A/N: All rights to the original content are reserved by the respective copyright owner.

EDIT: Changed Chapter title.

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Y/N stood; the shadow armor embraced his form—a testament to his newfound acceptance of the dualities within. The armor was a solid manifestation of the Abyss's potential, defying its inherent formlessness with a defined, protective shape.

Helmet in hand, Y/N studied his reflection, the contours of the armor a stark representation of his growth. It was more than a defensive shell; it was an emblem of his resolve and a statement of his might. He understood now how the right image could inspire awe and command respect. Should he return to Xianzhou, Y/N was certain that none, not even the Emanators of Abundance, could penetrate this fortress of shadows.

Seeking validation, Y/N turned to the Progenitor, the First Aeon, whose presence alone was a silent testament to the origins of all existence. "Acceptance, do you think I have achieved it?" His voice carried the innocence of a pupil seeking affirmation from a mentor.

The Aeon's gaze was unwavering, its response cryptic yet insightful. "That is for you to decide. The turmoil within has calmed; you have embraced your nature. Now, consider what lies beyond. What further strides do you wish to take for self-betterment?"

Silence fell before Y/N's reply. "To protect, to show my dedication to those I hold dear," he confessed. It was a candid request, selfish in its singularity but selfless in its intent.

The Progenitor considered his plea, then turned its attention to IX, the Aeon of Nihility, who existed in stark contrast to the vibrant determination before it.

After a moment of contemplation, the Progenitor faced Y/N again, the verdict delivered with a firm "No." The refusal was a stark contradiction to Y/N's request, leaving him bewildered.

"Why? Isn't my reconciliation with my dual nature enough?" Y/N's confusion was palpable. He sought clarity, a reason for the denial that stood before him.

"Your pride swells, and your patience wanes," the Progenitor admonished. "Acceptance is but a step. You must delve deeper, explore further before you are ready to wield such power."

Y/N's frown deepened, then released into understanding. The Progenitor was correct—his eagerness had perhaps blinded him to the journey that still lay ahead. The allure of reuniting with Jingliu was strong, but it should not cloud his path to true mastery.

With a heavy sigh, Y/N's thoughts turned inward, contemplating the nature of his abilities and the learning that awaited him. He recognized that this was akin to starting anew, reminiscent of the days when he first began his training.

The Progenitor nodded, its agreement clear. "The foundations must be revisited, even by a sword master. Does this wound your pride?"

Y/N, in silent acquiescence, acknowledged the wisdom in the words. There was no verbal response, only a nod—a humble submission to the lesson at hand.

"You are driven by impulse," the Progenitor continued, "but to prevail, you must align your strength with strategy. The balance of intellect and might is key."

A grunt of frustration escaped Y/N. It was a sound of defeat but also of consent.

"Then we are agreed," the Progenitor stated. "Let us return to the fundamentals—the essence of willpower."

"IX."

As the call of the Progenitor resonated through the void, IX, the Aeon of Nihility, emerged. The entity, akin to a living black hole, drifted forward, it's very presence a wellspring of emptiness. The surrounding darkness seemed to gravitate towards it, yearning for the annihilation that it promised.

Y/N could not help but feel the profound aura of IX. It stirred within him a melange of emotions—sadness at the Aeon's bleak existence, irritation at the unspoken challenge it posed to his mental fortitude, and an odd sense of intrigue. Despite the Aeon's daunting presence, there was a simplicity in its essence that was almost comforting, a stark contrast to the complexity he had come to associate with the other Aeons.

"Such an observation will anger them."

This moment of contemplation, however, was a luxury Y/N could ill afford. The Progenitor's voice cut through his reverie, a gentle chide that acknowledged his wandering thoughts. The amusement in its tone was clear, yet it carried no malice. For what use was there in pride for one who stood above all?

Y/N felt a flush of embarrassment. "My apologies," he offered, the realization dawning that his innermost thoughts were open books to beings such as these. "My experience with Aeons is limited, and my thoughts tend to wander. I'll strive for more discipline."

His encounter with Lan, the Aeon he had previously fought, was a stark reminder of his own limitations. That battle had been against an Aeon restrained and a version of himself far from the heights he now sought. The gap between his power then and the Aeons' true might was vast, a chasm he was determined to bridge.

A sudden buzz, like the distant sound of a cosmic string plucked by an invisible hand, vibrated in his mind. Y/N extended his senses, the Abyss within him reaching out like tendrils in search of the disturbance. His eyes, glowing with the dark energy that now suffused him, became conduits for his search.

The shadows he commanded scuttled across the emptiness, each one a silent hunter. They converged upon a singular point, hesitating as if recognizing a kindred essence.

And there, amidst the swirling vortex of IX's presence, two eyes met his gaze. There was a recognition, a silent communication between Y/N and the Aeon of Nihility. In that gaze, Y/N saw the endless depths of nothingness, the stark reality of oblivion. Yet, within that void, there was a glint of something more—a reflection of the potential that lay within the emptiness, the promise of creation that accompanied destruction.

As he stood, attuned to the subtle shifts of darkness that bound him to this place beyond time. The sting on his hand where Oedon's rune had marked him drew his attention, glowing ominously like blood spilled under the light of an eclipsed moon. Observing the rune, he sought to decipher its intentions, but as he focused, the shadows embracing him withdrew, leaving him in the simplicity of his uniform.

A perplexed Y/N pondered the retreat of his armor, questioning whether a time constraint had been placed upon his newfound ability. Efforts to reconjure the shadows proved futile, and his attention shifted to a subtle buzzing in his mind—a static noise foreign yet seeking connection. It was IX, responding with an affirmative nod to his silent query.

Y/N's thoughts drifted, drawing parallels between IX's newly condensed form and the memory of Fuli's diminutive presence. There was an unexpected charm to IX's white-dotted eyes, reminiscent of a curious creature, that softened the Aeon's daunting aura of nihility.

"IX seems to have taken a liking to you. Such companionship is rare; treasure it," the voice of the Progenitor resonated, acknowledging the bond forming between Y/N and IX. With a playful mind, Y/N began to telekinetically juggle the Aeon, eliciting a series of pleased buzzes that filled his consciousness.

But as the game ceased, so did the lightness in Y/N's heart, replaced by a sense of melancholy emanating from IX. Reflecting on the loss of his shadow armor, Y/N considered whether the Great One's influence or the presence of the Aeons was the cause of its disappearance.

"You require something more, something you must come to realize on your own. Look to your past for hints," the Progenitor intoned, offering a cryptic clue but refraining from direct intervention.

Puzzled, Y/N considered the advice, reminded of the enigmatic rune upon his hand. He voiced in his thoughts, recounting Hooh's words about the rune's purpose and the taboo surrounding it, seeking further insight.

To his astonishment, the Progenitor replicated the rune in midair, then shrouded it in darkness until it disintegrated, a spectacle that suggested a method for severing his bond with Oedon. The act sparked a realization in Y/N: if the Progenitor could affect the rune, perhaps he, too, could sever ties with the Great One.

Although aware of his limitations, Y/N understood the vast potential of his ascent and the power that remained uncharted within him. "There is a method less arduous than destruction, yet its discovery is yours to unearth," the Progenitor advised, leaving Y/N to ponder this new challenge.

"As for Oedon, her influence is currently held at bay," the Progenitor assured, "thanks to IX's presence."

A sigh of relief escaped Y/N as he was assured of Oedon's absence, comforted by the knowledge that IX's companionship would shield him from the Great One's gaze.

"It is time for us to part. Until the next dream," the Progenitor spoke, a farewell that hinted at future encounters and guidance.

Before the transition to wakefulness, Y/N inquired, seeking understanding beyond the narrative spun by the Aeon. "Why do you intervene in my life? Is there more than the tales you've woven?"

The Progenitor remained silent, offering neither confirmation nor denial, leaving Y/N with a dream filled with sleepless wonder—a vision to ponder in the silence of his own mind.

End of Chapter