Chapter 33 – The Elders’ Summons

  Akari awoke to the scent of incense and the distant chime of temple bells.

  Her head throbbed.

  She pushed herself upright, fingers brushing against her temple. The whispering had faded, but the presence still lurked within her, coiled like a serpent in the pit of her stomach.

  Tsubaki lay curled beside her, ears twitching. The fox spirit stirred as Akari moved, golden eyes flickering open.

  > “They sent a summons.”

  Akari stilled.

  > “The Elders?”

  Tsubaki nodded, standing and shaking out her fur. “A messenger came at dawn. They expect you at the Grand Hall before sunset.”

  Akari exhaled, running a hand through her hair. It was expected—after what had happened in the Trial, she was no longer just another cultivator.

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  She had crossed a line.

  And now, the Elders wanted to see her.

  To test her.

  Or perhaps to decide whether she was a threat.

  Her fingers curled into a fist.

  > Let them try.

  ---

  The Path to Judgment

  The Grand Hall loomed before her, a massive temple-like structure built into the mountain’s side. The stone pillars bore intricate carvings of mythical beasts and ancient warriors, their eyes watching as she passed beneath them.

  Akari kept her stride steady.

  The guards at the entrance didn’t stop her. They simply stepped aside, their gazes unreadable.

  Tsubaki followed close behind, tail flicking warily.

  Inside, the chamber stretched impossibly high, bathed in the glow of golden lanterns. A half-circle of robed figures sat on an elevated platform, their faces obscured by the shadows of their hoods.

  At the center sat the Grand Elder, an ancient man with silver hair and piercing violet eyes. Unlike the others, his face was uncovered, his gaze sharp as a blade.

  Akari stopped before them and bowed—not out of submission, but out of respect.

  She was powerful, yes.

  But they had ruled this place long before she arrived.

  For now, at least, she would listen.

  The Grand Elder spoke first.

  > “You have changed.”

  It wasn’t a question.

  Akari met his gaze without flinching.

  “Yes.”

  The air in the chamber seemed to tighten.

  One of the robed figures shifted. “The power you wield is not natural.”

  Another spoke. “It is forbidden.”

  The whispers in her mind stirred.

  Hunger.

  Akari exhaled slowly.

  > Control it. Don’t let it control you.

  “I did not choose this path,” she said evenly. “But I will walk it nonetheless.”

  The Grand Elder studied her for a long moment. Then—

  He smiled.

  And that, more than anything, put her on edge.

  > “Very well.”

  He leaned forward.

  > “Then let us see how far you can go.”

  A surge of power erupted from the platform—

  And the trial began.