Chapter Fourteen: The Trial of Keys

"You've got to be joking," Kael muttered, staring at the stone archway half-sunken into the dirt.

A rusted plaque above it read in old-world lettering:

TRIAL OF KEYS – AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY. NO ENTRY WITHOUT SOUL-PASS.

"Is that a joke?" Nyra said. "What even is a soul-pass?"

Corin adjusted his coat. "The Spire's internal security system created tests to ensure only compatible minds could access certain levels. Isla programmed them to evolve over time."

"Evolve how?" Nuel asked.

"Well," Corin said, sighing. "One version made us fight holographic guardians. Another one made us solve logic puzzles while being pelted with sleep darts. One test just asked really personal questions about childhood trauma."

Nyra made a face. "What kind of twisted HR department did your sister run?"

Corin didn't respond.

Thera stood near the edge of the arena. "The Trial responds to the Anchor. Only those it recognizes can begin it. If he fails—he dies. If he succeeds—you may pass."

Kael threw his hands up. "Great! No pressure, Nuel!"

"Thanks for the pep talk," Nuel muttered.

He stepped forward. The moment his foot touched the threshold of the arch, the bracelet glowed bright blue. Symbols pulsed along the archway and spiraled downward. The ground trembled. The sky above them darkened.

Then the world shifted.

Nuel blinked—and found himself inside a massive, enclosed chamber, its walls humming with faint energy. Columns twisted into impossible shapes, floating stairs led nowhere, and the floor moved underfoot like it was breathing.

Floating before him were six doorways. Each one carved with a different glowing symbol: a blade, a mask, a heart, a flame, an eye, and a shattered ring.

A voice echoed—deep and mechanical, yet with a strange warmth:

"CHOOSE."

"Yeah, okay," Nuel muttered. "No riddles there."

He stepped toward the door marked with the mask. Something about it called to him—mystery, identity, the part of himself still clouded by what the Rift had changed.

As his fingers brushed the door, it vanished, and the floor dropped out from beneath him.

He landed hard, rolling across a circular stone arena.

Standing at the center was a figure—his height, his build. Same wild black hair. Same wary expression.

Nuel stared.

His own reflection looked back at him.

"Oh no. No no no," Nuel groaned. "We're doing the evil twin thing? Could we not?"

The clone grinned—mirthless. Its eyes were completely black.

"You are not ready," it said. "You don't deserve the Anchor."

"Maybe not," Nuel muttered, drawing in breath. "But I'm not letting a smug version of me stand in my way."

He rushed forward.

The fight was a blur of strikes, dodges, and taunts. Nuel wasn't a trained fighter, but he moved with instinct—each attack powered by a rising surge in the bracelet. Energy flared around his limbs. His double matched him move for move.

Punch. Counter. Dash. Leap.

"Okay," Nuel grunted, ducking under a sweeping kick. "I get it! I'm fighting... my doubts or something?"

The clone smirked. "You're fighting the part of you that still wants to run."

The words struck harder than the fists.

Nuel faltered. The clone tackled him, pinning him against the ground.

"You're not strong enough," it hissed. "You're scared they'll all leave you. Just like your family did."

A pulse of rage broke through the fear. Nuel's hand snapped up, and the bracelet flared. Energy blasted outward—throwing the clone back.

Nuel rose, panting. "You're right. I am scared. But I'm still here. And I'm not leaving them behind."

He clenched his fist.

The energy around him sharpened into a blade of light.

The clone rushed him.

One strike.

The figure shattered into glass-like shards and faded into mist.

Outside, Corin stood at the edge of the Trial platform, watching the archway.

"He's taking longer than expected," Kael said. "Think he got stuck in the trauma quiz?"

Corin smiled faintly. "If he fails, the bracelet returns alone."

"I don't like that wording."

Suddenly, the arch lit up again—and Nuel stumbled out, smoke trailing from his coat, a bit singed at the collar.

"Anyone have a protein bar?" he groaned. "I just punched myself for ten minutes."

Nyra tossed him a snack. "Welcome back, champ."

Thera nodded, impressed. "The Spire has acknowledged him. You may proceed."

They entered the lower corridors of Apex Spire soon after, passing through ancient gates that sealed behind them with a hiss.

Inside, it was cold—too cold. Lights flickered along the walls, casting long shadows that moved a half-second slower than they should have.

Corin led the way, occasionally touching panels to reestablish system links.

"Elara, sync the nav beacons."

"On it."

"Kael, keep rear guard."

"Gladly."

"Nuel—"

"Let me guess. Don't touch anything glowing."

Corin raised a brow. "You're learning."

As they descended further, the corridor opened into a massive atrium with hanging platforms suspended by cables. Something about the place felt... half-awake.

Nuel approached one of the consoles near the center. It hummed as he neared, lighting up in a soft teal glow. A small hologram flickered into view—Isla's face.

His breath caught.

She looked tired. Older. But real.

"Anchor protocol activated," she said. "If you're seeing this, you made it."

Nuel stared.

"Elara," Corin said softly, "start a memory extraction. We may have limited time."

But before she could begin, alarms blared.

The room shook.

From the shadows above, something dropped—a spider-like Rift beast made of shifting obsidian plates and tendrils of screaming light.

Kael swore. "Why is it always a giant spider?!"

The creature lunged.

Nyra leapt first, landing on its back and stabbing into a joint.

Kael rolled beneath it, firing at its underbelly. "Keep it moving!"

Nuel felt the bracelet pulse again—stronger, more focused. He raised his hand.

A barrier burst around the others, shielding them just as the creature struck with a shriek.

Corin tossed him a glowing sphere. "Anchor burst! Throw it into its core!"

"How do I find the core?!"

"It'll be the part that tries to kill you hardest!"

Nuel dove under the monster's legs, narrowly avoiding a sweeping limb. He saw it then—an opening in its chest, pulsing darkly.

He hurled the sphere.

It connected.

Boom.

The creature screeched, then exploded into a mist of Rift ash.

Silence returned.

Nyra dropped from a hanging wire. "That was fun. Can we do it again?"

Kael groaned. "You need therapy."

As the dust settled, the hologram of Isla resumed.

"You're not done yet," her voice said. "But you're on the right path."

Nuel nodded slowly. "I'm ready."