A heavy silence stretched between Adrian and Selene as they stood before the towering ruins of the ancient citadel. The swirling mist coiled around them, whispering in a language long forgotten. The weight of the past bore down on Adrian's shoulders, but he had made his choice. There was no turning back.
Selene raised a hand, and the air vibrated with energy. A path of black stone emerged from the fog, leading to a massive doorway. "Beyond this gate lies your trial," she said, her violet eyes gleaming. "You must enter alone."
Adrian swallowed hard. "What kind of trial?"
Selene's expression remained unreadable. "A test of your will, your strength, and your truth. If you are to reclaim what was taken, you must prove yourself worthy."
Adrian's fists clenched. "I'm ready."
She gave a small nod. "Then step forward."
With each step toward the gate, the temperature dropped. The moment Adrian crossed the threshold, the world shifted.
The Realm of Shadows
Adrian found himself in darkness.
Not the absence of light, but something deeper—an endless abyss that swallowed sound and thought alike. The air was thick, suffocating, pressing against his skin like unseen hands.
Then, a voice echoed through the void.
"Who are you?"
Adrian turned, searching for the speaker, but there was nothing. Just endless shadow.
The voice came again, cold and sharp. "Who are you?"
Adrian took a breath, steadying himself. "I am Adrian."
A chuckle resonated through the void. "No. That is the name you were given. Who are you really?"
Before Adrian could respond, the darkness moved.
Shadows peeled away from the abyss, twisting and coiling until they formed a figure—a mirror image of himself, but its eyes burned with a cold, silver fire.
"You are nothing," the Shadow-Adrian sneered. "A man who was cast aside. Forgotten. Weak."
Adrian's heart pounded. "I am not weak."
The doppelgänger smirked. "Then prove it."
Without warning, it lunged.
Adrian barely had time to react before a blast of energy sent him flying. He hit the ground hard, pain jolting through his ribs. The shadow figure moved with unnatural speed, striking again with a wave of darkness.
Adrian rolled to the side, raising his hands instinctively. Power surged through him, and a barrier of silver light flared to life. The shadow figure's attack slammed into it, sending shockwaves through the void.
Adrian pushed back, forcing himself to stand. "You're just an illusion."
The doppelgänger laughed, the sound grating. "Am I?"
It vanished in a blur. Adrian barely had time to turn before a fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling.
Pain flared through him, but something inside him snapped.
A rush of memories—flashes of battle, of power, of a kingdom burning—flooded his mind. The weight of his lost past bore down on him, but this time, he embraced it.
Adrian exhaled, steadying his stance. "I know who I am now."
His eyes burned with silver light, and power surged through his veins. He raised his hands, and the shadows answered.
Dark tendrils erupted from the abyss, lashing out at the doppelgänger. The figure dodged, but Adrian was faster. He twisted his hand, and the shadows wrapped around his opponent, pinning it in place.
The doppelgänger struggled, but Adrian stepped forward, placing a hand on its chest. "You are my doubt. My fear. But you do not control me."
A burst of energy erupted from Adrian's palm, and the shadow figure let out a shriek before shattering into nothingness.
The darkness receded. The void collapsed.
And Adrian awoke.
The Guardian's Approval
Adrian gasped, his body drenched in sweat. He was back at the citadel, kneeling before Selene.
She studied him carefully before giving a small nod. "You have passed."
Adrian pushed himself up, his body still tingling from the trial. "What… what was that?"
"A test of self," Selene replied. "The first of many."
Adrian frowned. "There's more?"
Selene smiled faintly. "The road to reclaiming your power will not be easy. But tonight, you have taken the first step."
Adrian exhaled, his resolve hardening. "Then I'll take the next."
Selene studied him for a long moment, then turned. "Follow me. There is still much to learn."
As Adrian walked beside her, the weight of destiny no longer felt as heavy.
Because for the first time, he knew he was ready.
To Be Continued…