Chapter 17
ITS FORM was striking, ablend of human and Vettian features. Its luminous skin shimmered like molten silver, and its elongated eyes glowed with an inner light. Its hair cascaded around it in soft waves, and intricate patterns—similar to the designs on their bracelets—adorned its forehead and cheeks.
Elara gasped softly, her eyes wide as she took in the figure. “Who... or what is that?”
The hologram tilted its head, its gaze sweeping over them with an air of calm authority. When it spoke, its voice sounded musical yet resonant, carrying a weight that commanded attention.
“You have come far, bearers of the bond,” it said, its words clear and deliberate. “You are the first in millennia to awaken the Path.”
Zar’Ryn stepped forward, his body tense, every instinct on high alert. “Who are you?” he demanded. “What is this place?”
The hologram’s gaze shifted to him, its expression unreadable. “I am the Custodian,” it replied. “An echo of those who came before. This place is a sanctuary, arepository of knowledge and power left behind by the ancients who forged the bonds you now bear.”
Elara took a hesitant step forward, her curiosity overcoming her fear. “The bracelets,” she said, glancing down at her wrist. “What are they? Why are we connected like this?”
The Custodian’s luminous eyes seemed to soften. “The bracelets are relics of an ancient alliance,” it explained. “They were created to unite two beings, to forge a connection deeper than mere thought or emotion. Through them, you share strength, understanding, and potential.”
“Potential for what?” Zar’Ryn pressed, his voice sharp.
“For greatness,” the Custodian replied simply. “Or for ruin. The bond is a tool, but its power depends on the bondbearers themselves. You must prove yourselves worthy of it.”
The chamber grew brighter, the light intensifying as the Custodian continued. “You have been brought here to complete the next phase of your journey. To unlock the true potential of your bond, you must face the trials ahead. Only then will you understand the path that lies before you.”
The chamber fell silent once more, the glow of the crystalline walls dimming slightly. Zar’Ryn and Elara exchanged a tense glance, the weight of the Custodian’s words settling heavily betweenthem.
Elara hesitated, then stepped closer to the center of the chamber. “What about the bracelets? Can we remove them?” she asked, her voice tinged withhope.
The Custodian’s gaze shifted to her, its expression remaining serene. “The choice to remove the bracelets will be yours,” it replied, “but only after you complete the trials. Their purpose, and the bond they represent, must be fully understood before such a decision can be made.”
Zar’Ryn’s jaw tightened, and he exchanged a glance with Elara. The Custodian’s words hung heavy in the air, the implication clear.
Their path was far fromover.
“What now?” Elara asked softly, her voice trembling.
Zar’Ryn’s jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the center of the chamber where the hologram had stood. “We face the trials,” he said, his tone resolute. “And we find out what we are truly capable of.”
The chamber pulsed faintly with golden light, the Custodian’s serene hologram still flickering in its place. The air was thick with tension, the weight of its proclamation lingering heavily between Zar’Ryn and Elara.
“You must choose three trials,” the Custodian intoned, its voice resonant and melodic. “You may choose from the following options: Trial of Trust, Vulnerability, Sacrifice, Unity, Bond, Balance, the Unknown, Temptation, Forgiveness, or Revelation.”
Elara’s brow furrowed as she glanced toward Zar’Ryn. “Trials?” she asked, her voice laced with trepidation. “What do they mean? What happens in each one?”
The Custodian’s luminous eyes turned to her, its expression unchanging. “I cannot provide details,” it said. “The nature of each trial must remain unknown until you face it. The choices you make now will shape the path ahead.”
Elara threw up her hands, exasperation leaking into her tone. “So we’re just supposed to pick blind? How is that fair?”
“Fairness is irrelevant,” the Custodian replied, its tone neither unkind nor cruel, merely factual. “The trials are not designed to be fair. They are designed to test your bond, your resolve, and your ability to face the unknown.”
Zar’Ryn crossed his arms, his gaze locked on the hologram. “How many fail?” he asked, his voice low but steady.
The Custodian’s light flickered faintly, its eyes turning to meet his. “Many have tried. Few have succeeded.”
Zar’Ryn, his jaw tight, took a step forward. “And if we succeed? If we pass all three trials—can you remove the bracelets without killing us?”
The Custodian’s gaze turned to him, its expression remaining serene. “Yes,” it said. “If you succeed at all three trials, the bond will stabilize, and I will have the ability to safely remove the bracelets without harm to either of you. This choice will be yours to make upon completion.”
Elara’s stomach twisted, but she forced herself to stand tall. “And if we fail?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Failure will sever the bond,” the Custodian said simply. “And the consequences—physical, emotional, and spiritual—will be yours to bear. The severance will be abrupt and uncontrollable, likely resulting in a fatal shock to your physical systems. Few who fail survive the aftermath.”
Zar’Ryn’s fists clenched at his sides. The bond between them pulsed faintly, aquiet rhythm that mirrored his inner turmoil. He glanced at Elara, his sharp amethyst eyes searching hers. “We will succeed,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
She nodded, swallowing hard. “Then we need to choose,” she said, turning back to the hologram. “But how? We don’t know anything about these trials.”
“Trust your instincts,” the Custodian said. “Your choices will reveal much about your bond, your strengths, and your weaknesses. The trials you select will shape not only your journey but your understanding of each other.”
Zar’Ryn stepped closer to Elara, his voice low and calm. “We have to approach this strategically. The bond is central to all of this. We choose trials that force us to rely on it.”
Elara frowned, her mind racing. “Then Trust seems obvious,” she said. “And maybe Vulnerability? If these trials are about working together, those should be good choices.”
Zar’Ryn nodded. “Agreed. And Balance. If we’re going to survive this, we can’t hold anything back from each other.”
“Trust, Vulnerability, and Balance,” Elara repeated, her voice steadier now. “Those are our choices.”
The Custodian’s gaze seemed to brighten slightly, the golden glow of the chamber intensifying. “The trials are chosen,” it said, its voice resonating with finality. “Prepare yourselves, bearers of the bond. Your first trial begins now.” The hologram began to fade, its voice echoing as it delivered its final words. “Be warned. The bond is both a gift and a burden. How you wield it will shape not only your fate but the fate of all who follow.”
The light in the chamber shifted, the crystalline walls glowing brighter until they were nearly blinding. Elara turned into Zar’Ryn’s embrace, burying her head against his chest. The hum of the bond grew steadily louder in her mind. She felt Zar’Ryn’s presence through it, solid and steady, agrounding force in the midst of chaos.
Zar’Ryn stepped forward, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings. “The first trial,” he said quietly. “Let us see what it demands of us.”
Elara took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she fell into step beside him. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.
The chamber was divided by a shimmering barrier of golden light, splitting the space into two distinct halves. Balance? She couldn’t help but wonder.
On one side, aseries of pedestals held glowing, intricate puzzles bathed in faint white light. On the other side, acombat arena stretched out, platforms shifting and rotating while humanoid constructs stood motionless against the walls, their metallic frames gleaming ominously.
Zar’Ryn immediately moved toward the combat side, his sharp gaze locked on the constructs. “This is mine,” he said firmly.
“Stop,” the Custodian said, its voice calm but unyielding. “This trial requires balance, not comfort. To proceed, your roles will be reversed. The strategist will face the body’s threats, and the warrior must confront the mind’s challenges.”
Elara froze, her stomach dropping. “Wait, what?” she said, her voice rising slightly. “I’m not a fighter! Ican’t—”
“You can,” Zar’Ryn interrupted, his voice steady. He turned to face her, his amethyst eyes intense. “You will do this, Elara. Iwill guide you.”
Her chest tightened, but she nodded, drawing in a shaky breath. “And you’ll handle puzzles?” she asked, her tone somewhere between incredulous and nervous.
“I will manage,” he said, his lips curving into the faintest smirk. “Don’t worry about me.”
The Custodian’s voice returned, cutting through their exchange. “The trial begins when you take your places. Your bond will guide you forward, if you allow it.”
They exchanged a final glance before stepping into their respective sides. The golden barrier shimmered between them, atangible reminder of their separation.
Elara’s breath hitched as the hulking construct stepped forward with a metallic groan, its red eyes glowing brighter with each heavy step. The sound of its footfalls echoed in her chest, each one rattling her nerves. She tightened her grip on the lightweight staff she’d been given, but her palms were already slick with sweat. How was she supposed to fightthis?
The construct let out a guttural screech and swung one massive arm, the jagged blade at its end slicing through the air. Elara barely dodged, stumbling as she sidestepped, the staff almost slipping from her grasp. Her heart thundered in her chest, and panic clawed at the edges of her thoughts.
Through the chaos, the bond pulsed sharply, like a jolt of electricity. “Focus,” Zar’Ryn’s voice cut through her panic, firm and commanding, projecting through the bond. “Trip it, then strike low.”
Elara gasped, the clarity of his presence grounding her. She sidestepped again, this time with purpose, and swung the staff at the construct’s legs. The impact landed with a metallic clang, but the hulking figure barely faltered. Its glowing eyes fixed on her, and it lunged, forcing her to leap back. She yelped as her heel caught on the uneven floor, nearly sending her sprawling.
“Too fast,” she hissed under her breath, her hands trembling as she adjusted her grip on the staff. The construct’s movements were relentless, each swing of its blade forcing her furtherback.
The bond surged again, and this time it carried more than words. She felt Zar’Ryn’s calm pressing against her fear, his steady confidence pushing back the rising tide of panic. Her breathing steadied, and her hands stopped shaking.
The construct swung again, but this time she anticipated it. She ducked low, its blade slicing through the air above her head, and swung her staff hard at its knee joint. The strike landed with a resounding crack, and the massive figure wobbled before crashing to the ground. Elara didn’t wait—she drove the staff into its glowing core, sparks flying as the light in its eyes flickered anddied.
Her chest heaved as she stumbled back, gripping the staff tightly. “It’s down,” she muttered, her voice trembling. Relief flooded her—but it was short-lived. Alow, metallic groan echoed through the chamber, and her eyes snapped to the wall as another construct stirred, its red eyes flaring tolife.
“No time to rest,” Zar’Ryn’s voice cut through the bond again. His presence was strong and steady, and she clung to it like a lifeline. She nodded to herself, adjusting her stance as the second construct advanced.
Her focus shifted briefly to the shimmering barrier that separated them. Beyond it, she could see Zar’Ryn standing before a glowing pedestal, his brow furrowed as he worked on the puzzle. The symbols on the pedestal shifted erratically, their patterns chaotic. Elara felt his frustration spike through the bond like a sharp jab, and she instinctively sent a wave of reassuranceback.
“Slow down,” she projected, surprised by the clarity of her own thoughts. “Look at the edges—they fit together like puzzle pieces.”
She didn’t know if he could hear her, but the bond pulsed in response, and she felt his frustration ease. Her attention snapped back to the second construct as it lunged, its blade slicing dangerously close. She ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the strike, and swung her staff at its arm. The impact sent a jolt up her arms, but the construct didn’tslow.
“You need to disarm it,” Zar’Ryn’s voice echoed in her mind. “Go for the joint.”
Elara gritted her teeth, her muscles burning as she dodged another swing. She feinted left, then pivoted sharply, driving the end of her staff into the joint where the construct’s arm met its body. The metal crunched under the force, and the blade dropped from its grasp. Seizing the moment, she delivered a final blow to its core, her staff sparking as it connected. The construct collapsed, its lights fading to darkness.
Elara staggered back, gasping for breath. Her arms ached, and her legs felt like jelly, but she couldn’t stop. The bond pulsed again, this time carrying a shared sense of relief and triumph. She glanced toward Zar’Ryn, seeing him step back from the pedestal as the symbols locked into place with a soft chime.
“First one’s done,” she muttered, wiping sweat from her brow. But the glow of the chamber intensified, and she knew—for both of them—this was just the beginning.