Kaelred stood before the sentinel, his breath still ragged from the trials.
He had fought himself.
Had fought his mind.
Had fought his very spirit.
And now—
He had won.
The sentinel's massive, stone-plated form shifted, glowing eyes narrowing as it regarded him. For a long moment, there was only silence, save for the faint rustling of leaves overhead. Then—
"You have proven yourself."
Kaelred straightened, ignoring the dull ache in his limbs.
The sentinel lifted one clawed hand and pointed beyond the mist.
"The first tree awaits."
Kaelred exhaled. His pulse pounded, not from fear, but from anticipation.
Argolaith had gone through this before. Had claimed the lifeblood of his own tree. And now—
It was his turn.
The mist parted as Kaelred stepped forward. It coiled around his boots like living shadows before dispersing entirely, revealing the path ahead.
