The air was thick with tension as Kain stood on the edge of the river, its still surface reflecting the light in strange, fractured patterns. The stone arch loomed on the opposite shore, its carvings glowing faintly, as if beckoning him forward. There was no turning back now. The Luck had led them to this point, and whatever lay ahead, Kain had no choice but to face it.
Sylva stood beside him, her expression unreadable, but Kain could see the uncertainty in her eyes. Torin, usually the one to crack a joke or offer some form of reassurance, remained silent, his hand on the hilt of his sword. Eryndor's presence behind them was both comforting and unnerving, their quiet intensity adding to the weight of the moment.
Kain took a deep breath, steadying himself. "This is it, then," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "The final trial."
"It is not the end, but a turning point," Eryndor replied, their voice calm but carrying a sense of finality. "The Luck will show you what you desire most, but it will also demand something in return. You must be prepared for the choice that lies ahead."
"What happens if we fail?" Torin asked, his tone tight with suppressed anxiety. "What if we can't make the right choice?"
Eryndor's gaze met Torin's, and for the briefest moment, their expression softened. "Failure is not something the Luck punishes, but it will shape the future in ways you cannot predict. It is not about choosing the 'right' path—it is about choosing truthfully. The Luck will not give you a false vision. It will give you a vision of what you desire, and from that, you must decide."
Kain's heart raced. The words hung heavy in the air, and the uncertainty gnawed at him. What if his desire wasn't enough? What if the choice he made here would haunt him forever?
He glanced at Sylva and Torin. They, too, were facing the river, each lost in their thoughts, each grappling with the same weight.
Kain's attention turned back to the river. There was no more time for hesitation. He stepped into the water, the coolness rushing up to meet him. The water was eerily calm as he waded deeper, the current so gentle that it felt as though it were inviting him in, guiding him forward.
The others followed, their movements tentative at first, but steady as they crossed the threshold into the river. The moment Kain's feet were fully submerged, the water around him rippled, and the world around him seemed to shimmer and shift. The sounds of the forest faded, replaced by a low hum, a vibration in the air that seemed to resonate with the very core of his being.
Then, it began.
The air around Kain distorted, and the world before him blurred. The water's surface transformed into a mirror, and as he looked into it, his reflection shifted. It was no longer his own face staring back at him, but a vision—an image of a life he had never lived, a future he could only dream of.
It was a vision of power.
Kain stood tall, a crown upon his head, his hands grasping a throne made of gold. The world around him was one of opulence and influence, and he was its ruler. The people adored him, his word the law, his will unquestioned. He could see the cities under his reign, the wealth he commanded, the legacies he would leave behind.
But it wasn't just power he saw. He saw something else in the reflection—a woman. She stood beside him, her eyes full of admiration and love. In this vision, she was more than just a companion—she was a symbol of the life he could have. A perfect life, a life of luxury, of control, of unquestionable success. His heart ached with the desire to reach out, to make that vision his own.
But then, as the reflection flickered, the image of the woman shifted. Her face twisted into something darker, something haunting. Her eyes, once full of love, now seemed cold, empty. The power that Kain had so long desired now felt like a prison, each decision leading him further from what he truly cared for. The weight of responsibility was crushing. The love he once felt was now poisoned by the very power he had craved.
Kain staggered back, his breath catching in his throat as the vision faded. The river around him seemed to ripple with an unnatural force, and he could feel the Luck's pull, its grasp on his very soul.
"What do you desire?" a voice echoed in the air. It was soft, but it reverberated in his chest, as though it were a question not just directed at him, but at the very core of his being.
Kain closed his eyes, trying to steady himself. He had to face the truth. The vision had shown him power, yes—but at what cost? The desire to rule, to be admired, had always been in the back of his mind, but was that really what he wanted? What was it worth, if it led to isolation and corruption?
He shook his head, the cold water lapping at his legs as he stepped forward. The river didn't answer him directly, but the air seemed to hum with a sense of anticipation, as though it were waiting for him to make his choice.
In that moment, Kain understood. Power could not be the answer. It wasn't the future he desired, not if it came at the cost of everything else. He wanted to protect those he cared for, not build a kingdom on their backs. He wanted to live for something greater than his own ambition.
But even as the clarity washed over him, another part of his mind whispered a question. Was it truly that simple? Was he willing to give up the chance at power, at greatness, for something uncertain, something fragile?
The vision faded completely, and Kain found himself standing in the river once more, the water rippling around him. The arch on the other side of the river loomed larger now, its glow pulsing with an intensity that matched the pounding of his heart.
Kain looked back at Sylva and Torin, each of them still lost in their own vision. He knew they, too, were grappling with their desires. The path ahead was unclear, but the Luck had made one thing clear: this trial wasn't about defeating an enemy or finding an answer. It was about choosing.
And the choice was his to make.
Kain took another step forward, the current pulling him toward the arch. He had no answers, no guarantees. But he knew that his future depended on the choice he made now.
He could feel it—the Luck was watching, waiting. And for the first time, Kain knew he was truly facing the heart of the trial.
---
End of Chapter Thirty-Four: Crossing the River.
---
Volume 2 continues...