Lia's mind churned as Selene's words echoed in her thoughts. The Nexus wasn't just a power—it was alive, and it would reshape her in ways she could scarcely comprehend. The warning clung to her like a shadow, but determination blazed within her. If the Nexus had chosen her, she wouldn't cower from its call. She would seek the answers she needed, no matter the cost.
"How do I find these others?" Lia asked, her voice steadier than she expected.
Selene's expression grew grave, and her golden eyes seemed to pierce through Lia. "The Guardians of the Veil. They are scattered across the realms, hidden by the Council's efforts to erase their existence. But you must find them. Only they can teach you what you need to know before the Council strikes again."
The Guardians of the Veil. The name stirred something deep in Lia's memory, like an old melody she couldn't quite place. "Where do I begin?"
Selene's gaze turned toward the horizon, where the sky shimmered with colors that seemed to bleed from one realm to the next. "The first Guardian resides in the Astral Grove, a sanctuary that exists between realms. It is a place of refuge, hidden from both the Council and the Nexus's influence. But reaching it will not be easy."
Lia's heart sank. Nothing about this journey had been easy, and she didn't expect it to start now. "How do I get there?"
"You'll need to cross the Celestial River," Selene explained. "It flows through the Veil, connecting all realms. But be warned—the river is treacherous, and the Council often patrols its edges. They'll sense your presence if you're not careful."
Lia frowned, determination hardening her features. "Then I'll find a way to stay hidden. I don't have another choice."
Selene stepped closer, placing a hand on Lia's shoulder. "You're braver than most, but bravery alone will not protect you. Take this." She held out a small, intricately carved pendant. It glowed faintly, its light pulsating in rhythm with the Heart of the Nexus.
"What is it?" Lia asked, taking the pendant.
"A ward," Selene replied. "It will mask your connection to the Heart temporarily. The Council won't sense you while you wear it. But be cautious—it can only hold for so long."
Lia nodded, clasping the pendant tightly. "Thank you."
Selene's form began to shimmer, her outline blurring like a reflection on water. "Go, Lia. Find the Guardian of the Astral Grove. And remember, the Heart responds to you as much as you respond to it. Your choices matter more than you know."
Before Lia could respond, Selene's image faded, leaving her alone once more. The air around her was still, the remnants of Selene's presence lingering like a fading whisper.
She stared at the pendant in her hand, its faint glow a reminder of the path she had chosen. The Celestial River awaited, and beyond it, the Astral Grove. The thought of facing another challenge so soon after her battle with the Council was daunting, but Lia knew there was no turning back.
She adjusted her cloak and set out toward the shimmering horizon.
---
The journey to the Celestial River was both beautiful and haunting. The terrain seemed to shift with every step, the boundaries of the realms blurring together like a dream. Colors bled into one another, and the air was filled with a soft hum, as though the fabric of reality was alive.
But the beauty did little to ease Lia's growing unease. The further she walked, the heavier the air became. The Heart pulsed faintly within her, a constant reminder of the power she carried—and the danger it attracted.
After hours of walking, Lia finally reached the edge of the river. It wasn't what she had expected. Instead of a flowing body of water, the Celestial River was a stream of light, its currents swirling with every color imaginable. It moved like liquid, but its surface shimmered like a starry sky, reflecting countless worlds within its depths.
The sight took her breath away.
"This is it," she whispered.
As she stepped closer, the pendant around her neck grew warm, its light dimming slightly. She frowned, unsure if that was a good sign.
"You shouldn't be here."
The voice startled Lia, and she whirled around to see a figure emerging from the shadows. It was a man, cloaked in dark armor that shimmered faintly with the same light as the river. His face was obscured by a helmet, but his voice was low and commanding.
"Who are you?" Lia demanded, her hand instinctively reaching for the power within her.
The man stepped closer, his movements slow but deliberate. "That's not important. What matters is why you're here. The Celestial River is not a place for mortals—or fools."
Lia straightened, refusing to back down. "I'm neither. I'm here to find the Astral Grove."
The man's helmet tilted slightly, as though he were studying her. "The Grove? Few even know it exists. Why would someone like you seek it?"
Lia hesitated, debating whether to reveal the truth. The pendant still glowed faintly, masking her connection to the Heart, but she couldn't be sure if the man was friend or foe.
"I'm looking for someone," she said carefully. "Someone who can help me."
The man regarded her for a moment longer before stepping aside. "If you truly wish to reach the Grove, you'll need to cross the river. But know this: the river tests all who seek its passage. If your resolve falters, it will consume you."
Lia's breath caught. "What kind of test?"
The man didn't answer directly. "The river reveals what lies within your heart. Your fears, your desires, your truths. If you are not ready to face them, you will not survive."
Lia swallowed hard, her resolve wavering for the first time. But then she thought of Selene's words, of the responsibility she had accepted.
"I'm ready," she said, her voice firm.
The man stepped back, gesturing toward the river. "Then cross, and let the river decide your fate."
Lia took a deep breath and stepped toward the shimmering current. As her foot touched the surface, the light enveloped her, and the world around her dissolved into a cascade of memories, visions, and emotions.
The test had begun.