The bridge does not simply exist beneath my feet—
it vibrates,
as if it knows what is coming.
As if the stones themselves can sense
that this is not another test…
…this is the reckoning.
Aiden's fingers lace through mine,
tight enough to anchor me,
gentle enough to remind me
that even after everything we've survived,
he is still afraid of losing me.
The Sovereign-Liyana stands before us once more.
But this time she looks different.
Her posture is straight,
her wings flawless,
her expression carved from moonlight—
yet something inside her eyes flickers.
Not power.
Not authority.
Regret.
She opens her mouth,
and the realm responds instantly—
stars dimming,
air tightening,
the bridge glowing like a beating heart.
"Ascendant," she says,
her voice softer than before,
"the final trial begins."
Aiden steps in front of me.
"No."
His growl rolls across the realm.
"She doesn't face anything alone."
The Sovereign's gaze lowers.
"This one…
she must."
Aiden snarls.
"Make me."
But before he can move,
a barrier—transparent but blazing with power—
slams down between us and her.
Aiden jerks back,
shock flashing across his face.
"What—?!"
I turn to him instantly.
"Aiden—"
He throws his shoulder against the barrier,
magic sparking from his skin.
Nothing.
He slams his fist into it.
Nothing.
He transforms into his massive wolf form,
fangs bared,
stars blazing along his fur—
and still the barrier doesn't crack.
"AIDEN!" I shout.
He shifts back, breathing hard.
"I'm right here," he gasps.
"I won't leave—don't panic—don't—"
But his eyes are wild.
This is the one thing he cannot fight,
and it breaks him.
The Sovereign speaks again:
"This is the Trial of the Heart's Choice.
And only one heart may enter."
Aiden's voice drops to a whisper.
"Liyana…
don't go."
But the ground beneath my feet glows
in a circle of white flame,
separating me from him
inch by inch.
Like a noose tightening.
I squeeze his hand tighter—
until the light rips our fingers apart.
"No—NO—NO—" Aiden's voice cracks.
"DON'T TAKE HER!"
He claws at the light
until his palms bleed with golden sparks.
My wings tremble violently.
"Let me explain," the Sovereign says,
her tone almost gentle.
Aiden spits:
"I don't want your explanations—
I want HER."
The Sovereign's voice lowers.
"And that is exactly
why this trial exists."
I freeze.
Aiden goes still too,
chest heaving.
The Sovereign faces me directly now—
not him.
"You love him."
My voice comes out small.
"Yes."
"He loves you with equal force."
Aiden's gaze softens painfully.
"But," the Sovereign continues,
"the throne cannot be taken
by someone whose heart is divided."
Aiden growls.
"She is NOT divided!"
The Sovereign meets his eyes.
"Not between love."
A pause.
"But between futures."
My pulse stutters.
"What does that mean?"
She lifts both hands.
Light explodes across the bridge—
splitting the world in two.
To my left,
a massive pillar of golden flame erupts,
shaping itself into a figure with broad wings
and a throne behind it—
a future where power consumes everything.
To my right,
silver moonlight gathers into a giant wolf silhouette,
breathing warmth
and devotion
and home.
A soft gasp escapes me.
Aiden whispers,
voice shaking:
"Liyana…"
The Sovereign gestures to the two forces.
"Choose."
Not a suggestion.
A command.
Aiden slams against the barrier again—
"NO!
NO, LET HER THINK—LET HER BREATHE—
LET HER TALK TO ME—"
His panic through the bond
is a storm of claws and heartbreak.
I try to reach him—
but my hand hits the barrier
and my fingers burn.
Tears sting my eyes.
"I'm not leaving you!" I shout.
He stares at me,
eyes full of agony.
"Then don't choose the throne.
Choose me.
Please, Moonlight.
PLEASE choose me."
The Sovereign shakes her head.
"If she chooses you,
the throne collapses.
If she chooses the throne,
the bond thins until it fades."
Aiden goes pale.
"…Fades?"
His voice sounds like death.
"You mean she forgets me?"
"No," the Sovereign says.
"She remembers.
But you will stop feeling her.
And she…
will rise alone."
Aiden's legs buckle.
He hits the ground on his knees,
hands shaking.
"Liyana…
don't…
please…"
My heart shatters.
But the Sovereign raises her hand again.
The golden and silver forces close in.
The realm vibrates.
Aiden whispers:
"I can't watch you choose them over me."
"And I can't watch you die," I whisper back.
He stands violently again—
eyes blazing.
"THEN WE CHOOSE EACH OTHER—
AND SCREW THE TRIAL!"
The Sovereign's voice sharpens.
"Ascendant—
step forward."
I try to stand still—
The ground pulls me like a magnet.
Aiden pounds the barrier again.
"STOP DRAGGING HER—
STOP—
SHE'S MINE—
SHE CHOOSES ME—
SHE CHOSES US—"
His voice breaks
in a way I have never heard.
"Liyana…
don't leave me alone again…"
My heart aches so hard I can barely breathe.
I whisper through tears:
"I'm not choosing BETWEEN you and the throne."
He freezes.
I swallow hard.
"I'm choosing what my power serves."
Aiden's eyes widen.
"What…?"
The Sovereign goes perfectly still.
The golden flame expands—
as if offended.
The silver wolf lowers its head—
as if listening.
I spread my wings.
All eight burst into blinding gold-silver shadowlight.
The bridge shakes.
The Sovereign whispers:
"…Impossible."
Aiden whispers:
"…Moonlight…?"
I take a breath
that feels like stepping into destiny.
"My heart chose him long ago."
Aiden's breath stops.
"And now,"
I continue,
voice rising,
"my power will choose him too."
The Sovereign steps back.
"NO—
Ascendants do NOT give their power to love—"
"Mine does."
The golden flame lunges toward me,
trying to claim my chest—
I grab it.
Aiden screams my name.
But the flame doesn't burn me.
It bends.
It bows.
It enters my hand
like molten light surrendering.
The silver wolf-shadow leaps into my heart—
warmth flooding my veins.
My wings flare wide.
Light engulfs the bridge.
And I speak the words that end the trial:
"I choose him.
And the throne will serve us."
The barrier SHATTERS.
Aiden rushes forward,
catching me as my knees give out,
holding me like I'm the last breath he'll ever take.
"Liyana—Liyana—what did you do—?"
I lean into his chest,
feeling his heart pounding like a storm.
"I chose you," I whisper.
"And the universe just bowed."
The Sovereign falls to her knees,
eyes wide with disbelief.
And the chapter ends with:
Aiden holding Liyana as the Trial collapses—
the throne trembling
as if kneeling before its new master.