"We were deep in the snowy mountains, where the Velkynne made their home beneath the peaks. Their village was unlike anything in Yalinya—small dwellings carved into the rock, adorned with intricate carvings that told stories we couldn’t understand.

"The people wore thick fur clothing, their faces weathered by the cold, their sharp eyes filled with suspicion. They didn't speak to us. They only stared, their silence heavier than the icy wind that whistled through the narrow mountain paths. The air smelled of burning wood and something unfamiliar, a scent both earthy and foreign.

"Then, without a word, they seized us and locked us in their dungeon, the cold stone pressing against our skin like the weight of their judgment."

Then Elanor spoke, her voice steady despite the cold.

"The real people of Yalinya... they're up here now, forced to live in the mountains. All because the noble lords couldn’t stand them—because of their hate, their thirst for power."

"They have been cast out of their own home—that is not justice," I said, frustration tightening my voice. "We must do something."

She shook her head, her expression firm yet cautious. "We will, but first, we need to get out of here."

I let out a heavy sigh, glancing at the cold stone walls around us. "There’s no way we’re getting out unless we earn their trust."

She met my gaze, her eyes steady. "I don't think we can earn their trust easily. We need another plan."

I exhaled sharply, glancing around the dimly lit dungeon. "This mountain is a labyrinth, crawling with Velkynne. Escape isn’t an option. We need something to convince them."

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully. "We can challenge them to a trial by combat. They believe in strength and power… but it’s dangerous."

A heavy silence settled between us as the weight of her words sank in. Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor. The iron door creaked open, revealing two Velkynne guards.

"Come with us," one of them said, his voice rough like grinding stone. "Our leader, Alwin, wishes to speak with you."

We exchanged a tense glance. Whether this was an opportunity or a death sentence, we were about to find out.

The hall was filled with people, their gazes fixed on us. Towering stone pillars stretched high, their intricate carvings a testament to the ancient craftsmanship of the Velkynne. The walls, adorned with symbols of their history, seemed to whisper stories of the past.

At the far end of the hall, their leader, Alwin, sat upon a grand stone throne, his piercing gaze locked onto me. Balin and Collen were already there, held captive, their expressions tense.

Alwin leaned forward, his voice like thunder rolling through the hall. "You are a traitor. You abandoned your people and fled like a coward. For that, you will be punished."

I stepped forward, forcing myself to remain calm. "You’re mistaken. I am no traitor. I have never betrayed anyone."

Elanor placed a hand on my shoulder, her voice steady but firm. "He speaks the truth. He has never betrayed anyone because he is not Velkynne." She paused, her gaze locking onto Alwin's. "I have the power to see a person’s aura. His is different—not Velkynne, not Sentinari. He is something else."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Alwin narrowed his eyes, studying me for a long moment.

"Even if that is true," he said finally, his voice heavy with judgment, "you stand with the Sentinari. That alone makes you our enemy. We cannot let you go. I sentence you all to death—just as Eredin did to our innocent people in Eldoria."

A murmur rippled through the hall. Some gasped, others exchanged uneasy glances. The weight of his words settled over the crowd like a storm about to break.

My heart pounded as the weight of the moment settled over me. If I wanted to save my friends, I had no choice—I had to fight. It was dangerous, but this was our last chance.

Steeling myself, I stepped forward. "I demand a trial by combat. I will face your strongest warrior."

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Elanor's eyes widened in shock. Alwin studied me for a moment before speaking. "You are truly brave," he said, his voice laced with disbelief. "Do you even understand what you're asking? To challenge a Velkynne warrior is no small thing."

"I know exactly what I’m saying," I replied firmly. "I will fight—for my friends."

Elanor exhaled sharply, then stepped beside me. "Then I will fight with you."

Balin and Collen exchanged glances before nodding. "So will we," Balin said.

Alwin’s expression darkened. "Do you even realize what you are up against?" His voice was firm, almost warning. "The God of the Sky, Orventis, has granted a select few of our warriors the power to transform into deadly beasts—to protect our people from outsiders." He leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "But we cannot take this form beyond the mountains. Orventis does not wish for us to become conquerors, as others have. His mercy…" His jaw tightened. "I will never understand."

I met Alwin’s gaze and spoke with unwavering confidence. “Do you accept it?”

A slow, menacing smile spread across his face. “So, you have chosen death.” His voice carried both amusement and finality. Then, stepping forward, he declared, “Very well. I will fight you.”

We stood in the underground arena, the cavern illuminated by glowing lightning crystals. Thousands of spectators watched from the stone-carved stands, their cheers echoing through the vast chamber. My heart pounded like thunder in a storm, yet a deep confidence surged within me—perhaps a gift from the powers I had been granted. At that moment, I felt like a leader.

My friends stood beside me. I took a deep breath and said, "You are the bravest warriors I have ever known. Today, we will triumph."

Elanor placed a hand on my shoulder, her eyes unwavering. "We are with you, until our last breath."

Then, Alwin stepped into the arena. He raised his arms and spoke in his ancient tongue, "Elaren Vahlan!" The entire arena erupted in unison, their voices shaking the ground.

Elanor turned to me and whispered, "Bound by the sky. That is its meaning."

Alwin knelt, his head bowed in prayer. A low, rumbling growl escaped his lips, and then his body began to change. His form stretched, his muscles twisted, and dark spikes erupted along his back. Flames licked at his skin, rising from deep within him, until he stood before us—a towering, monstrous force of destruction.

I took a deep breath and commanded, “Hold your ground! Take your positions!”

I turned to Balin. “Keep the magical shield up—we need cover. Elanor, find his weak spots and strike from above. Collen, you and I will engage directly, drawing his attention so Elanor can reposition. Balin, the moment you see an opening, unleash your Frostbolts.”

Alwin stepped forward, his monstrous form radiating heat, flames flickering at the edges of his maw. His eyes locked onto us, burning with fury.

Then, with a thunderous roar, he unleashed a torrent of fire.

“Take cover! Behind the rocks!” I shouted, diving to the side as the blast scorched the ground where we had stood moments ago.

I noticed it—each time he unleashed fire, his movements slowed, his body weakening under the strain.

"Balin, now! Cast your Frostbolt!"

The icy projectile shot forward, piercing through Alwin’s chest. He let out a guttural roar, stumbling back.

Collen seized the opportunity. With a burst of speed, he lunged forward, his longsword flashing as it carved through the monster’s thick hide.

But Alwin retaliated. With a wild, enraged strike, he sent Collen crashing to the ground.

"Balin, get to him! Heal him—now!" I commanded, gripping my weapon as the monster’s fiery gaze turned toward me.

"Elanor, cover me with arrows!" I shouted, sprinting forward. My blade slashed across Alwin’s leg, forcing him to stagger. But he recovered quickly, his monstrous form flaring with heat.

With a roar, he unleashed another wave of fire. I dashed for cover, but the searing flames licked my arm. Pain shot through me as I stumbled. Gritting my teeth, I dropped to my knees and pressed my burned arm into the damp earth, the cool moisture easing the agony just enough to keep fighting.

I had to think fast.

Elanor shouted, “We need to strike his head—that’s his weakest point!”

I nodded. “Collen, get him into position!”

Balin raised his hands, chanting as crackling energy surged around him. In a flash, lightning arced down, charging my blades with raw power.

Elanor fired a volley of arrows, each one striking near the beast’s eyes, forcing it to snarl and turn toward her. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward a towering rock, her feet barely touching the ground. The monster roared and lunged after her, its massive claws tearing deep grooves into the dirt.

She reached the rock and shouted, “Anar, now!”

Adrenaline surged through me. I climbed with everything I had, my muscles screaming in protest. At the top, I took a deep breath, feeling the electric energy crackling in my grip.

Then, I leaped.

Time slowed. Wind rushed past me. My blade, charged with lightning, arced downward like a storm’s wrath.

The strike landed. A blinding flash erupted as my blade drove through the beast’s skull, sending jagged tendrils of electricity crackling through its body. The monster let out a final, deafening roar before crashing to the ground, motionless.

For a heartbeat, silence.

Then, the arena erupted in thunderous cheers.

Then he transformed into his true form, shame evident on his face. "You have won this battle," he said. "Now you can kill me. I am no longer a leader—I cannot live with this shame."

I looked at him and shook my head. "You have nothing to be ashamed of. Even if you were fighting against the wrong people, you did it to protect your people. That is the duty of a leader."

I extended my hand. "Come with me. Help me fight against the real threat."

Alwin studied me for a long moment, then sighed. "You are truly a great warrior. But more than that, I am impressed with your teamwork—how you stood by each other." He straightened, his expression now firm. "You are now friends of Velkynne. You are free to go... or, if you want to stay."

"We had won, but deep down, I knew this was only the beginning. The real war was still ahead."