The river was still, its surface a mirror reflecting not just the physical world, but the inner world of Kain's heart. The vision had faded, but the aftertaste of it lingered, heavy in his chest. The desire for power, for control—was it truly what he wanted? The question twisted in his mind, gnawing at him. He had stepped into the river expecting to be tested, but this was not a test of strength or strategy. It was a test of his very soul.
Kain stood motionless, the river lapping gently at his legs, as the weight of the choice pressed in on him. His gaze shifted to the other side of the water, to the stone arch that awaited them. It gleamed in the soft light filtering through the trees, its carvings more intricate now, more alive with an energy Kain could feel deep in his bones. The arch was not just a physical barrier; it was a representation of the choice that lay before him. The Luck had brought them to this moment, and now it was time to decide what he truly desired.
Behind him, Kain could hear the soft splashes of movement as Torin and Sylva crossed the river, each of them having faced their own visions. Kain turned his head slightly, just enough to see them both. Torin's face was pale, his eyes distant, as though he had just stepped out of a nightmare. Sylva, ever composed, seemed deep in thought, her expression unreadable.
Eryndor, who had remained at the edge of the river, now spoke, their voice as steady as ever. "The river shows you what you desire, but it also forces you to confront the price of that desire. Now that you have seen it, the question remains: will you cross to the other side, and what will you leave behind?"
Kain's heart thundered in his chest. The other side. The final choice.
"What if we're not ready?" Sylva's voice, usually calm and confident, was tinged with uncertainty. "What if we make the wrong choice?"
Eryndor's eyes softened, their expression almost sympathetic. "There is no right or wrong, only what is true for you. The Luck shows you the consequences of your desires, but only you can decide if those consequences are worth bearing."
The words settled over Kain like a thick fog. There was no wrong choice? Was that even possible? How could he be sure that what he desired was true, if the vision he had seen was so riddled with doubt?
"You've all seen your own reflections," Eryndor continued. "Now it is time to decide if those reflections match the path you wish to walk. The Luck will not guide you further. You must make your choice and accept what comes next."
Kain's hand trembled slightly, and he flexed his fingers, feeling the cool water swirl around them. The vision he had seen—of power, of control, of a future forged through his own strength—was tempting, but it came at a cost he wasn't willing to pay. He had seen the empty throne, the cold eyes of the woman who stood by his side. He had seen the weight of leadership, the isolation it brought, the price that even love had to pay in the pursuit of power.
He had no desire to be alone in the world, ruling over it all, yet disconnected from the very people he cared about. His vision of the future was no longer a bright, shining path. It was a shadow, one that threatened to swallow him whole if he allowed it to take root.
A voice stirred in the back of his mind. Is this truly the only way?
Kain closed his eyes, steadying himself. He had come this far. The choice was his to make, and it was not one to be taken lightly. There were no guarantees in this journey—only the courage to move forward, to choose a path despite the unknowns.
"Can I ask you something?" Kain's voice cut through the stillness, his words directed at Eryndor.
Eryndor gave a slight nod. "You may ask, but be warned, the answer may not be what you expect."
Kain hesitated, his thoughts racing, before he spoke again. "What happens if we reject the choice? If we decide that what the river shows us isn't what we want after all?"
Eryndor's gaze was unblinking, their expression unreadable. "The river is not the end. If you reject what it offers, you will not return to the beginning. But you may be shown another path, one that will test your resolve even further. The Luck does not give up on those who seek its answers. But the choices you make here will shape what lies ahead."
Kain nodded, processing the meaning behind Eryndor's words. If he rejected the path the river had shown him, there would be consequences—but there would also be new opportunities. The Luck would not abandon him, but it would continue to test him, pushing him further down a path he could not yet see.
He stepped forward, his eyes never leaving the arch. The moment he had stepped into the river, he had been forced to face the reflection of his desires. Now, it was time to face the reality of those desires. He couldn't be the man the vision had shown him. Not if it meant sacrificing everything else that mattered.
He glanced back at Sylva and Torin, their faces still lost in their own contemplations. He had made his choice, but he knew that they, too, had their own decisions to make. They were in this together, but their paths were their own to decide.
Kain turned his gaze to Eryndor, who was waiting patiently at the river's edge, the enigmatic figure of the Luck's guide. "I know what I must do," Kain said, his voice steady. "I choose to move forward, but not for power. Not for control. I choose to walk a path where I can protect what matters most to me—my friends, my honor, and my freedom."
Eryndor nodded, a faint smile playing at the corner of their mouth. "Then, you are ready."
Kain took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. The arch before him seemed to grow brighter, the light surrounding it pulsing with a strange energy. There was no turning back now. Whatever lay on the other side of this river, whatever the Luck had planned for him, he would face it.
He stepped forward, his foot touching the water once more. This time, the river parted, allowing him passage as the current seemed to calm. He crossed the threshold, and the air around him shifted. It was as though the very fabric of the world had changed.
As Kain emerged on the other side, he found himself standing beneath the stone arch. The world felt different here, as if the river had washed away the doubts and fears he had carried with him. He was not the man he had been when he stepped into the water. The future was still uncertain, but Kain felt more certain of his purpose than ever before.
He looked around at the others, each of them slowly making their way through the river to join him. The path ahead was theirs to choose, but Kain knew one thing for sure: whatever came next, they would face it together.
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End of Chapter Thirty-Five: The Choice Unveiled.
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Volume 2 continues...