Dorothy sat on the log; her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The weight of her past, of everything that had led her to this point, settled heavily on her chest. She had never shared this part of herself with anyone—she had never even allowed herself to truly confront it. But today, sitting in the quiet of the forest, with Arden and Kael nearby, it felt like the right time. Tomorrow, she would take the next step in her journey—the Trial of Overcoming Oneself—and the fear of losing herself, of not knowing who she really was, pushed her to finally speak.
"I've never really told anyone this, but…" Dorothy's voice trailed off, and she hesitated, unsure of where to begin.
Kael and Arden looked at her, their expressions softening with silent encouragement.
"I don't know where I come from," Dorothy began, her eyes fixed on the ground as she spoke. "The only home I've ever known is the orphanage. I grew up there, alone. At first, I didn't even have anyone to talk to, no friends, no family. I was just... there. So, I spent most of my time reading books. It was the only escape I had."
She took a deep breath, remembering the weight of those years. "That's when I met Mark. He was the only person who understood what it was like. He was just like me—alone, quiet, but there was something in him, something that drew me in. He taught me so much. We'd spend hours in the library together, reading, learning."
A flicker of a smile touched her lips, but it quickly faded.
"Then one day, when I was nine, Mark disappeared. I was sitting by the fountain, feeling like I had no one again, and that's when I saw it—this strange bird. It was like something out of a dream. Golden feathers, a bright yellow beak. I followed it. I don't even know why I did, but the next thing I knew, I was lost in the woods." Dorothy's voice faltered, and she paused. The memories of that moment were still so vivid.
She continued after a beat, her gaze distant. "That's when I met the old man. He wasn't like anyone I'd ever seen before. He shared so many stories with me, things I didn't understand then. He told me I had potential, that my life was going to be more complicated than I realized. But three years later, he disappeared, and Mark and I searched for him... but we never found anything. Then, one night, he appeared to me in a dream. He told me not to look for him anymore. And he touched my eyes, saying, 'Take this—it's a gift I've prepared for you.'"
Dorothy touched her covered left eye, as though the sensation of that moment was still with her. "That's how I got these eyes." She looked up at Kael and Arden, her voice growing softer. "It was a gift from him, but I didn't understand what it meant. Mark and I, we tried to find answers. We spent years searching, but we never found anything, until we met a strange man. He told us a lot, and that's how I learned I had celestial eyes. That's when everything started to change."
Arden and Kael were silent, taking in Dorothy's story. Kael's eyes softened with understanding, while Arden simply watched, his face unreadable.
"There's so much more," Dorothy continued, her voice trembling now. "The visions. The dreams. The desert. I've been looking for answers ever since, but it wasn't until I met you two, at the shrine, that I began to understand even a little bit of what I am."
She let the words hang in the air for a moment before speaking again, her voice quieter this time. "I was afraid, you know? Afraid that if I faced the trial tomorrow, I'd lose myself. I didn't know if I was ready, and if I wasn't—if I couldn't overcome the fear of who I might be—I didn't want to be alone in that. But after everything, I knew I had to tell you. I didn't want to keep running from my past anymore."
Kael gave a quiet, understanding nod, her amber eyes locking onto Dorothy's. "You don't have to carry that alone, Dorothy. We're here to help you face what comes."
Dorothy's breath hitched slightly as she looked between Kael and Arden. She wasn't sure what she had expected from them—whether they'd pity her or judge her—but instead, they only looked at her with quiet acceptance.
"You're not alone," Arden said, his voice steady. "I've seen so many people destroy themselves, not knowing what power really is. When I met you, that kid at the shrine, I knew you were desperate. You didn't want to see other little kids destroy themselves over something they didn't understand." His gaze softened, the weight of his words lingering between them.
Dorothy nodded, surprised by his honesty. "But why are you helping me, Arden?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Arden took a deep breath, looking away for a moment before meeting her gaze again. "Because I've seen too many people think they could control their power. They were consumed by it, thinking it would make them stronger, but it only destroyed them. You remind me of the ones who didn't make it. I won't let that happen to you."
Dorothy swallowed, the weight of his words pressing against her chest. "Thank you," she whispered.
Kael, who had been silently listening, spoke up, her voice steady but laced with a quiet sadness. "I had a little sister just like you," she said, her eyes darkening. "She's not in this world anymore. You remind me of her. That's why I'm here, helping you. To make sure you don't make the same mistakes."
Dorothy's heart tightened at the pain in Kael's voice, but there was something comforting about knowing the reason Kael was by her side. She wasn't just a mentor—she was someone who understood.
"I don't want to fail," Dorothy said, her voice shaking, but full of determination. "I don't want to let either of you down."
Kael placed a hand on her shoulder, a rare softness in her touch. "You don't have to prove anything to us. You just need to trust yourself."
Arden stepped forward, looking at Dorothy with a steady gaze. "If you're ready, the trial will be waiting. But remember, it's not about being perfect. It's about learning how to face what you've been running from."
Dorothy nodded, the weight of their words settling over her. She didn't have all the answers, and she might not ever fully understand who she was or where her path would lead. But with Kael and Arden by her side, she finally felt like she had a chance to face whatever was coming.
"Tomorrow," Dorothy said, her voice steady now, "I'll face the trial. And I'll make it through."
Kael and Arden exchanged a glance, both nodding in quiet approval.
"You will," Kael said, her voice unwavering.
Arden said nothing, but his eyes held a flicker of hope—a hope Dorothy hadn't realized was there until now.
The night stretched on, and the fire crackled in the distance. They were ready for whatever came next, together.