Chapter 3 Trials of Shadow and Steel

The labyrinth stretched out before us, a twisting maze of stone and darkness. The walls were slick with moss, and shadows pooled in the corners, like some ancient beast waiting to strike.

Kieran's grip on his dagger tightened. Beside him, my pulse hammered, my Eclipse Wolf powers whispering beneath the surface like a caged storm.

The Gauntlet wasn't just a test of skill, it was a battle for survival.

Into the Maze

The air was thick, heavy with anticipation and the scent of damp earth. I glanced at Kieran, whose jaw was clenched so tight it looked like he might crack a tooth.

"We have to move carefully," I whispered.

"Careful won't save you," he snapped back. "We need to be ruthless."

I clenched my fists. Ruthless? That wasn't who I was. But here, I couldn't afford weakness.

The first chamber was ay too empty. Then the walls started shifting.

"Trap," Kieran muttered.

I barely had time to react before spikes shot from the floor, missing my leg by inches.

I lunged forward, heart racing, adrenaline flooding through me. The bond with Kieran pulsed wildly his heartbeat synced with mine, a fierce, angry rhythm.

"Stay close!" he barked.

Together, we navigated the twisting corridors, dodging hidden traps, deciphering cryptic runes etched into the walls.

At one point, I reached out, my hand brushing the stone, and shadows curled around my fingers like living things. I retracted quickly, afraid to reveal too much.

Kieran caught my hesitation. "You have power," he said quietly. "Use it."

"I'm not ready," I said.

His gaze hardened. "Then you'll die."

The First Confrontation

We rounded a corner and came face-to-face with a pack of hostile creatures, twisted wolf-like beasts with eyes glowing red.

Kieran's eyes narrowed. "Stay behind me."

I unsheathed my daggers, the wooden blades feeling fragile compared to the monsters snarling before us.

They charged.

The battle was brutal and fast.

Kieran moved like a storm, precise and lethal. I struggled to keep up, blocking claws and teeth, my heart pounding with fear and fury.

Then, one beast lunged at me. Instinct took over, shadows surged from my hands, wrapping around the creature's limbs, holding it tight.

I gasped. The power was raw and wild, but it worked.

Kieran turned just in time to see the beast caught in shadow chains.

His eyes widened, but he said nothing.

Together, we dispatched the rest.

Unexpected Alliance

After the fight, we pressed deeper into the maze.

Kieran finally spoke, voice rough with something close to respect.

"You saved my life."

I shrugged, breath ragged. "Don't get used to it."

He smirked faintly, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of warmth.

We reached a chamber glowing with pale moonlight.

An inscription shimmered on the floor:

"Only those bound by true strength can pass."

Kieran looked at me. "This trial isn't just physical. It's a test of our bond."

I swallowed my pride. "Then we have to trust each other."

He hesitated, then nodded once.

Together, we stepped into the light.

The Eclipse Awakens

The moonlight enveloped us, and I felt the Eclipse Wolf stir inside me, its power awakening.

Shadows danced across my skin, a silver glow radiating from my hands.

Kieran reached out, his touch grounding me.

"You're stronger than I thought," he admitted.

But the glow was short-lived.

Suddenly, a violent tremor shook the chamber.

The walls cracked, and from the shadows, a figure emerged, cloaked, malevolent.

"Elara Voss," the voice hissed. "Your time is up."