The ground was still warm beneath their feet, the remnants of the illusionary creatures vanishing into the air like smoke. The forest had quieted once more, but the oppressive silence remained, as though something greater still loomed on the horizon. Kain could feel the weight of it—the weight of the Luck's trials pressing in on them from all sides. The deeper they ventured into this forest, the more uncertain the path ahead seemed.
Sylva, her breath coming in slow, measured gasps, wiped the sweat from her brow. Her gaze was distant, almost lost in thought, as though the battle with the illusions had not only exhausted her body but her mind as well.
"That wasn't real," she muttered to herself, almost as if trying to convince herself. Her voice was strained, her words carrying the weight of doubt. "But it felt so real."
Torin, on the other hand, seemed shaken but determined. "The Luck doesn't give us anything easy, does it?" His hand still gripped his sword tightly, his knuckles white, but his posture was slightly more relaxed now that the immediate danger had passed.
Kain nodded, but the unease in his chest hadn't subsided. They had survived this trial, but what came next? How many more illusions would they face? How many more tests would they have to endure before they understood the true nature of the Luck?
"We've come this far," Kain said, breaking the silence. "We can't turn back now. Whatever comes next, we face it together."
Eryndor, who had remained eerily silent through the battle, now spoke, their voice calm and resolute. "The Luck's trials do not end with illusions. They are merely a reflection of what you fear most, what you struggle with. The next trial will be different. You will face not just your fears, but your desires as well."
Kain frowned, the words weighing heavily on him. Desire. Was it not enough that they were constantly fighting against something they didn't understand? Now they were to face something even more personal—something that could potentially tear them apart from the inside out.
Sylva glanced over at Eryndor. "What do you mean? What exactly are we about to face?"
The shadowy figure's eyes gleamed, their intensity unwavering. "The next trial will show you what you truly want—what you would sacrifice to attain it. It is not a question of strength or courage, but of your very nature. The Luck will ask you to choose."
"Choose?" Kain echoed, his brow furrowing. "What is there to choose? We're already on this path. We don't need to make any more decisions. We've come this far."
Eryndor turned slowly, their voice almost a whisper. "You may not realize it yet, but the Luck has already given you a choice—one you must face sooner than you think. When the moment comes, you must decide which path you will take."
Kain felt a cold shiver run down his spine. The air around them seemed to thicken, as though the trees themselves were listening, waiting for his next move. The forest seemed to come alive with the weight of Eryndor's words.
"We should move forward," Eryndor said, turning toward the deeper parts of the forest. "There is no time to waste. The next trial awaits, and the longer you delay, the more difficult it will be to make your choice."
Kain's thoughts were a whirlwind. He had never been one to shy away from making decisions, but this felt different. This wasn't about the Luck or the battles they had fought—it was about something far more personal. What did he truly want? What would he sacrifice to get it?
As they continued through the forest, Kain's mind raced with the possibilities. The trial was coming. He could feel it in his bones.
The deeper they ventured into the heart of the forest, the more the atmosphere seemed to change. The once towering trees now seemed smaller, the underbrush more sparse. The air became thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant sound of rushing water. Kain realized they were nearing something—something that felt both calming and unsettling.
Suddenly, the path opened up into a wide clearing, the trees giving way to a vast, calm river that stretched as far as the eye could see. The water shimmered in the soft light that filtered through the branches above, its surface eerily still, as though it had been frozen in time. On the far side of the river stood a large stone arch, its surface covered in intricate carvings that seemed to pulse with a faint, otherworldly glow.
Eryndor stopped at the edge of the water and turned to face the group. "This is where the next trial begins," they said, their voice almost reverent. "The river is a reflection of your desires. On the other side lies the answer to your choice."
Kain stepped forward, his eyes drawn to the stone arch. He could feel the pull of it, as though something was calling him from across the river. But there was a sense of unease as well—something about the stillness of the water, the unnatural silence of the clearing, made him hesitate.
"What's on the other side?" Sylva asked, her voice laced with suspicion. "Is it another test?"
Eryndor's gaze never wavered. "It is the final test. The river will show you what you want most—what you would sacrifice to achieve it. But be warned: crossing it is not a simple task. Once you step into the water, there is no turning back."
Kain turned to look at the others. Torin's face was tight with uncertainty, his eyes flickering between the river and the arch. Sylva's expression was unreadable, her lips pressed in a firm line.
"So, we're supposed to cross this river?" Torin asked, his voice low, almost incredulous. "What's the catch?"
Eryndor did not answer immediately. Instead, they stepped toward the river, dipping a finger into the water. A soft ripple spread out from where they touched it, and Kain felt a strange shift in the air. The water seemed to shimmer, as though it were alive, responding to the presence of the group.
"The catch is this," Eryndor said, their tone quiet but intense. "When you step into the river, you will be faced with a vision—your heart's deepest desire. You will see what you have longed for, what you would sacrifice to possess it. It is not an illusion, but a choice. What you choose on the other side will shape your future."
Kain felt a knot tighten in his stomach. This was it. The moment where the Luck would ask him to decide—to choose between what he wanted and what he was willing to sacrifice to get it.
"Are you ready?" Eryndor asked, their voice carrying across the stillness of the clearing.
Kain's heart beat in his chest, the question echoing in his mind. He wasn't sure if he was ready, but the Luck had never given him the luxury of preparation.
"Let's do it," Kain said, more to himself than anyone else. He took a step forward, his gaze never leaving the shimmering water. Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing for certain: this was a choice he had to make. There would be no turning back.
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End of Chapter Thirty-Three: The Tides of Fate.
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Volume 2 continues...