed, biting into his robe to stay silent. A child's scream in the dead of night would bring trouble.
Outside, the stars shifted. Something ancient stirred in the void.