"You have already failed him, Princess."
The cold voice sent a jolt through Seraphina, her breath catching. The mirrors surrounding her were cracking, their jagged lines spreading like spiderwebs across the reflective surfaces. In every shard, she saw Caelan's chained form, his shadowy figure writhing as though in agony.
"No!" Seraphina cried, her voice trembling. "I won't fail him!"
The voice, low and mocking, seemed to come from all directions. "Your resolve means nothing if you cannot face what lies ahead. Do you think love alone will save him? Your heart is not yet ready to bear the weight of his curse."
The ground beneath her trembled, and Seraphina staggered, gripping her arms tightly to steady herself. "Who are you? Show yourself!"
A sudden burst of light erupted from one of the shattered mirrors, and a figure emerged—a woman cloaked in black, her face obscured by a veil of shadows. Her presence was suffocating, as if the very air had been drained from the room.
"I am the Keeper of Truth," the woman said, her voice echoing with an unnatural resonance. "It is I who test those who seek to break the curse of the Shadow Lord."
Seraphina's heart raced. "Why are you tormenting him? He's done nothing to deserve this!"
The Keeper's laugh was cold and hollow. "Naive child. The curse is not just his—it binds both light and darkness, life and death. He bears its weight because he must. If you wish to free him, you must prove yourself worthy. But be warned—your trials are far from over."
Seraphina's gaze darted back to the mirrors. Caelan's shadowy form flickered weakly, his chains glowing with an eerie blue light. Her chest tightened at the sight of his pain.
"Then tell me what I need to do!" she demanded, her voice firm despite the fear coursing through her veins. "I'll face whatever it takes."
The Keeper tilted her head, as if amused. "Bold words. But words will not save you, or him. You must destroy what binds you before you can free him."
"What does that mean?" Seraphina asked, frustration lacing her tone.
The Keeper raised a hand, and the room shifted. The mirrors dissolved, replaced by an endless expanse of white mist. Seraphina stood alone, the Keeper now a distant silhouette.
"This is your second trial," the Keeper's voice echoed. "You will face your deepest regret, your greatest pain. If you cannot overcome it, you will remain bound here, and the Shadow Lord's fate will be sealed."
Before Seraphina could respond, the mist thickened, swirling around her. It wrapped her in a suffocating embrace, and when it cleared, she was no longer in the hall.
She stood in a lush meadow, the air filled with the scent of wildflowers. The scene was achingly familiar. Her heart clenched as she recognized it—the meadow where she and her younger brother, Alric, had played as children.
"Seraphina!"
The voice, high and joyful, made her freeze. She turned slowly, tears welling in her eyes as she saw him. Alric, with his unruly blonde hair and mischievous grin, stood a few paces away, holding a wooden sword.
"Alric," she whispered, her voice breaking.
He laughed, waving her over. "Come on, Sera! You promised you'd teach me how to fight today."
Her legs felt like lead as she stepped toward him, her heart aching with every step. "Alric, I... I'm so sorry."
The memory came rushing back, sharp and painful. The day she had promised to train him, but had been called away by royal duties. The day Alric had ventured into the woods alone, seeking adventure—and never returned.
As she reached him, the scene shifted. The meadow darkened, the flowers withering into ash. Alric's grin faded, replaced by a look of betrayal.
"You left me," he said, his voice trembling. "You promised you'd always protect me, but you weren't there."
"No!" Seraphina cried, shaking her head. "I didn't mean to leave you. I—"
"You failed me," Alric said, his voice growing cold. His form began to change, his bright eyes dulling, his skin turning pale and lifeless. "And you'll fail him too."
The words struck her like a physical blow. She reached out to him, tears streaming down her face. "Alric, please! I didn't mean to—"
But he stepped back, his figure dissolving into the shadows. The darkness swirled around her, voices whispering accusations.
"You failed him. You'll fail again."
Seraphina fell to her knees, her hands clutching the ground. The guilt was crushing, threatening to consume her.
"No," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I won't fail again. I won't let my past define me."
She closed her eyes, forcing herself to breathe. Alric's voice echoed in her mind, but she focused on the warmth of her memories—the laughter they had shared, the love they had for each other.
"I couldn't save you," she said softly. "But I can save him."
The darkness recoiled, and a soft light began to fill the space. Seraphina opened her eyes to see the meadow returning, vibrant and full of life.
A gentle breeze brushed her face, and she felt a presence beside her. Turning, she saw Alric—not the shadowy figure, but the boy she remembered, smiling at her.
"It's okay, Sera," he said, his voice warm. "I forgive you."
Tears streamed down her face as she reached for him, but he faded into the light.
The Keeper's voice returned, low and distant. "You have faced your regret and emerged stronger. But your journey is not yet complete."
The meadow dissolved, and Seraphina found herself back in the grand hall. The mirrors were whole again, but this time, they reflected her—not as she was, but as she could be, radiating strength and determination.
Her gaze shifted to the largest mirror, where Caelan's form still flickered weakly. His voice echoed, faint and filled with pain. "Seraphina... don't leave me."
She stepped toward the mirror, her heart aching. "I won't," she whispered.
As her hand touched the glass, a sudden force pulled her forward. The world spun, and she was plunged into darkness once more.
Seraphina landed hard, her body aching. She pushed herself up, only to find herself in a cavern lit by an eerie blue light.
Chains hung from the walls, and in the center of the room stood Caelan, bound and barely conscious. His shadowy form flickered weakly, his head hanging low.
But they weren't alone. A towering figure cloaked in shadows loomed over him, its glowing red eyes locking onto Seraphina.
"Ah, the brave little princess," it said, its voice dripping with malice. "Come to save your cursed prince, have you? Let's see if you're willing to pay the price."