Chapter 12: Echoes in the Tower

Inside the Tower of Mist, the dim light and an ancient, decayed air filled the atmosphere. The towering ceiling was engraved with intricate runes, and each step on the marble floor echoed heavily, as if the tower itself was responding to their arrival.

"This place… feels more like a tomb," Lin Yao murmured, holding Qin Yao's hand tightly. "But these runes… they don't seem like ordinary magic arrays."

Qin Yao nodded slightly, keeping his weapon ready at all times. He whispered, "Stay alert, Yao Yao. The quieter it gets, the more dangerous it becomes."

1. Echoes of a Voice

Suddenly, a deep voice reverberated through the hollow tower—

"Intruders, do you realize the ground you tread upon is the burial ground of countless ambitions and greed?"

The voice was formless, seeming to come from all directions, carrying an aura of infinite majesty and cold indifference.

"Arcanor!" Qin Yao called out loudly. "We're not here to desecrate this place. We came to uncover the truth about the Source!"

Before his words could fully fade, the tower trembled. The runes began to glow, and ancient images emerged on the walls.

The images depicted Arcanor's experiments during his life: extracting the energy of the Source from nature, applying it to humans and beasts, only to realize the energy's eventual backlash.

"The truth?" Arcanor's voice carried a trace of mockery. "The truth is never free. Are you ready to face the cost?"

2. The First Trial: Prison of Memories

Before they could respond, the floor beneath them vanished, and they were pulled into a void by an invisible force. Their surroundings turned pitch black, and the ground beneath their feet was covered with water reflecting their deepest memories.

Lin Yao looked down to see herself as a child, standing alone in a corner of a room, watching her parents argue.

"You're nothing but trouble!" her father's voice roared. "Having you only drags this family down!"

Lin Yao covered her ears, tears of pain filling her eyes. "Enough! I don't want to remember this!"

On the other side, Qin Yao's reflection showed his sister's face—she was engulfed in flames, desperately crying out for help as Qin Yao stood frozen, powerless to save her.

"Brother, why didn't you save me?" the memory asked, its voice as cold as ice.

"I…" Qin Yao's voice choked, his fists trembling. "I tried… I tried my best!"

Just as the memories threatened to consume them, a blinding light cut through the darkness, shattering the illusions.

"Don't be trapped by the past! Your choices are your only redemption!" The mysterious man's voice echoed, pulling them back from the prison of memories.

The confusion in their eyes gradually faded, and they gripped each other's hands tightly.

"Yao Yao, as long as we're together, that's all that matters," Qin Yao said softly.

Lin Yao nodded. "Yes, the past is the past. What we have now is what's most important."

The water disappeared, and the scene in the tower returned to normal.

3. The Second Trial: The Price of Truth

They arrived before a massive stone door, engraved with ancient text:

"The key to the truth lies in your choice."

Arcanor's voice echoed again: "The truth lies beyond this door, but you must decide—sacrifice one of you, or face the unknown consequences together."

Lin Yao's face turned pale. "What do you mean by 'unknown consequences'?"

Arcanor sneered. "Unknown means infinite risk. Perhaps you'll find the truth. Perhaps you'll be trapped in this tower forever. Or worse… death."

Qin Yao took a deep breath and looked at Lin Yao. "Yao Yao, do you trust me?"

Lin Yao nodded without hesitation. "I trust you."

With unwavering resolve, Qin Yao said, "Then we'll take the gamble. No matter what happens, we'll face it together."

They pressed their hands against the stone door simultaneously. The door rumbled open slowly.

4. Arcanor Revealed

Beyond the door was a radiant hall, where a glowing blue energy orb hovered in the center. A blurred figure emerged from the energy—a man in an ancient mage's robe, his eyes filled with exhaustion and pain.

"Arcanor!" Lin Yao exclaimed.

Arcanor looked at them, his tone complex. "Young ones, your determination surprises me. But do you truly believe uncovering the truth will change anything?"

Qin Yao clenched his fists. "If we can't even face the truth, how can we hope to change the future?"

Arcanor was silent for a moment before sighing. "Very well. Let's see if you're worthy."

5. The Ultimate Choice

Arcanor waved his hand, and the blue energy dissipated, revealing a brilliant crystal core.

"This is the Core of the Source. It is both the origin of this catastrophe and the potential key to ending it."

His gaze turned cold. "You have two choices: destroy it, erasing Arcanor City and everything within—including me. Or take it with you, and attempt to balance humans and beasts anew. But be warned, carrying it means bearing unpredictable consequences."

Lin Yao hesitated. "Isn't there another way?"

Arcanor shook his head. "Every choice comes with a price. The price you're willing to pay will determine the future."

Qin Yao and Lin Yao exchanged a determined look. Taking a deep breath, they prepared to make their final decision.