The ground rumbled beneath their feet, and an arc of energy burst from the obelisk, connecting it to the altar. The symbols carved into the stone began to glow, emitting an ethereal blue light that pulsed in rhythm with the heartbeat of the forest.
"Something's coming," Lyra said, her voice tense.
No sooner had she spoken than shadows emerged from the mist, taking on grotesque forms. Their eyes burned with cold fire, and their bodies were made of shifting darkness, as if they were living nightmares.
"They're not real... but they can still kill us," Selene warned, raising her dual daggers.
Lucian drew his sword, the blade shimmering as it absorbed the surrounding light. "Defend the obelisks! We can't let them disrupt the connection."
The first shadow lunged toward them, its claws extended. Lucian met it head-on, his sword slicing through its form. The creature dissolved into smoke, but more followed, their numbers growing with each passing moment.
Lyra fought at his side, her movements swift and precise. Her blade cut through the shadows, but they reformed almost instantly, driven by an unseen force. "We can't keep this up forever!" she shouted.
"Just hold them off long enough for the obelisks to complete the activation!" Lucian replied, striking down another shadow.
Selene moved like a wraith, her daggers flashing as she took down two shadows at once. "Easier said than done, Lucian!"
The second obelisk lit up, sending another arc of energy toward the altar. The ground trembled again, and a low hum filled the air. The trial was progressing, but the enemy was relentless.
As they fought, Lucian felt something stir within him—a power he had not yet fully understood. The prophecy had hinted at a force beyond his comprehension, something tied to his bloodline and destiny. He had always resisted it, afraid of what it might mean. But now, with his people's lives at stake, he had no choice.
Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he reached deep within himself, seeking the spark of power that lay dormant. He felt it ignite, coursing through his veins like fire. When he opened his eyes, they glowed with an unnatural light, and his sword radiated raw energy.
The shadows recoiled, sensing the shift in power. Lucian moved with inhuman speed, his strikes precise and devastating. Each blow dispersed the shadows permanently, breaking their connection to the mist.
Lyra glanced at him, a mixture of awe and concern in her eyes. "What did you just do?"
"I don't know," Lucian admitted, his voice low but steady. "But it worked."
The third and fourth obelisks activated in quick succession, their energy stabilizing the altar. The shadows thinned, their strength waning as the trial neared completion.
Selene fought her way toward Lucian, breathing heavily. "Whatever you did, keep doing it. We're almost there!"
Lucian nodded, focusing his energy on protecting the remaining obelisks. The fifth and sixth obelisks lit up, their light piercing through the mist like a beacon. The final obelisk, however, remained dark.
"Why isn't it activating?" Lyra asked, frustration evident in her voice.
Lucian approached the seventh obelisk, placing his hand on its surface. He could feel resistance, as though the obelisk itself was testing him. Taking a deep breath, he allowed the power within him to flow freely, connecting with the ancient magic of the stone.
The obelisk pulsed once, then twice, before finally igniting. The arc of energy completed the circle, and the altar blazed with light. The ground stopped trembling, and the shadows vanished, leaving only silence in their wake.
Selene lowered her weapons, exhaling slowly. "Is it over?"
"For now," Lucian said, though he knew this was only the beginning. The trial had tested their strength, but it had also revealed something greater—something that could either save them or destroy them.
Lyra placed a hand on his arm, her gaze searching his. "Are you all right?"
Lucian gave her a faint smile. "I will be. Let's move before the mist decides to change its mind."
As they left the clearing, the path ahead opened into a vast expanse of ancient ruins, bathed in moonlight. They had passed the trial, but their journey was far from over. Beyond the ruins lay the heart of the prophecy—and the key to uniting the clans.