Alyssia stood before Gaia, the Stone Titan's towering form casting a long shadow across the meadow. The serene light of the clearing washed over her, but despite the tranquility around her, her heart remained conflicted. She had passed the trials, proven her worth to Valoria and Gaia, yet the weight of her secret—the truth about her past and future—still weighed heavily on her.
Gaia regarded her with eyes like molten stone, glowing softly with ancient wisdom. The Titan had once been Alyssia's enemy, a symbol of the power she had helped the Empire destroy. Now, standing before Gaia as a protector, she felt the conflicting forces within her—her desire to change the future and the haunting guilt of her past.
"You carry the scars of many battles," Gaia said, her voice deep and resonant, like the shifting of the earth. "And not all of them are visible."
Alyssia's breath hitched. She hadn't expected the Titan to speak so directly to her heart. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat.
"Why do you seek redemption, warrior?" Gaia asked, the stone beneath her feet rumbling faintly. "Is it for yourself? Or for the world?"
Alyssia lowered her gaze, struggling to find an answer. She wanted to say it was for the world, that her fight against the Empire was selfless. But deep down, she knew that part of it was for her—to undo the wrongs she had committed, to erase the person she had been.
"I don't know," she admitted quietly. "I want to protect Gaia... to prevent the Empire from destroying everything. But I'm afraid I'm only doing this to redeem myself."
Gaia's eyes seemed to pierce through her, reading every thought and feeling. "There is nothing wrong with seeking redemption," Gaia said. "But you must ask yourself if you seek it because you truly wish to restore balance, or because you cannot live with the guilt."
Alyssia clenched her fists, her mind racing. Gaia's words cut deep, forcing her to confront the turmoil within her. Could she truly claim to be a protector if her motivations were clouded by selfish desires? Or was redemption just an escape from the weight of her own mistakes?
Before she could find an answer, a rustling sound came from behind her. She turned to see Kira approaching the meadow. Kira's eyes lit up when she saw Alyssia, her expression one of relief and pride.
"You did it," Kira said with a grin. "I knew you would."
Alyssia offered a small smile in return, but it didn't reach her eyes. The trials may have been passed, but the real challenge lay ahead. She had proven herself to Valoria, but she hadn't faced her darkest secret yet—the truth of her future.
"Gaia has granted you passage," Queen Nymeria said as she stepped forward from the trees, her regal form tall and commanding. "Valoria will listen to your plea. But know this, Alyssia: the path you walk is not one that can be taken lightly. You are not just fighting for the present, but for the very future itself."
Alyssia's heart pounded at Nymeria's words. Did the queen know? Could she sense the disturbance in time that Alyssia's presence had caused? Nymeria had already hinted that she felt something unusual about Alyssia's aura, but Alyssia had managed to evade the question before.
Now, with the trials behind her, the queen's suspicion was growing stronger.
Kira approached Alyssia and clapped her on the shoulder. "Come on, let's get you some rest. You've earned it."
Alyssia nodded, grateful for the distraction, but as they turned to leave the meadow, she felt Gaia's gaze linger on her. There was no escaping the weight of the truth—not for long.
Later that night, Alyssia found herself standing on the balcony of the stone chamber Valoria had provided for her. The air was cool, and the stars shimmered like distant fireflies in the clear sky. The beauty of Valoria was undeniable, but Alyssia couldn't shake the tension building inside her.
She had to tell them. Sooner or later, the truth would come out. If Queen Nymeria and Gaia suspected that she was not from this time, what would happen if they learned the full extent of it? Would they turn on her? Would they banish her or see her as a threat to the balance?
As she stood there, lost in thought, Kira joined her on the balcony, leaning against the stone railing with a contented sigh. "This place is incredible," Kira said. "I've never felt anything like it. The power of the earth... it's like Valoria is alive."
Alyssia nodded absently. "It is alive," she replied. "Gaia's essence flows through everything here."
Kira tilted her head, studying Alyssia's profile. "Something's bothering you," she said, her voice softer now. "I can tell."
Alyssia hesitated, her fingers gripping the railing tightly. Kira had been by her side through so much—she deserved the truth. But how could she explain the enormity of it all? How could she tell her friend that she wasn't just a rebel fighter, but someone who had seen the future, who had caused so much destruction before she realized the error of her ways?
"Kira," Alyssia began slowly, "there's something I need to tell you."
Kira's brows furrowed, but she remained silent, waiting.
Alyssia took a deep breath. "I haven't been completely honest with you—about who I am, about where I come from."
"What do you mean?" Kira asked, her tone cautious.
Alyssia turned to face her, the words trembling on her lips. "I'm not just fighting the Empire for the rebellion. I'm fighting because... I've seen what happens if we don't. I come from a future where the Empire wins—where the Abyss consumes everything. And it's my fault."
Kira's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. She stepped back, her expression a mixture of shock and confusion. "What... what are you talking about?"
"I'm from the future, Kira," Alyssia said, her voice breaking. "I was part of the Empire. I helped them destroy Gaia, and in doing so, I unleashed the Abyss. That's why I'm here—because I need to stop it from happening again."
For a long moment, Kira said nothing. Her mind raced as she tried to process the revelation, but the silence was unbearable.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Kira finally asked, her voice shaking.
"Because I was afraid," Alyssia admitted. "Afraid of what it would mean, afraid of how it would change everything."
Kira's gaze hardened, her trust in Alyssia suddenly fragile. "And how do I know this isn't just another manipulation? Another lie?"
Alyssia's heart sank, the truth she had feared all along unraveling before her eyes. She had passed the Trials of Gaia, but this trial—the trial of trust—was far from over.