Chapter 1: Encounter in the Icy Wind
In the 22nd century, it was an era where technology and the supernatural intertwined. Humanity's exploration of the universe had reached an unprecedented level, and various mysterious powers and strange creatures were gradually being discovered. However, a sudden space-time turbulence, like an unstoppable cosmic storm, swept through the entire order of space and time. In this turbulence, a little black cat was caught in the vortex of time. Its name was Zhima. Zhima was pitch-black all over, like the deep night sky, but under the gentle caress of the sun, it would magically shimmer with a reddish-brown luster, as if a hot flame was hidden within its body.
Zhima was originally a guardian of a mysterious organization in the 22nd century. It possessed powerful superpowers, but under the impact of the space-time turbulence, its power was greatly suppressed, and its body also reverted to the form of a kitten. It lost its way in the tunnel of time and was finally flung into the cold winter of 2024.
At this time, the Earth was in the midst of a world of ice and snow. The biting cold wind, like a sharp blade, howled through the streets and alleys, enveloping the whole world in a frigid white. Su Mei, who had just graduated from university, was walking on this cold street. She was wearing a thick down jacket and a long scarf around her neck, but the cold wind still seeped through the gaps in her clothes, wantonly invading her body.
Su Mei's mood was as gloomy and confused as the cold weather. Having just stepped into society after graduating from university, she was full of uncertainty and uneasiness about the future path of her life. She didn't know where to go or where her dream lay. In this bustling yet cold city, she felt like a lonely fallen leaf, drifting with the wind, unable to find a place to belong.
Just as Su Mei was lost in her thoughts, a faint meow reached her ears. The sound was extremely pitiful and helpless in the cold wind, as if a life was desperately calling for help. Su Mei's heart was moved, and she followed the direction of the sound. In a secluded corner, she found a little black cat huddled on the cold ground. The little black cat's body was shivering in the cold wind, its fur had been soaked by ice and snow, and its eyes revealed endless exhaustion and fear.
Su Mei walked up without hesitation and gently picked up the little black cat. The little black cat trembled slightly in her arms. Its body was icy cold, but a warm current surged in Su Mei's heart. Looking at the pitiful appearance of the little black cat, she secretly vowed to take good care of it.
Su Mei took the little black cat back to her home. Although her home was not big, it was full of a warm atmosphere. She prepared a warm nest for the little black cat and also brought some food and water. The little black cat seemed extremely hungry and gobbled up the food. In no time, it ate up all the food in front of it.
Su Mei looked at the cute appearance of the little black cat, and the gloom in her heart gradually dissipated. She gently stroked the little black cat's head and said with a smile, "From today on, your name is Zhima. From now on, we are a family." The little black cat seemed to understand her words. It looked up at Su Mei, and a glimmer of gratitude flashed in its eyes.
Night fell, and Su Mei lay in bed and soon fell asleep. However, Zhima quietly opened its eyes. There was a mysterious glimmer in its eyes. It stood up and quietly walked out of its nest. It came to the center of the living room and stood there quietly. Suddenly, a faint black light emanated from its body, and the light gradually spread, enveloping the entire living room.
Under the shroud of the light, Zhima's body began to change. Its figure gradually grew larger, and its fur became thicker and shinier. Its eyes turned into a deep red, as if containing endless power. It looked up at the night sky outside the window and let out a low growl.
However, just as Zhima was about to release all its power, an invisible force suddenly surged out from within its body, suppressing its power back. Zhima's body trembled, and a flash of pain and helplessness flashed in its eyes. It knew that its power had not fully recovered. In this strange era, it still needed Su Mei's help to regain its power.
The morning sunlight shone on Su Mei's face through the window, and she slowly opened her eyes. She stretched and got out of bed and walked out of the bedroom. When she saw Zhima in the living room, she couldn't help but be slightly stunned. She found that Zhima's body seemed to have grown a little bigger than yesterday, and there was also more liveliness and mystery in its eyes.
Su Mei walked up, gently picked up Zhima, and said with a smile, "Zhima, have you grown a little bigger?" Zhima looked at her and meowed softly, as if responding to her words. Su Mei felt very curious in her heart, but she didn't think much about it. She put down Zhima and walked into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for herself and Zhima.
After breakfast, Su Mei took Zhima out for a walk. The outside world was still cold, but the sun was hot. Su Mei and Zhima walked on the street, attracting the attention of many passers-by. People were attracted by Zhima's cute appearance and couldn't help but stop and watch.
Just as Su Mei and Zhima were enjoying this moment of tranquility, suddenly, a dull roar came from the sky. Su Mei looked up and saw a huge dark cloud appearing in the sky. The dark cloud was like a black behemoth, spreading rapidly and covering the entire sky densely. Immediately after, bolts of lightning cut through the sky, illuminating the whole world.
Su Mei felt a sense of uneasiness in her heart. She picked up Zhima and turned around to run towards home. However, just as she had run a few steps, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck the ground in front of her. The ground was instantly blasted into a big pit, and mud and stones flew everywhere. Su Mei was startled by this sudden change, and she slipped and fell to the ground.
Zhima broke free from her arms. It stood in front of Su Mei, and a layer of black light emanated from its body. The light gradually formed a shield, enveloping Su Mei. Su Mei looked at Zhima in surprise. She couldn't believe what was happening in front of her.
At this time, a huge figure slowly descended from the dark cloud in the sky. The figure was completely shrouded in black mist, and its face could not be seen clearly. It slowly landed on the ground and let out a low laugh: "Unexpectedly, this little cat is here. It's really like finding something by chance after searching everywhere."
Zhima looked at the figure in front of it, and anger flashed in its eyes. It arched its back, its fur stood on end, and it let out a sharp growl. It knew that the figure in front of it was an enemy from the 22nd century. It was chased and killed by this enemy in the space-time turbulence and ended up here.
Su Mei stood up. She looked at the mysterious figure in front of her, full of fear and doubt in her heart. She didn't know who this figure was or why it appeared here. She tightly held Zhima's body and asked softly, "Zhima, what's going on?" Zhima didn't answer her. Its eyes were tightly fixed on the enemy in front of it, and all its power was concentrated, ready to face the upcoming battle.
The mysterious figure slowly took a step forward. It stretched out its hand, pointed at Zhima, and said coldly, "Little cat, come with me. You can't escape from my palm." Zhima snorted disdainfully. It suddenly exerted force and pounced on the mysterious figure. Its body streaked across a black light in the air, as fast as lightning.
The mysterious figure saw this and calmly raised its hand and waved gently. A black mist gushed out from its hand and quickly formed a huge vortex. Zhima's body was instantly sucked into the vortex. It struggled in the vortex but couldn't break free.
Su Mei watched Zhima trapped in the vortex and was very anxious. She rushed towards the vortex recklessly, wanting to save Zhima. However, just as she got close to the vortex, a powerful force suddenly gushed out from the vortex and sent her flying.
Su Mei fell to the ground and spat out a mouthful of blood. Her body felt a sharp pain, but her eyes were still firmly fixed on Zhima. She knew that she couldn't just watch Zhima being taken away by the enemy.
At this moment, a powerful force suddenly burst out from Zhima's body. There was a burning red light in its eyes. It opened its mouth and let out a deafening roar. The roar was like a surging wave, instantly breaking through the black vortex. Zhima broke free from the vortex, and its body became even bigger, and the fur on its body also burned with black flames.
The mysterious figure was slightly startled when it saw Zhima break free from the vortex. It didn't expect that Zhima could burst out with such powerful force in this era. It didn't dare to be careless. It formed seals with both hands and muttered incantations.
