Silence spread across the council chamber.
The air felt heavy.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Above them, the glowing symbols of the trial still flickered across the ceiling.
The ancient voice echoed again.
Cold.
Mechanical.
Termination… not authorized.
Vivian slowly tightened her grip on Sebastian's hand.
"But… the trial ended."
Sebastian looked up.
The power of the trial was still moving through the ceiling like restless lightning.
"That shouldn't happen," he said quietly.
Lord Cassian stepped forward.
His voice carried authority.
"System, confirm trial completion."
The answer came instantly.
Final Trial complete.
A quiet wave of relief moved through the elders.
One of them whispered,
"Then it will close."
But the voice continued.
Termination… denied.
The chamber froze.
Lord Cassian frowned deeply.
"Denied?"
Another elder stepped forward.
"That is impossible."
"The trial always ends once the final stage is complete."
