Chapter 92: Trial of the Heart

  The sun barely peeked over the horizon when the tribe gathered at the sacred circle. Arixa stood at the forefront, arms crossed, her warhammer strapped to her back, but for the first time in a long while, she wasn’t sure she wanted to use it.

  The Elder Seer stepped forward, their gaze calm yet piercing. "The first trial tested your strength. The second, your ability to survive. But a warrior without direction is like a blade with no hand to wield it. The final test, the Trial of the Heart, will show us who you truly are."

  Arixa shifted uncomfortably. "And how exactly do I prove that?"

  The elder smiled knowingly. "You do not prove anything to us. Only to yourself."

  Vira, standing at Arixa’s side, smirked and nudged her. "What’s wrong? Afraid you can’t punch your way through this one?"

  Arixa shot her a glare. "I don’t get the point of this. I already know why I fight."

  The elder’s smile didn’t falter. "Do you?"

  Unlike the last two trials, this one did not lead them to a battlefield or a dangerous wilderness. Instead, Arixa and Vira were led deep into a hidden glade beneath the shadow of towering trees, their roots intertwined like veins of an ancient heart.

  Arixa noticed the eerie stillness—the kind of quiet that felt unnatural. No rustling leaves, no chirping insects. Just silence.

  At the center of the glade stood a massive, ancient tree, its bark carved with thousands of names. The inscriptions ranged from pristine to worn, some so faded they were almost lost to time.

  "This is the Mirror Tree," the Elder Seer explained. "It shows only the truth. You must look within, and face what you find."

  Arixa frowned, crossing her arms. "And if I don’t like what I see?"

  "Then the trial ends, and you fail."

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  The weight of those words settled over Arixa. For the first time in her life, she was afraid of a challenge.

  Arixa and Vira were instructed to place their hands on the tree.

  Vira didn’t hesitate. "Come on, big girl. Let’s see what we’re dealing with."

  Arixa clenched her jaw but followed suit, pressing her palm against the rough bark.

  At first, nothing happened.

  Then, the world shifted.

  The glade melted away, replaced by a vision of herself. But it wasn’t just one version of her—there were three.

  The Three Arixas

  The Wild Beast – A version of her that was pure, unchecked instinct. Her eyes glowed with an animalistic light, her warhammer stained with endless battle. She was fierce, powerful—but directionless.

  The Unfeeling Soldier – A version of her clad in polished armor, standing rigid, motionless. This Arixa fought because it was all she knew. Cold, disciplined, and detached.

  The Balanced Warrior – A version of her that stood with confidence, but she was not alone. Beside her stood her companions—Marcus, Thalron, Vira. This Arixa wasn’t just a warrior. She was a protector, a leader.

  The three spoke in unison, their voices layering over each other.

  "Who are you, Arixa? The Beast? The Soldier? Or something more?"

  Arixa’s breath caught in her throat. She didn’t know how to answer.

  Arixa clenched her fists. "This is stupid. I fight because I have to. That’s all there is to it."

  Vira stepped forward, shaking her head. "No, that’s the lie you tell yourself."

  Arixa scowled. "You don’t know anything about me!"

  Vira didn’t flinch. "I know enough."

  A tense silence stretched between them. The reflections watched, waiting.

  Vira took another step closer. "You think strength is what keeps you safe. That if you keep fighting, keep pushing, you’ll never be weak. Never be hurt."

  Arixa flinched.

  Vira’s eyes softened, but her voice remained firm. "But real strength? It’s knowing when to stop fighting. When to trust people. When to stop carrying everything alone."

  Arixa’s chest tightened. Because deep down, she knew Vira was right.

  The reflections began to shift. The Wild Beast and the Unfeeling Soldier faded.

  Only the Balanced Warrior remained.

  The tree whispered, "You choose."

  Arixa exhaled slowly. "I am more than just my strength," she murmured. "And I choose to be more."

  The vision shattered. The world returned to normal.

  The Elder Seer nodded approvingly. "You have faced yourself. You have passed."

  Arixa exhaled sharply. She hadn’t realized how tense she was.

  Vira grinned. "See? Told you I was right."

  Arixa smirked. "Don’t get used to it."

  But something felt different inside her. She wasn’t lighter, but she wasn’t as weighed down either.

  For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t fighting herself.

  As night fell, the Elder Seer gathered the tribe once more.

  "You have passed the three trials," they said. "Now, you are ready for the truth."

  The air felt heavy, the moment stretching endlessly.

  Arixa swallowed hard. She had spent her life not knowing—not knowing who she was, where she came from, what she had lost.

  Now, she was about to find out.