The Mark of Sacrifice

The morning mist clung to the trees as Nia and Zeke crossed the shallow stream at the edge of the Ashara foothills. The distant peaks rose like jagged shadows against the pale sky, their snow-tipped crowns gleaming under the soft light. The path ahead was narrow and winding, carved into the rock by centuries of wind and rain.

Nia's boots sank slightly into the damp earth as they climbed. Zeke followed closely behind, his hand steadying her whenever the path became too unstable. The weight of Lira's words from the day before hung between them like a heavy fog.

Only one of you can survive the final test.

Nia's heart tightened at the memory. She stole a glance at Zeke as he adjusted the strap of his pack. His gaze was steady and calm, but she knew him well enough to sense the storm beneath.

"We don't know what the test is yet," Zeke said after a while.

"That doesn't make it any less dangerous," Nia replied.

He smiled faintly. "We've faced worse."

They continued climbing until they reached a narrow plateau overlooking the valley below. Thick clusters of ferns and wildflowers framed the edge, swaying in the cool breeze. In the distance, the Kaduwa River shimmered like a silver thread beneath the rising sun.

Zeke knelt, pulling out the journal they had recovered from the chapel. He flipped through the brittle pages until he found a sketch of the spiral symbol etched over a map of the Ashara mountains.

"This marking," Zeke said, tracing his finger over a star-shaped symbol at the map's edge. "It looks like a convergence point."

Nia crouched beside him. "What's there?"

"The journal doesn't say," Zeke replied. "But if it's tied to the spirals' power, it might be where the test happens."

Nia's chest tightened. "Then we need to find it first—before the Watchers."

They were about to move on when Nia's hand brushed against the silver vial around her neck. A sudden chill swept through her chest, and her vision darkened.

A flash—

Shadows closing in.

A spiral of light spinning beneath her feet.

Blood on the stone floor.

Zeke's hand slipping from hers.

Nia's eyes flew open, her breath ragged.

"Nia?" Zeke's hand was on her shoulder.

She shook her head, swallowing hard. "I saw—"

"You had a vision?"

She nodded. "It felt… real."

"What did you see?"

Nia hesitated, her hand tightening around the vial. "You were there… but I couldn't reach you."

Zeke's expression darkened. "We won't let that happen."

Suddenly, a rustling sound echoed from the treeline. Nia's heart hammered as Zeke stood, his hand on the knife at his side.

From the shadows, three figures emerged—cloaked in dark robes, spiral pendants hanging at their necks. The Watchers.

"Step away from the journal," one of them commanded.

Zeke's hand tightened on the hilt of his knife. "Not happening."

The tallest Watcher stepped forward, his hood falling back to reveal a pale face marked by thin scars. His gaze locked on Nia.

"The test is not yours to refuse," he said. "It is written."

Nia stood, her jaw tightening. "We don't answer to you."

"You misunderstand," the Watcher replied. "The spirals have already chosen. The test will begin—with or without your consent."

Nia's breath sharpened. "What does that mean?"

The Watcher smiled faintly. "You'll see."

Without warning, the ground beneath them began to tremble. A low vibration rolled through the earth, sending loose stones scattering across the plateau.

"Nia—" Zeke grabbed her hand.

A sudden flash of light erupted from the cliffside. The stone beneath their feet cracked, and Nia felt herself being pulled toward the edge.

Zeke's arms wrapped around her waist, steadying her. They stumbled back as a jagged opening split the earth beneath them. A staircase spiraled down into the dark depths below.

The Watchers stood at the edge, unmoving. "The path has been revealed," the lead Watcher said. "Face it—if you can."

Nia's breath quickened. She glanced at Zeke, who nodded.

"We do this together," Zeke said.

Nia took a shaky breath. "Together."

Hand in hand, they stepped toward the spiral staircase. As they descended into the dark, the sound of the Watchers' low chanting followed them.

Nia's heart pounded. Whatever test lay ahead, the spirals had already marked them for it.

And destiny was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.