The Crucible came to an end in a big way. It was like a church of chaos in space.
The area where they were fighting seemed to go on but it felt really tight. It was like the whole place was trying to crush them. The ground was. The air was hot but it was not the kind of heat that burns your skin. It was the kind of heat that burns your spirit. Every little thing they did had consequences. Every heartbeat, every breath every look at each other was important.
At the end of the area there was a big throne. It was black and gold. It looked really fancy but also really scary. The steps to the throne seemed to go on and the arms of the throne were wrapped in shadows that were whispering bad things. The top of the throne was pulsing with a lot of power.
Then Lucifer Morningstar showed up beside the throne. He was really calm. It was hard to read his face.
"You made it through the Crucible " he said, his voice echoing everywhere. "You combined your instincts your sense of right and wrong and your sense of self.. Now you have to answer the biggest question of all: who is going to be in charge and who is going to disappear?"
Kael, Lyra and Drake looked at each other. They were all really tired. They had become close friends during the Infernal Ascension. They knew that this was not a fight about who was the strongest. It was a fight about working doing the right thing and being true to themselves.
The Crucible was a tough place. It had all sorts of things in it like dragons that could manipulate time and space shadows that could make you question what was real and big monsters that could appear out of nowhere. The Crucible could also make copies of Kael, Lyra and Drake. These copies could try to trick them into giving up.
The area where they were fighting was really responsive to their thoughts. If they hesitated walls would appear out of nowhere. If they doubted themselves monsters would come out of the shadows. If they made a move the whole place could become a trap.
Kael was trying to use his power to stabilize the space around them. Lyra was using her Phoenix flames to try to keep everything under control. Drake was using his Devourer power to attack their enemies. He was also trying to be careful not to hurt his friends.
The Crucible was testing them in every way. It was testing their instincts their sense of right and wrong their perception of reality and their sense of self.
Then Lucifer stepped forward. "To take the throne you have to make a choice " he said. "You can sacrifice one of your friends to become the ruler. You can try to take the throne together and risk being destroyed."
A line appeared in front of them. One side of the line led to the throne but it was also really dangerous. The other side led to a lot of paths and it was not clear which one was the right way to go.
Kael clenched his fists. "We are going to survive " he said. "We always do."
Lyra nodded, her wings shaking. Her Phoenix flames burning bright. "We are in this together no matter what."
Drake growled, his Devourer power surging. "Our instincts will guide us. Our sense of right and wrong will keep us from hurting each other. We will survive together."
Lucifer tilted his head. "That is a move " he said. ". The Crucible might not like it."
The Crucible started to get really angry.
The dragons, the monsters and the shadows all attacked at the time. The copies of Kael, Lyra and Drake appeared, trying to trick them into giving up.
Kael, Lyra and Drake were ready. They worked together using their powers to defend themselves and each other. Kael was twisting the space around them Lyra was using her Phoenix flames to keep everything under control. Drake was using his Devourer power to attack their enemies.
The fight was really intense. They were working together perfectly. They were like a practiced team each one knowing what the others were going to do.
Finally the Crucible created a shadow that was the combination of all the bad things in it.
Lucifer whispered, "Now it is time to decide. Who is going to take the throne? Who is going to survive? Who is going to disappear?"
Kael heard a voice in his head telling him to sacrifice his friends. Lyras Phoenix Observer was screaming at her telling her about all the things that could happen. Drakes Devourer power was surging, telling him to do whatever it took to survive.
Kael stepped forward his black flames burning bright. "No " he said. "We are going to survive. We are not going to sacrifice each other to get power. We are stronger together."
Lyra ignited her Phoenix flames, her wings burning bright. "We are going to make our way " she said. "We are going to do what is right. We are going to be true to ourselves."
Drake roared, his Devourer power surging in harmony with Kael and Lyra. "We are going to use our instincts our sense of right and wrong and our sense of self to guide us. We are going to be united."
The Crucible was shocked. It had never seen anyone work together like that before. The huge shadow that it had created. The throne was left standing.
A bright light filled the area. The throne started to glow. Lucifer smiled, looking really pleased.
"You did it " he said. "You survived the Crucible. You kept your sense of right and wrong your sense of self and your instincts. You are worthy of the throne."
The throne changed, recognizing Kael, Lyra and Drake as the rulers. For the time the Crucible had acknowledged a group of people as equal rulers. Power flowed into them not because they had sacrificed each other. Because they had worked together.
The dragons, the monsters and the shadows all bowed down recognizing Kael, Lyra and Drake as their masters. The Crucible itself became calm resonating in harmony with the three friends.
Lucifer stepped back looking really interested. "You have done something that no one has ever done before " he said. "You have survived the Crucible together.. Remember power can test even the strongest bonds. Will you rule together or will you fall apart?"
Kael, Lyra and Drake looked at each other. They knew that they were going to be okay. They had been through much together and they had come out stronger on the other side.
Kael held out his hand. "We are going to do this " he said. "Always."
Lyra and Drake nodded, taking his hand. The throne accepted their unity and the crown hovered above them combining their power their sense of right and wrong and their sense of self.
For the time the Crucible was at peace. The Infernal Succession was over.
After it was all done the Crucible became a place of order. It was still a little bit wild. Kael understood how the space and time worked in the Infernal realm. He could navigate it safely. Lyras Phoenix Observer was balanced making sure that their choices were ones. Drakes Devourer power was, under control. He could use it to protect his friends without hurting them.
Lucifer sat back in his throne watching them silently. "Maybe this is the start of an era " he said. "The Crucible has found rulers who're worthy of it. They are united they are strong. They are just. This is going to be really interesting."
Kael, Lyra and Drake sat on the throne together ruling the Infernal realm with wisdom and strength. They knew that they would face challenges but they were ready. They were a team. They were unstoppable.