The air flickered with pure energy as Elara and her dark version collided with a huge bang. Their swords crossed, sparks sparked through the air.
"You're fighting yourself, Elara," the dark version hissed. "But what if you know I'm the stronger half?"
Elara gritted her teeth and pressed her sword harder against that of the dark figure. "I will not be controlled by the darkness!"
"Control?" Her dark version laughed coldly. "You think you're in control? You deny your true nature! You're powerful, Elara. And you know that power always demands sacrifices."
With a lightning-fast movement, the dark version pulled her sword to the side, forcing Elara to retreat, and taking advantage of the moment to launch an attack.
Black blades of pure shadow energy shot out of the ground, racing at Elara.
She jumped to the side, swirled around and countered with an explosion of golden light. The darkness hissed when it met the energy, but it was not completely extinguished.
"Why are you fighting back?" the dark version asked as she slowly walked towards Elara. "Look at you. Every fight, every pain, every decision you made – they brought you here. Why do you deny it?"
Elara breathed heavily. Her hands were shaking.
The words of her dark version gnawed at her. Deep down she knew... there was a truth in it.
How many times had she wondered if her power really made her a heroine? Or if it was just a ticking time bomb that would eventually destroy everything?
But then she remembered.
To the people she had protected. To Kael. To all the battles she had waged – not for power, but for hope.
Elara raised her sword. Her gaze was determined.
"I'm not perfect," she said. "I made mistakes. I doubted."
She stepped one step closer.
"But I will never give up hope."
Her dark version hesitated. For the first time, Elara saw a trace of uncertainty in the red eyes.
"I accept you," Elara said softly. "You're a part of me. But you won't define me."
Suddenly the dark version began to tremble. Her figure became unstable, as if she was collapsing into herself.
"No... that can't be...!"
Elara let her light shine, gently but strongly
"You're not my enemy," she said. "You are a part of my story. But you will not rule over me."
A loud bang shook the world around them. The darkness broke apart, became particles of light that rose into the sky.
Then... everything was quiet.
Elara opened her eyes and found herself again in the Hall of the Elders.
Kael knelt next to her, worry in his eyes
"Elara? Are you okay?"
She sat up, took a deep breath.
Then she nodded. "Yes. I did it."
The elders looked at them in silence. Then one of them said:
"The exam is passed."
With a wave of the hand, the ground opened in front of them – a secret chamber became visible.
"Then it's time for you to find out why you're really here."
Elara and Kael cautiously stepped to the edge of the open chamber. A glowing fog rose from the depths, as if the citadel itself was breathing. Ancient stairs led down into the darkness, where a golden light flickered.
"The time has come," said one of the elders in a serious voice. "The truth you seek is hidden in the depths of this place. But be warned - not everyone who seeks the truth survives it."
Kael looked at Elara. "Are you ready?"
She nodded. "There is no turning back."
Together they stepped into the first step - and immediately the air changed. Reality was distorted as if they were striding through an invisible barrier.
Suddenly they were no longer in the citadel.
They stood in another world.
An empire out of time
A huge sky stretched over them, with endless stars shining like floating islands. Among them was no ground, only an infinite void, from which golden structures slowly formed - gigantic halls, old ruins, branched streets of light.
"What is this...?" Kael whispered.
Elara knew it. Somehow she knew it.
"The Kingdom of the Gods."
Suddenly a voice sounded. Deep, powerful, like the sound of the universe itself.
"You have come a long way... but are you ready to hear the truth?"
Before them appeared a floating figure of pure light. Neither male nor female, a being that existed beyond mortality.
"Elara. Kael You're not here because you wanted to. You're here because you have to."
Elara felt her heart beat faster.
"What do you mean by that?"
The divine being stretched out a hand – and visions appeared before them.
Burning worlds. A war that was bigger than anything they could imagine. Gods who fought. An ancient power that awakened.
"Your world is on the verge of destruction."
Elate held his breath.
"From whom?"
The vision changed – and now she saw herself.
But not as she was.
But as a queen. As a goddess. As a... destroyer.
"The prophecy speaks of a warrior who can walk between light and darkness. One that will either save the world... or destroy it."
Kael grabbed Elara by the arm. "No. That... that can't be."
But Elara knew it. Deep down she had always felt it.
She wasn't just a fighter.
She was destiny itself.
"What do I have to do?" she asked quietly.
The divine being watched them. Then it spoke with a voice that made the universe tremble
"Choose."
Perfect, then it goes on!