Chapter 4: The Citadel's Gauntlet
The sun crept over the horizon, painting the sky in a dazzling array of golds and pinks. Ethan's muscles screamed as he stretched, reminding him of yesterday's grueling hike. Kaelin was already up and at 'em, her silhouette sharp against the brightening sky. She exuded an aura of calm as she prepped for their final push.
"We'll hit the Citadel today," she said, her voice steady as a rock. "But don't let your guard down. This last stretch? It's got some nasty surprises."
Ethan tried to catch her eye, to gauge what she was thinking, but Kaelin was laser-focused on the path ahead. She led him through a narrow pass between towering cliffs. With each step, Ethan felt a weird buzz in the air. It grew stronger and stronger until the hairs on his neck stood at attention.
They rounded a bend and – BAM! – there it was. The Citadel. Holy cow! It was perched on top of a cliff so steep it made Ethan's stomach do backflips. The place was massive, with towers that seemed to touch the clouds and walls covered in symbols that shimmered like they were alive. The gates were something else entirely – huge and covered in patterns that pulsed with a strange energy.
Ethan's mouth went dry as sandpaper. "It's... unbelievable."
Kaelin's lips twitched into the ghost of a smile. "The Citadel's got more secrets than you can shake a stick at. But it doesn't roll out the welcome mat for just anyone. You've got to prove yourself in the Trials of Aether."
Ethan's stomach did a somersault. "The Trials?"
"Yep," Kaelin said,her tone serious as a heart attack. "The Citadel's picky about who it lets in. The Trials will push you to your limits – mind, body, and Aura. Only the cream of the crop make it through."
Anxiety gnawed at Ethan's insides, but he squared his shoulders and nodded. "Bring it on."
Kaelin pressed her hand against the gate, and the symbols lit up like a Christmas tree. With a rumble that Ethan felt in his bones, the gates swung open, revealing a corridor that disappeared into darkness.
"This is where we part ways," Kaelin said, stepping back. "Remember, Ethan – trust your gut. The Trials aren't just about what you can do; they're about who you are."
With one last glance at Kaelin, Ethan stepped into the unknown. The gates slammed shut behind him, leaving him in a dim passageway lit by an eerie glow.
The corridor opened into a circular room, empty except for a pedestal smack in the middle. On top sat a stone tablet covered in symbols that looked familiar, but Ethan couldn't make heads or tails of them.
A voice boomed through the room, ancient and calm. "Welcome, Ethan. Ready to kick off the Trials of Aether? Put your hand on the tablet."
Ethan approached the pedestal, his hand hovering over the stone. He took a deep breath, steeling himself, then slapped his palm down. Instantly, energy surged through him like a lightning bolt, and the room went haywire. The floor turned into a giant mirror, and shadows danced on the walls like they were alive. In the mirror, Ethan saw himself transformed – a warrior with a glowing sword and an aura that crackled with power.
The voice spoke again. "Trial number one: stare fear in the face."
Before Ethan could blink, the shadows in the room ganged up, forming a figure that stepped out of the darkness. It moved just like Ethan, its eyes glowing like embers. When it spoke, Ethan got the creeps – it was his own voice.
"You think you've got what it takes?" the shadow sneered. "You're just a kid who's in way over his head. You'll never be one of them."
A chill raced down Ethan's spine, but he stood his ground, locking eyes with the shadow. "Maybe I am scared. But no way am I backing down."
The shadow's grin was downright wicked. "We'll see about that."
It pounced like a cat, moving so fast Ethan barely dodged in time. He reached deep inside, trying to tap into that energy he'd felt before. Slowly, a faint light flickered around his hand, growing brighter as he focused harder.
The shadow hesitated, eyeing him with a mix of curiosity and hate. Ethan seized his chance – he lunged forward, thrusting his glowing hand at the shadow. Light exploded from his palm, piercing through the figure. It stumbled back, its form flickering like a bad TV signal before it vanished into thin air.
The room shifted back to normal, and Ethan let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. But before he could relax, the voice piped up again, cool as a cucumber.
"Nice job on trial one. Now brace yourself for round two."
A door materialized on the far side of the room, and Ethan marched towards it, determination etched on his face. With each step deeper into the Citadel's maze, he felt stronger. His fear was melting away, replaced by a newfound confidence that burned bright in his chest.
As he stepped through the doorway, Ethan knew in his bones – whatever came next, he was ready to face it head-on.