Whispers between worlds

eath her feet-what had once been lush grasslands soon gave way to jagged rocks and dry, cracked earth. Every step she t

the wilderness. It whispered occasionally, but the words were always unclear, fragments of s

of violet and crimson. The mountain loomed high before her, its peak obscured by clouds that swirled like s

he beginning of her ascent. The stone was covered in intricate carvings-symbols similar to those

ome,

was soft but clear, coming from all around her. The wind

s on the stones glowed brighter, pulsing with a rhythmic energy. A figure mat

aff of twisted wood, crowned with a glowing gem, was held in its hands. The figu

s," the figure said. "To claim it, you must pas

hard. "What do

first time, Elena felt the weight of its gaze-a pressure

e mirror's pieces, Elena. The Shadowborn are already stirring, seeking the shards to break the ba

feeling the warmth of its energy surging

voice softene

and the mountain's peak disappeared into swirling clouds, obscured by shadows. The ground trembled again, and

like smoke. "To pass, you must choose: face the Trial of

g on her. She had no idea what either trial entailed, but she under

Perhaps it was the knowledge that her mind, her sense of self,

aling a vast, dark chamber within. Shadows seemed to cr

er, and the darkness enveloped her, broken only by the faint glow of the shard. The shad

e whispered, fami

a beat. The voic

. "You don't need to fight. You could have a peacefu

stay in Evershade and never venture into the unknown. She had always been protective

voice continued, growing more insistent.

ts that threatened to overwhelm her. "I have to do this," she s

s if considering her words. Then, suddenl

ena

s deeper, colder, darker. "You are weak, Elena.

re appeared before her, its face obscured in shadow. It was tall

ror," it said, its voice echoing like a thousand wh

resolve waver. But then the shard pulsed in her hand,

pered. "I won'

recoiled, disappearing into the air like smoke. The darkness lifted, and Elena found herself standing in a

of the Min

shard, feeling its energy surge through her. It fit perfectly with the shard she al

ard the exit of the chamber. The mountain was far from over, but she ha