By midday, they reached the edge of Mirror Vale—a lake as still as glass, surrounded by pale trees that glowed like frost. The air shimmered, thick with old magic.
"This is it," Kael said. "The heart of the curse lies beneath this water."
Elaria stepped closer, her reflection staring back at her. But it wasn't just her—she saw versions of herself layered in the surface. A child. A warrior. A queen.
"The blade will reveal your path," Kael said. "But it will test your will."
Elaria unsheathed the sword given by the witch. It pulsed again, brighter than ever.
Then, the lake split.
Water lifted into the air, forming a ring around them. A woman emerged from the depths—tall, regal, and wearing a silver crown.
Elaria stepped forward. "Are you… one of the queens?"
The woman nodded. "I am Serelis. Your grandmother. The last ruler of Lunaris before the curse fell."
Elaria's breath caught.
Serelis extended her hand, summoning a second blade—sleek, black, and alive with ancient power.
"You must choose," Serelis said. "The sword of your bloodline… or the blade of vengeance. One heals. The other destroys. Both demand sacrifice."
Kael stood still, watching her.
Elaria looked between the two weapons—between legacy and wrath.
And then, without hesitating, she reached for both.
The blades didn't resist.
The lake roared.
Serelis smiled faintly. "Then you are truly the heir."
The water fell silent again.
And in Elaria's hands, two destinies burned—light and shadow, bound by one heart.