The queen's words caused a wave of whispers to spread through the court. A trial? Kai's heart sank. He was still trying to accept that he was in another world and was supposed to be a hero. Now, he had to face some kind of test? The nobles' doubtful eyes made it worse.
"What trial?" Kai asked, his voice shaking a little. He looked at Lirae and Eldrin, hoping they could help, but they stayed quiet.
The queen stood up from her throne. Her sharp gaze stayed on Kai. "The Trial of Embers. It is a sacred test to prove if you are truly Ardyn's reincarnation. Only by passing it can you prove you are the chosen one."
Kai's throat felt dry. "And… what happens if I fail?"
The queen's eyes narrowed. "Then you are not the hero we need."
Before Kai could argue, a steward stepped forward and led him out of the court. The others weren't allowed to come with him. Now he was alone, standing in a large, round chamber. The room felt old, with its stone walls carved with pictures of warriors and monsters. Flickering torches lit the space, and in the center was a pedestal holding a glowing red stone.
"Retrieve the emberstone," the steward said. "Prove your courage and strength."
Before Kai could ask how, the room began to shake. The walls rumbled and shifted, and from the shadows stepped a massive creature—a golem made of glowing lava and rock. Its fiery eyes locked onto Kai, and it let out a deafening roar.
Kai wanted to run, but he forced himself to stay. His legs shook, but he whispered to himself, "Focus." He remembered Lirae's advice: Don't panic. Trust yourself.
He raised his hand, trying to call on the strange power inside him. Light flickered in his palm, but it was weak and unsteady.
The golem roared and charged, its fiery fists smashing into the ground right where Kai had been. He rolled to the side, barely escaping. "Come on, work!" he muttered, focusing harder. This time, the light in his hands grew stronger, forming a glowing shield just in time to block the golem's next attack.
Kai's heart pounded. He had stopped the attack, but the golem wasn't done. It was bigger, stronger, and faster. How could he win?
Then he saw the emberstone on the pedestal. An idea flashed in his mind. Maybe the stone wasn't just part of the trial—maybe it was the answer.
Kai ran toward the pedestal, dodging the golem's fiery strikes. The monster swung at him, but he slid under its arm, just barely avoiding its attack. Reaching the emberstone, he grabbed it with both hands.
The moment he touched the glowing stone, a wave of energy rushed through him. His own light grew brighter, stronger than ever. Turning to face the golem, Kai raised his hands and released the energy in a brilliant beam of light.
The blast struck the golem's core. Its molten body cracked and crumbled. With one final roar, the creature fell apart into a pile of smoldering rocks.
Kai stood there, breathing hard, his hands trembling. The room became quiet again, and the steward stepped forward, his face full of awe.
"You have passed the trial," he said, bowing slightly. "The queen will be told of your success."
As Kai left the chamber, his heart felt lighter. He had done it. For the first time, he felt like he might actually be able to do this.