Kael landed on solid ground, gasping for breath. The world around him was eerily silent, an empty wasteland filled with remnants of lost civilizations. Towers crumbled into dust, statues of nameless gods lay shattered.
And then, the whispers began.
They spoke in hushed tones, voices of the past—memories not his own. Visions flooded his mind: battles fought long ago, ancient beings waging war over the very fabric of existence. He saw glimpses of himself in those battles… yet they weren't his memories.
"You were here before," a voice echoed. "You have walked this path many times."
Kael clutched his head. "Who am I?"
The wind carried no answer, only the weight of forgotten truths.
---
Chapter 13: The Trial of Eternity
As Kael wandered the ruins, a massive gate loomed before him—carved with the same three interlocking rings as his pendant. As he touched it, the sky darkened, and spectral figures emerged.
They were warriors, clad in celestial armor, their eyes burning with astral fire.
"Prove yourself," one of them commanded. "Only the worthy may pass."
Kael had no choice. He drew upon the strange energy within him, feeling it pulse in his veins. As the first warrior lunged, he dodged, countering with an explosion of pure light. The battle raged on, each strike revealing more of his hidden potential.
By the end, he stood victorious, panting, his body aching. The warriors bowed and stepped aside.
The gate creaked open, revealing a bridge of starlight leading to the final mystery.