Trial of Balance II

With love pulsating in his heart, yet a whirlwind of confusion wreaking havoc in his mind, Xin finds himself staring at his hands, stained with the crimson hue of blood. His memory is a nebulous fog, a jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing. Yet, he is here. He is wholly and unquestionably present amidst a crumbling landscape of utility poles and deserted structures.

The domain around him gradually fades, like a dissipating mist, revealing once more the stairway, an architectural relic in the midst of decay. Silence reigns supreme, a heavy shroud enveloping the scene. No words are spoken, no cries are heard, only the eerie quiet of a battlefield post-war prevails.

Xin gazes at the mangled remains of his comrades. His eyes bear a detached apathy, a disturbing tranquillity. He is unaware of the carnage that unfolded, unaware of his identity, and oblivious to the reason for his presence amidst the wreckage. His mind is a barren landscape, void of any recollection or understanding.

Yet, amidst the turmoil and the amnesia, he experiences a peculiar sensation - Love. It's a foreign emotion, a warm glow in the chilling desolation. His light magic, unbeknownst to him, slowly begins its restorative process. A soothing energy courses through his veins, healing his wounds, mending his shattered spirit.

Xin's body, almost as if guided by an unseen force, begins its ascent up the stairs. Each step he takes unlocks a flood of memories, each one more vivid than the last. The memories are of a time long past, of a little boy with cerulean hair, innocent eyes filled with curiosity, and a heart brimming with dreams.

As he ascends, these memories flicker around him like spectral images, each one a ghostly reminder of the past. He sees the boy playing in a field of sunflowers, laughing with a carefree joy that Xin can almost hear. He sees the boy studying under the soft glow of a lantern, his blue hair glowing like a halo. He sees the boy crying, his little body shaking with the intensity of his sorrow.

With each step, the memories grow in intensity, pulling Xin deeper into the past. He can feel the boy's joy, his determination, his sadness - emotions that he had thought were long forgotten.

As he reaches the top of the stairs, there is a blinding flash of light. When Xin opens his eyes, he is no longer in the decaying battlefield, but in a small, cosy room. He looks down at his hands, no longer stained with blood but small and delicate. He reaches up and touches his hair, feeling the familiar silky strands of blue.

He has become the boy once more.