THE RING'S SECRET

A WARNING TOO LATE?

Elias's fingers Hovered over the ancient silver ring as Seraphina stood at the entrance, her expression unreadable- except for the urgency in her violet Eyes.

"Don't".

Her voice was sharp. Almost desperate.

For the first time Since stepping into the tower of trials, Elias hesitated.

Vladis, however, remained perfectly calm. His silver gaze Flickered to Seraphina, studying her reaction with a hint of amusement.

"You came all this way just to stop him? How...sentimental."

Seraphina didn't react to the taunt. Instead, she stepped forward, keeping her gaze locked on Elias.

"You don't know what that ring is."

Elias frowned. "Then, tell me."

Seraphina exhaled. " that ring doesn't belong to the Arcane King."

Silence.

Vladis Tilted his head. Oh? And what does it belong to, then?"

Seraphina's jaw clenched.

"It belonged to the one who destroyed him."

THE CURSED RING...

Elias's hand froze inches from the ring. He looked between Seraphina and Vladis, his mind racing.

"Destroyed him?" Elias repeated. "You mean-"

"The arcane king didn't die in battle, Elias," Seraphina cut him off. "He was betrayed. By his most trusted disciple. And that ring..."

She pointed at the ancient silver band, Her fingers trembling slightly.

" That ring is the last remnant of his power. A power that wears whoever we are it."

Elias felt his chest Tighten.

Vladis, however, only chuckled.

"As, Seraphina. Always so dramatic." He leaned forward, his silver eyes gleaming. "Tell me, Elias-are you afraid of power? Or are you afraid of what you might become with it?"

Elias's hand curled into fists.

That was the question, wasn't it?

He had seen the dark King's future inside the tower. He had felt the power surging within him, demanding to be Unleashed.

And now, right in front of him, was an artifact that could make him even stronger.

But at what cost?

A CHOICE WITH NO TURNING BACK...

Seraphina stepped even closer, her voice softer now.

" you don't need that ring, Elias."

For a moment, he wanted to believe her.

But then- a whisper echoed in his mind.

" power is not meant to be refused."

His breath caught. That voice-

It wasn't Seraphina's.

It wasn't Vladis.

It was the dark King's.

Elias closed his eyes. His heartbeat Thundered in his ears. He could still feel the weight of his visions, the future where he had lost himself to the very power he now sought.

But was it truly fate?

or was it a choice?

when he opened his eyes he made his decision.

He reached forward.

And picked up the ring.

THE AWAKENING...

The moment Elias's fingers closed around the ring-

Pain.

A searing, burning force rushed through his veins, as if his entire body had been set on fire from the inside.

The world faded into darkness.

And then-

He was somewhere else .

A ruined battlefield. A sky field with black lightning.

And standing before him...

The man who had worn this ring before.

The betrayer.

Elias's breath came in sharp gasps. The figure was shrouded in shadows, his face hidden, but the aura around him was suffocating- worse than the dark king.

"So," the figure finally spoke, his voice ancient and cracked. " you are the next fool to wear my ring."

Elias tried to move- he couldn't.

The betrayer stepped closer.

"I wonder... will you survive it?"

And then-everthing exploded.