Volume 3 — Chapter 14: Trial of the Obsidian Heart
The cavern swallowed Lyriana and Aryn in suffocating darkness. Only the faint glow of the Moonstone and the pulse of the relic deeper inside illuminated their steps. The air vibrated with ancient power—raw, impatient, watching.
Elion stopped at the threshold. "This is where your path divides from ours. Only those bound by heart may enter the Trial of the Obsidian Heart."
Kaelen stepped back reluctantly. "Try not to die. I'd rather not fight this war alone."
Lyriana and Aryn exchanged a steady glance before stepping into the inner chamber.
The moment they crossed the rune-etched floor, the shadows came alive. The cavern dissolved, and they found themselves standing on a platform suspended above a chasm of swirling obsidian mist.
A disembodied voice echoed—ancient, commanding:
"To claim the final relic, you must reveal the truth of your bond. Shadows will pry at what light hides. Only those who embrace their hearts may proceed."
The mist rose, forming two shadowy figures—perfect reflections of Lyriana and Aryn, but twisted by fear and doubt.
The first shadow stepped forward, speaking in Lyriana's voice.
"Do you trust him enough to lose everything? Even your throne?"
Lyriana stiffened. Aryn reached for her hand, but the second shadow—his mirror—blocked him.
"And do you trust her to choose you over her destiny?"
The illusions struck swiftly, forcing Lyriana and Aryn apart. Each faced their mirrored fears, their deepest insecurities manifested with cruel clarity.
Lyriana fought the image of Aryn walking away, choosing safety over love.
Aryn battled visions of Lyriana ascending the throne alone, forced by duty to abandon him.
The shadows attacked with words sharper than blades:
"Your bond is your weakness."
"Love will cost you everything."
"You cannot protect each other forever."
But the Moonstone flared, reacting to the truth burning in their hearts.
Lyriana shouted, "Our love has carried us through every trial—nothing can divide us!"
Aryn answered, "Strength doesn't come from perfection—it comes from choosing each other despite fear!"
They broke through the illusions and reached one another. When their hands touched, the obsidian mist receded, and the mirrors shattered into dust.
The voice spoke again, softer now:
"You have faced the truth of your hearts. The path forward opens."
The cavern shifted once more, revealing a staircase of obsidian crystal leading deeper into the mountain—toward the final relic and the ultimate trial.
But just as they prepared to move forward, Elion's voice echoed faintly through the chamber, filled with dread:
"Lyriana! Aryn! The council has begun the final ritual—they're trying to seize the relic's power from afar!"
The ground trembled. The walls cracked.
The race against time had begun—and failure meant losing everything they had fought for, including each other.