The blast of light, darkness, and hatred tore through the Labyrinth of Shadows, shaking its very foundations. Cracks split across the walls, and the mist screamed like tortured souls fleeing from the impact. What had once been endless corridors was now a vast arena, carved open by the collision of three powers.
Li Shen staggered, blood dripping from his lips, yet his aura pulsed stronger than ever. Light and darkness coiled around him like warring dragons, unstable and volatile, but he no longer trembled before them.
Beside him, Mei Lin stood with her sword aglow, its silver light driving back the remnants of the mist. Her eyes, however, wavered. The vision she had witnessed still lingered in her heart—an origin that bound her fate to Li Shen's in ways she was only beginning to understand.
Across from them stood Zhao Wei, his laughter sharp and twisted. Black fire curled around his frame, shaping itself into shields and spears, the embodiment of hatred given form.
"You two—cursed blood, heirs of light and darkness—do you really believe this world will accept you? No! I will be the one to erase your existence!"
His voice thundered like a death sentence.
Li Shen lifted his head, his eyes steady despite the blood staining his robes. "Zhao Wei… you're consumed by your own hatred. If you continue down this path, it will devour you completely."
"Silence!" Zhao Wei roared, his body surging forward like a black comet. His spear of flame thrust at Li Shen with killing intent.
Mei Lin leapt ahead, her sword intercepting the strike. The clash rang like thunder, sparks raining down as the sheer force split the stone beneath their feet. The impact sent Mei Lin staggering backward, her knees nearly buckling.
"Mei Lin!" Li Shen reached out, but Zhao Wei's next strike cut him off—blows falling like a storm, relentless and wild.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The arena trembled with each strike, the very labyrinth threatening to collapse.
Li Shen refused to falter. He spread his arms wide, summoning light in one hand and shadow in the other, forcing them into a spiraling storm.
"Duality Surge!"
The swirling blast met Zhao Wei's black spear head-on, detonating in a deafening explosion that shredded the ground between them.
Mei Lin rushed forward again, her blade drawing a circle of light around Li Shen.
"Li Shen, I'll hold him back—focus on controlling your power!"
But Zhao Wei's madness only deepened. His black flames erupted, twisting into the form of a massive serpent coiling around him.
"Hahaha! You think I'll give you time? This power is mine! Even if it burns me alive, I'll drag you both into the abyss with me!"
Li Shen's chest heaved, his mind throbbing with whispers—one urging destruction, the other pleading restraint. Yet for the first time, he didn't recoil. He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth.
"No… I am not your vessel. I am myself."
When his eyes snapped open, his aura had changed. Light and darkness no longer repelled each other. They circled, balanced, coexisting in fragile but undeniable harmony.
Mei Lin's lips parted in awe. "He… he's balancing them?"
For the first time, Zhao Wei hesitated. But his hesitation twisted into frenzied laughter.
"Good! Grow stronger, Li Shen! The stronger you are, the sweeter it will be when I tear you apart!"
Three forces collided in that circle—light, darkness, and hatred—each clashing, each striving for dominance. The labyrinth convulsed, stones falling from above.
And then, the ancient voice rose once more, resonating through the walls like the decree of heaven itself:
"Three paths converge. From here, the world's fate shall be decided. One will rise. One will fall. One shall vanish into nothingness."
Silence followed, heavy and suffocating. The three of them froze, their gazes locked, understanding that this battle was no mere duel—it was the opening clash of destinies that would shake the entire world.