Chapter 15: The Trial Peaks
The Trial Peaks loomed like colossal sentinels, their jagged spires cutting into the swirling darkness above. The air was thin and cold, every breath like shards of ice in the lungs. The ground was no longer smooth or reflective but a mixture of blackened rock and unstable gravel that crumbled underfoot. The faint glow at the peaks pulsed like a heartbeat, beckoning the group forward yet warning them of the challenges ahead.
"Are we ready for this?" Piper asked, her voice quivering as she adjusted her pack.
"No," Garrick grunted, his axe resting heavily on his shoulder. "But we've never been ready for anything this whole journey, and yet here we are."
"Comforting as always, Garrick," Lila muttered, scanning the shadowy terrain with her daggers drawn.
Alden stepped forward, his gaze steady. "This is it. No turning back now. Whatever we face at the top, we face it together."
Eryndra, standing at the edge of the group, nodded solemnly. "The Trial Peaks are the gateway to the Nexus. It is here that the shard will judge you, not only as individuals but as a team. Be prepared for anything."
Emryn tightened her grip on the artifact box. The shard inside pulsed faintly, as though it were alive and aware of what lay ahead.
---
The Climb Begins
The ascent was grueling. The jagged terrain forced the group into a single-file line, each step requiring care and precision. Loose stones tumbled down the mountainside, disappearing into the abyss below.
The oppressive silence of the Expanse seemed magnified here. Even the wind was absent, as if the very air were holding its breath.
After hours of climbing, they reached a narrow plateau where they paused to catch their breath.
"How much farther?" Piper asked, leaning heavily on her knees.
Eryndra pointed upward. "Not far now, but the trials will begin soon. The shard's power will manifest your deepest truths and challenge your unity."
"What does that mean?" Lila asked, her tone wary.
"It means you'll face more than just illusions," Eryndra replied. "The shard will test your trust, your resolve, and your willingness to sacrifice for one another."
The words hung heavy in the air as the group exchanged uneasy glances.
---
The First Trial: A Fractured Team
The plateau began to tremble, and cracks appeared in the ground. A low, guttural sound echoed through the air, followed by a voice—cold and mocking.
"Your bonds are weak," it hissed. "Your trust is fragile. Let us see how you fare when that trust is broken."
Before anyone could react, the ground beneath them split apart, separating each member of the group onto isolated platforms. The shadowy abyss below writhed like a living thing, and the platforms floated, slowly drifting farther apart.
"Stay calm!" Alden shouted, his voice barely carrying over the growing cacophony.
A shadowy figure emerged on each platform, identical to the person standing there. These doppelgängers grinned cruelly, their eyes glowing red.
"You think they trust you?" the shadow-Emryn sneered, circling the real Emryn. "They follow you because of the shard, not because of who you are. Without it, you're nothing."
Emryn clenched her fists, her heart pounding. "That's not true. They believe in me."
"Do they?" the doppelgänger asked, its voice dripping with disdain. "Or do they see you as a tool, just like the shard does?"
On another platform, Garrick faced his own shadowy duplicate, which sneered at him with a toothy grin.
"They think you're just muscle, a blunt instrument," it growled. "They don't respect you, Garrick. You're just here to soak up damage and swing an axe."
"I know what I bring to this team," Garrick snapped. "I don't need their respect to keep them alive."
"And yet, it eats at you, doesn't it?" the shadow pressed.
Each member of the group faced similar taunts, their doppelgängers attacking their insecurities with venomous precision.
---
Rebuilding Trust
The group fought back, not with weapons but with words and resolve. Emryn shouted across the chasm to her companions, her voice steady despite the chaos.
"Don't listen to them!" she called. "They're trying to divide us, to make us doubt ourselves and each other."
Alden nodded, his sword glowing faintly as he banished his doppelgänger with a determined swing. "We've come too far to fall for these tricks. Remember why we're here!"
One by one, the group overcame their shadows, their unity proving stronger than the Expanse's attempts to fracture them. The platforms began to drift back together, merging into a single solid ground beneath their feet.
Eryndra appeared at the edge of the plateau, her golden eyes glowing faintly. "You've passed the first trial. The shard has tested your trust and found it unbroken. But the hardest challenges lie ahead."
---
The Second Trial: The Burden of Choice
The group continued their climb, the shard's energy growing stronger with every step. The air became heavier, and an unnatural heat began to radiate from the mountain.
At last, they reached a second plateau, where a massive stone door stood embedded in the mountain's face. Runes etched into the door glowed faintly as the shard pulsed in Emryn's hands.
As they approached, the door began to shift, and a deep voice rumbled from within.
"To unlock the Nexus, you must make a choice. Only one may proceed beyond this point to face the shard's ultimate trial."
The group froze, the weight of the statement sinking in.
"That's impossible," Piper said, her voice shaking. "We've done everything together. We can't just—"
"The shard demands a single wielder," Eryndra interrupted, her tone grave. "Its power is not meant to be shared. The choice is yours."
Emryn stepped forward, her grip on the artifact box tightening. "It has to be me. The shard chose me from the beginning."
"Wait," Alden said, stepping beside her. "We don't know what this final trial entails. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
"I don't think it's about being ready," Emryn replied, meeting his gaze. "It's about being willing."
The others exchanged glances, the tension palpable. Finally, Garrick spoke, his voice low. "You've carried us this far, Emryn. If anyone deserves to take this step, it's you."
Piper and Lila nodded in agreement, though their expressions were heavy with worry.
Emryn turned to the door, her resolve firm. "I'll see this through. For all of us."
The door rumbled open, revealing a blinding light beyond.
---
The Final Step
As Emryn stepped through the door, the light engulfed her, and the world shifted. She found herself standing in a vast, empty void, the shard floating before her.
"Welcome, chosen one," a voice echoed, deep and resonant.
Emryn turned to see a figure made of light and shadow, its form constantly shifting.
"I am the essence of the shard," it said. "You have proven your worth, but one final trial remains. To wield my power, you must surrender a piece of yourself. Are you willing to make this sacrifice?"
"What kind of sacrifice?" Emryn asked, her voice steady.
"A part of your soul," the essence replied. "My power is not without cost. You will bear this burden for the rest of your life."
Emryn hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. But as she thought of her friends, her journey, and the people depending on her, her resolve hardened.
"I accept," she said firmly.
The shard flared with light, and the essence merged with her, its energy coursing through her veins. The pain was excruciating, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to falter.
When the light finally faded, Emryn stood alone, the shard now embedded in her chest, glowing faintly.