THE BREAKING POINT

THE FINAL TRIAL BEGINS...

Elias had survived the Labyrinth of Shadows. He had faced his darkest self in the mirror of truth.

But as he stood at the heart of the tower of trials, He knew one thing-

The worst was yet to come.

The stone chamber around him was massive, it's wall lined with ancient runes glowing with a faint Golden light. The air was heavy, thick with power. It felt like the tower itself was watching him.

In the centre of the room stood a single pedestal.

On it, a black crystal pulsed with energy, its glow familiar.

Elias stepped forward. The moment his fingers brushed against the Crystal-

Everything shattered.

A WORLD OF ILLUSIONS...

The Chamber vanished.

Elias blinked, finding himself standing in a place that shouldn't exist-

He was back at the Academy.

The sky above was blackened, the sun hidden behind swirling storm clouds. The academiy Grounds where covered in Ashes and ruins, the buildings collapsed, the banners torn.

And in front of him-

Bodies.

Dozens of students lay lifeless, their eyes wide open in fear. blood soaked the ground. The air was filled with the scent of smoke .

Elias's breath caught.

This.. this isn't real.

"It could be."

A voice echoed behind him. Deep. Familiar. His own.

Elias turned-

And there he was. The dark king.

Not a copy. Not a shadow. But himself, fully consumed by the power he feared.

Clad in black Robes, his body radiating an aura so suffocating that the very air seemed to burn. His Golden eyes had turned into pure darkness, a swirling void of destruction.

And in his hand-

Lucius's head.

A GLIMPSE IF THE FUTURE?

Elias's stomach twisted. " This is fake."

The dark king tilted his head. "Is it?"

He lifted his hand. Instantly, flame erupted around them, consuming the fallen Academy. The sky trembled ,the earth cracked and from the shadows- Monsterous creatures emerged ,Bowing before him.

" This is what you are meant to become." The dark King's voice was calm almost amused. " this is what happens when you stop fighting it. Power is not meant to be contained, Elias. It is meant to be embraced.:

Elias clenched his fists. "I won't become this."

"You will."

The dark king vanished- only to reappear inches away whispering into his ear.

Because you already are."

Then-he struck.

THE BATTLE WITHIN...

Elias barely raised his arms before the first atrack landed.

BOOM!

The impact sent him crashing through the ruins, stone and Debris flying in every direction. Pain shot through his body as he trembled, struggling to breathe.

But the dark king didn't stop.

He moved like a shadow- faster, stronger merciless.

Every attack shook the world around them. Every strike pushed Elias closer to the edge.

" you are weak because you hesitate." The dark King's voice was sharp. " because you keep denying what's inside you."

Elias gritted his teeth. He couldn't let this illusion win.

He pushed back.

Summoning his magic, he countered with a blast of energy. The ground trembled as the dark King slid back-but he didn't fall.

Instead, he smirked. Mocking him.

" still resisting?" He sighed. "Fine. Let me show you what happens to those who refuse to change."

And then-

Seraphina appeared.

Her eyes widened in horror as she look around at the destruction. She turned to Elias, her face filled with shock.

But before she could speak-

The dark King's blade pierced her chest.

Elias's world stopped.

Red colour dripping from the sword, Seraphina gasped, her body trembling. She reached out- towards him- before the life faded from her eyes.

She fell.

Dead.

Elias froze.

The dark king tilted his head, " this is your destiny."

then with a flick of his hand the entire world collapsed.

BREAKING POINT...

Elias's screams echoed through the void as he crashed back into reality.

The stone chamber returned around him. The Crystal on the pedestal had shattered, its dark energy swirling around him like smoke.

His body burned.

His mind was on Fire.

But worst of all-

He could still feel the sword in seraphina's chest. Still see the destruction. Still hear the voice whispering in his head-

"You can't stop this."

"This is who you are."

And for the first time since stepping into the Tower of trials-

Elias didn't know if he had won.