The fiery labyrinth twisted and shifted, walls of flame rising and falling like the breath of some ancient beast. Each step Kaen and his companions took was met with searing heat and the crackle of burning embers.
Kaen's gauntlet glowed brightly, its warmth a strange comfort amid the inferno. He focused on the faint symbols etched into its surface—ancient runes that pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat. The gauntlet seemed to respond to the labyrinth's challenges, illuminating paths that would otherwise be lost to fire and smoke.
Mira shielded her face from the sparks, her eyes scanning for any clues that might lead them forward. "The guardian said this is a trial… but what exactly are we proving?"
Kaen's jaw tightened. "That we're worthy of the truth Ashen Reach hides."
Suddenly, the flames before them parted, revealing a glowing orb suspended in midair. It flickered with images—scenes from a time long past. The rise of Ashen Reach, the betrayal that ignited its downfall, and the fate of those who tried to protect its secrets.
As Kaen reached toward the orb, a voice echoed again—calm but resolute.
"To wield fire is to wield both creation and destruction. You must choose which flame will guide your path."
The orb split into two—a brilliant white flame of hope and a deep crimson blaze of vengeance.
Kaen exchanged a glance with Mira and the others. The choice was clear, yet the consequences were unknown.
With steady resolve, Kaen touched the white flame.
In an instant, the fiery labyrinth dimmed, the flames cooling into glowing embers. The trial was over—but the echoes of fire had only just begun to reveal their secrets.
Kaen felt a newfound power stirring in the gauntlet—and a heavier responsibility weighing on his shoulders.
"We've passed the trial," he said quietly. "But the real journey starts now."