Tides of the Moon

The ground beneath Divine's feet shifted, and she found herself standing on a platform suspended above a vast, glowing sea. The figure's voice echoed around her.

"Your first trial: face the weight of your past."

The water below began to ripple, and figures emerged from its surface—shimmering, translucent forms that resembled people she didn't recognize but felt a strange connection to.

"Who are they?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"They are the lives you touched—both those you saved and those you destroyed," the figure replied. "Confront them, and accept the consequences of your actions."

As the figures approached, memories began to flood Divine's mind—fragments of a life she didn't fully remember but felt deeply. Each memory was a mixture of joy and sorrow, triumph and regret.

One figure stepped forward, a young girl with wide, innocent eyes. "You saved me," she said, her voice soft.

Another figure followed, an older man with a stern expression. "But you condemned me."

The weight of their words pressed down on Divine, her chest tightening. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone," she said, tears streaming down her face.

The figure's voice echoed again. "Intentions are meaningless without actions. Will you carry their pain and learn from it, or will you let it consume you?"

Divine took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "I'll carry it. All of it."

The figures faded, and the platform beneath her solidified. The figure in the shadows reappeared, its form slightly more distinct.

"You have passed the first trial," it said. "But the path ahead will only grow more difficult."

Divine nodded, her determination unwavering. "I'm ready."

As the scene faded, she found herself back in the chamber with Caelan, his expression a mix of relief and concern.

"What happened?" he asked.

"I've taken the first step," she said, her voice steady. "But there's still so much more to do."

The two of them left the archives, the weight of their journey ahead pressing heavily on their shoulders. But even as the mystery deepened, so did the bond between them, setting the stage for the trials—and revelations—that lay ahead.