Kael woke up to the sound of rain tapping against the stone walls of the sanctuary. The air around smelled like wet earth and old stone, and the low light of dawn entered through a small window high above him. He sat up slowly, muscles aching from the trial he had gone through.
Lira was already awake, sitting by the fire in the center of the room. Her gaze was fixed on the flickering flames, her expression thoughtful.
"Morning," Kael said, his voice hoarse.
Lira looked up and gave him a small smile. "You slept for a long time. How are you feeling now?"
"Tired, but alive," Kael replied. He rubbed the back of his neck. "That trial wasn't easy."
"I believe it wasn't meant to be," Theron's deep voice echoed from the shadows. The elder stepped into the light, his dark robes flowing behind him. "Each trial is designed to test not just the limit of your strength, but your spirit."
Kael met Theron's gaze. "And what happens if I fail the next one?"
"You won't," Theron said c onfidently. "Because you've already taken the first step. You've faced your fear and embraced the void's power. But there's more to learn before you're ready."
Kael stood, stretching out his sore limbs. "Then let's get started. I don't want to waste any time."
Theron nodded. "Follow me."
They left the sanctuary and stepped into the open courtyard. The rain had stopped, but the ground was still damp and muddy. Dark clouds hung low in the sky, casting a gray effect over the landscape.
Theron led them to a circle of standing stones at the edge of the courtyard. The stones were ancient, covered in moss and strange symbols. Kael felt a strange energy pulsing from them, like the heartbeat of the earth itself.
"You see, these stones are older than the sanctuary," Theron explained. "They are tied to the void, a gateway to memories long buried in time."
"Memories?" Lira asked, her brow furrowed.
"Every action leaves an echo, a stain or a mark," Theron said. "Today, you will face the echoes of your past. Only by confronting them can you move forward."
Kael felt a knot form in his stomach. He didn't want to relive the day his family was taken from him. But he knew that at this point, there was no turning back.
"Step into the circle," Theron instructed.
Kael took a deep breath and did as he was told. The moment he crossed the boundary, the air inside the circle changed completely. It became colder, and the world around him faded into darkness.
When the darkness lifted, Kael found himself standing in the middle of his village. But it wasn't the peaceful village he at least expected. The buildings were burning, and the air was thick with smoke.
Screams echoed through the streets. Villagers ran in every direction, pursued by armored soldiers. The ground was littered with broken weapons and fallen bodies.
Kael's heart pounded. He recognized this scene all too well. It was the day his world had been torn apart.
"No," he whispered. "Not again."
A figure stepped out of the smoke. It was his father, Garron. His once-proud form was bent and bloody, but his eyes burned with fierce determination.
"Kael," Garron said. "You must listen to me."
Kael's throat tightened. "Father… I couldn't save you. I tried, but-"
"It's not about what you couldn't do," Garron interrupted. "It's about what you will do going forward."
Kael felt a surge of guilt and anger take over him. "I swore to avenge our clan. I've trained every day since that night."
Garron's gaze softened. "Revenge alone won't bring peace. You should keep this in mind, because if you let the darkness consume you, you will become no better than those who destroyed our home."
"But they deserve to pay!" Kael shouted.
"And they will," Garron said. "But justice must come from strength and wisdom, not born out of hatred."
Kael's vision blurred with tears. "I don't know if I'm strong enough for this."
"You are," Garron said firmly. "You've already begun your journey. Trust yourself."
Before Kael could say anything more, the scene shifted. He was no longer in his village. He stood in a vast field of ash and bones, the sky above dark and empty.
A shadow loomed over him. It was the sorcerer, the same dark force that had possessed him during his trial. Its eyes glowed with malice, and its form twisted and moved like smoke.
"Kael," the sorcerer's voice was like a mocking whisper. "You think you can escape me? You are mine. You always will be."
Kael clenched his fists. "You don not control me."
The sorcerer laughed. "Don't I? Every time you use the void's power, you feed me. Me alone. Every step you take on the path of vengeance leads you closer to darkness."
Kael felt the weight of the sorcerer's words, but he refused to give in. He remembered his father's words about strength and wisdom, not hatred.
"You may have tricked me once," Kael said. "But I see through your lies now."
The sorcerer's form flickered. "You are a fool if you think you can resist me forever."
Kael lifted his sword. "Then I'll fight you every step of the way."
With a roar, Kael charged at the sorcerer. Their blades clashed, and dark energy exploded around them. Kael fought with every drop of strength he had, his mind clear and focused.
This time, he didn't fight out of anger. He fought with purpose. With the intent of setting himself free from whatever the sorcerer had on him.
The sorcerer's form began to change, its edges blurring like smoke in the wind.
"You cannot defeat me," it hissed.
Kael drove his sword into the sorcerer's chest. "You're wrong. My strength doesn't come from you."
The sorcerer let out a final, anguished scream before dissolving into nothingness.
The world shifted again. Kael found himself back in the circle of stones, seriously gasping for breath.
Lira rushed to his side, her eyes wide with concern. "Kael! What happened?"
Kael managed a weak smile. "I faced my past. And I think I'm ready for what's next."
Theron stepped forward, his expression solemn. "You've done well, Kael. But your journey is far from over."
Kael nodded. "I know. But I'm not afraid anymore."
The rain had stopped, and a single ray of sunlight broke through the clouds, casting it's light down on the circle of stones. For the first time in a long time, Kael felt a spark of hope.
And deep in the shadows, unseen by any of them, a new danger stirred. One that would test Kael's resolve more than ever before.