The Echo of an Immortal's Debt

The cobblestone streets of the ancient city were a maze of whispers and shadows. In the heart of the bustling market, young Lin stood amidst the throng of vendors and shoppers, his eyes scanning the sea of faces. His heart raced as he awaited the final touch of his transformation.

The air was thick with the scent of exotic spices, the clatter of coins changing hands, and the distant sound of a bell tolling the hour. Lin's breaths came in short, rapid gasps, the weight of his resolve pressing down on his chest.

He had taken the oath, the Commoner's Oath, a sacred promise to the World of the Immortals. In exchange for a chance to wield their ancient powers, Lin had agreed to bear the weight of a debt he could not foresee. The mystic's debt, a burden that would define his every action, his every thought.

"Lin!" A voice called out, cutting through the din. He turned to see his mentor, Master Feng, a figure cloaked in mystery and power. "You are ready," the old man said with a nod, his eyes reflecting the depth of his knowledge.

Lin's hands trembled as he reached into his robe and drew forth a small, ornate amulet. It was said to hold the essence of an immortal's power, a fragment of their ancient magic woven into a tangible form. As he held it, a warm glow suffused his body, and a sense of connection to the cosmos enveloped him.

"Remember, Lin," Master Feng continued, "the debt you have incurred is not just a promise of power. It is a promise of service to the World of the Immortals. They will call upon you when the time comes, and you must answer."

The weight of the words settled on Lin's shoulders like a boulder. He had been chosen, not for his strength or cunning, but for his heart. The World of the Immortals saw something in him, something they believed they could use.

Days turned into weeks, and Lin's life began to change. The amulet's glow grew stronger, and with it, his abilities. He could sense the energy of the immortals, the pulse of the world around him. But with each passing day, the debt seemed to grow heavier.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the city, Lin found himself face-to-face with a figure cloaked in darkness. The figure's eyes were void of life, a hollow shell of what once might have been a soul.

"I am here for the debt," the figure said, its voice a mere whisper. "The World of the Immortals calls you. You must come."

Lin's heart pounded in his chest as he realized the gravity of the situation. The debt was not just a promise; it was a call to action. He must leave the city, leave his life behind, and answer the call.

The figure extended a hand, and Lin felt the amulet grow warm once more. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, the weight of his decision lifting the burden from his shoulders.

As he walked through the city gates, Lin looked back one last time. The market was a sea of faces, each one a story, each one a life he would leave behind. But he knew that the path ahead was his own, and that the World of the Immortals awaited.

The journey was long and arduous, filled with challenges and trials that tested his resolve. He encountered beings of power beyond his wildest dreams, beings who had walked the earth for millennia. Each encounter brought him closer to understanding the debt he had incurred and the role he was to play.

In the heart of the World of the Immortals, Lin found himself in a place unlike any other. The sky was a tapestry of colors, the ground a shimmering expanse of crystal. The immortals, their forms ethereal and transcendent, watched him with eyes that held the secrets of the universe.

"Lin," a voice called out, and he turned to see an ancient being, their form a blend of light and shadow. "You have been chosen for a great purpose. The World of the Immortals faces a great danger, and you are the key to our survival."

Lin's heart swelled with a sense of purpose. He had come to serve, to fulfill his debt, and now he knew what he must do. With the powers granted by the amulet, he would face the darkness that threatened the world, and he would do so with the resolve of a commoner who had found his place among the immortals.

The battle was fierce, the stakes were high, and the cost was great. But Lin's resolve never wavered. He fought with a ferocity that came from the heart, from the debt he had vowed to repay.

In the end, as the World of the Immortals was saved, Lin found himself face-to-face with the ancient being who had called him. "You have fulfilled your debt, Lin," the being said. "But remember, the debt is a cycle. You will be called upon again, and you must answer."

Lin nodded, knowing that his journey was far from over. The World of the Immortals would continue to call upon him, and he would continue to answer. The debt was his path, his destiny, and he would walk it with honor and courage.

As he left the World of the Immortals, Lin knew that his life would never be the same. The commoner who had taken the Commoner's Oath had become a part of something greater, a part of the cycle of power and destiny that connected all beings in the cosmos. And with each step, he walked towards the future, a future he would face with the strength of an immortal's debt.