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The Custodian’s gaze shifted to her, its expression remaining serene. “The choice to remove the bracelets will be yours,” it replied, “but only after you complete the trials. Their purpose, and the bond they represent, must be fully understood before such a decision can be made.”

Zar’Ryn’s jaw tightened, and he exchanged a glance with Elara. The Custodian’s words hung heavy in the air, the implication clear.

Their path was far fromover.

“What now?” Elara asked softly, her voice trembling.

Zar’Ryn’s jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the center of the chamber where the hologram had stood. “We face the trials,” he said, his tone resolute. “And we find out what we are truly capable of.”

The chamber pulsed faintly with golden light, the Custodian’s serene hologram still flickering in its place. The air was thick with tension, the weight of its proclamation lingering heavily between Zar’Ryn and Elara.

“You must choose three trials,” the Custodian intoned, its voice resonant and melodic. “You may choose from the following options: Trial of Trust, Vulnerability, Sacrifice, Unity, Bond, Balance, the Unknown, Temptation, Forgiveness, or Revelation.”

Elara’s brow furrowed as she glanced toward Zar’Ryn. “Trials?” she asked, her voice laced with trepidation. “What do they mean? What happens in each one?”

The Custodian’s luminous eyes turned to her, its expression unchanging. “I cannot provide details,” it said. “The nature of each trial must remain unknown until you face it. The choices you make now will shape the path ahead.”

Elara threw up her hands, exasperation leaking into her tone. “So we’re just supposed to pick blind? How is that fair?”

“Fairness is irrelevant,” the Custodian replied, its tone neither unkind nor cruel, merely factual. “The trials are not designed to be fair. They are designed to test your bond, your resolve, and your ability to face the unknown.”

Zar’Ryn crossed his arms, his gaze locked on the hologram. “How many fail?” he asked, his voice low but steady.

The Custodian’s light flickered faintly, its eyes turning to meet his. “Many have tried. Few have succeeded.”

Zar’Ryn, his jaw tight, took a step forward. “And if we succeed? If we pass all three trials—can you remove the bracelets without killing us?”

The Custodian’s gaze turned to him, its expression remaining serene. “Yes,” it said. “If you succeed at all three trials, the bond will stabilize, and I will have the ability to safely remove the bracelets without harm to either of you. This choice will be yours to make upon completion.”

Elara’s stomach twisted, but she forced herself to stand tall. “And if we fail?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Failure will sever the bond,” the Custodian said simply. “And the consequences—physical, emotional, and spiritual—will be yours to bear. The severance will be abrupt and uncontrollable, likely resulting in a fatal shock to your physical systems. Few who fail survive the aftermath.”

Zar’Ryn’s fists clenched at his sides. The bond between them pulsed faintly, aquiet rhythm that mirrored his inner turmoil. He glanced at Elara, his sharp amethyst eyes searching hers. “We will succeed,” he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

She nodded, swallowing hard. “Then we need to choose,” she said, turning back to the hologram. “But how? We don’t know anything about these trials.”

“Trust your instincts,” the Custodian said. “Your choices will reveal much about your bond, your strengths, and your weaknesses. The trials you select will shape not only your journey but your understanding of each other.”

Zar’Ryn stepped closer to Elara, his voice low and calm. “We have to approach this strategically. The bond is central to all of this. We choose trials that force us to rely on it.”

Elara frowned, her mind racing. “Then Trust seems obvious,” she said. “And maybe Vulnerability? If these trials are about working together, those should be good choices.”

Zar’Ryn nodded. “Agreed. And Balance. If we’re going to survive this, we can’t hold anything back from each other.”

“Trust, Vulnerability, and Balance,” Elara repeated, her voice steadier now. “Those are our choices.”

The Custodian’s gaze seemed to brighten slightly, the golden glow of the chamber intensifying. “The trials are chosen,” it said, its voice resonating with finality. “Prepare yourselves, bearers of the bond. Your first trial begins now.” The hologram began to fade, its voice echoing as it delivered its final words. “Be warned. The bond is both a gift and a burden. How you wield it will shape not only your fate but the fate of all who follow.”

The light in the chamber shifted, the crystalline walls glowing brighter until they were nearly blinding. Elara turned into Zar’Ryn’s embrace, burying her head against his chest. The hum of the bond grew steadily louder in her mind. She felt Zar’Ryn’s presence through it, solid and steady, agrounding force in the midst of chaos.

Zar’Ryn stepped forward, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings. “The first trial,” he said quietly. “Let us see what it demands of us.”

Elara took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she fell into step beside him. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.

The chamber was divided by a shimmering barrier of golden light, splitting the space into two distinct halves. Balance? She couldn’t help but wonder.

On one side, aseries of pedestals held glowing, intricate puzzles bathed in faint white light. On the other side, acombat arena stretched out, platforms shifting and rotating while humanoid constructs stood motionless against the walls, their metallic frames gleaming ominously.

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