The night felt heavy.
Ash lingered in the air, making every breath slow and uncomfortable.
Eileen sat a short distance away, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Her hands trembled without her noticing.
The image of Ryan attacking her still burned in her mind.
Ryan leaned against a scorched tree.
He stared at his staff in silence, his thoughts trapped on the moment the blue light had burst from her.
Eileen spoke quietly.
"You were going to kill me."
He didn't look at her.
"If I wanted you dead," he said calmly,
"you wouldn't be alive right now."
Her voice shook.
"That thing that came out of you… it wasn't you."
Ryan finally lifted his head.
"And you?"
"That light that saved you… it wasn't you either."
She had no answer.
His gaze was sharp, as if he were cutting through her thoughts.
"What came from you wasn't healing," he said.
"It wasn't life magic.
It was something else."
Eileen swallowed.
"I don't know how it happened.
It just came out."
"The forest doesn't awaken power without reason," Ryan replied.
He paused before continuing.
"If that light appears again, don't suppress it.
I want to see it fully."
She hesitated.
"And if I lose control?"
"Then I'll stop you," he said.
"The same way you stopped me."
Silence settled between them.
Not cruel.
Just cold and absolute.
Ryan turned toward the dying fire.
"Sleep," he said quietly.
"Tomorrow won't be any easier."
⸻
Deep within the forest, inside a mist-covered cavern,
the Shadow knelt before the Mysterious Sorcerer seated on a stone throne.
"The first test is complete," the Shadow said.
"Speak," the sorcerer replied.
"The boy lost control," the Shadow continued.
"His power exceeded his limits.
And the girl… a blue light emerged.
I have never seen magic like it."
The Mysterious Sorcerer remained silent for a moment.
"So the seed has awakened," he said at last.
"Was this what you intended?" the Shadow asked.
"I wanted to see which of them would endure the other," the sorcerer replied.
"The boy carries ambition without restraint.
The girl carries light without understanding.
Together, they may become the key."
"Shall I prepare another trap?" the Shadow asked.
"No," the sorcerer said.
"Traps are meaningless now.
I want a confrontation."
"Who will you send?"
A faint smile touched the sorcerer's lips.
"Seron."
The Shadow stiffened.
"His power is unstable.
He may destroy more than he tests."
"That is why I chose him," the sorcerer replied.
"I want to see which breaks first.
Ambition… or light."
"And if neither breaks?"
The sorcerer's voice dropped.
"Then the past of the First Kingdom has begun again."
The Shadow bowed.
"I will summon him."
"Do so," said the sorcerer.
"I do not want them dead.
I want to see which power the forest accepts."
⸻
Mist swallowed the clearing as the Shadow raised his hand.
A dark circle opened above the stones.
"Seron," he whispered.
"It is time."
The earth trembled.
A tall figure stepped out, holding a black blade.
His eyes were pale, empty of warmth.
"Who summoned me?" Seron asked.
"My master," the Shadow replied.
"He seeks a trial."
"A trial," Seron repeated with a dry laugh.
"So, new prey."
"Two only," the Shadow said.
"Ryan and Eileen."
"Does he want them dead?"
"No," came the answer.
"He wants truth."
Seron turned toward the forest.
"I will know quickly," he said.
"The forest never lies."
As he vanished into the mist, the Shadow whispered:
"The real test begins now."