After surviving the first night of trials, Luna collapses in a makeshift bed of old furs and blankets in a corner of the chamber. Her body aches from the brutal training, and her mind swirls with questions about the Spider, her choice to stay, and what she's becoming. As exhaustion pulls her under, her dreams are plagued by flashes of what's to come: fire, blood, and the looming presence of the patriarch, a dark figure that haunts her every step.
The next day, Luna is awakened by a soft nudge—a strange, shadowy figure standing over her. It isn't the Spider, but another servant of the lair. The figure hands her a bowl of something hot and bitter, the scent almost sickening but strangely rejuvenating.
The trials intensify from here on out. Luna trains not only in combat but also in mental endurance. The Spider teaches her about fear, deception, and control—how to manipulate her enemies' expectations and emotions. But along the way, Luna begins to notice something odd about her surroundings. As her senses sharpen, she catches glimpses of whispers in the dark, shadows that seem to move on their own, watching her. She feels a growing connection to something more ancient than the Spider's methods—a force tied to the lair itself as if the place is alive.
One night, as she explores the lair while the Spider is absent, Luna stumbles upon a locked room deep within the chambers. Behind the door, she hears faint voices—not just any voices, but familiar ones. She presses her ear to the cold stone and recognizes them. Kai and Rose. They're talking about her. Plotting.
"They said she's coming back different. But what if she doesn't come back at all?" Rose's voice is sharp with concern.
Kai's reply is more measured but tinged with worry. "We made this deal. We have to trust her... but you're right. She's changing."
The realization hits Luna hard. She's no longer just training for the fight against the patriarch—she's also fighting to stay herself. The Spider's methods are changing her in ways she hadn't anticipated, and the closer she gets to completing her training, the more she questions whether she can still trust her instincts—or if she's slowly being twisted into something else.
The final trial is announced one morning in a whisper from the Spider: Luna must now face her deepest fear to complete her transformation. The pit awaits her one last time. But this time, it isn't a creature that greets her. It reflects herself—stronger, colder, and more ruthless than she ever imagined.
The final battle isn't just for survival but for her soul.
Luna stared at her reflection, the pit around her silent and foreboding. The version of herself that stood across from her was terrifyingly perfect—calm, unflinching, and devoid of doubt. Her reflection held a sword, shimmering and sharp, while Luna clutched her own weapon, the blade chipped and worn from the trials she had endured. The coldness in her reflection's eyes unsettled her. It wasn't the enemy she was expecting—it was her, stripped of everything except strength and ruthlessness.
Her reflection spoke, its voice a low, steady echo of her own. "This is who you must become to survive. Strong. Unyielding. Without fear, without weakness. The Spider can give you this power, but only if you let go of who you are now."
Luna's heart pounded in her chest. This final trial wasn't just physical—it was a test of her identity. Could she become this version of herself and still protect the people she cared about? Could she embrace the darkness the Spider was offering without losing herself completely?
Her reflection moved toward her, sword raised. Luna raised her own weapon instinctively, and metal clashing echoed through the pit. The reflection was fast—faster than Luna had ever been. It moved with precision, every strike perfectly aimed, every step calculated. Luna was barely able to keep up, and her movements were clumsy.
As the battle raged on, Luna felt exhaustion creeping in. Her muscles screamed in protest, her mind clouded with doubt. The reflection's strikes were relentless, each one driving her closer to the edge. For a moment, she considered letting go of the fear, doubt, and vulnerability. Maybe if she became this stronger version of herself, she could finally defeat the patriarch and end the war.
But then a memory flashed in her mind—Kai's concern, Rose's sharp wit, the bond they shared. They hadn't just trusted her strength; they had trusted her heart. And if she gave that up, what was left of Luna? Would she be any different from the patriarch she was trying to stop?
The reflection lunged; its blade aimed at her heart. Luna dodged, rolling to the side, and in that moment of clarity, she realized the truth. She couldn't win this fight by becoming her reflection. She had to fight as herself—flawed, uncertain, but still powerful in her own way.
She stood up, gripping her sword tightly. "I'm not you," Luna said, her voice steady. "I won't let the Spider take everything from me."
Her reflection paused for a split second, and Luna took the opportunity. With a surge of energy, she lunged forward, striking with everything she had. The reflection faltered, its cold, emotionless gaze flickering as Luna's sword found its mark. The reflection shattered into a thousand pieces, dissolving into the darkness around her. Luna collapsed to her knees, gasping for breath, her body trembling from the effort. The pit was silent once more, but she had won. Not just the battle but the battle for her soul.
A rope descended from above, and Luna grabbed it, pulling herself out of the pit. The Spider was waiting as she emerged, their masked face as unreadable as ever. "You have chosen wisely," the Spider said softly. "You have faced yourself and found your strength not in what I offered but in who you are. This is the true test."
Luna wiped the sweat from her brow, her heart still racing. "What now?" she asked. The Spider tilted their head. "Now, you are ready. The time has come to face the patriarch. But remember Luna—you will face him as yourself. Strong, but with your heart intact. That is the path you have chosen."
Luna nodded; her mind clearer than it had been in days. She wasn't just fighting for survival anymore—she was fighting for her friends, her world, and the person she wanted to be. And no matter what came next, she knew she wouldn't face it alone.
*The next day*
The cold wind whipped through the courtyard of the patriarch's fortress, carrying the scent of damp stone and the distant echo of clashing steel. Luna, Kai, and Rose stood at the edge of the looming castle, its dark spires piercing the sky like the teeth of some ancient beast. They had prepared for this moment for weeks, each sharper, stronger, and more focused than ever. But the fortress was dangerous, and the patriarch's forces were waiting.
"I count about a dozen guards at the entrance," Kai murmured, scanning the fortified gate. His eyes flicked to Luna. "Ready?"
Luna nodded, her mind buzzing with tension. She could feel the weight of her training in every muscle, the hard-earned lessons from the Spider coursing through her. But this was different—this was real. There was no pit to climb out of here. This time, they were going for the kill.
"Time to move," Rose whispered, already crouching low as she approached the shadows. Luna and Kai followed, hidden behind crumbling walls and stone pillars, as they approached the gate.
The guards were alert but not prepared for what was coming. With a silent signal, Rose darted forward, her daggers flashing in the moonlight as she took down two guards before they even realized she was there. Luna and Kai moved in sync, cutting through the remaining guards brutally. It was quick but far from easy. Every clash of steel sent jolts of adrenaline through Luna's veins, but she stayed calm and methodical. When the last guard fell, Kai turned to the others, his eyes intense.
"That's the easy part done. We need to get through the courtyard and into the keep. The captains will be waiting inside."
Luna's heart raced. The captains were the patriarch's most elite soldiers, trained in deadly combat. And there would be more than just one. They pushed through the gate, entering the castle's courtyard. The space was vast, with towering statues of long-dead rulers looming over them like silent sentinels. But they didn't have time to admire the architecture. The captains were already moving toward them—three figures clad in black armor, their weapons gleaming in the torchlight.
Rose let out a low whistle. "Guess we're not getting a warm welcome."
The first captain, a massive man wielding a battle axe, charged at them with terrifying speed. Kai was on him in an instant, their blades colliding in a shower of sparks. The second captain, a lithe woman with twin swords, circled toward Rose, her strikes fast and precise. Luna found herself face-to-face with the third captain, a towering figure with a long spear and cruel eyes that glinted behind his helmet.
He wasted no time, thrusting the spear toward her with deadly accuracy. Luna barely dodged, her body moving instinctively as the spearhead grazed her side. She countered with a strike of her own, but the captain was fast, his spear blocking her blade with ease.
The clash of battle surrounded her. Kai fought furiously against the axe-wielding captain, his movements fluid but strained as he parried heavy blows. Rose danced around her opponent, her daggers flashing, but the woman's twin swords kept her on the defensive.
Luna gritted her teeth, pushing herself harder. Every time she struck, the captain met her with precision, his spear cutting through the air with deadly grace. She could feel the frustration building. She needed something more—something beyond the skills she'd honed in the trials.
Then, in the middle of the fight, it hit her. The Spider's lessons—the whispers, the shadows. Luna had learned to control not just her body, but the world around her. The lair had been alive, its shadows almost sentient. And here, in this castle, the same power thrummed beneath her feet.
The realization surged through her, and suddenly, the battlefield around her seemed to slow. She closed her eyes for a split second, reaching out with her mind, feeling the air, the earth, the shadows. When she opened them again, the darkness responded.
Luna dodged another spear thrust, but this time, the shadows at her feet twisted, wrapping around the captain's legs. He stumbled, his balance thrown off for just a moment—but it was enough. Luna moved in, her blade slicing through the gaps in his armor with deadly precision. The captain let out a guttural cry as he fell to the ground.
She didn't stop. As the second captain cornered Rose, Luna reached out again, her mind connecting with the shadows. The darkness crept up the woman's legs, slowing her movements just enough for Rose to strike, her daggers finding their mark. Kai finished his fight with a brutal slash, sending the first captain to the ground in a heap of armor.
He turned to Luna, breathing hard but with a look of awe in his eyes. "What did you just do?"
Luna glanced at her hands, still trembling with the power she had unlocked. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice shaky. "But I think I can control the shadows."
Rose let out a low laugh, wiping blood from her cheek. "About time you learned some magic."
Before they could catch their breath, the great doors to the keep creaked open. A figure emerged, draped in heavy robes of deep crimson, a crown of black iron resting on his brow. The patriarch.
His presence was overwhelming, the air growing heavier as he entered the courtyard. His eyes, cold and calculating, flicked over them with disdain. "You've come far," he said, his voice like a blade cutting through the night. "But you will not leave this place alive."Luna, Kai, and Rose stood shoulder to shoulder; their weapons raised.
The final battle had begun.
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-To be Continued
P.S. Felt a little inspired to write a lil more than what I usually do today (づ ᴗ _ᴗ)づ♡
8Please respect copyright.PENANAsS4EVOdkm6