Chapter Eleven: The Trial of Sacrifice

The mist thickened around them, heavy like wet cloth.

Every step forward felt harder — not because of the ground, but because of the pressure in the air.

Nina and Chris walked in silence, each lost in thought.

They had faced their fears.

They had shown wisdom.

But the third and final trial…

Sacrifice.

Ahead, a huge black archway appeared — ancient, cracked, and covered in vines.

Etched above the entrance, barely visible, were the chilling words:

"To gain everything, you must lose something dear."

Nina felt a knot form in her stomach.

Chris squeezed her shoulder lightly. "No matter wetin dem talk, we dey together." 

She nodded, even though fear gnawed at her.

As they stepped through the archway, the world around them shifted again.

This time, they stood in a massive courtyard under a blood-red sky.

At the center stood a pedestal — and on it, two items:

A shimmering silver dagger.

And a golden locket.

A ghostly figure appeared — an old woman in flowing robes, her face hidden by a veil.

Her voice echoed, soft and cold:

"Two hearts, bound by trust.

Only one may move forward unharmed.

Choose:

Either sacrifice what you love most…

Or sacrifice your own future."

Chris and Nina exchanged a horrified glance.

"What dem mean?" Nina asked sharply.

The woman pointed at the items.

"The dagger breaks the bond.

The locket preserves the bond — but at a terrible personal cost."

Chris stepped forward, fists clenched. "I go choose."

Nina grabbed his arm. "Wait. No rush!"

The old woman continued, voice like wind across a graveyard:

"If you take the dagger, you lose your connection — but gain strength to finish your journey.

If you take the locket, your bond remains — but one of you will be cursed, carrying the pain forever." 

Chris looked at Nina, pain in his eyes.

"I fit no dey lose you," he said in a rough voice. "But I no fit let you suffer for me either."

Tears burned Nina's eyes.

This was worse than any monster or nightmare.

It was real.

She could lose Chris — not his life, but his heart.

Or take on a curse she didn't even understand.

For a long, terrible moment, neither spoke.

Then Nina took a step forward.

"I go choose," she said quietly.

Chris shook his head violently. "No, I go—"

"I say I go choose," Nina insisted, her voice trembling but firm.

She reached for the golden locket. 

The moment her fingers touched it, searing pain shot through her arm.

Visions flashed:

Her standing alone. Chris walking away, unable to remember her. Years of emptiness.

But through it all, a small warmth burned:

Chris's voice, whispering, "You no dey alone."

She gritted her teeth and held tight.

The old woman nodded slowly.

"The bond remains.

But the pain… will mark you."

A jagged scar burned itself into Nina's wrist — a mark invisible to others, but one she would always feel.

The pedestal crumbled into dust.

The sky began to clear.

Chris ran to her, grabbing her hands. "You okay?"

Nina smiled weakly. "Small small."

He pulled her into a hug, tight and fierce.

"You no suppose do am alone," he said roughly.

"I fit carry the pain," Nina whispered. "As long as we dey together."

The mist lifted completely, revealing a shining pathway leading toward a distant mountain — their final destination.

Hand in hand, scarred but stronger, Nina and Chris stepped forward.

They had survived the Trials.

But the true battle for the Heart of the Stars was just beginning.