A Western Kid’s Journey into the Eastern Cultivation World

The circular chamber hummed with a strange, ancient energy as Jack and Nox faced the faceless being on the crystal throne. Golden sarcophagi lined the walls, each inscribed with the names of First Mages—their once-proud profiles now eroded into featureless indentations.

"For millennia, we have waited," the faceless being rasped, its voice echoing from the void where a face should be. "The Balance Twins, finally returned to complete our grand design."

Nox raised his dark blade, shadow energy coiling up his arm. "Your design turned me into a abomination."

"Abomination?" The being laughed, a sound like shattering glass. "We are the First Mages, merged into a collective consciousness. When our experiment to create the perfect balance failed, we sacrificed our physical forms to contain the abyss's taint."

Jack stepped forward, the Elysian Requiem vibrating in his hand. "What experiment?"

The walls began to glow, projecting dynamic murals of robed figures working in laboratories. "We split the original fusion orb into six," the faceless being explained. "Your orb carried the light, Nox's the dark. But when your mother fled with you, the imbalance corrupted Nox's vessel."

As the murals showed a woman escaping with an infant Jack, Nox flinched. "So I'm just a failed clone?"

"Not failed—necessary." The being rose from the throne, its form undulating like smoke. "To achieve true balance, the twins must merge. Only then can we wield the Elysian Requiem as intended—"

"—as a weapon to destroy the abyss," Jack finished, recalling fragmented memories. But as the faceless being extended a hand, the merged orb in Jack's chest burned with a familiar light.

"Aelion?" Jack whispered as a ghostly figure materialized beside him—Aelion's armor, but filled with pure light.

"Don't trust them, Jack," Aelion's 残魂 warned, voice echoing in his mind. "The First Mages' experiment created the abyss. Their collective consciousness is the source of the taint."

The faceless being hissed, its form darkening. "The paladin's remnant still clings to you. No matter—fusion will purge it."

Nox suddenly stepped between Jack and the being. "Wait—if they caused the abyss, then merging would just spread their corruption." His dark blade wavered, shadow and light flickering across its edge. "I've been fighting their creation my whole life."

Jack reached out, his hand glowing with balanced energy. "We were never meant to be weapons, Nox. We were meant to end the cycle."

The faceless being shrieked, sending a wave of dark energy that shattered the sarcophagi. Mummified remains rose, their eyes glowing with the First Mages' collective will. "You dare defy your creators?"

Aelion's 残魂 raised a hand, forming a barrier. "Run! The real balance lies in the seed the First Mages hid from themselves."

As Jack and Nox sprinted for a glowing fissure in the wall, the chamber began to collapse. Golden dust rained from the ceiling, and the faceless being's form dissolved into a storm of light and dark.

"Find the seed before the abyss consumes this realm!" Aelion's voice faded as his form dispersed.

Nox paused at the fissure, looking back at the chaos. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because we're brothers," Jack said, extending his hand. "And it's time to choose our own path."

Nox hesitated, then clasped Jack's hand. Together, they leaped into the fissure, landing in a crystal - filled cavern. At its center, a single green shoot emerged from a crack in the stone, its leaves glowing with a pure, life - giving energy.

"The Balance Seed," Jack breathed, reaching out. But as his fingers touched the 嫩芽,the ground shook, and a voice echoed from the abyss:

"Welcome to the final trial, Balance Bearers."