The forest gave way to cliffs and fog. Nicolette gripped her cloak as they reached a massive stone arch carved with glowing runes. It pulsed gently—like a heartbeat.
"The Sanctum lies beyond this gate," Kael said. "But only those judged worthy may enter."
As Nicolette stepped forward, the air thickened. The runes on the arch flared bright blue, then dimmed. A deep voice boomed from nowhere:
> "Healer of Two Worlds… Speak your truth."
She froze. Her mind raced.
"I didn't choose this path," she said. "But I'll walk it. If I can ease pain—even here—I won't run."
The gate shimmered. The fog parted.
A narrow bridge appeared over a glowing abyss. On the far side, a marble temple rose from the mist—ancient, waiting.
Kael nodded. "You've been accepted."
Inside the Sanctum, voices whispered. Candles lit themselves. And at the center… a floating crystal with a heartbeat.
It pulsed once—and Nicolette collapsed.
Visions flooded her.
A war. A healer queen. A betrayal.
And at the center of it all… her own face.