The Feast of Starlight lingered in Kael's mind as Ériu led them to a secluded part of the palace the next morning, a garden hidden behind a curtain of shimmering mist. The Garden of Memories was a place of quiet beauty, its paths lined with flowers that glowed with a soft, golden light, their petals etched with faint images—moments of joy, sorrow, and triumph captured in their delicate forms. The air was thick with the scent of lavender and something sweeter, like the memory of rain, and the ground was a carpet of soft moss that seemed to hum with a gentle energy. At the garden's center stood a fountain of crystal, its waters flowing upward in defiance of gravity, each droplet reflecting a different memory from Ériu's past—warriors clashing, lovers embracing, druids weaving spells under starlit skies.
Ériu paused by the fountain, her golden hair catching the golden glow of the flowers, her violet eyes filled with a quiet reverence. "This garden holds the memories of Ériu," she said, her voice soft but resonant. "Every flower, every droplet, is a piece of the land's soul. I brought you here to understand what we fight for—and to prepare for the trials ahead."
Kael knelt by a flower, its petals showing a scene of a young warrior training with a spear, his face alight with determination. "It's like a living history book," he said, his voice tinged with awe. "These memories… they're so vivid."
Brigid, her fiery red hair glowing in the garden's light, reached out to touch a flower, her green eyes wide with wonder as she saw a memory of a healer tending to wounded warriors. "This is a sacred place," she said, her voice a gentle melody. "I can feel the love, the pain, the hope of Ériu in every bloom."
Aífe, her spear resting on her shoulder, eyed the garden with a mix of curiosity and caution, her blue eyes scanning the paths. "It's beautiful," she admitted, her tone softer than usual. "But I don't trust places that play with memories. What if it shows us something we don't want to see?"
Morrígan's crows perched on the fountain's edge, their black feathers stark against the crystal, and her crimson eyes met Aífe's with a rare understanding. "Memories are weapons as much as shields," she said, her voice low. "They can strengthen us—or break us. We must face them, regardless."
Ériu turned to Kael, her violet eyes searching. "The Garden of Memories will show you a piece of your own past," she said. "Something that shaped you, something you must confront to grow. It is not a trial, but a preparation. Will you face it, Kael Lughson?"
Kael nodded, his jaw set, though a flicker of unease passed through him. "Yeah," he said, his voice steady. "I'm ready."
He touched the fountain's water, and the garden shimmered, the air folding around him. He found himself in a memory—his old dojo, the familiar scent of sweat and wood polish filling the air. He saw himself at sixteen, sparring with his best friend, Jake, their laughter echoing as they traded blows. But the memory shifted, darkening—Jake's face twisted with disappointment as Kael won a tournament they'd both trained for, the victory driving a wedge between them. Kael felt the sting of that loss, the guilt of choosing glory over friendship, and the memory faded, leaving him back in the garden, his chest tight with emotion.
"That was… rough," Kael said, his voice quiet as he wiped a hand across his face. "I haven't thought about Jake in years. I messed up back then—chose winning over our friendship."
Ériu placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and grounding. "The past shapes us, but it does not define us," she said, her violet eyes filled with understanding. "You carry that guilt, but you can learn from it. Lead with your heart, Kael Lughson, as you did in the Trial of Unity."
Aífe stepped closer, her blue eyes soft with a rare vulnerability. "I saw my first battle," she said, her voice low. "I was reckless, got a friend hurt. I've carried that with me ever since."
Kael met her gaze, his hand brushing hers, a silent gesture of support. "We all make mistakes," he said, his voice steady. "But we're here now, fighting together. That's what matters."
Brigid and Morrígan shared their own memories—Brigid's failure to save a dying child, Morrígan's vision of a battle she couldn't prevent—each revelation drawing the group closer, their shared vulnerability a new kind of strength. The garden's glow seemed to brighten, as if Ériu's spirit approved of their honesty, and Kael felt a renewed sense of purpose as they prepared for the trials ahead.