The Trial of Truth

Eira's heart pounded as the Dark Sorcerer's figure loomed before her, his black armor gleaming like obsidian. His voice echoed through the void.

"Why did the dragons betray their chosen?"

The air grew heavy, and Eira felt an invisible weight pressing against her chest. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "The dragons didn't betray anyone. The Dragon's Chosen are meant to protect them!"

The Sorcerer laughed softly a cold, hollow sound. "Is that what they told you?"

The second ghostly dragon's voice boomed through the mist. "To pass this trial, you must uncover the truth. If you run from it, your soul is ours."

Eira clenched her fists. What truth? What aren't they telling me?

The Sorcerer raised a hand, and the mist shifted. Images flickered visions from a time long past. Eira's breath caught as she saw a young woman standing before a council of dragons. The same mark burned on her wrist the Dragon's Chosen.

But instead of uniting them… she was fighting them.

"What… is this?" Eira whispered.

Kael's voice echoed faintly in her mind. "The Chosen unites the dragons… unless they fall to darkness."

The Sorcerer stepped closer, his presence oppressive. "The first Dragon's Chosen was not a savior. She betrayed the dragons using their magic to seize power for herself. The dragons sealed her away… but the curse remained."

Eira's vision blurred as pain flared in her wrist. "No… that can't be true."

"Your power comes from her," the Sorcerer continued. "And soon, you will fall like she did. It is inevitable."

Eira's knees weakened as doubt gnawed at her. Was she destined to follow the path of betrayal?

A spark of warmth pierced the cold a voice, faint but steady. Kael's voice.

"You are not her, Eira. You choose your path."

Eira took a shaky breath. "I'm not her," she said firmly. "I didn't ask for this power, but I won't let it control me. I'll protect the dragons and no one will decide my fate but me."

The Sorcerer's eyes narrowed. "We'll see." With a swirl of black mist, he vanished.

The second dragon's gaze softened. "You have faced the truth and stood firm. The trial is passed."

Relief swept through her, but there was no time to rest. The third dragon stepped forward, its form flickering with raw power.

"The final trial sacrifice. Will you pay the price to protect what you love?"

Before Eira could respond, the mist shifted again this time, showing Kael. He stood alone, surrounded by shadowed figures with glowing red eyes. He fought fiercely, but they closed in, overwhelming him.

Eira's heart twisted in fear. "What is this?"

"To open the sanctuary, you must offer something precious," the dragon said. "Would you give your own life or his?"

The vision sharpened as Kael fell to his knees, blood staining the ground.

Eira's hands trembled. If she chose wrong, she could lose everything.

And the price of her choice would change everything forever.