As Lyra and Alaric stepped through the portal, the world around them transformed entirely. A crimson glow suffused the sky, torn apart by cracks that radiated an eerie green light. The ground was dry and cracked, radiating heat, and in the distance, massive pillars of fire erupted as if the land itself was warning them of impending danger.
"Welcome to the Rift's Trial," came the cold voice of the figure who had led the soldiers earlier, though his presence was nowhere to be seen.
Lyra looked around, clutching the bracelet tightly in her hand. "What is this trial?"
The voice echoed without a source: "This is a place where those who claim to be restorers must prove their will and strength—not only against the darkness but against themselves."
Alaric glanced at Lyra, his sharp gaze steady yet reassuring. "Whatever this trial is, we'll face it together."
A piercing shriek shattered the tense silence, and monstrous creatures appeared before them. These entities seemed born of pure shadow, their twisted forms glimmering faintly with malevolence. Their glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws spoke of their lethal intent.
"These are the riftborn," the voice continued. "They are the embodiments of chaos and destruction. You must defeat them to proceed."
Lyra tightened her grip on the bracelet, feeling a surge of energy course through her veins. "Alright, we can't back down now."
Alaric was the first to move, charging at one of the riftborn with his claws glowing silver. He fought with the precision and ferocity of a seasoned warrior, dodging strikes and countering with devastating attacks.
Lyra stepped back, searching for an opening, but another riftborn locked its glowing eyes on her. For a moment, she froze under its gaze, but she tightened her grip on the bracelet and focused her will. A pulse of light shot out from the bracelet, forming a protective barrier around her.
"Lyra! Stay focused!" Alaric shouted as he knocked another riftborn away.
She took a deep breath, her hand glowing with an even brighter light. The glow not only shielded her but struck back at her enemies. A brilliant beam shot forward, hitting the charging riftborn and dissolving it in a piercing screech.
"Watch out!" Alaric yelled as another riftborn lunged at her from behind.
She spun around just in time, raising her hand to unleash another surge of energy from the bracelet. The blast struck the creature mid-air, disintegrating it before it could touch her.
As the last of the riftborn disintegrated, an unsettling silence fell over the land. Lyra and Alaric stood panting, sweat glistening on their foreheads, their bodies drained from the fight.
"Well done," the voice spoke again. "But this is only the beginning. The true trial is not the shadowy creatures but yourselves."
Before them, a massive mirror materialized, reflecting their images. But as they looked closer, the reflections were not quite the same. In the mirror, Lyra and Alaric appeared menacing, their eyes filled with resentment, their movements aggressive as though preparing to attack.
"Face yourselves," the voice commanded. "Only by overcoming the fear and darkness within can you truly restore what has been broken."
Lyra clenched her fists, her gaze fixed on the reflection in the mirror. "We can't fail. Not now."
Alaric nodded, stepping forward. "Then let's end this trial here and now."