The Trial of Kings
The entrance to the Trial of Kings loomed before Elias—an ancient obsidian gate carved with runes that pulsed like living hearts. Flames drifted through the air like fireflies, and the ground trembled with every beat of the magic sealed inside.
Azeryn stood next to him, her cape swirling with dark energy. "Last chance, Elias. Walk away, and I will deal with the Council myself."
He gave her a determined smile. "You're my wife. I'm not letting you fight alone."
She looked away, but not before he caught the faintest blush on her cheeks.
The Council waited behind them like vultures.
"The human enters alone," the eldest elder boomed.
Azeryn snarled. "If any of you interfere—"
"We will not," the elder said too sweetly. "The Trial will kill him without our help."
Elias stepped forward.
The gate opened.
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Inside the Trial
The moment Elias crossed the threshold, the world warped. He found himself standing in a vast arena of shifting platforms suspended above an endless void.
A voice echoed through the darkness:
"FIRST TRIAL: COURAGE."
A colossal beast rose from the abyss—its body made of molten rock, its eyes blazing with fury. Elias's legs shook, but he forced himself to stand tall.
He didn't have weapons—only his will.
When the beast charged, Elias dove aside, rolling beneath a torrent of flame. He grabbed a fallen shard of glowing crystal and, with desperate strength, drove it into the creature's core.
The beast let out a deafening roar and crumbled.
The arena shifted again.
"SECOND TRIAL: TRUTH."
A mirror appeared. Inside it, Elias saw himself—weak, afraid, insignificant.
"You cannot protect her," the reflection whispered. "She will die because you are nothing."
Elias clenched his fists. "Maybe I'm not strong yet. But she believes in me. And I'll become strong enough."
The mirror shattered.
Outside the Trial
Azeryn waited, pacing. Demons whispered behind her.
Then the ground shook.
The gate burst open, and a blinding light surged out.
Elias stepped through—bloodied, exhausted, but alive.
The Council recoiled. Azeryn froze, eyes wide.
He held a glowing mark on his arm—the symbol of a king.
"The Trials accepted him…" a councilor whispered in fear.
Azeryn rushed to Elias, catching him as he collapsed. "You reckless human… you did it."
He smiled weakly. "Told you… I won't leave your side."
And for the first time, the Demon Queen held him like something precious.