A brilliant light tore through the darkness of the stellar void, like a pillar of golden energy.

  A pair of serene eyes subtly manifested, white and yellow Qi flowing within, locked onto the shadow before it.

  The silhouette lay motionless, wreathed in roiling black and red Qi, the features indistinguishable under the storm of murderous aura.

  "When will you repent, demon? It's been eons already."

  The ominous Qi continued to swirl like clouds, unyielding and unceasing.

  "You stood at the edge of immortality, yet you cling to mortal grudges. Why do you hold on?"

  The Qi paused for a moment, a raspy voice echoing from within.

  "Immortality means nothing without the ones who made me mortal. I..."

  Silence followed. The Qi slowed for a heartbeat.

  The serene pair of eyes twitched for a split second, the sound of thunder booming in the distance.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  A resigned exhale.

  "Then hear me and obey. This is your final chance, lest your soul be destroyed."

  The Qi kept swirling impassively.

  "A chance. One soul from your previous life."

  Silence.

  A pair of crimson eyes snapped open within the storm. The crimson and black tide spilled forth, relentlessly spreading within the void as if to pollute the very fabric of existence.

  "But you must live a righteous life. No unnecessary slaughter. No demonic techniques. No... Malice."

  "How do I-"

  "I have no reason to lie." the voice cut in, sharp and immediate. "What will it be? The disciple who trusted you? The mother who wept for you? The brother you failed to save?" he followed up quickly.

  The tide of Qi vanished, returning to the silhouette. Seconds passed, before the response came.

  "A good spiritual root. Or you know what I'll become to get one." the raspy voice said, a snort following.

  The serene gaze faltered for a second, before sighing once more. Another rumble of thunder followed, this time closer.

  "Deal."

  Light surged across the void, before darkness reclaimed it once more. The silhouette vanished.

  Left behind in the starry void, the pair of eyes mused to itself. The sounds of rumbling thunder faded as quickly, as if they had never been there.

  The gaze turned around, his eyes locked onto a crack in space. Faint clouds seeped in, multi colored lightning occasionally sizzling.

  He watched the clouds dissolve into the void, his gaze fixed on the strange crack.

  "The Heavens are truly uncaring. Showing mercy to one such as him is..."

  His words trailed off. The gaze disappeared.