Chapter 154: The Trial (13)
The forest thickened with every step, not just in foliage but in emotion. Each tree they passed whispered a different regret, each path ahead shifted like it was uncertain they deserved to tread it. The Trial wasn’t just illusion or misdirection—it was personal. Painfully so.
"Don’t stray too far," Verena warned, her voice steady even as the air turned colder. She could feel the weight of memories pressing against her skin, crawling up her spine. Beside her, Vivienne clung to her arm, the shimmer of Dreamtide magic lightly pulsing around her like a nervous heartbeat.
"It’s getting stronger," Vivienne murmured. "The pressure. Like something’s watching us."
"Probably is," Isolde muttered, drawing her blade. "Let them watch. I dare them to do more."
Just then, a low growl echoed through the trees, followed by the distinct cracking of bark. Something huge was stalking them. Verena turned sharply, eyes narrowing as she spotted the shadows gathering into shape—vague at first, then sickeningly familiar.
It was her father.
At least, it wore his face.
Towering above them was a twisted doppelgänger draped in armor she hadn’t seen since her childhood. He pointed a gloved hand at her, voice booming with judgment. "You’ve failed your lineage, Verena. You run from expectations. You play games with children while your name rots."
Verena froze.
"Is that...?" Vivienne asked, looking between Verena and the monstrous figure.
"Not real," Verena said tightly. "Just shut up and let me—"