The palace halls felt colder than the outside world.
Amara walked between two royal guards as they escorted her deeper into the castle.
Their armor clinked softly with every step, echoing against the tall stone walls.
Her heart was beating fast.
"What exactly is the Sacred Trial?" she finally asked.
One of the guards glanced at her but didn't answer.
The other simply said, "You will see soon enough."
That answer didn't make her feel better.
At the end of the long hallway, they reached a massive stone door covered with glowing symbols. Ancient markings were carved across its surface, pulsing faintly with magic.
Amara stopped.
"What is this place?"
Before the guards could respond, another voice spoke from behind her.
"It is the oldest chamber in the kingdom."
Amara turned.
Captain Roderic was walking toward them.
He looked less confident than before.
"This chamber existed long before the palace was built," he continued. "It was created by the ancient Lightbound themselves."
Amara stared at the glowing symbols.
"So… I have to go inside?"
Roderic nodded slowly.
"The Sacred Trial will test your power."
"And if I fail?" she asked.
He hesitated.
"Then the king will know you are not the one we've been searching for."
Amara swallowed nervously.
The guards pushed the giant door open.
A deep rumbling sound echoed as the ancient stone moved.
Inside was a massive circular chamber.
Strange glowing runes covered the walls and floor. At the center stood a tall crystal pillar radiating soft golden light.
Amara stepped inside slowly.
The door closed behind her with a loud boom.
She was alone.
At first, nothing happened.
Then suddenly—
The runes on the floor began glowing brighter.
The crystal pillar pulsed.
And a deep voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"Lightbound… prove your worth."
Amara spun around.
"Who said that?"
The voice answered again.
"The trial has begun."
Suddenly the crystal pillar cracked open.
A wave of dark energy burst out and formed into a creature.
A massive shadow warrior appeared before her, holding a long blade made of darkness.
Amara's eyes widened.
"You want me to fight that?!"
The shadow warrior charged.
Amara jumped back just in time as the dark blade slammed into the ground, cracking the stone floor.
Her heart pounded.
She raised her hands instinctively.
Amber light burst from her palms.
The shadow warrior swung again, but this time Amara blocked the attack with a shield of glowing light.
The impact shook her arms.
But she held her ground.
"I'm not losing!" she shouted.
Her power surged stronger than before.
The amber glow spread across the chamber, pushing the darkness back.
With one final burst of energy, she fired a beam of light straight at the shadow warrior.
BOOM.
The creature shattered into pieces of shadow that slowly disappeared.
The chamber fell silent again.
The glowing runes dimmed.
The deep voice returned.
"Trial… passed."
The stone doors slowly opened again.
Outside, the king, Captain Roderic, and several royal advisors were waiting.
The king smiled as Amara stepped out.
"I knew it," he said calmly.
"She truly is Lightbound."
But the Shadow Prince, hidden in the far shadows of the hall, looked deeply troubled.
"Something isn't right…" he whispered.
Far beneath the royal palace…
In a hidden underground chamber…
A pair of glowing red eyes slowly opened in the darkness.
A voice whispered:
"So the Lightbound has arrived…"