Xu Yuan’s palm pressed against the glowing sphere. He could feel the vast, chaotic energy of time swirling within it—a force like a wild beast, straining against its bonds, ready to devour everything. Yet the silver ring on his hand burned with an intense light, its ancient runes writhing as if alive, resonating with the sphere’s power, seeking to tame it.
The Time Watcher’s body trembled violently, his face ashen. He stared at Xu Yuan in disbelief, his voice a ragged snarl. "You… you would sever my family’s bond with time itself… You traitor!"
Xu Yuan ignored his fury. Closing his eyes, he focused every shred of will into the ring. His blood burned—an ancient, formidable power, bound to this inverted clocktower and the luminous sphere.
Under his guidance, the silver ring’s radiance swelled like a black hole, devouring the sphere’s tempestuous energy. The sphere emitted a pained hum, its light dimming. The tower’s counterclockwise hands froze. Silence reclaimed the pinnacle.
The Time Watcher collapsed, his body hollow, his eyes fixed on the fading sphere in despair. "No… no…" His whisper faded as his form crumbled into dust, scattering on the wind—only a tarnished silver ring left behind.
With his demise, the sphere dulled to gray. The tower’s hum ceased, sinking into stillness like an old man surrendering to time.
Xu Yuan lowered his hand, exhaustion washing over him. Yet beneath the weariness, relief. He had chosen rightly—defending time’s order, breaking his family’s curse.
Lin Xiaoxia rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him. Her eyes shimmered with love, with pride. She felt his fatigue, but also the steel in his resolve.
They left the inverted tower behind, its shadow swallowing it whole, as though it had never been.
Back in their quiet home, peace settled like dust after a storm. The feverish dreams ceased. Xu Yuan’s hypersensitivity to time ebbed. Life resumed its rhythm—yet their hearts held a newfound certainty.
They understood now: time’s power was vast, untamable. But their love? A flame in the river of eternity, guiding them onward.
ns18.222.32.191da2
