THE GUARDIAN OF THE REALM

en, and Kael spun around, trying to see who was

d out, his voice echoing of

n. "I am the guardian of the artifact," it said.

rmination. They had come

"We're only trying to claim t

e been charged with protecting the artifact from those who woul

ia felt herself being lifted off the ground. She looked around

lf standing in a vast, empty space. Ly

y friends?"

ng tested," it said. "To see if they

test could they be facing? And

a faint whispering in her ear. "You must face your own test,"

kind of test could this be? And

e spoke again. "The test is about to begin," it

shift and change. The walls seemed to melt aw

ounding in her chest. She had no idea what lay ahead, bu

o notice strange and ominous shapes lurking in the sha

seemed to keep pace with her. Aria's heart was

was a dark and twisted version of Aria herself

eat. What was this creat

nd twisted echo of Aria's own. "You are not bra

etermination. She knew that she

id, her voice firm and reso

ts eyes flashing with anger. "

ed itself at Aria, its dark and tw

n her chest. She knew that she had to face

was in grave danger. The creature was powerful and re

a remembered the words of the voice. "You

re. She realized that it was not just a monster -

he creature, her heart pounding in her chest. The battl

reature dissipated into nothingness. Aria stood vi

ard the voice again. "Well done,"

ide and accomplishment. She had fa

realized that the test had changed her. She was

merged victorious. And she knew that

Kael waiting for her. They were both smiling, and Ar

e watching them from the shadows. It was Arin

ia asked, her heart po

o congratulate you," he said. "You have passed the tests

at. What did Arin mean? A

oise coming from the far corner of the room. The humming grew louder and began

red before her, their faces etc

Aria asked, rushi

rage and wits," he said. "We had to navigate a m

ent. "It was tough, b

de and admiration for her friends.

one, mortals," it said. "You have proven

tremble. The walls started to glow with a soft, pulsing li

ia felt herself being lifted off the ground. She looked around

yrien and Kael were nowhere to be seen, but on a pedestal in front of her lay t

the orb. As soon as she did, she felt a sur

save her world from destruction. But she also knew that the

ing to make sense of what had just happened

r world," the whispering said. "But

urney ahead would not only be about saving her world, b

s, she heard a faint noise coming from the shadows. She turned to see Ly

y?" Lyrien asked,

ts of the past few minutes. "I think so," she

s. "We need to get out

her pocket. As they turned to leav

your world," it said. "But you w

ring was right. She couldn't do this alone. She needed Lyri

r breath away. The sky was filled with creatures she had never seen befor

res?" Aria asked, her

s of the realms," he said. "And they have come

at lay ahead for her and her friends? And what wo

s, Aria knew that she was ready for whatever lay ahead. She h

allenges came their way, and they wou

Aria couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched.

rging from the darkness. A figure with eyes that glowed like embe

asked, her voice bar

m the one who has been waiting for you," it said. "And I wi

e in grave danger. The figure was powerful, and it would

had her friends by her side. Together, they would face whatev

ergy emanating from it. She knew that this was no ordinary being,

voice firm and resolute. "The orb is mine,

h anger. "You're no match for me," it said. "I h

ding with excitement. "We'l

shed its power. A blast of energy shot out, striki

their eyes wide with amazement. "Aria,

f pride and accomplishment. "W

the feeling that they were in for an even greater challenge. The figure may have been

rd a faint whispering in her ear. "The true enemy is

heir journey was far from over. They had defeated

sked, noticing the look

whispering's words. "I think we're in for a

d. "What kind of ch

not sure," she said. "But I

et off into the unknown, ready to