Chapter Seventeen: Into the Peaks

The Altherian Peaks loomed ahead like a fortress of stone and shadow, their jagged summits piercing the sky. The path upward was treacherous, littered with loose rocks and narrow ledges that tested their endurance and balance. The air grew thinner with every step, and the cold bit at their skin, but the trio pressed on, driven by the urgency of their mission.

Elara kept her gaze focused on the winding trail, her staff glowing faintly as it illuminated the path. Despite the physical strain, she found a strange sense of calm in the climb. The pendant on her chest pulsed gently, as if encouraging her forward.

"Tell me again why the Moonborn decided to put their sanctuaries at the top of a mountain?" Seris muttered, her voice strained as she hauled herself over a particularly steep rock.

"They believed elevation brought them closer to the light," Kael replied, his tone calm despite the effort it took to climb.

"Of course they did," Seris grumbled. "Couldn't just put it in a nice valley or a cozy cave, could they?"

Elara couldn't help but smile at Seris's sarcasm. It was a welcome distraction from the ache in her legs and the chill in the air.

They reached a small plateau, where they paused to catch their breath. From this vantage point, they could see the vast expanse of the forest they had left behind, its dark canopy stretching endlessly into the horizon.

Kael scanned the landscape, his golden eyes sharp. "We're getting close. The first sanctuary is just beyond the next ridge."

Elara frowned. "The first sanctuary?"

Kael nodded. "There are three in total, each designed to test a different aspect of the lightbearer's strength. We'll need to pass through them all before we reach the final altar."

Seris groaned. "More tests? Fantastic."

Kael shot her a look. "They're necessary. The Shadowlord won't hold back when the time comes. These sanctuaries will prepare Elara for what lies ahead."

Seris rolled her eyes but said nothing more.

As they continued their ascent, the air grew colder, and the shadows around them seemed to deepen. Elara felt a strange tension in the air, as if the mountain itself were alive and watching their every move.

They reached a narrow pass where the trail was barely wide enough for one person at a time. Kael went first, his movements careful and deliberate. Elara followed closely, her heart racing as she glanced down at the sheer drop below.

"Don't look down," Seris called from behind her, her tone light. "Unless you enjoy vertigo."

Elara shot her a nervous glance but focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

When they finally reached the other side, Elara let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The path widened again, leading to a large, flat clearing surrounded by towering stone pillars.

"This is it," Kael said, his voice low.

Elara stepped forward, her eyes drawn to the center of the clearing. There, carved into the rock, was a circular platform etched with intricate symbols. The patterns seemed to glow faintly, pulsating with an otherworldly light.

"What do we do now?" Elara asked, gripping her staff tightly.

Kael gestured to the platform. "Step into the circle. The sanctuary will guide you from there."

Elara hesitated, glancing at him and Seris. "Will you come with me?"

Kael shook his head. "This part is for you alone. The sanctuaries are attuned to the lightbearer's essence. We can't interfere."

Seris gave her a reassuring smirk. "Don't worry, Elara. We'll be right here, guarding the perimeter. Just in case our shadowy friends decide to crash the party."

Elara nodded, her heart pounding as she stepped onto the platform. The moment her foot touched the glowing symbols, a surge of energy coursed through her, and the world around her blurred.

When the dizziness passed, Elara found herself standing in a completely different place. The clearing was gone, replaced by a vast, open expanse bathed in silvery light. The ground beneath her feet was smooth and reflective, like a mirror, and the sky above was filled with swirling clouds of white and silver.

"Where am I?" she whispered, her voice echoing in the emptiness.

A figure appeared before her, materializing out of the light. It was a tall woman with flowing white hair and eyes that glowed like the moon. She wore a robe that shimmered like starlight, and her presence radiated a calm, powerful energy.

"Welcome, lightbearer," the woman said, her voice melodic and soothing. "You stand in the First Sanctuary, a place of reflection and awakening."

"Who are you?" Elara asked, her awe mingling with confusion.

"I am Lyra, one of the Moonborn who forged these sanctuaries long ago," the woman replied. "I am here to guide you through the first trial."

Elara swallowed hard. "What kind of trial?"

Lyra gestured to the reflective ground beneath them. "This sanctuary will reveal the truths you hide from yourself. Only by confronting them can you unlock the deeper power of the light."

Before Elara could respond, the mirror-like surface rippled, and images began to form. She saw herself as a child, sitting alone in a small room, her face streaked with tears. She recognized the memory instantly—it was the day her parents had disappeared, leaving her with nothing but unanswered questions and a pendant she hadn't yet understood.

The scene shifted, showing her older and stronger but still haunted by doubt. She watched herself flinch during her first encounter with the Shadows, her fear nearly costing her life.

"You carry many burdens," Lyra said gently. "Fear. Doubt. Guilt. These are natural, but they can also hinder the light. You must confront them and let them go."

Elara stared at the images, her chest tightening. "How? How do I let go of something that's been a part of me for so long?"

Lyra stepped closer, placing a hand on Elara's shoulder. "The light is not about perfection, Elara. It is about embracing all that you are—the strength and the flaws. Trust yourself, and trust the light to guide you."

Elara closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She focused on the warmth of the pendant against her chest, letting its light fill her. Slowly, the fear and doubt began to fade, replaced by a steady, unshakable resolve.

When she opened her eyes, the images on the ground dissolved, and the sanctuary glowed brighter than before.

"Well done," Lyra said, her voice filled with pride. "You have passed the first trial. The light within you grows stronger."

Elara felt a surge of energy, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She turned to Lyra, her heart filled with gratitude. "Thank you."

Lyra smiled. "This is only the beginning, lightbearer. There are more trials ahead, but I believe you will overcome them all. Go now, and remember: the light is always with you."

The sanctuary blurred again, and Elara found herself back in the clearing. Kael and Seris were waiting, their faces lighting up when they saw her.

"How did it go?" Kael asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

Elara smiled, her confidence renewed. "One trial down. Two to go."