Lightning flashed across the sky as the winds howled, battering Amara and the gods with a fury that seemed alive. Varun stood above them, his massive frame backlit by the roiling storm clouds. His molten silver eyes glared down at Solon, Nerys, and the mortal who dared stand before him.
"You want my aid," Varun growled, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "Then face my trial and prove your worth. If you falter, you will not leave this spire alive."
Amara exchanged a glance with Solon, who looked weary but resolute, and Nerys, whose expression remained unreadable. She tightened her grip on her satchel. "What's the trial?"
Varun's smirk was colder than the mountain winds. "Survive the Tempest."
The ground beneath them began to tremble as Varun raised his arms to the sky. Thunder boomed, and a column of wind descended from the heavens, engulfing the trio in a swirling vortex. Amara shielded her face from the stinging rain, her heart racing as the world around her dissolved into chaos.
Within the storm, shadows moved—figures of lightning and wind, each one shifting and unpredictable. They circled Amara, Solon, and Nerys, their forms crackling with energy.
"These are the Storm Shades," Varun's voice echoed from everywhere at once. "They will test your strength, your resolve, and your unity. Only by working together can you hope to defeat them."
Amara barely had time to process his words before the Shades attacked. One lunged at her, its body a blur of lightning. She dove to the ground, narrowly avoiding the strike, and rolled to her feet, her heart pounding.
"Solon, Nerys!" Amara shouted, dodging another Shade. "We need a plan!"
Solon struggled to summon his light, his weakened form barely able to hold the Shades at bay. "I can blind them, but I can't sustain it for long!"
Nerys, her power undiminished, swept her hand in an arc, sending a wave of water crashing into one of the Shades. It hissed and recoiled but did not dissipate. "They're too fast to overpower individually," she called. "We need to trap them!"
Amara's mind raced. "Trap them… How?"
She glanced at her surroundings, noting the jagged rocks and the way the wind swirled unpredictably. Then it hit her. "The vortex! We can use it to force them together!"
Amara shouted her plan to the gods, who hesitated for only a moment before nodding. Solon raised his arms, summoning a feeble glow that drew the Shades' attention. They hissed and converged on him, their forms crackling with raw energy.
"Over here!" Nerys commanded, conjuring a massive wave that surged toward the vortex, carrying the Shades with it. Amara scrambled to higher ground, positioning herself at the edge of the swirling winds.
As the Shades were pulled into the center of the vortex, Amara reached into her satchel and pulled out the shard of mirrored glass. She held it up, angling it to catch Solon's fading light.
"Now, Solon!" she screamed.
Summoning the last of his strength, Solon unleashed a brilliant flash of light. The beam reflected off the glass, refracting into the vortex and striking the Shades. They writhed and screeched as the light pierced their forms, and one by one, they disintegrated into sparks that vanished into the storm.
The winds began to calm, and the rain slowed to a drizzle. Amara collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath as the vortex dissipated.
Varun descended from the cliffs, his silver eyes fixed on Amara. The mortal girl, soaked and trembling, raised her head to meet his gaze.
"You survived," Varun said, his tone unreadable.
"We did more than survive," Amara retorted, her voice hoarse. "We worked together. Just like we'll have to do to stop Nyxaris."
Varun studied her for a long moment before turning to Solon and Nerys. "You've chosen your allies well, Sun God. Even in your weakened state, you fight with honor. And you, Tidekeeper, wield your power with precision and grace."
Finally, he looked back at Amara. "And you, mortal, possess a courage I did not expect. Perhaps there is hope after all."
"So… you'll help us?" Amara asked, her voice wavering.
Varun's lips curved into a faint smile. "Yes. But know this—our alliance is fragile. Betray me, and I will not hesitate to destroy you."
Amara nodded. "Fair enough."
With Varun's power now added to their cause, the trio-turned-quartet began their descent from the mountains. Amara's exhaustion was tempered by a growing sense of purpose. The stakes were higher than ever, but for the first time, they had momentum.
As they reached the base of the mountain, Solon turned to Varun. "The shadow grows stronger by the day. We must act quickly. Do you know where we might find another ally?"
Varun nodded. "There is one. The Earthwarden, Tharos. He slumbers deep within the Forgotten Vale. But I warn you, waking him will not be easy."
Nerys frowned. "Tharos has not stirred in centuries. Even if we reach him, there's no guarantee he'll fight."
"We'll make him fight," Amara said firmly. "One way or another."
The group pressed onward, the storm clouds fading behind them. But as they moved closer to the Forgotten Vale, a familiar chill crept into the air, and Amara couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
The shadows were not far behind.