The Dawn of the New World



It almost seemed confused when Hao Xuan moved out of the way and looked back at him with a questioning gaze. Its appearance changed to that of an old man with a big mustache and hunched back.

Hao Xuan had not seen or thought about this old man in ages but one glance brought back every memory of his.

When he was young that old man was a street vendor who would occasionally pass by his house with a cart full of homemade ice cream. He couldn't speak which scared many of the children away but he was kind to Hao Xuan and always gave him an extra ice cream so they got along pretty well.

Before Hao Xuan realized his eyes had become wet as if he was meeting an old friend after a long time. But his rational mind knew this creature was not the same person from his childhood memories even if the accompanying emotions were saying otherwise.

[You are a trickster deity?] Hao Xuan muttered expressionlessly.

It was a rhetorical question but to his surprise the old man answered, even though he couldn't speak from what he remembered.

"When did I ever trick you?"

More than a little surprised by his fluent language, Hao Xuan didn't even know what to say in return so he stared back wordlessly.

"You have grown a lot since the last time we met, haven't you?" the old man said smilingly, "Don't you want power? Come inside and I will grant it to you."

Hao Xuan's eyes narrowed, [What kind of a power?]

"Any that you want. But my specialty lies here," he just gesturing to his entire body.

[So you are a shapeshifter?]

The old man threw his head back in laughter, "No, nothing so simple. With my blessing you can become anyone inside and out. Take everything they have to offer and make it yours!"

[Everything?]

"Everything! Their memories, their powers, and...even their destiny! There is no limit to what you can achieve. You can even take the place of any god and no one will be able to tell!"

Hao Xuan would be lying if he said that didn't interest him. If this 'deity' could really transform him into anyone or anything then it would make his life exponentially easier.

[And what do you ask in return?]

"Only what I give."

Hao Xuan frowned, [You want me? My life and destiny?]

The old man nodded contently knowing full well that he had piqued Hao Xuan's interest, "Is that not a good trade? Hey- Where are you going?!"

Hao Xuan started walking away before the old man even had the chance to finish the sentence.

[Not interested]

The old man tried calling out to him a few times but Hao Xuan didn't even look back and was soon out of sight. The old man's figure shook twice before solidifying again.

His gaze turned cold as he looked out into the hall, "Whose servant dares cross my domain?"

The Old Witch suddenly stepped out of the window across from his door and lowered her head courteously, "I greet thee, my lord."

The old man's eyes narrowed, "You...what are you doing here? Did you bring that mortal here?"

"Yes, my lord."

"On whose orders?"

The witch hesitated briefly but ended up giving a title at the end, "The Mistress."

The old man's eyes widened, "She is awake?!"

"Not yet."

The old man was stunned into silence by the mention of this 'mistress'. The witch stood across from him for quite some time waiting for him to speak up until something happened that required her presence.

"I must take my leave now, my lord. The mortal has found another door," she said before vanishing out of sight.

The old man finally looked up once she was gone and his appearance began to change. This time he was a rather ordinary-looking teenage boy.

"If the mistress is still asleep then I can slip out for a while and return before she notices. That mortal...I must use him to escape!"

With a deep breath he stepped out into the hallway, leaving behind an identical figure still standing in the room. He knelt and placed a hand on the floor while his eyes illuminated with a grey hue.

"Leave the mortal to me, servant. Go another way!"

The hall divided into two, one containing the Old Witch and the other Hao Xuan. They were both identical but the one the Old Witch was in was an empty copy, one that even she couldn't see through.

When it was done he stood up and started casually walking in the direction Hao Xuan had gone in.

**

At the same time somewhere deep beneath the countless hallways another door opened. Only two symbols were etched above its doorframe.

This door was unlike any of the others that Hao Xuan had come across so far. It was not only older but much sturdier without any handle on it. It was more than three times the size of the other doors and the only one in this entire hallway.

With a barely discernable shockwave it creaked open, letting out an icy-cold wind that froze everything around it in seconds.