The final trial

Chapter 16: The Final Trial

The oppressive air of Everglen thickened as Kaelin, Anara, and Verrin approached the heart of the ruined city. The hum of the shards in Kaelin’s pouch grew louder, their energy pressing against him like a storm about to break.

The path led to a massive chamber, its walls lined with ancient carvings that depicted the rise and fall of Everglen. At the center of the room stood a towering obelisk, its surface cracked and glowing faintly. Surrounding it was a swirling vortex of shadows, the same dark energy that had pursued them throughout the ruins.

“This is it,” Verrin said, his voice heavy. “The heart of Everglen.”

Kaelin stepped forward, but Anara grabbed his arm. “Are we just going to walk into that? Because it looks like it’s ready to eat us alive.”

Verrin drew his sword, his gaze fixed on the obelisk. “The shards need to be returned to the heart. It’s the only way to stop the corruption. But the heart won’t give up its power without a fight.”

Kaelin swallowed hard, his grip tightening on the pouch. “What kind of fight?”

Verrin’s face was grim. “The heart will test you. It will try to break you. If you fail...” He didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.

Anara glanced between the two men. “Great. Another test. This day just keeps getting better.”

Kaelin took a deep breath, the weight of the shards and their mission pressing on him. “Let’s end this.”

He stepped into the circle of swirling shadows, the shards in his pouch glowing brighter with each step. The vortex surged, and suddenly, Kaelin was pulled into darkness.

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Kaelin found himself standing in an endless void, the shards floating before him. Their light formed into shapes—figures from his past, his fears, and his doubts.

The first figure was his father, his face etched with disappointment. “You ran, Kaelin. You abandoned us.”

Kaelin’s heart clenched, but he forced himself to speak. “I didn’t abandon you. You told me to run. I survived because of you.”

The figure faded, replaced by the boy Kaelin had seen during the shard’s earlier test. The boy stared at him, his expression blank. “Are you strong enough? Do you even know why you’re doing this?”

Kaelin hesitated, the question cutting deep. “I’m doing this because... because I believe in a better future. I believe in the people who can still be saved.”

The boy smiled faintly and vanished, leaving Kaelin alone with the shards. Their light grew blinding, and Kaelin felt their energy flood through him.

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When Kaelin opened his eyes, he was back in the chamber. The shadows had receded, and the obelisk’s glow was steady and strong. The shards floated above the obelisk, their energy merging with the heart of Everglen.

Anara and Verrin rushed to his side, their expressions a mix of relief and awe.

“You did it,” Anara said, a rare note of admiration in her voice.

Kaelin nodded, exhaustion washing over him. “The heart is stable. The corruption is gone.”

Verrin stepped forward, placing a hand on Kaelin’s shoulder. “You’ve done what none of us could. Everglen’s curse is lifted. But the shards’ power isn’t gone—it’s waiting for you to decide its fate.”

Kaelin looked at the glowing obelisk, the shards’ energy pulsing within it. The choice was his: to leave the power untouched, to use it to rebuild, or to destroy it forever.

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