Smoke and molten dust blanketed the sky. The once-silver plateau was nothing more than scorched stone and fractured symbols.
Arhaan's breath came ragged, his entire body trembling from the strain of the awakened chains. They glowed faintly now—alive, humming with power that felt almost divine. Every pulse of light echoed his heartbeat.
The Guardian staggered, massive claws sinking into the shattered ground. Its molten eyes flickered, and for the first time, it looked afraid.
Arhaan took a step forward, chains unfurling behind him like wings of molten gold. The air rippled around him; the disciples watching below felt their knees weaken.
"He's… changing."
"That power— it's not human anymore…"
Arhaan clenched his fists. The chains obeyed.
Each link gleamed like a star.
"This ends now."
He thrust his arm forward. The chains exploded from his back, hundreds of them, weaving together into a colossal spear of light that shot toward the wounded Guardian.
But just before the blow landed—
Kael moved.
A blur of crimson and shadow streaked past Arhaan. Kael's palm glowed with dark flame, twisting the very air as he struck the beast's chest. The impact ignited an explosion of shadowfire, consuming the Guardian's upper body.
The beast screamed—a sound so fierce the mountain itself trembled—and then collapsed, its colossal frame dissolving into molten ash.
The plateau fell silent.
For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then, disciples erupted into cheers.
"Kael defeated the Guardian!"
"He did it! He's the chosen of Heaven!"
Arhaan froze, still standing amid the smoke, the light of his chains dimming in disbelief. His attack had been mere moments from landing—but Kael had stolen the final strike.
Kael turned slowly, eyes glowing faintly red in the flickering light. His face was calm, his tone measured as he looked at the disciples.
"The beast was powerful. But we all fought bravely."
He turned his gaze to Arhaan, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Especially you, Arhaan. Without your efforts, I might not have struck the final blow."
Arhaan met his eyes. For a moment, he said nothing. Then he spoke quietly, his voice steady despite the tremor of anger beneath.
"The beast fell because of both of us. Remember that."
Kael smiled faintly. "Of course."
But his eyes said something entirely different.
Above them, the sky crackled with divine thunder. The trial was over. The victors had been chosen.
And heaven itself had already made its judgment.