The trio stepped through the newly revealed doorway, emerging from the shadowy chamber that had almost broken their spirits. The air beyond was different—warmer, with the faint scent of rain lingering in the atmosphere. Nox's muscles ached from the recent battle, but her mind felt clearer, as though the weight of the illusions had finally lifted.
Elara sighed in relief. "At least it feels less oppressive in here."
They found themselves standing at the edge of an expansive circular arena. High stone walls encircled the space, but the sky above was no longer hidden by the gloom of the labyrinth. Instead, they were greeted by swirling clouds, grey and threatening, with the occasional flash of lightning streaking across the horizon.
In the centre of the arena stood a figure—a tall man dressed in intricate, ceremonial armour, his face hidden behind a dark visor. His posture was relaxed, but the aura emanating from him was suffocating. At his side rested a massive sword, half-buried in the stone ground, its blade pulsing with an ominous energy.
Luna narrowed her eyes, instinctively gripping her weapon. "Another test?"
Nox's gut twisted. There was something different about this opponent. Unlike the illusions they had fought, this figure was real—alive—and exuding an overwhelming sense of power. Her Aether Vision flared as she tried to gauge his strength, but the energy surrounding him was unlike anything she had encountered before.
"He's waiting for us," Elara said softly. "He doesn't seem like an illusion."
Nox nodded. "Be careful. We don't know what he's capable of."
The figure slowly lifted his head, as though acknowledging their presence for the first time. His voice, deep and resonant, echoed through the arena. "You have passed the trials of the labyrinth, but your journey is not yet complete. The truth you seek comes at a price."
Nox stepped forward, her eyes locking with the man's hidden gaze. "We're not afraid of the truth."
The man tilted his head, the faintest hint of amusement in his tone. "The truth is never free. To learn what lies beyond the veil, you must first prove yourselves worthy. One of you must face me in single combat."
Elara immediately stepped forward, her expression set in determination. "I'll do it."
But Nox quickly held out a hand, stopping her. "No. I'll go. This is my fight." The weight of her decisions, her journey, felt personal. She had led them this far; it was only right that she be the one to face this final trial.
Elara hesitated, then nodded, stepping back. "Just be careful."
Luna shot Nox a glance. "If anything goes wrong, we're jumping in."
Nox offered them both a tight smile. "I know. But I'll be fine."
She stepped into the arena, feeling the cold stone beneath her boots as she approached the armoured figure. The man reached for his sword, pulling it free with ease, the blade humming with a deadly energy. The weight of his presence was overwhelming, but Nox forced herself to remain calm. She had come too far to back down now.
"Are you ready to learn the price of the truth you seek?" the man asked, his voice like distant thunder.
Nox unsheathed her weapon, her eyes blazing with determination. "I'm ready."
The man didn't respond. Instead, he moved with a speed that defied his size, closing the distance between them in a single, fluid motion. His sword came crashing down with terrifying force, and Nox barely had time to raise her own blade in defense. The impact sent a shockwave through her arms, nearly buckling her knees.
He was fast—far faster than she had anticipated.
Nox gritted her teeth, pushing back against the force of his strike. She twisted her body, redirecting his sword to the side and narrowly avoiding a second blow. Her mind raced, searching for an opening, but the man's movements were precise and calculated. He gave no quarter, his strikes relentless.
As they clashed, the sound of metal echoed through the arena, each impact reverberating through Nox's body. She could feel the weight of the man's power pressing down on her, the sheer strength behind each strike overwhelming. But she refused to give in.
There has to be a weakness, she thought, her eyes narrowing as she parried another blow.
The man's strikes were perfect, but they were also methodical, almost mechanical. His attacks followed a rhythm, a pattern that Nox began to notice. She dodged another swing, her body moving on instinct as she studied his movements. If she could disrupt that rhythm, she might have a chance.
The next time the man swung his sword, Nox didn't try to block. Instead, she dodged to the side, letting his blade crash into the ground. The moment his sword was buried in the stone, she struck. Her blade sliced through the air, aiming for the gap in his armour.
But he was faster.
The man twisted, his hand shooting out to catch Nox's wrist before her blade could make contact. With a single, powerful motion, he flung her to the ground, her body skidding across the arena floor. Pain shot through her back, but she forced herself to her feet, breathing heavily.
"You fight well," the man said, his tone unchanged. "But skill alone will not be enough to defeat me. Do you truly seek the truth? Are you willing to pay the price?"
Nox wiped the blood from her lip, her eyes blazing with determination. "I'll pay whatever it takes."
The man raised his sword again, his stance unwavering. "Then show me your resolve."
Nox took a deep breath, centring herself. She could feel the power of the Chronicle Diary System thrumming inside her, the energy of the Veil calling to her. This wasn't just a physical battle. It was a test of her will, her resolve, her desire to uncover the truth.
She closed her eyes, letting the energy flow through her, feeling the weight of her decisions, her journey, her past and present converging into this moment. When she opened her eyes again, they glowed with a faint, ethereal light—her Aether Vision now fully activated.
The world around her shifted, and for a brief moment, she could see the threads of time and space weaving through the arena. The man's movements became clearer, his strikes more predictable. She could see the fractures in his rhythm, the brief moments of hesitation in his attacks.
With renewed focus, Nox surged forward, her body moving with a speed and grace she hadn't known she possessed. She ducked beneath the man's swing, her blade cutting through the air with precision. This time, when she struck, she found her mark—her sword slicing through the gap in his armour, drawing blood.
The man grunted in pain, staggering back for the first time. Nox pressed the advantage, her strikes coming faster now, each one aimed with deadly precision. The balance of the fight had shifted.
The man fought back, his sword still a blur of motion, but Nox could feel his strength waning. His attacks became slower, more desperate, and with a final, powerful strike, Nox knocked his sword from his hand, sending it clattering across the stone floor.
She stood over him, her blade at his throat, her chest heaving with exertion. "It's over."
The man gazed up at her, his visor reflecting her determined expression. Slowly, he nodded. "You have proven yourself."
He stepped back, lowering his head as a sign of respect. "The truth you seek lies beyond this arena. But know this—every truth comes with a cost. You have paid in strength and resolve, but there is more to come. Be prepared for the price you must pay."
Nox sheathed her weapon, her heart still racing. "I'm ready."
The man gave her one final look before turning and disappearing into the shadows, leaving Nox, Luna, and Elara standing in the now-quiet arena. The storm above them rumbled softly, but the oppressive weight had lifted.
Elara approached, a small smile on her lips. "I knew you'd win."
Luna gave a curt nod, her eyes filled with approval. "You handled that well."
Nox let out a breath, exhaustion beginning to creep in. "Let's keep moving. The truth is close—I can feel it."
Together, they turned toward the exit, ready to face whatever awaited them beyond the labyrinth.