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Chapter 41 - 41.THE ASTRAL TRIALS

The next morning arrived like a whisper before the storm. The first light of dawn filtered through the thin veil of mist covering the valley, touching the ancient stones of the Astral Sanctum with pale gold. Arka stood at the center of the ritual ground, where twelve glowing circles floated around him the marks of the trials that awaited him.

He could still feel the faint echo of last night's conversation with Lysander. The prince's words had stayed with him, threading warmth through the cold uncertainty inside his chest. But there was no time to linger on emotions now. The Astral Trials began today.

Elders from every faction gathered along the perimeter of the sanctum, robes fluttering, eyes sharp and watchful. The air was thick with anticipation and suppressed power.

"Arka of the Star Wolf Lineage," intoned Elder Kaen, his voice like rolling thunder. "The Astral Trials are not merely a test of strength. They are the measure of your soul's balance between beast and man. Fail, and your spirit will be consumed by the Astral Abyss."

Arka inhaled deeply, his eyes glimmering faintly silver. "I understand."

The first circle lit up a blinding blue rune forming beneath his feet. The ground vanished.

Suddenly, Arka stood in a void filled with swirling starlight. Shapes formed around him enormous beasts of light and shadow, their roars echoing through his mind. The Trial of Essence had begun.

A voice, ancient and cold, whispered through the space. "Show us what defines you, child of the Star Wolf."

Arka summoned his energy, his aura erupting into a spiral of silver flames. "What defines me…" he murmured. "Is not my bloodline. It's my choice."

From the shadows, a spectral wolf lunged vast as a mountain, eyes like frozen galaxies. Its presence pressed down on him, testing his will, his fear, his truth.

Arka clenched his fist. "I am not afraid of my past… nor my destiny."

Silver runes burst from his arms, weaving into the shape of wings. His energy collided with the spectral beast light met shadow, and the void trembled.

The wolf roared once more, then slowly bowed its head. The first circle dimmed.

Back in the physical realm, the onlookers gasped as the first rune above Arka's head ignited, symbolizing success. Lysander, watching from a distance, felt a strange pulse in his chest pride, fear, something deeper he couldn't name.

The second trial rune began to glow. The elder's voice thundered again. "The Trial of Truth!"

This time, the light engulfed Arka in pure white.

He found himself standing before a mirror and inside it, his reflection was not his own. It was the younger version of himself, trembling, lost, and angry.

The boy in the mirror spoke. "You think you've changed. But deep down, you still crave power. You still fear being weak."

Arka's hand trembled, but he didn't deny it. "Maybe I do. But strength isn't just power anymore. It's the courage to protect what matters."

The mirror cracked, light spilling out like shards of memory.

Outside, another rune flared to life. The crowd murmured two trials passed, impossible for most first-time candidates.

But Arka barely noticed.

Because somewhere deep within the light, he felt a presence watching him faint, distant, but familiar.

A whisper brushed the edge of his consciousness.

"Keep going… I'm with you."

He looked up at the sky, a faint smile curving his lips.

"Lysander."

The final rune began to glow. The last trial awaited The Trial of the Soul.

And this time, it wouldn't just test his strength. It would test the bond that tied him to the one person who refused to let him fall.

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