The Sentinel led Orion and Liora up the narrow path carved along the side of the northern mountains. The air grew colder, thin enough that each breath felt like frost entering the lungs. The moon hung low, bright enough to see—but the shadows between the rocks were unnaturally dark, like they were hiding things.
The mountain wasn't silent.
It breathed.
Wind rushed in and out of the caves with a slow, heavy rhythm, like the mountain itself was alive. Liora held her cloak tight around her shoulders.
"This place… doesn't feel normal."
The Sentinel rumbled calmly, "That is because it is not a place. It is a gate."
"A gate to what?" Orion asked.
"To everything you seek… and everything you fear."
Orion didn't respond. His pendant glowed faintly, echoing each heartbeat. Since the battle, the light inside him felt different—quieter, yet deeper. Like a long-forgotten part of him had finally opened its eyes.
They walked for hours until they reached a giant stone doorway. It was shaped like an open mouth, sharp rock teeth hanging above them.
"This is the Trial Entrance," the Sentinel said. "Only one with the Star Within may pass."
Liora stepped forward. "Then I'll go with him."
But the Sentinel blocked her with its massive front leg."No. He must enter alone."
Liora's eyes widened. "Absolutely not! He could die—"
Orion touched her arm gently. "Liora. It's okay."
"It is NOT okay," she snapped, her voice trembling. "Every time you use your power, it takes something from you. I can see it. I can feel it."
He looked at her with the softest gaze he had ever given.
"I'm not afraid of losing myself. I'm afraid of stopping here and never knowing the truth."
Liora's eyes softened, but grief trembled behind them."You always say things like that… and I never know if I should admire you or hit you."
A tiny smile touched his lips. "Both, maybe."
The Sentinel stepped aside. "When you enter, the mountain will judge you. It will show you visions—truths, lies, fears, memories. You must choose what to believe."
Orion swallowed hard. "What happens if I choose wrong?"
The Sentinel didn't answer immediately.
Instead, it lowered its giant head until its golden eyes were level with his.
"Then the mountain will keep you. Forever."
Liora grabbed Orion's hand tightly, refusing to let go. Her voice shook. "Come back. Promise me."
Orion squeezed her hand gently.
"I promise. I'll always come back to you."
He stepped toward the dark doorway.
The mountain exhaled, pulling cold air—and Orion—inside.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, everything changed.
The world around him dissolved into swirling silver mist. The air grew warm, then cold, then warm again. Echoes of voices whispered in every direction.
At first they were faint. Then they grew louder.
"You were the one who destroyed the world.""You cannot protect anyone.""You will become the monster you fear.""Power will eat you alive."
Orion pressed his hands to his ears."Stop…"
The whispering grew sharper.
"STOP!"
The mist burst apart.
Orion found himself standing in a glowing chamber of white stone. In the center lay a pool—not water, but liquid starlight, moving like silver waves.
A figure stood on the other side of it.
A boy.
Orion's breath caught in his chest.
The boy had his face.His eyes.His voice.
But he was younger—perhaps twelve years old—and covered in battle ash and tears.
The boy whispered, "You left me."
Orion blinked. "I… what?"
"You forgot me," the boy cried. "You forgot the boy you once were."
The chamber shook violently.
The boy stepped closer. His eyes glowed with anger, fear, and something desperate.
"You promised to protect us. And you broke that promise."
Orion's heart tightened painfully."I didn't know… I didn't remember—"
"Lies!" the boy screamed.
The pool of starlight began to churn. Images rose from it:
A burning city.A sky raining with falling stars.People screaming.A powerful figure standing in the center—glowing with the same blue light as Orion.
Orion staggered backward."No… I didn't do this… did I?"
The boy pointed at him with trembling hands.
"You were the brightest star… and the star that brought doom."
Orion fell to his knees, shaking.
The boy whispered one final thing that tore through his soul:
"If you cannot face the truth of who you were… you cannot become the one who saves this world."
The chamber flashed—and the boy vanished.
Orion was left alone, the pool of starlight glowing softly at his feet.
He whispered to himself:
"Who… am I?"
The mountain did not answer.
But deep in the darkness, something else stirred…
Waiting for him to take the next step.