The stone doors groaned open, releasing a gust of cold air that smelled of dust, iron, and something older—something sacred.
Kael stepped in first, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the darkness. Elara followed, the pendant still pulsing with light around her neck. Beyond the threshold was a long corridor carved directly into the mountain, lit by blue flames that danced in midair.
At the end of the hallway stood a chamber of pure moonstone. Etchings of wolves, stars, and celestial symbols stretched across the floor and ceiling. In the center, embedded in a pedestal of bone-white stone, stood the Moonblade.
It shimmered with an ethereal silver glow—alive, breathing, almost aware.
"Elara," Kael murmured, "this is your trial."
She stepped forward, the mark on her collarbone burning. The blade called to her—not just as a weapon, but as a part of her soul. She reached for it.
A voice echoed through the chamber. "Only the worthy may wield the Moonblade. Blood must awaken blood."
Suddenly, shadows erupted from the corners of the room—phantoms formed of smoke and snarls. They lunged at her with glowing red eyes.
Kael moved to defend her, but the shadows didn't touch him. They went straight for Elara.
She stumbled back, heart pounding. This is mine to face.
"Elara!" Kael shouted, but she held out her hand.
"I have to do this alone."
The shadows circled her, snarling. One lunged—she ducked, then rolled, barely missing a second. Instinct guided her. She focused on the pendant's warmth, on the mark burning on her skin. When she stood again, her eyes glowed silver.
"You're not real," she said. "You're fear. Doubt. My past."
The shadows hissed.
She stepped into the circle and walked through them.
One by one, they dissolved into mist.
As the last faded, the Moonblade pulsed. She reached out and gripped the hilt.
Pain surged through her arm like fire—but she didn't let go. The blade lifted free, light bursting from its edge. The mark on her skin ignited with power, and a symbol etched into the blade's metal glowed in response.
Kael stared at her, stunned.
"You did it," he whispered.
Elara turned to him, the Moonblade in her hand, and said, "Now we fight not just to survive—but to take back everything that was stolen from my bloodline."
Above them, the mountain trembled—something had awakened.