Zayn stepped into the glowing circle on the floor.It rose slowly into the air like a platform made of light.
He looked calm. His long robe flowed in the wind.Elaine, Aqua, and Astra watched from below, nervous but trusting him.
The light grew brighter.
Suddenly, the temple disappeared.
Zayn found himself standing in a strange space.
It looked like the sky—but everything was still.No wind. No sound. No life.
Just a quiet, endless blue.
"This is the Sky Trial?" Zayn whispered.
A voice answered from the air."To gain the Sky Seal, you must face yourself."
Then, the wind gathered in front of him.
And slowly… a figure appeared.
It was him.
Another Zayn. Same face. Same clothes. Same calm eyes.
But something was different.
His other self-had a cold smile. His aura was full of darkness.
"Who are you?" Zayn asked.
The other Zayn laughed. "I'm the part of you that you buried."
He took a step forward."I'm the power you sealed away. The rage you hid. The dark path you never chose."
Zayn stood still. His voice didn't shake."I walked away from that power long ago."
"But you still need me," the dark Zayn said."To save the realms… to protect your people… to win the war… You need me."
Suddenly, the dark Zayn rushed forward, his hands glowing with black lightning.
Zayn dodged quickly, raising his palm.
A soft golden star lit up above him.
Boom!
The two clashed in the sky.Light and shadow exploded around them.
Below, Elaine and Aqua watched nervously.
"He's fighting himself, isn't he?" Aqua asked.
"Yes," Astra replied. "This trial is about balance. Light and dark. Mind and soul."
Elaine clenched her fists. "Zayn won't lose. He's stronger than anyone."
Back in the trial...
Zayn and his dark self-stood apart, both breathing slowly.
"You can't destroy me," the dark one said.
Zayn nodded. "I know."
He raised both hands.
One hand glowed with divine golden light.The other burned with deep black flames.
"Because you are part of me," Zayn said.
He slowly brought his hands together.
Light and darkness swirled—becoming one.
The dark Zayn's eyes widened."You're… accepting me?"
Zayn smiled. "We are the same. I don't fear you anymore."
The space around them shook.
The sky above cracked like glass.
A huge symbol appeared in the sky—a silver wing surrounded by seven stars.
The voice returned.
"You have passed. The Sky Seal is yours."
A shining mark appeared on Zayn's chest, glowing with wind and star energy.
The dark Zayn smiled for the first time."Good luck… Star Sovereign."
Then, he faded into light.
Zayn opened his eyes.
He was back in the Sky Temple.
Selene looked surprised. "You… balanced it. Light and dark."
Zayn nodded. The Sky Seal shimmered on his chest.
Elaine ran up to him and hugged him without warning.
"Don't ever scare me like that again!"
Zayn chuckled. "I'll try."
Aqua smiled. "One seal down. Six to go."
Astra floated silently, her voice gentle."But the next one won't be so easy."
Zayn looked to the sky.
"I'm ready."