The mountain path twisted onward, narrow and wild, flanked by old trees and cliffs that seemed to lean in closer with every step. Yun Lan led the group, her staff humming faintly in her hand, the magic within it pulsing like a heartbeat. The mist had retreated slightly, and now shafts of late afternoon sun filtered through the treetops, illuminating motes of dust in the air.
They hadn't spoken much since breaking the illusion beneath the silver tree.
The whispering spirit's warning still echoed in Yun Lan's mind.
She glanced sideways at Leon, walking silently beside her. His dark eyes were focused on the trail, jaw tight. That spirit had spoken directly to him. To them. And she'd answered without hesitation.
"I love him."
She hadn't planned to say it aloud. Not then. But it had been the truth. As soon as the words left her lips, something inside her had clicked—like puzzle pieces finally snapping into place.
She loved Leon.
Dangerous, obsessive, possessive Leon. The man who once held her captive. The man who now protected her like his life depended on it.
And he hadn't said anything back.
Yun Lan shook off the thought and pressed forward.
"Stop," Kael said suddenly, raising his hand.
They halted in front of a large stone arch almost hidden by ivy. The ruins of what once must've been a temple stretched behind it, partially collapsed into the mountainside. A soft wind howled through the gaps, carrying with it a low whisper—like chanting, ancient and wordless.
"This is it," Yun Lan said softly. "I can feel the relic. It's here."
The arch had strange runes carved into the stone—symbols that shimmered faintly when Yun Lan stepped closer. The moment her foot touched the cracked flagstone, the symbols lit up, casting a pale green glow that danced like moonlight.
Behind her, Arin gasped. "Did you see that?"
"It's reacting to her," Kael murmured.
"To the staff," Leon added. "It's a key."
Yun Lan nodded. "Then let's use it."
She stepped forward, raising the staff. "Toiagule… vino."
The green orb flared as the staff grew brighter, the magic wrapping around the stone archway like vines. The runes pulsed once—then faded.
A loud click echoed through the ruins, followed by the grinding of ancient gears.
Somewhere inside, a hidden door opened.
They entered the ruins slowly. The corridor beyond the arch was narrow, built from stone long covered in moss. As they walked, the air grew cooler. Yun Lan could hear water dripping from cracks overhead. Their footsteps echoed—too loud, as if the place hadn't heard visitors in centuries.
"What is this place?" Arin whispered.
"A trial ground," Kael answered grimly. "This is no simple hiding spot. The relic is being protected… guarded."
By what, none of them knew.
They entered a large circular chamber where moonlight streamed in from an opening high above. In the center, embedded into the floor, was a silver disc etched with the same runes as the archway. The light pooled onto it like liquid.
"It's beautiful," Arin breathed.
Yun Lan approached slowly, watching as the runes glowed again beneath her steps. But the moment her foot touched the silver disc—everything changed.
The chamber shuddered.
The runes burst into light.
And the floor fell away.
Leon lunged, grabbing Yun Lan's arm just as she dropped, but it was too late. The stone beneath all of them vanished in a flash of blinding white, and suddenly they were falling—not through air, but through magic.
Yun Lan landed hard but unharmed, the impact softened by glowing vines that emerged from the floor. She sat up quickly, staff already in hand.
Leon landed beside her with a grunt, followed by Kael and Arin moments later.
They were in a different chamber now—dark and vast, like the inside of a hollow mountain. The walls pulsed faintly with light. But what caught their attention most was what stood at the center:
A large, cracked mirror, framed in silver, with an altar in front of it.
"It's not the relic," Kael said immediately. "This is another test."
"Of course it is," Leon growled. "This mountain's full of riddles."
Yun Lan stepped toward the mirror.
Her reflection stared back at her—only it wasn't quite right.
The Yun Lan in the mirror looked… twisted. Her eyes were cold, expression cruel. The staff in her hand glowed red instead of green. Her mouth curved into a cruel smile.
"That's not me," Yun Lan whispered.
As she reached out, the mirror shattered—but instead of glass, the shards turned into light and flew into the air. They spun rapidly, forming four glowing orbs that hovered above the altar.
Then, a voice echoed in the chamber.
"Four truths hidden. Four lies spoken. Only by choosing who you are may you continue."
The orbs pulsed. One descended toward Yun Lan.
The voice returned.
"Step forward, Yun Lan. Face yourself."
The others stood back as Yun Lan moved to the altar. The orb floated before her, shifting and reshaping. Suddenly, an image appeared inside it.
A vision—of her and Leon, but different. In it, she was crying while he stood over her, cold and cruel, holding her prisoner.
"That was before," she said aloud. "That's not us anymore."
"Is it not?" the voice asked.
Another orb floated toward her. A second vision played—this time, she saw herself leaving Leon behind, alone in a burning castle, walking away without regret.
She flinched.
"No… I wouldn't…"
"Wouldn't you?"
The third orb came. This one showed her becoming like her enemies—heartless, using power to dominate those who had wronged her, relishing in revenge.
"I'm not like that!" she shouted.
"But you could be."
The final orb floated forward—and this time, it showed her future.
A path where she became a queen of magic, surrounded by people who feared her. Alone. Powerful. Untouchable.
She stared into the vision.
Then she reached forward—and pushed all the orbs away.
"I'm not perfect," Yun Lan said. "Yes, I've been afraid. Yes, I've wanted revenge. But I choose my path. I choose to protect. I choose them."
She turned toward Leon.
"I choose him."
The moment the words left her mouth, the altar pulsed—and a green flame ignited at its center.
From the flame rose a small metallic pendant, shaped like a crescent moon with a crystal embedded at its heart.
The seventh relic.
Kael let out a low breath. "She passed."
Leon walked up beside her, his gaze fierce. "You said it again."
Yun Lan turned to him. "Because I meant it."
He didn't hesitate. He grabbed her waist and pulled her close, pressing his forehead to hers.
"I don't deserve you," he whispered. "But I'll protect you until my last breath."
She smiled softly. "You already have."
They left the chamber with the relic secured.
But as they emerged back into the mountains, the sky above had turned an ominous shade of red. In the far distance, thunder rumbled.
Arin looked nervous. "What now?"
Kael answered grimly, "Now we find the eighth relic."
Yun Lan nodded. She could feel its pull already.
But something dark had awakened with the seventh relic.
And their time was running out.