Chapter 28: Master Wei's Ultimatum
Master Wei led the Vanguard to a stable platform overlooking the Ascension Gate. He immediately began the complex preparations for the Elemental Stabilization, ignoring the bewildered glances of the other Hunters.
"This is not a social exercise, Rin," Wei stated, dropping into a meditative crouch. He drew a complex series of ancient Murim runes on the platform with his finger, each glowing with faint green Qi. "The Azure Dragon's essence is life and balance. It is the perfect counter-force to the rigid chaos of Chronos and the explosive chaos of the Gale."
He looked up at Rin, who was standing beside the still-silent Aiden. "I cannot stop the dissolution, but I can attempt to slow the velocity of the mental merger. You must trust my Qi completely, and you must trust the Arbiter's ability to remain stable under this immense elemental pressure."
Aiden finally spoke, his eyes narrowed, the clinical strategist overriding any personal feelings. "Master Wei, your intervention creates an unknown variable of immense risk. The infusion of a third, distinct energy signature could accelerate the paradox, not stabilize it."
"I am aware of the risk, Arbiter," Wei replied, his gaze unwavering. "But the destruction of two souls is an unacceptable variable for the Murim Lineage. I will not have two saviors become one unfeeling weapon. My choice is absolute: either you allow me to attempt this anchor, or I will use my full Azure Dragon power to permanently sever the tether before you ascend."
Wei was giving Aiden an ultimatum: a temporary, risky alliance or immediate, absolute severance. Severance would save their souls but risk the Tower's collapse; the merger would save the Tower but cost their souls.
Aiden closed his eyes, his Chronos power running thousands of simulations in milliseconds. The scenarios where Wei's severance succeeded resulted in a 65% chance of ultimate mission failure due to the lack of the Temporal Hurricane. The scenarios where Wei's anchor succeeded offered a 15% chance of retaining consciousness, but a 95% chance of a catastrophic explosion. The risk was enormous, but the slight chance of personal survival was the only incentive.
"We accept the terms, Master Wei," Aiden conceded, his voice heavy. "Proceed with the Elemental Stabilization. Rin, you will maintain a Neutral Gale flow. Do not react to the infusion. You must be a conduit, not a defense."
Rin nodded, his focus absolute. He knew this was the single greatest act of trust Aiden had ever allowed him—allowing a potential rival to tamper with their most crucial, deadly bond.
Wei began the ritual. He placed his hands on the ground, and the green Qi surged, wrapping around the nexus of the fate tether between Rin and Aiden. The energy felt ancient, earthy, and immensely calming—a gentle, pervasive force attempting to soothe the violent electrical storm of Chronos and Gale.
The effect was instantaneous and agonizing. Rin gasped, feeling his spiritual barriers strain as the Azure Dragon's power sought to build a buffer wall between his and Aiden's consciousness.
Aiden, though stoic, clenched his jaw, the sweat beading on his forehead. He was fighting the instinctual urge of the Chronos power to reject the stabilizing interference.
After thirty seconds that felt like an eternity, Wei pulled back, breathing hard. The green Qi remained, a faint, visible aura around Rin and Aiden, humming with a stabilizing presence.
"It is done," Wei announced, his voice raspy. "The anchor is temporary, perhaps only twenty minutes of sustained effort. But the tether is now slightly buffered. If you merge your power, the dissolution will be slowed. It is the best I can offer."
Rin looked at Aiden, their tether now wrapped in a thin layer of external stability. He saw the genuine, raw pain beneath Aiden's cold mask.
Thank you, Wei, Rin thought, projecting the gratitude and relief toward the Murim Master.
He then looked at Aiden, trying to project care—a word that would break the Tether of Silence. He refrained, knowing the feedback would kill them both.
"We proceed, Master Wei," Rin stated, his voice professional. "The asset is stabilized. We ascend to the Temple of Judgment."