Leonardo's eyes shot open with a gasp.
He was lying on the cold stone floor of the trial chamber, the faint hum of ambient ether still lingering in the air. Above him, shadows shifted—familiar faces staring down with varying degrees of confusion.
"You good?" Velvet asked, crouching beside him, eyebrows raised.
Leonardo pushed himself up, rubbing his head. "I… I saw something."
He tried to explain—but the moment he opened his mouth, nothing came out. No voice. No sound. Just silence. His mouth moved again, but still, no words.
Leo blinked, shook his head. "What the—?"
The others didn't seem to notice—or maybe they chose not to. Without another word, they turned toward the looming doorway that led deeper into the trial chamber.
"Let's keep moving," Kouneli said, already stepping forward.
As they crossed the threshold, darkness consumed the room in an instant—an overwhelming, suffocating black that erased the world around them.
Kouneli's eyes fluttered open.
He wasn't in the chamber anymore.
He was in a bedroom—dimly lit, quiet, eerily familiar. Wooden walls, framed photos on a crooked shelf, the same ticking clock by the window. His eyes scanned the space in disbelief.
The bed creaked beside him.
He turned—and froze.
His own body lay in the bed, peacefully asleep.
A sharp breath caught in his throat just as a voice whispered behind him, smooth as wind curling through dead leaves.
"So, you're awake. Welcome to the first trial."
Kouneli spun around.
Ethiron stood in the corner, arms folded behind her back, expression neutral but eyes dancing with amusement. The white-haired woman seemed out of place in the homely room, like a porcelain doll dropped into a memory.
"In order to grow," she said, stepping closer, "you must face your past."
The door creaked open.
A tall Adretian man stepped into the room—dark teal skin, black hair cascading past his shoulders, and blank white eyes that still somehow held emotion. His voice was calm, casual.
"You've slept too long, Kouneli."
The younger version of Kouneli groaned, stretching. "Why do you always gotta be so rough?"
The man scoffed, arms crossed. "Because someone has to protect you. Especially after she died."
Kouneli flinched, his fists clenched.
Ethiron leaned in, whispering near his ear. "You know him, don't you? The man who can't let go of the past... Talon Atsáli. Your brother."
Kouneli didnt answer, only looking at his brother.
Talon helped past-Kouneli get dressed and led him outside. Present-Kouneli and Ethiron followed, unseen, the scene replaying like a vivid memory. In the town square, Talon aided locals with lifting crates into a new home. Later, he took his younger brother to a cozy restaurant—warm colors, the scent of grilled meat in the air.
Over their meal, Talon smiled.
"Guess what?" he said, smirking. "I've been promoted. Right hand of the Central Authority."
"And how long do you want to brag about this new promotion?" Kouneli answered.
"Until the day you finally enroll in the central authority little bro." Talon said.
"You two seem to have such a brotherly bond," Ethiron teased, walking beside present-Kouneli.
After lunch, Talon stood and stretched. "Don't stay out too long. Focus on your training."
Ethiron waved her hand, shifting the scene.
Talon now stood before Drallus Ehr, the imposing leader of the Central Authority. Orange eyes, blonde hair, white cloak with a golden insignia.
"You think being Deepwoken of Frost makes you exempt?" Drallus growled. "You have responsibilities, Talon."
"Relax Drally, I have just been focused on helping my brother"
Kouneli's heart skipped. His breath caught.
Deepwoken of Frost?
Ethiron's voice tickled his ear. "Hydur must've chosen him for a reason."
Drallus handed Talon a stack of papers. "Focus on this. I've a meeting with one of our sponsors."
Talon turned to leave—just as the sponsor walked past him.
Pale white hair, crimson eyes, deathly pale skin. White eyelashes. Pointed ears. A presence that screamed danger.
Talon stiffened as the man passed, his aura leaving a chill behind.
Another shift—later in Talon's office. He sat slouched in his chair, yawning after hours of paperwork.
A knock.
"Come in," he called.
The sponsor entered.
Ethiron narrowed her eyes. "He's finally shown his ugly face…"
The sponsor smiled gently. "Long day?"
"Who are you?"
"Someone with knowledge. For instance… I know the truth about your mother's death."
Kouneli stepped back in horror.
Talon's gaze hardened. "What did you say?"
The sponsor gently placed a hand atop Talon's head.
Visions exploded behind his eyes.
A womb. Blood. Screams. A child lashing out with crimson blades of blood from within. His mother convulsing.
"You… You're saying… Kouneli did this?" Talon whispered, falling to his knees.
"It's very possible," the sponsor replied smoothly.
Talon roared, shattering the window and leaping out in fury.
Ethiron tilted her head. "He sure knows how to sound convincing."
The sponsor turned, eyes locking onto her. "Still playing with these dumb trials, Ethiron?"
She smirked. "How long do you plan to pretend to be human?"
The sponsor shrugged. "Long enough for my plans to be completed."