THE FINAL TRIAL
The Moon Well trembled violently, the silver mist twisting around Lykos and Aria like a living storm. The ancient figure, taller and darker than any shadow Lykos had faced, loomed before them. Its eyes glowed with molten silver, radiating judgment, power, and a cold, calculating intelligence that seemed to pierce his very soul.
“You have awakened her,” the voice boomed, reverberating through bone and stone, “and claimed her life. But awakening is not enough. To break the curse… you must choose. Everything you are, everything you hold dear… will be tested.”
Aria clutched Lykos’s arm, her silver glow flaring brightly. “Lykos… whatever comes… we face it together. I… I trust you completely.”
He looked down at her, heart hammering. Her borrowed life was now fully restored—he
