The radiant glow of the runes gradually dimmed, leaving Shen Yuchen and the mysterious woman surrounded by the soft shimmer of crystalline walls. The eerie silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the faint drip of water from unseen crevices.
Shen Yuchen exhaled slowly, still grappling with the fragmented memories and the surreal revelation about his forgotten past. He clenched his fists, determination burning within him like an unyielding flame.
"I'm done running," he declared, his voice resolute. "If fate wants to use me, I'll break free and carve my own path."
The woman's lips curved into a faint, sorrowful smile. "You always were stubborn… just like before."
Before Shen Yuchen could respond, a soft, distant melody floated through the cavern, ethereal and haunting. It was a song filled with longing and nostalgia, pulling at the depths of his soul.
The Real World - Abandoned Outpost
Su Wanning and Lin Xinyi continued their search, weaving through the desolate remains of the ancient outpost. The shattered stone archways and broken pillars were silent witnesses to a forgotten era.
Lin Xinyi paused abruptly, placing a hand against the cold stone wall. Her eyes widened as she felt a faint pulse of familiar energy resonate through the air.
"He's close…" she whispered, hope flickering in her gaze.
Su Wanning narrowed her eyes. "How can you be so sure? For all we know, this could be another trap."
Lin Xinyi met her gaze, unwavering. "You wouldn't understand… when someone is tied to your soul, you can feel their presence no matter how far apart you are."
Su Wanning's expression softened for a fleeting moment before she quickly masked it with determination. "Then let's keep moving."
Realm of Fate's Trial
Drawn by the haunting melody, Shen Yuchen advanced cautiously through a narrow passage, his grip steady on his sword. The woman followed silently, her expression unreadable.
The passage opened into a vast underground garden filled with luminescent flowers that swayed gently, as though moved by an unseen breeze. At the heart of the garden stood an ancient stone pedestal, etched with runes glowing faintly.
Resting on the pedestal was a shimmering crystal orb, swirling with memories — echoes of the past trapped within. The melody emanated from within the orb, weaving a tapestry of forgotten promises.
Shen Yuchen hesitated, memories of battles, sacrifices, and a familiar, sorrow-filled gaze flashing in his mind. He stepped forward and placed his hand on the orb.
The moment his fingers touched its surface, blinding light engulfed him, pulling him into a vivid memory from long ago.
Memory Fragment - Forgotten Battlefield
He stood amidst a field of fallen warriors, his sword dripping with dark ichor. The sky burned crimson, and the earth trembled beneath his feet. He was not alone — at his side stood Lin Xinyi, clad in ethereal white armor, her gaze fierce and resolute despite the odds stacked against them.
"We can't hold them off much longer!" Lin Xinyi cried, deflecting a shadowy spear aimed at his back.
"We don't need to," Shen Yuchen shouted back, his voice filled with defiance. "We just have to give them a chance… to escape."
Lin Xinyi's expression faltered for a moment, her fingers tightening around the pendant she always wore. "And what about us?"
Shen Yuchen hesitated, his gaze softening. "If fate still exists after this… maybe we'll meet again."
The memory fractured, scattering into light, leaving Shen Yuchen gasping for breath. His heart pounded, his mind spinning with the weight of lost time and unspoken words.
Present - Echo of Destiny
The melody faded, leaving only silence in its wake. Shen Yuchen's hand fell from the orb, his breath still uneven.
The woman, watching quietly, finally spoke: "Do you understand now? This isn't just your fight… it never was."
Shen Yuchen met her gaze, his expression unreadable but fierce. "I remember… not everything, but enough."
A sudden tremor shook the cavern, cracks forming along the crystalline walls as shadowy tendrils began to seep through.
"They're coming…" the woman warned.
Shen Yuchen drew his sword, its blade shimmering faintly with latent power. "Then let them come."
As the ground split and darkness surged forward, Shen Yuchen charged ahead, no longer bound by fear or doubt. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he faced his destiny — ready to defy fate itself.