Steel clashed against steel, and the Sanctum of Trials shook.
Riku's blade met its dark twin—Arcblade against Umbrafang—each swing releasing sparks of pure energy that lit up the shadows. His breath came in sharp gasps, his muscles burning. Across from him, the dark version of himself moved like liquid death—graceful, relentless, precise.
"You're fighting yourself," the illusion said, voice cold and unyielding. "And you're losing."
Riku stumbled back as the Umbrafang sliced through the air, nearly tearing through his shoulder. He raised the Arcblade just in time, blocking the strike, but the force knocked him off his feet.
The dark twin stalked forward, eyes glowing like embers. "You don't belong in this world. You were dragged here by accident. A mistake."
Riku gritted his teeth and pushed himself up.
"Then I'll become the reason this world survives."
The Arcblade responded, glowing with a radiant light that pulsed with his heartbeat. With a defiant roar, Riku charged. This time, he didn't hesitate. He didn't doubt. He trusted the sword. Trusted himself.
Their blades met again, but now the light was stronger. The twin's strikes faltered. The illusion trembled.
"No!" it hissed. "You are weak—afraid—!"
"And that's exactly why I'll win," Riku growled.
With one final strike, he drove the Arcblade through the chest of his mirror.
The shadow burst apart in a swirl of smoke and fading memory.
Silence returned to the chamber. Then—
[Trial Completed.]
The room filled with golden light, and the Arcblade hovered in front of Riku, spinning slowly. Its design changed—its hilt more elegant, its blade etched with glowing runes of fire and wind. It no longer felt like a weapon. It felt like a part of him.
He reached out and took it.
A pulse of power surged through his body. He saw flashes—visions of ancient battles, of former Heralds, of dragons soaring across ruined skies. He saw Aria... crying beside a grave.
And then it ended.
---
The chamber doors opened.
Aria stood waiting, arms crossed, eyes unreadable. Behind her, Lord Vael, the council, and half the fortress watched in silence.
Riku stepped out, the Arcblade now blazing softly at his side.
"He passed," Aria said, as if trying to convince herself.
Lord Vael gave a single nod. "Then he is ready."
Before Riku could speak, the child mage floated forward, brows furrowed.
"No... something's wrong."
Everyone turned.
She touched Riku's arm and gasped. Her orbs turned red.
"There's a tether. Something dark... followed him back."
In the sky above the castle, clouds twisted.
A cold wind rushed through the halls.
And then, from the heavens, a voice echoed—low, inhuman, filled with venom.
"So the light awakens… Let it burn bright, so I may cast a longer shadow."
Far in the distance, beyond the floating mountains, a pillar of black flame shot into the sky.
The Shadow Herald had awakened.
And war had begun.
---