The world bent inward the sky twisted. Magic pulled tight like a thread about to snap.
Aria screamed—and then she was gone.
---
She opened her eyes in a place that wasn't real a crimson void, lit only by fragments of memory before her stood three figures:
1. The girl — wide-eyed, kind, full of love
2. The warrior — armored, powerful, merciless
3. Herself — caught in between, trembling
And behind them…Eryss,her voice echoed like thunder choose, Aria one heart,one soul and one truth or be erased.
---
The girl stepped forward first I loved,I healed and maybe I was enough.
The warrior scoffed you were weak I built empires protected what you couldn't.
And Aria?
She whispered,I don't want to be either of you.
---
Eryss approached you can be something greater, she said mege with me take back the power that was stolen let the world feel what it did to us.
Aria shook her head no… you're twisted you want revenge.
I want justice,Eryss hissed the Nexus used us both,Soren lied,Caelen lied even Lysander did what served him I'm the only truth you have left.
---
Then, the void rippled and Soren appeared he was bleeding from the edges, like he wasn't fully allowed here.
Aria, listen the trial wasn't meant for you.
You were supposed to fade I changed fate.
But that came with a cost what cost?she asked his voice cracked.
If your soul merges completely… the world will reject you.
You'll become something it can't contain.
And you'll die forever.
---
Eryss laughed he's afraid because you'll be more powerful than him.
Soren's eyes pleaded you don't have to choose one side you just have to be brave enough to forgive them both.
---
Then — the warrior lunged at the girl and the fight began not swords magic emotion memory.
Each one slashing into Aria's body, her thoughts, her heart.
Every cut revealed something she didn't want to face.
Her fear,her guilt,her longing to be someone simple,her rage at being rewritten her love… for them all.
---
She fell to her knees screamed and the void began to shatter.
---
Then—light soft bllinding she saw her own hands glowing cracked and a voice inside whispered "Be all of us or be none at all."
---
Aria rose not the girl not the warrior not a vessel something new.
Her eyes glowed gold now and her aura?it burned and healed at once.
---
Eryss froze…You did it.
Aria stared her down no I chose, I don't need you to define me.
And with one touch—she pulled Eryss's power into her palm.
Not to use it but to seal it goodbye, sister.
---
The void shattered.
---
🌍 Back in the real world
Aria collapsed, glowing Soren caught her, trembling Lysander and Caelen stared — awed.
The shrine was silent,the earth was calm.
And Aria?she opened her eyes— Gold still burnings
She had survived the trial but something inside her whispered:Not all echoes are gone.
Some wait… for the right moment to return.
---
💫 Author's Note:
> Chapter 29 was the transformation we've been building toward 😭🔥
Aria is no longer just pieces of the past. She's something new. Whole.
But that kind of power… will always come with a price.
💬 Question for you:
Would you choose to accept all your past — even the ugly parts — to become your true self?
📚 Add to your collection if you're SCREAMING and crying and shaking rn 😩✨