After days of desperate wandering in the wilderness, Rain found himself exhausted and starving, barely possessing the strength to stand. The scorching sun beat down mercilessly on his skin, while the rough terrain tore at his bare feet. Despair crept into his heart, and he was on the verge of giving up.
But just as he was about to lose hope, he saw in the distance an ancient, half-ruined structure rising from the sand dunes. It looked like an abandoned temple, forgotten by time.
A faint glimmer of hope ignited in Rain's heart. Perhaps he would find shelter in this place, and perhaps he would find answers to his questions there. Gathering what little strength he had left, Rain walked towards the temple.
When he reached the temple, he found it even more dilapidated than he had thought. The walls were cracked, the pillars were crumbling, and the roof was almost completely collapsed. Sand crept into every nook and cranny, as if trying to swallow this forgotten place.
But despite its wretched state, the temple still held an aura of mysterious power. Rain could feel something pulsing in the depths of this place, something strong and hidden.
Rain entered the temple and began to explore it. The halls were dark and silent, the stillness broken only by the sound of his weary breaths. The walls were covered in ancient inscriptions, depicting strange creatures and epic battle scenes. Rain could not decipher these inscriptions, but he felt they told an important story, a story that might reveal some truths about the world of Eridos, and about his cursed spirit.
At the end of one of the halls, Rain found a small room that looked like a shrine. In the center of the room was an ancient stone altar, covered with a thick layer of dust. On the altar was an old book, seemingly having miraculously survived the ravages of time.
Rain approached the altar and brushed the dust off the book. The book was made of thick leather and adorned with strange symbols. When Rain opened the book, he felt a mysterious power permeate his body.
The pages of the book were written in an ancient language that Rain had never seen before. But as he stared at the pages, he began to understand the meaning. The words translated themselves automatically in his mind, as if speaking directly to him.
The book told the story of the Spirit Lord, the legendary being whose spirit he carried. It spoke of his immense power, his boundless ambition, and his rebellion against the gods. It recounted the great war the Spirit Lord had ignited, his ignominious defeat, and the sealing of his spirit within a human body.
Rain read the book with fervor, as if drinking water after a long period of thirst. He felt as though he were connecting with the Spirit Lord, as though he understood his motives and thoughts. He felt sympathy for him, and even admiration.
But the book was not just a historical account. It also contained information on how to control the Spirit Lord's power, and how to use it to achieve one's goals. It contained forbidden spiritual cultivation techniques, and methods for summoning combat spirits and subjugating them to one's will.
Rain knew that reading this book was dangerous. He knew that using these techniques could have dire consequences. But he was determined to proceed. He wanted to become strong, and he wanted to take revenge on those who had wronged him.
Rain began to study the book carefully. He read every word, studied every diagram, and practiced every technique. He spent long hours in meditation, trying to connect with his spirit and access the Spirit Lord's power.
At first, it was difficult. The Spirit Lord's power was too strong, and it resisted Rain's attempts to control it. Rain felt as though his soul was being torn apart from the inside, as though he was on the verge of losing his mind.
But he did not give up. He trained tirelessly, enduring the pain and suffering. He knew that if he gave up, he would fail. He knew that if he failed, he would never be able to achieve his goals.
Over time, Rain began to feel better. He began to feel more connected to his spirit, and more able to control the Spirit Lord's power. He began to see the world in a new way, a way that was clearer and more focused.
Rain began to realize that the Spirit Lord's power was not just a curse. It was also a gift. It was an opportunity for him to become something great, something he had never imagined.
Rain Valen, the empty outcast, was about to be reborn.
One day, while Rain was training in the temple, he heard a strange voice. The voice was faint and whispery, as if coming from the depths of the earth.
"Rain Valen," the voice said. "I have been waiting for you."
Rain froze in place. He didn't know who was speaking to him, but he felt afraid. The voice exuded immense power, a power that felt even greater than that of the Spirit Lord.
"Who are you?" Rain asked, his voice trembling.
"I am the Voice of the Abyss," the voice said. "I am the guardian of this temple, and the keeper of its secrets. I have seen your power grow, and I know that you are destined for great things."
"What do you want from me?" Rain asked.
"I want you to help me achieve my goal," the voice said. "I want you to help me release my master, the Lord of Darkness, from his eternal prison."
Rain was shocked. The Lord of Darkness was the most evil being in the world of Eridos. He was believed to have been imprisoned long ago, but it seemed there were those who wanted to release him.
"I will not do that," Rain said. "I will not help you release the Lord of Darkness. He is a threat to the world of Eridos."
"You are mistaken," the voice said. "The Lord of Darkness is not evil. He is a victim. He was imprisoned unjustly, and he deserves to be freed."
"That's not true," Rain said. "I have read about the Lord of Darkness. He was a tyrant, and he caused endless suffering."
"Those are the lies spread by his enemies," the voice said. "The truth is different. If you release the Lord of Darkness, he will reveal the truth to you."
Rain was hesitant. He didn't know who to believe. Should he trust the Voice of the Abyss? Should he help release the Lord of Darkness?
In the end, Rain made a decision. He decided to trust his gut feeling. He felt that something was wrong with the story of the Lord of Darkness. He felt that there was a hidden secret that needed to be uncovered.
"Alright," Rain said. "I will help you release the Lord of Darkness. But on one condition. When he is released, he will reveal the truth to me. I will know why he was imprisoned, and what he truly did."
"Agreed," the voice said. "When the Lord of Darkness is released, he will reveal the truth to you. But you must know that this path is dangerous. You will face many enemies, and you will encounter many dangers. Are you ready for that?"
"I am ready," Rain said. "I am ready to do anything to achieve my goals."
And so, Rain Valen began his new journey. A journey into darkness, a journey into the unknown, a journey that might change the world of Eridos forever.