Kael and Ravik arrived at the edge of the Misted Valley by noon. The valley was wide and quiet, surrounded by jagged cliffs that seemed to scrape the clouds. Nothing stirred, but Kael felt the weight of unseen eyes.
"This is it," Ravik whispered, "the arena of silence. The Klyn sends its trials here first."
Kael's hand went to Oath-Render. The sword hummed faintly, as if warning him of what lay ahead.
A great stone gate appeared before them, tall and curved, with no handles or locks. Symbols of ancient oaths glowed faintly along its edges.
Kael stepped forward. "It won't open for us. It never does."
Ravik shook his head. "It opens only when it knows you are ready to face yourself."
Kael exhaled slowly. He stepped into the glowing symbols. The gate shivered, then slid open silently.
INSIDE THE ARENA
The arena stretched wider than any palace Kael had seen, round and perfect, with walls that curved into the sky. The air was still. Not a breath. Not a sound.
In the center stood a circle of stone, carved with glowing runes that pulsed faintly. Kael approached, feeling the weight of centuries in the air.
Then the light shifted. Shadows grew along the walls. Figures formed, not quite human, not quite beasts, moving silently.
The voice of the arena spoke—not loud, not angry. Calm. Certain.
"NAME YOUR PURPOSE. SHOW YOUR VALUE."
Kael stepped forward. "I am Kael Varros. I walk because I must answer, not because I seek victory."
The shadows moved. Faster now. Shapes became clearer. Figures from Kael's past appeared. The coliseum. The city. Faces of those he had fought beside and those he had lost.
"FEAR THE PATH YOU CHOOSE."
Kael did not flinch. "Fear teaches nothing. I will walk."
THE FIRST TEST
One of the shadows lunged. Kael's sword met it, but the figure passed through him as if he were made of mist. Another figure attacked, another, then another.
Each strike tested his patience, his courage, and his understanding. None could truly harm him—but all could distract, all could confuse.
Ravik called out, "Do not strike to kill. Strike to answer!"
Kael's eyes cleared. He realized the truth: this trial was not about strength. It was about clarity.
He raised Oath-Render. Light pulsed through the runes beneath his feet. Each shadow paused, as if sensing the sword's intent. Kael did not move to attack. He moved to assert himself, his presence strong, calm, unshaken.
The shadows stopped. They bowed. Slowly, one by one, until all disappeared.
The arena pulsed with approval. The voice returned, soft but firm.
"YOU HAVE ANSWERED. YOU HAVE WALKED WITHOUT FORCE. YOU HAVE SEEN WITHOUT BLINDNESS."
Kael exhaled, letting tension leave his shoulders.
A WARNING IN LIGHT
The runes on the floor brightened. Images formed above them—cities falling to shadow, dragons burning skies, and Kael alone amidst destruction. Then, the images shifted: communities rising together, dragons resting with people, Kael standing among allies.
"CHOOSE WELL. THE KLYN MOVES."
Kael understood. Every step he took would matter. Every decision would echo beyond the arena.
Ravik stepped beside him. "This was only the first test. The Klyn has more, far more… and they will strike in ways even this arena cannot show."
Kael sheathed Oath-Render. "Then we move forward. No hesitation. No doubt. Only action and clarity."
The arena walls began to dissolve like mist in sunlight. The sky returned to normal. Birds sang faintly again.
But Kael knew the world beyond the valley would not remain silent. Somewhere, the Klyn was already preparing the next trial.
The Klyn's trial is not fought with swords, but with courage and clarity. Can Kael withstand illusions and shadows that test the soul itself?