Reya had been walking for hours, her feet heavy with the weight of the journey ahead. The land stretched before her like a labyrinth of uncertainty, and the only thing keeping her moving forward was the sense of purpose she had found since arriving at the Sanctuary. Sarlon’s instructions were clear: travel to the Realm of Water, face her trial, and solidify her bond with the element. Alone. The water would show her what she needed to do. But the uncertainty was a constant, a whisper in the back of her mind that threatened to turn her every step into a question.

The air began to grow heavier as she moved through dense, misty forests that seemed to stretch on endlessly. The sky overhead had shifted to a muted gray, and a faint mist hung around the trees, curling around her ankles like something alive. The further she walked, the more it felt like the very world itself was aware of her presence, waiting to see what would happen next.

Finally, after what felt like days, she came to the edge of a cliff. Below her was the great, sprawling ocean, its surface glistening like liquid glass, stretching far beyond the horizon. The sight was breathtaking, but there was little time for awe. Her trial awaited her.

She approached the water, the air thick with the scent of salt and the promise of something ancient. As her foot touched the sand, a strange sensation washed over her—a sense of recognition, like the water was calling to her, urging her to step closer. She was not afraid. She was ready.

But then, as if the world had decided it was not yet time for her to know peace, a shadow crossed her path.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of movement. Turning, she saw a figure standing at the edge of the water, shrouded in a cloak so dark it seemed to absorb the light around it. His face was hidden by a hood, but there was something unsettling about him—something she couldn’t quite place. It was as though his very presence was a distortion in the world.

Reya froze. The sensation of recognition was still there, but it didn’t make sense. She had never seen this person before. She took a step forward, curiosity pulling her toward him, but the moment she moved, the figure turned and began to walk slowly toward the water. She could see that his gait was fluid, unnatural, almost like he was gliding over the earth instead of walking. The closer she got, the more unsettled she became.

The figure stopped at the water’s edge, and as if responding to his presence, the waves shifted violently. Reya's heart skipped a beat. There was something familiar about this.

"Come closer, Reya," the figure said, his voice a low rasp that seemed to echo in her mind. "The trial you seek is not meant for you. There is another way—a better way."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Reya’s breath caught in her throat. How does he know my name?

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, but the question felt like it weighed more than any other she had asked.

The figure slowly raised his hand, and the water responded immediately, swirling around him as if it were his servant. "The trials are unnecessary. The elements don’t need to be bonded. They are yours to command, always have been. I can show you how to access them fully, without the need for such meaningless rituals."

Reya felt her pulse quicken as the figure’s words began to sink in. The thought of having immediate power, of being able to control the elements without struggle, was enticing. She had always felt like something was missing, like the elements didn’t fully understand her. But here was a man offering her the means to finally become whole. Could it be this easy?

The figure took a step toward her, the shadows around him twisting in response. "I know what you seek. I have the power to give you everything you want—balance, control, perfection. All you need to do is accept the gift."

Reya could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on her. The water swirled at her feet, and she felt a flicker of doubt. Is this really what I want?

Her heart raced. She could feel the pull of the offer, the temptation of easy power. But then she thought back to everything Sarlon had told her. Everything she had learned in the Sanctuary. Power without struggle is empty.

"No," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos swirling inside her. "I don’t need your power. I need to face my trial. I need to do this on my own."

The figure’s eyes burned through the shadows of his hood, and for a moment, Reya thought she saw something familiar in his gaze. His face seemed to waver, like the darkness was shifting, revealing something else beneath it. Something she couldn’t quite place. His lips twisted into a smile, but it was a cold and empty thing.

"You’re a fool," the figure hissed, his voice growing dark with anger. "The trials will break you. The shadow is always waiting, and soon, you will understand what it means to be truly powerful. There is no need for weakness. No need for your futile attempts."

Reya stood firm, her breath shallow, but the water around her swirled in response. She felt the connection grow stronger, like a whisper from deep within the ocean, urging her to stay true to herself. "I’ll take my chances," she replied, her voice firm. "I’ll face my trial and find my own strength."

For a moment, there was silence. The figure’s dark aura seemed to crackle with fury, but he did not move. He stood motionless, watching her with cold, calculating eyes.

Then, with a sharp motion, he turned and walked into the water, his form dissolving into the dark waves as if he were swallowed by the ocean itself. Reya stood still, her heart racing, unsure of what had just transpired.

But she knew one thing: she had made the right choice.

The shadows were not her path. The trial would be difficult, yes, but it would be hers to face, and hers to overcome. She felt the water around her shift again, this time with a gentler pull, a kind of welcome. The test had only just begun, but Reya could feel the power of the water responding to her in ways it had never done before.

She was ready.