A scream from a buried god's belly caused the earth to split with an unnatural sound.
Ren Zian's soul, not his body, fell through the temple floor. He landed breathlessly in a cavern walled with molten gold after his consciousness ripped through layers of magic, blood-soaked memory, and ancient oaths. It burned, but it wasn't hot.
His heart thumping, he slowly stood up. Nine thrones, each carved from a different celestial stone, stood around him. Energy-filled but empty.
A voice said, "You've come where you were never meant to return."
Ren pivoted. In front of him was a boy with silver hair, bare feet, and star-like eyes. Despite his youthful appearance, he exuded the strength of a hundred suns.
"Who are you?"
The child smiled and said, "The Keeper of Broken Deals." "And you have broken three, Ren Zian."
Ren felt a burning pain blossom in his chest. His soul was etched with divine pacts that glowed crimson, the brands.
The child listed the silent oath you took to the Forgotten Flame, the bond you shared with Lyra, and the agreement you made with Sariel. All tense. Everyone is injured.
Ren tightened his jaw. "I never promised forever."
The boy remarked, "But you promised truth." "And that promise was sacred."
Each throne started to shimmer, releasing a piece of memory—moments Ren could hardly recall:
Sariel offering her life thread while kneeling in the healing springs.
Lyra, sobbing against his shoulder and pleading with him to stay.
He touched the fourth flame that night, and it accepted him.
"So why am I here?"
The child's expression darkened. "Because one of the gods desires that their agreement be canceled. Additionally, you will be consumed if you are unable to mend the pact.
Chains of silver light suddenly erupted from the earth and encircled Ren's arms. Not very tight. not punishing. but anchoring.
A woman emerged from behind the central throne. Her eyes were blindfolded, her mouth was sewn shut, and her skin was dusky violet, but her presence choked the air. Final Binds' goddess.
The chains around Ren tightened slightly as she lifted one hand.
The child said, "You will go through a trial." "For three days. Three evenings. Three options. One needs to be cut off. One needs to be rescued. One has to be given up.
Ren's ribs were struck by his heart. "And if I choose wrong?"
"You will become what the gods once feared—a weapon without a will, an Emperor without a tether."
Not a word.
The boy then approached him and said in a whisper, "You know she's watching. Lyra. Even now, she is wailing your name.
The chains of silver came loose.
Ren fell to his knees.
The divine trial then started.