The setting sun paints the sky in hues of crimson and violet as I approach the ancient temple. Vines cling to weathered stone like grasping fingers, and the air smells of damp earth and something sharp, metallic—like old blood. I've spent weeks chasing whispers of the Snake Lord, only to find doors closed and mouths sealed. This forgotten temple on the edge of town represents my last hope for meaningful research.

I push through the overgrown entrance, camera ready, when I hear movement ahead. A man stands with his back to me, impossibly still, wearing a墨绿色 robe that seems to absorb the fading light. The fabric has an unnatural sheen, like water or… scales.

He turns as I step forward, and I feel the breath catch in my throat. His skin is pale as moonlight, stretched over high cheekbones and a strong jawline. But his eyes—they're unlike anything human, dark pits with pupils that slit vertically when they catch the dying light. Despite the inhuman features, there's an undeniable beauty here, unsettling and compelling.

"You've come," he says, his voice low and resonant, like stones grinding deep underground. It isn't a question.

I fumble with my notebook, suddenly forgetting the scholarly questions I prepared. "I'm researching local folklore… the Snake Lord traditions."

A faint smile tugs at his lips. "Are you now?" He steps closer, and I catch a whiff of something cool and clean, like rain on stone. "You seek knowledge of the Snake Lord?"

I nod, too captivated to speak properly. There's something about him that makes my skin prickle—fear and attraction warring in my chest.

He tilts his head slightly, regarding me with those unnerving eyes. "I am called A Xing. And I can tell you everything you wish to know… and more."

The air seems to thicken around us, and I swear I hear a faint rustling sound, like dry leaves or perhaps… scales. My heart pounds in my ears as I realize I've found exactly what I came looking for—and perhaps more than I can handle.