The doorway led to a narrow corridor bathed in faint blue light. The walls shimmered with runes that pulsed gently as the group moved forward, their footsteps echoing softly. The air was thick with an almost tangible tension, as if the Hall itself were watching them.

Cassia led the way, her hand still clutching the shard. Its glow had dimmed since her trial, but she could feel its energy, a quiet reassurance amid the unknown. Behind her, Alaric walked with his blade drawn, his eyes scanning every shadow. Asterion and Kaelen followed close, their expressions wary but resolute.

The corridor widened into another chamber, smaller than the first but no less imposing. Four pedestals stood in the room, each carved from black stone and inscribed with intricate patterns that glowed faintly. Above each pedestal floated a different object: a gleaming sword, a shimmering orb, a polished shield, and a radiant crystal.

“Another test,” Kaelen said, stepping forward to examine the room. “The Hall isn’t just testing individuals. It’s testing us as a group.”

“What do we have to do?” Asterion asked, his claws flexing nervously. “Fight something? Solve a riddle? I’d rather not wait for the Hall to make the first move.”

Kaelen approached one of the pedestals, their eyes narrowing as they studied the glowing runes. “These symbols represent aspects of unity: strength, wisdom, protection, and trust. We each need to choose one, but we must choose carefully. The Hall will judge us on how we embody these traits.”

“And if we fail?” Alaric asked, his tone grim.

Kaelen’s expression darkened. “Then the Hall will ensure we don’t leave.”

The group exchanged uneasy glances before stepping toward the pedestals. Each object seemed to call to them in a way that was difficult to describe, its energy resonating with something deep within.

Cassia reached out to the radiant crystal, its light warm and steady. As her hand closed around it, she felt a wave of calm wash over her. “I’ll take this one,” she said softly. “It feels… right.”

Alaric stepped toward the sword, its blade gleaming with an almost sentient light. He gripped the hilt, and the air around him seemed to grow sharper, charged with latent energy. “Strength,” he said. “That’s my path.”

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Asterion hesitated before choosing the shield. Its surface gleamed like polished silver, and as he touched it, a faint barrier of light formed around him. “Protection,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “It’s what I’ve always tried to do.”

Kaelen took the orb, its surface swirling with light and shadow. They held it close, their expression thoughtful. “Wisdom,” they said. “The key to guiding us forward.”

As each of them claimed their object, the pedestals sank into the floor, and the chamber began to shift. The walls seemed to melt away, replaced by a swirling void of light and shadow. The objects in their hands glowed brightly, anchoring them as the world around them dissolved.

A voice echoed through the void, deep and resonant. “You have chosen. Now, prove your unity.”

The void solidified into a battlefield. The group stood in a circle, their chosen artifacts glowing brightly. Across from them, figures emerged from the shadows, each a twisted mirror of themselves. The doppelgängers carried dark versions of the artifacts, their eyes gleaming with malice.

“Of course it’s a fight,” Asterion growled, raising his shield. “Let’s end this quickly.”

The doppelgängers attacked without warning, moving with eerie precision. Alaric’s counterpart swung its shadowy blade, meeting his strike with equal force. Asterion’s mirror advanced with a warped shield, its barrier deflecting his blows. Kaelen’s opponent unleashed bolts of dark energy, forcing them to counter with their own magic. Cassia’s reflection stood back, its radiant crystal pulsing with ominous energy.

“They’re mimicking us,” Kaelen shouted, dodging a blast. “But they’re not perfect. Watch their movements. They’re predictable!”

Cassia focused on her counterpart, her mind racing. The crystal in her hand grew warm, its light flaring brighter. She realized the artifact wasn’t just a weapon—it was a conduit, amplifying her resolve. She reached out with her will, sending a pulse of energy toward her doppelgänger. The light struck true, and the shadowy figure faltered, its form flickering.

“They can be disrupted!” Cassia called out. “Use the artifacts. Focus their energy!”

Alaric adjusted his stance, channeling the sword’s energy into a single, decisive strike. His blade cut through his doppelgänger, the shadowy figure dissolving into mist. Asterion followed suit, slamming his shield into his counterpart and shattering its form. Kaelen’s orb flared with light as they unleashed a wave of magic, dispelling their opponent.

Cassia’s doppelgänger was the last to fall, its form disintegrating under the crystal’s radiant glow. The battlefield dissolved, and the group found themselves back in the chamber, the pedestals restored but now empty.

The voice returned, softer this time. “You have proven your unity. The path is open.”

A new doorway appeared at the far end of the chamber, its frame glowing with golden light. The group stood in silence for a moment, their breaths heavy but their spirits lifted.

“We’re getting closer,” Kaelen said, their voice filled with quiet determination.

Cassia nodded, the shard in her pouch resonating faintly. “Whatever’s ahead, we’ll face it together.”

Without hesitation, they stepped through the doorway, ready to face the next trial in their journey.