Chapter 24: Shadows of the Forgotten

Azarion's body still ached from the Trial of the Beast, but his resolve burned stronger than ever. The temple felt heavier now, as though the weight of the Flame's history pressed down on him. The faint hum of the runes on the walls was no longer a comforting presence but a reminder of the trials that still awaited.

"Are you sure you're ready to move forward?" Sera asked, concern etched across her face. "You just barely finished the first trial."

"I don't have a choice," Azarion replied, his hand brushing against the hilt of his sword. "The Flame chose me for a reason. I need to prove it was right."

Sera sighed, folding her arms. "It's not about proving anything. It's about survival. If these trials are as dangerous as the first, you might not make it through the next one."

Azarion gave her a faint smile. "If I don't try, then none of this means anything."

Sera opened her mouth to argue but stopped when Arakiel's glowing form reappeared near the brazier.

"You have made your decision, Bearer of the Flame," the guardian intoned. "The path forward demands both strength and clarity of purpose. Choose your next trial."

Azarion turned to the pedestals again, studying the glowing constellations. Each one seemed to resonate with a different part of his soul, but one stood out—a pattern of stars shaped like a crescent moon, its edges jagged as if fractured.

"What do you think that one means?" Sera asked, pointing to the constellation he was focused on.

"Only one way to find out," Azarion said, stepping forward. He placed his hand on the pedestal, and once again, the room was consumed by light.

---

When the brightness faded, Azarion found himself standing in the middle of a ruined city. Broken towers jutted into a stormy sky, and the air was thick with the smell of ash and decay. Shadows flickered along the edges of his vision, moving too fast for him to track.

"Where am I?" he muttered, gripping his sword tightly.

"This is the Trial of the Forgotten," Arakiel's voice echoed in his mind. "You will face the remnants of those consumed by the Flame. Their rage and sorrow linger, seeking to drag others into the void."

Sera's voice cut in, though her presence was still absent. "Be careful, Azarion. If these spirits are anything like the beast, they won't hold back."

Azarion nodded, scanning his surroundings. The shadows grew thicker, coalescing into humanoid shapes with glowing red eyes. Their forms were translucent, like smoke given shape, but their intent was clear as they advanced toward him.

"Great," Azarion muttered. "More things that want to kill me."

The first spirit lunged, its claw-like hand swiping at him. Azarion dodged, countering with a fiery slash that dispersed the shadow into wisps of smoke. But no sooner had he defeated one than three more took its place.

"They just keep coming," Sera warned.

Azarion gritted his teeth, channeling the Flame's energy into his blade. "Then I'll keep fighting."

The battle was relentless. Each swing of his sword cut through the shadows, but their numbers seemed endless. For every one he defeated, two more rose from the ruins. His muscles burned, and his breath came in ragged gasps, but he refused to give in.

Suddenly, the ground beneath him shifted, and he stumbled. A massive shadow emerged from the ruins, its form towering above him like a dark monolith. Unlike the others, its eyes burned with a cold blue light, and its presence sent a chill down his spine.

"That's... new," Sera said, her voice tinged with worry.

The shadow giant raised a massive hand, slamming it down toward Azarion. He rolled out of the way just in time, the impact shaking the ground and sending debris flying.

"Okay, this is getting ridiculous," Azarion muttered, forcing himself to his feet.

"You can't fight it head-on," Sera advised. "There has to be another way."

Azarion scanned the ruins, his mind racing. The spirits seemed to be drawn to the shattered towers, their movements circling the remnants of what must have been a grand structure in the city's center.

"The towers," he said aloud. "They're connected to the shadows somehow."

Sera's voice was sharp. "Then take them down."

Azarion didn't need to be told twice. He sprinted toward the nearest tower, dodging swipes from the shadow giant as he went. The tower was crumbling, its base weakened by time and decay. With a grunt, he drove his flaming blade into the foundation, channeling the Flame's energy into the strike.

The tower groaned before collapsing in a cloud of dust and ash. The shadows nearest to it dissolved, their forms fading into nothingness.

"You're onto something," Sera said. "Keep going!"

Azarion moved to the next tower, repeating the process. Each one he destroyed weakened the shadows, their forms growing less distinct. But the giant remained, its blue eyes glaring at him with unrelenting malice.

By the time he reached the final tower, Azarion's strength was nearly spent. His arms trembled as he raised his sword for one last strike. The Flame's power surged through him, igniting the blade in a brilliant blaze. With a shout, he brought the weapon down, shattering the tower's foundation.

The ground shook as the last tower fell, and the shadows let out a collective wail before dissipating into the air. The giant staggered, its form flickering, before collapsing in on itself like a dying star.

Azarion dropped to his knees, his chest heaving. The ruined city began to fade, replaced by the familiar glow of the temple.

"You have passed the Trial of the Forgotten," Arakiel's voice announced, its tone filled with approval. "But the echoes of this trial will remain with you. Remember them well."

Sera rushed to his side as the barrier lifted, her face pale with worry. "Are you okay?"

"I'll live," Azarion said, though every muscle in his body protested.

Arakiel's glowing form reappeared. "Two trials remain. Prepare yourself, Bearer of the Flame, for the final steps of your journey are the most perilous."

Azarion looked at the remaining pedestals, his resolve unwavering despite his exhaustion. "Bring it on."