Most people believed fate arrived with a grand sign. A blazing sky. A divine voice. Maybe some miracle that told you your life was about to change.
But for Lin Feng, fate arrived differently.
"No way… is this real?" Standing in the middle of a living room, holding an envelope, was a middle-aged man, staring at the sheet of paper in awe.
His wife heard his astonishment before approaching him to lean in, peering at the seal.
"It says the Heavens Gauntlet…" She read aloud, widening her eyes. "It's not a joke, this is real!" She raised her voice, covering her mouth as the two lovebirds stared at each other.
"Our baby girl, in the Heavens Gauntlet?" He muttered, now gazing at the ground. "I can't believe it… Lin Feng, you did it!" He shouted at the top of his voice before springing into the air in a cheer. "Ahahaaa! Alright! Wooo! Hell yeah, that's my daughter for you! Making her dad proud!" He kept jumping up and down as if he were the one who was invited.
"Hey, what's with all the racket? What's goin on down here!" Walking downstairs, dressed in nothing more than pajamas, was Lin Feng, placing her hands on her hips as she made it to the bottom. "What the—!" She snickered, watching her father dance. "What's got you in such a good mood, pa? I ain't seen ya this excited since you last paid off yer 10,000 dollar debt!"
Her mother took the envelope before waving it in the air, smiling at her daughter.
"Lin Feng! You've been chosen for the Heaven's Gauntlet! You finally made it in!"
Lin widened her eyes as she felt her heart sink in her chest before running forward. "Wait, for real? Let me see, let me see!" She suddenly snatched the note from their hand, prying it open with her thumb.
"Ah!?"
She read the envelope as it followed:
[Congratulations, Chosen Fighter, Lin Feng. You are hereby invited to participate in Heaven's Gauntlet. Arrive at the Citadel of Trials by sunrise tomorrow. Only the bold may enter. Only the strong may ascend. Your first trial begins upon arrival. Fail… and you may never return.]
Lin's eyes were practically sparkling as her father kept cheering her on, eventually causing her to join him; matching his energy.
"I did it! I did it! I made it in!! Woooohoooo!"
Both of them bounced up and down like spring-loaded cannons as the mother giggled.
"This is the moment you've been waiting for, Lin Feng." She approached her daughter to hold her hand. "You've been training for 5 years, nonstop."
The father eventually calmed down and caught his breath, patting Lin's shoulder a few times.
"Make us proud, Lin! We know you can do it! You've been training since you were 13! We know you're ready!"
Lin was rushing with excitement as she gazed upon her supportive parents and nodded her head.
The Heavens Gauntlet. A yearly event that the chosen must pass to become Martial Artists; an elite member of humanity who seeks to rise to the top and become the strongest, for their own interests and for the betterment of society as a whole. They are known as protectors of humankind, creatures, and sacred artifacts, by far the most important people on earth.
This event consisted of several trials, which can vary drastically from year to year.
However, one thing is for certain; at the end of these trials, a tournament will take place where all contestants must fight each other, leaving only a handful of those who succeed in becoming a Martial Artist.
Lin was prepared.
"Nows my chance to shine!" Slamming her fist into her palm, a big grin crossed her face. "I'll finally reach my goal and become the strongest Martial Artist that this world has ever seen! Fate has given me a chance, and I'm not gonna ruin it!"
Both parents stared at their daughter with big smirks as the mother leaned into her husband, holding his arm.
"We'll be supporting you, always. Even if we're not there, you'll have all of our prayers. Isn't that right, Haoran?" Asked the mother.
"Yeah." Nodded Haoran. "Of course, Yuhua, our daughter has the greatest teacher alive!" He said, pointing at himself with his thumb. "She'll show those bastards how the Lin Clan rolls! We come from the greatest clan known to mankind!"
Yuhua shook her head, evidently amused by his comment.
"We're too far at the bottom to be considered the strongest clan, dear."
Feng balled up her fists before flexing her bicep.
"Not for long! Just wait and see, ma! I'll give them hell, and show what the Lin clan is made of!"
"That's my girl!" Said Haoran, raising his hand for a high five.
Lin laughed, slapping her father's raised hand with a loud clap.
"Alright! Enough celebrating. I need to focus, or I'll embarrass myself before I even step foot in the Citadel of Trials!"
Her mother gave her a gentle smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Focus is good, but don't forget, this is supposed to be your moment to enjoy as well."
Lin Feng nodded with sparkling eyes filled with determination.
"I know, ma. I've trained for this. All the early mornings, the bruises, the late-night sparring sessions, they all lead here! I'm ready to face whatever they throw at me!"
Her father gave a dramatic bow, nearly toppling over.
"Then go, my daughter! Show the world what it means to be from the Lin Clan! Let them hear your name echo through the Citadel itself!"
Lin grinned, holding onto the envelope.
She could feel the anticipation in her veins like fire.
Tomorrow, she would step into the unknown.
Tomorrow, she would face the first trial of the Heaven's Gauntlet.
She glanced at her parents one last time before heading upstairs to prepare.
Her mother's encouragement and her father's brash confidence felt like armor around her heart.
Whatever awaited her at the Citadel, she would not falter.
Lin Feng could feel it, the first step of her destiny already pulling her forward.
This was the beginning of her journey.