POV: Kael Ryuu
The Crest Arena roared with expectation. Marble platforms suspended by runic pillars formed a circular stage, its center scorched by ceremonial flame. As Kael stepped forward, every whisper of wind felt like a dagger, every gasp of the crowd a drumbeat in his chest.
He stood beside Seran Dustros, whose molten glass blades flickered crimson in the noon sun, and Lyselle Thorne, frost arrays rippling around her like moonlight on ice. To his left, Kain Dravos flexed his oceansteel gauntlets, the Nullstone Crest's suppression aura pulsing faintly.
The Chancellor's voice boomed:
> "Prodigies, welcome to the Trial of Flame and Stone! You will face a symbiotic construct—firebound and earth-forged. Subdue it together in under five minutes."
A massive golem of molten rock and searing flame emerged, its heart a glowing ember. The crowd held its breath.
Seran darted forward, wind spirals redirecting flame bursts. Lyselle's frost arrays locked joints, slowing the golem's movements. Kain charged, his Nullstone Crest dulling the golem's elemental resonance.
Kael waited.
When the golem recoiled from Lyselle's ice, he slipped through its defenses, calling upon Aetherflare. A spiral of violet-and-gold light lanced through molten rock, fracturing its core.
The golem shattered.
Applause thundered. High Judges exchanged surprised glances.
POV: Seran Dustros
He watched Kael's strike with restrained awe. "He's not crestless," Seran muttered to Lyselle. "He's something else."
Lyselle only nodded, breath misting. "Unseen flame."
---
POV: Lyselle Thorne
Next, the arena transformed. Wind torrents and cascading water formed an ever-shifting labyrinth. Prodigies had to navigate its path and extract a core crystal.
Lyselle slipped through currents, her frost arrays solidifying wet columns into bridges. Seran cut wind walls with gale-imbued blades. Kain stomped, flattening ripples.
Kael followed last. He felt the Void Crest stir. Instead of resisting, he guided currents, aether-light weaving through water streams, carving a path.
At the maze's heart, the crystal pulsed—an echo of the living sea. Kael reached out, Aetherflare simmering beneath his glove. He touched the crystal, and it flared violet before settling, recognizing his touch.
He lifted it.
The trials were complete.
---
POV: Lord Aethros Ven'Calen
From the gilded Royal Gallery, Aethros watched Kael's mastery with careful scrutiny. The Queen at his side remained impassive.
> Queen Elira: "He wields the Void Crest… without exposing it."
Aethros inclined his head. "He is... dangerous."
> Elira: "Perfect for the Empire's needs."
A shadow passed across her expression.
---
POV: Kael Ryuu
That night, Kael received a sealed summons—no messengers, only a whisper of runes. He followed hidden corridors to a vaulted chamber beneath the palace: the Memory Vault.
Arcane seals fell away. A circular arena awaited, its walls etched with fractal runes. In its center, an empty dais.
A disembodied voice echoed—Elira's, filtered through enchantment:
> "Enter, Kael Ryuu. Face the echo of the Soulweaver."
A spectral figure materialized—a Soulborne projection, blade and aura identical to Kael's own Kurozan, but eyes burning with ancient sorrow.
They clashed.
Steel sang, runes flared. Kael parried memories of lost wars—the echo fought with Tenebris Kenjutsu, every strike a lesson Kael had not yet learned. Pain seared his arm; his mind whispered of power and sacrifice.
In desperation, Kael unleashed Aetherflare—a pure, unrefined bloom of violet light that bathed the projection. Time seemed to slow. He glimpsed a sunken city of obsidian towers beneath churning seas—an image burned into his soul.
The projection faltered, then vanished, leaving only a rune-smoke spiral on the dais.
---
POV: Kael Ryuu
Kael collapsed, breathless. The chamber's doors unlocked. Outside, a lone attendant bowed.
> "The Queen appreciates your resolve. Rest now. Tomorrow, you stand before the Empire's highest court."
Kael's vision swam. The truth weighed heavy: he had touched forgotten memories—the Soulweaver legacy. The Exhibition had been just the beginning.