Lia felt weightless as the Celestial River's light engulfed her. It wasn't like stepping into water or air but something entirely foreign, as though she had been drawn into the fabric of existence itself. The currents were not cold or warm but pulsed with energy, pulling her deeper.
The voice of the armored man echoed faintly in her mind: "The river reveals what lies within your heart."
Lia braced herself, but nothing could prepare her for what came next.
The light around her condensed, forming shapes and colors. It felt as though she were tumbling through memories, dreams, and fears all at once. Her surroundings solidified into a familiar scene—her childhood home. The quaint house stood on a hill, its windows glowing with a warm light that beckoned her.
She hesitated, her heart tightening.
"This isn't real," she whispered.
But the door creaked open, and a figure stepped out. It was her mother, her face radiant and kind, just as Lia remembered. The sight was enough to bring tears to her eyes.
"Lia," her mother said softly, her voice full of love. "You've come back."
Lia's knees buckled, and she fell to the ground. Her mother rushed forward, pulling her into a warm embrace. The scent of lavender—so achingly familiar—washed over her. For a moment, Lia allowed herself to sink into the comfort of it.
"I missed you," Lia whispered. "I thought I'd never see you again."
Her mother pulled back, cupping Lia's face with both hands. "You've been so strong, my little star. But you don't have to fight anymore. Stay here. Rest. Be happy."
Lia froze. The words were a balm to her weary soul, but something about them felt wrong. She pulled away, studying her mother's face.
"This… this isn't real," Lia said, her voice trembling. "You're gone. You've been gone for years."
Her mother's smile faltered, and her eyes darkened. "Does it matter? I'm here now. We can be together again. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"
Lia clenched her fists, her heart aching. "I do want that. But not like this. This isn't real."
The warmth around her began to fade, replaced by a chilling wind. Her mother's figure flickered, her once-kind eyes turning cold and unrecognizable.
"Foolish girl," the apparition hissed, its voice twisting into something cruel. "Do you think you can bear the burden of the Heart alone? Do you think your resolve is enough? You will break, just as all the others did."
The figure dissolved into shadows, and the world around Lia shattered like glass. She was falling again, tumbling through the river's current, until she landed in a dark, desolate expanse.
---
This time, the scene before her was one of destruction. She stood in the heart of a ruined city, its buildings crumbled and its skies blackened with smoke. The air was thick with ash, and the cries of unseen voices filled the air.
Lia's blood ran cold as she recognized the devastation. It was her hometown, but it was unrecognizable, reduced to ruin.
"No," she whispered, her voice shaking.
As she stepped forward, she saw figures emerging from the wreckage. They were the people she had known—friends, neighbors, strangers she had passed on the street. Their eyes were hollow, their faces twisted with anguish.
"You did this," one of them rasped, pointing a skeletal finger at her.
Lia stumbled back, shaking her head. "No, I didn't! I wouldn't—"
"You unleashed the Heart," another voice accused. "You brought the Council's wrath upon us. This is your doing."
The accusations piled on, each word cutting deeper than the last. Lia's chest tightened, and tears streamed down her face.
"I was trying to save everyone," she cried. "I didn't mean for this to happen!"
But the voices didn't stop. They grew louder, harsher, surrounding her in a cacophony of blame. Lia fell to her knees, clutching her head as the weight of their words threatened to crush her.
"Enough!"
The shout rang out, silencing the voices. Lia looked up to see a glowing figure standing before her—a reflection of herself, but different. This version of her was calm and resolute, her eyes burning with determination.
"Get up," the reflection said, extending a hand.
Lia hesitated. "Who are you?"
"I'm you," the figure said simply. "The part of you that refuses to give in. The part that knows the truth."
Lia's hands trembled as she took the figure's hand and stood. "I don't know if I can do this. What if I fail? What if I make things worse?"
Her reflection smiled faintly. "You're afraid, and that's okay. But fear doesn't define you. Your choices do. And you've already made the hardest one—to stand and fight. Now, keep going."
The figure dissolved into light, and the ruined city began to fade. The cries of the people quieted, replaced by a soothing hum. Lia felt the currents of the river around her again, guiding her forward.
---
When Lia opened her eyes, she was standing on the far shore of the Celestial River. Her legs felt weak, and her heart was heavy, but there was a newfound clarity in her mind.
The armored man stood waiting for her, his posture unreadable.
"You survived," he said, his tone almost impressed.
Lia nodded, still catching her breath. "What was that?"
"The river showed you what you needed to see," he said. "Your fears, your doubts, your truth. Not everyone survives the trial, but you did."
Lia straightened, her resolve hardening. "I have to find the Astral Grove. The Guardian is waiting for me."
The man inclined his head. "Then go. But remember, the trial was only the beginning. The real test lies ahead."
Without another word, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Lia alone once more.
Lia looked toward the horizon, where a faint, glowing forest could be seen in the distance. The Astral Grove.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, ready to face whatever awaited her.