Night draped its velvet across the forested ridge as the group camped beneath a crescent moon. The flames of the campfire flickered wildly as the breeze picked up. Elara stood alone near a steep cliff, her fingers brushing the petals of a strange midnight flower. Its scent reminded her of the temple gardens, and for a moment, she saw her mother's smiling face—brief and ghostly.
"You always stand apart when your thoughts get too loud," came a soft voice.
She turned. It was Kairo.
"Old habits," she replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
He walked beside her. "You're holding back. You fear they'll discover what you are."
She stiffened.
"I can smell ice magic even when hidden," he whispered. "But I won't betray you. Yet you should tell them soon. The bond among warriors is fragile if built on secrets."
Elara's voice was brittle. "I've only just begun to trust myself. How can I ask others to trust me?"
Kairo didn't answer. Instead, he reached out and plucked the midnight flower. He tucked it gently into her braid.
"Then at least trust this journey."
---
Back at camp, Kael was in the middle of an exaggerated tale of how he slayed a basilisk with nothing but a scarf and his good looks.
Zan yawned.
Varek grumbled, "That's not even how basilisks work."
"Not my fault they fall for charm," Kael winked.
Kane leaned against a tree nearby, arms crossed. His eyes were on Elara as she and Kairo returned, a flower now in her hair.
He stood quickly, brushing dust from his cloak.
"Elara. A word."
Kael's brows rose.
She blinked but nodded, walking away from Kairo.
As they walked into the shadowed clearing, Kane's voice was low.
"You trust him that much already?"
She frowned. "He's done nothing to—"
"He's not one of us. He vanished for 7,000 years and suddenly reappears with answers? Doesn't that seem... too perfect?"
Elara crossed her arms. "And what do you want from me?"
Kane's voice faltered. "I... I don't want you distracted. We need focus."
She narrowed her eyes. "Are you worried about me or about control?"
Before he could answer, the porcupine system popped from her cloak and yawned.
"Drama alert! Tension level at 89%! Should I start betting on who wins her heart?"
Kane groaned. Elara picked up the system by its back fur.
"Not now."
"Suuure. But remember, I'm team Kael. He sings lullabies to me while I nap."
She chucked the system toward Kael, who caught it midair. "My fuzzy fan returns!"
---
That night, Kairo announced the next trial would begin at dawn.
Zan was next. His divine weapon, the Wind Fan of Clarity, was hidden in the Whispering Valley, a place known for illusions.
"Illusions reveal what you fear most," Kairo warned. "And sometimes... what you desire most."
Kael leaned close to Elara, whispering, "If mine ever shows me in a wedding dress, please slap me."
Elara smirked. "Only if you try it on."
---
By dawn, they reached the Whispering Valley. Mist hung thick and low, cloaking the land in silver.
Zan stepped forward, the wind swirling.
Elara laid a calming hand on his shoulder. "Remember who you are."
Zan gave a single nod and walked into the fog.
The valley swallowed him.
Inside, the illusions began immediately.
He saw himself in battle—blood on his hands, comrades dead. A child crying. Then, his own face reflected in a pool—older, colder, eyes filled with betrayal.
Then he saw Elara.
She walked toward him, hand outstretched.
"You're not alone, Zan."
He hesitated.
"You're not real," he whispered.
"Then why does your heart ache?"
He clenched his fists. "Because I fear losing what I never had."
The illusion melted. In its place, the Wind Fan floated in midair. He reached out—and wind spiraled around him, clearing the valley mist.
Outside, the group saw the fog lift and Zan returning.
Kael pouted. "No monsters? No dragons? Just wind and feelings? Lame."
The porcupine climbed onto Elara's head. "Emotional growth is sexy, you barbarian."
Kael gasped. "You flatter me."
Zan smiled faintly. For once, the stoic warrior seemed lighter.
---
That night, as they made camp again, the mood was quieter.
Kane sat apart. Kael roasted mushrooms. Kairo silently sharpened a blade. Elara went to fetch water.
Kael soon followed.
In the moonlit stream, Elara knelt.
Kael sat beside her. "Do you think I'm just a jester?"
She tilted her head. "You hide a lot behind laughter."
Kael sighed. "It's easier than remembering the screams. We were all there, 7,000 years ago. I made jokes then, too. But I couldn't stop what happened."
She looked at him. "You've protected all of us more than you realize."
He smiled softly. "Careful, witch. I might fall harder."
"Too late," muttered the porcupine from behind a rock.
Elara burst out laughing.
And once more, a serpent in the stars opened one eye.
---
End of Chapter 11