Chapter 13: The Choice of Fate

The crystalline core floated in the center of the hall, its dazzling brilliance both a silent warning and an irresistible temptation. Qin Yao and Lin Yao stood before Arcanor, exchanging a glance heavy with unspoken words. The air seemed to freeze, suspending time itself.

"Can we really only choose one?" Lin Yao bit her lip, her voice barely audible.

Arcanor nodded solemnly. "Indeed. Each choice determines the path forward, but no choice is ever perfect."

1. Resolve and Doubt

Lin Yao gently tugged on Qin Yao's sleeve and whispered, "Brother Yao, I'm scared…"

Turning to face her, Qin Yao took her hand, his voice soft but firm. "Yao Yao, don't be afraid. I'm here. No matter what happens, we'll face it together."

"But what if we make the wrong choice?" Lin Yao's voice trembled. "Arcanor is right—we don't even know what the consequences are."

Qin Yao gently stroked her hair, his tone resolute. "No one is born knowing the future, but we can decide the present. As long as we stay together, we'll find a way through."

Taking a deep breath, Lin Yao nodded. "Okay. I trust you."

2. Arcanor's Test

Watching the exchange, Arcanor's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone laced with a subtle challenge. "Do you truly believe your bond is strong enough to bear the cost of this choice? Young ones, love and trust are the most fragile things in this world."

Qin Yao shot him a cold glance. "That may be true in your world, but we won't let ours break."

Arcanor raised a hand, sending a beam of blue light shooting from the crystalline core directly toward the pair.

Instinctively, Lin Yao stepped in front of Qin Yao, only to be thrown back by an invisible force, hitting the ground hard.

"Yao Yao!" Qin Yao rushed to her side, his face full of concern.

"I'm fine…" Lin Yao forced a weak smile. "Don't worry about me."

Arcanor chuckled darkly. "So, even the most eloquent words falter under the weight of reality's blow."

Lifting Lin Yao into his arms, Qin Yao's eyes burned with fury. "Enough! You want us to make a choice? Then we'll make one!"

3. The Final Decision

Standing tall, Qin Yao fixed his gaze on the crystalline core, its radiant glow reflecting in his determined eyes. "We choose to take it."

Lin Yao gasped. "Brother Yao, are you sure? What if the 'unknown consequences' are too terrible to bear…"

Qin Yao squeezed her hand tightly. "The unknown holds the possibility of change. If we choose destruction, there's no hope at all."

Arcanor's gaze grew even deeper. "Admirable courage, but it doesn't guarantee success."

"Then let the future prove us right." Qin Yao's voice was unyielding.

4. Acceptance and Resonance

The crystalline core descended gently before them, its blue light softening as though acknowledging their determination.

"Youth…" Arcanor's voice held a faint sigh. "I hope your choice won't lead to regret."

The core finally settled into Lin Yao's hands, emanating a warm glow. At that moment, she felt a strange surge of energy flow through her—a sensation both foreign and familiar, as if a dormant power within her had been awakened.

"What is this?" Lin Yao looked at Arcanor in shock.

"The core is not only a source of power but a link between souls," Arcanor said with a faint, enigmatic smile. "You have begun to become part of it."

5. A New Bond

Qin Yao clasped Lin Yao's hand and spoke gently. "Whether it's a beginning or an end, we'll face it together."

Lin Yao looked up at him, her eyes filled with trust. "Yes, I believe in you."

Arcanor nodded, waving a hand to open a portal. "Go now. Take your choice and leave this place. Arcanor City will soon vanish, forever buried in history."

A trace of reluctance crossed Lin Yao's face. "What about you? This is your home…"

With a serene smile and a hint of relief, Arcanor replied, "My existence is tied to history, and it's time for you to write the future."

Together, Qin Yao and Lin Yao stepped toward the portal, its blue light wrapping around them. As the portal closed behind them, they heard Arcanor's final, soft words:

"May your bond overcome the chains of fate."

6. The End of the Prelude

When the light faded, they found themselves at the entrance to Arcanor City. Behind them, the city crumbled and disappeared, leaving no trace. The crystalline core pulsed gently in Lin Yao's hands, its rhythm syncing with her breath.

Looking at the fading city, Qin Yao spoke in a low voice. "Yao Yao, things will only get harder from here, but no matter what happens, I won't let you face it alone."

Lin Yao held the core tightly and smiled. "Together, we'll find the answer."

Standing side by side under the night sky, the whispers of the vanished city faded into silence. Yet their journey was far from over—this was only the beginning of a new story.