The doorway led them into a vast chamber—far larger than any Aeloria had seen in the Sanctum. The air here felt ancient, untouched by time. The room was perfectly circular, with a high domed ceiling etched in glowing constellations: star-mapped depictions of vampire, dragon, and Beastborn lineage woven into a celestial tapestry. Their light shifted slowly, like the sky itself was breathing.
In the center of the chamber stood a raised obsidian platform. Surrounding it was a shallow circular pool filled with shimmering liquid—neither water nor magic, but something between. It reflected the constellations above with unnatural clarity, creating the illusion of standing between two skies.
Aeloria stepped cautiously, feeling the hum of the Sanctum beneath her feet. The energy here was different—heavier, older, watching. The vampire, dragon, and Beastborn flanked her each with a distinct presence that pressed against the chamber walls like an unseen storm.
Their message was silent, yet undeniable: We are here. You are not alone.
A voice rose from the Sanctum itself—deep, ancient, reverberating through the stone and through her bones."Celestial Bond… you have conquered the shadows, faced your fears, and glimpsed the truths of the past. Now you will forge connections. Bonds are not merely bloodlines—they are trust, allegiance, and sacrifice. Only through unity can the Mark achieve its full power."
Aeloria's throat tightened. Trust. Allegiance. Sacrifice. The words carried a weight that pressed against her chest. She glanced at her guardians—creatures of power, lineage, and secrets she could barely understand.
Could she truly rely on them? Could she risk binding her fate to theirs? Could she survive betrayal if it came?
The vampire stepped forward, his crimson eyes glowing with calm precision. "We will guide you. But you must act. The Mark demands action, not hesitation. Fear will cripple you faster than any enemy."
The dragon's golden gaze softened with warmth Aeloria rarely saw. "You will begin to see the threads of connection now. Some will wrap around you naturally… others will cut before they bind. Courage, little star. You will need more than power here."
The Beastborn tilted his head, tail coiling behind him with controlled tension. "This trial is heart as much as strength. One misstep…" His lips curled slightly, not quite a snarl but close. "And the bonds you build may shatter beyond repair."
Aeloria swallowed hard as her pulse quickened. Her sigils began glowing through her skin like molten veins. She had faced shadows that tore at her mind. She had confronted echoes of herself. But this… this was different.
This was not a test of what she feared.
This was a test of what she trusted.
She inhaled sharply, gathering every scrap of resolve she possessed. "I… I'm ready."
With a trembling step, she moved onto the platform.
Immediately, the shimmering pool responded. Light erupted across its surface, sending ripples that distorted the constellations. The reflections of her three guardians appeared in the liquid—but wrong. Twisted. Shadowed.
Their reflections rose from the pool like smoke solidifying into shape, each carrying an aura that made Aeloria's breath catch. They were familiar, yet not. These were not illusions.
These were truths.
The vampire's reflection leaned forward, lips curling into a sharp, cold smile. "Tell us, little star… do you truly trust us? Or does your fear whisper louder in the dark?"
The dragon's reflection towered, eyes burning hotter than molten gold. "Will you accept the fire within? The choices it demands? Or will you flee from your own strength?"
The Beastborn's reflection prowled in a circle around her, voice a low, dangerous rumble. "Can you survive the bond… even if it breaks you? Even if it leaves scars you can never heal?"
Aeloria's chest tightened. Their questions weren't threats. They were truths she'd been avoiding.
Her sigils pulsed—once, twice, violently. The light expanded across her hands until they glowed like carved constellations. Every heartbeat echoed through the chamber, louder than her fear.
Shadows of doubt pressed in—but this time, she did not shrink.
This time, she stood her ground.
The trial had begun.