The atmosphere in the throne hall fell silent.
Energy from the Circle of Judgment still swirled slowly across the dark stone floor. Blue light from the ancient symbols bounced off the palace's high walls, casting long shadows that moved like living creatures.
But Aurelia paid no attention to any of it.
Her gaze was fixed on the figure standing before her.
The man looked just as he had in her memories.
Neatly combed black hair.
Cold eyes that were always full of judgment.
And the slight smile that had once shattered her entire world.
"Aurelia."
The voice rang out again.
Calm. Full of authority. Just as it had been before.
The Circle of Judgment had summoned a shadow from the past.
Kael stood at the edge of the hall with his hands clasped.
His eyes narrowed with curiosity.
"Interesting," he murmured softly.
Orion stood a little farther away, his expression still impassive.
"The circle chooses the deepest wound."
Ragnar watched with a wide grin.
"This is my favorite part."
In the center of the circle, the man stepped closer.
His footsteps were light, yet each movement felt like reopening long-buried old memories.
"I didn't think you were still alive," he said coldly.
Aurelia did not reply.
Her eyes only stared straight ahead.
The man let out a small laugh.
"But I have to admit one thing."
He stopped a few steps from Aurelia.
"You look different now."
His smile grew even slighter.
"No longer the weak girl who used to cry before me."
The Luna energy in Aurelia's body trembled slightly.
But she remained silent.
This circle was no ordinary battle.
She knew that.
It was a test of control.
The man continued in a mocking tone.
"I still remember that day."
His gaze turned sharp.
"The day the entire pack looked at you with contempt."
He stepped even closer.
"The day I rejected you in front of everyone."
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavier.
Kael tilted his head.
"Ah… so that's the wound the circle chose."
Ragnar let out a small laugh.
"Rejection in front of the entire pack?"
He looked at Aurelia.
"No wonder it left a mark."
Orion remained silent, his eyes only watching.
In the center of the circle, the man lifted his chin slightly.
"I still remember how you begged."
His voice was cold.
"Begging me not to leave you."
Aurelia finally spoke.
Her voice was calm.
"Enough."
The man laughed again.
"Why?"
He sneered.
"Is the truth too painful?"
The energy in the air began to tremble.
But Aurelia did not move.
She only looked at the man.
"This circle is trying to provoke my emotions."
She said softly.
"But it won't work."
The man stared at her sharply.
"Are you sure?"
He took one more step closer.
"Because I can still see the same girl in your eyes."
Aurelia smiled slightly.
But the smile held none of her old emotions.
"No."
She shook her head gently.
"What you see is only a shadow from the past."
The man frowned.
"A shadow?"
Aurelia stepped forward now.
The Luna energy around her began to glow softly.
"I was once the girl you knew."
She stopped right in front of him.
"But that girl is dead."
Silence filled the hall.
Ragnar grinned in approval.
"Good answer."
The man tried to laugh again, but his voice shifted slightly.
"Do you think you can just forget everything like that?"
Aurelia stared straight into his eyes.
"I haven't forgotten."
She said softly.
"I just no longer let it control my life."
The energy from the circle began to change.
The blue light trembled more intensely.
The man suddenly attacked.
His hand moved quickly, trying to seize Aurelia's throat.
But Aurelia did not step back.
She only raised her hand.
Luna energy spread like a calm wave.
The grasp stopped before reaching her.
The man's body froze.
Cracks of light began to appear across the shadow's form.
Orion said softly,
"She isn't fighting with anger."
Kael smiled slightly.
"She's controlling herself."
Aurelia looked at the shadow one last time.
"You are only a memory."
She said softly.
"And memories no longer hold power over me."
CRACK.
The shadow's body shattered like glass.
Within seconds, the figure broke apart into shards of light that then vanished into the air.
The circle grew calm again.
The blue light slowly faded.
Silence filled the hall.
Ragnar laughed loudly.
"HA!"
He clapped his hands.
"The second test is complete."
Kael nodded gently.
"Faster than I expected."
Orion looked at Aurelia with slightly more respect in his eyes.
"Your emotional control… impressive."
But the circle had not yet gone dark.
The ancient symbols on the stone floor began to glow again.
This time the light was far brighter.
The air in the hall grew even heavier.
Kael looked at the circle with great interest.
"Ah."
He smiled slightly.
"Now the final part."
Ragnar sneered.
"My favorite part."
Orion said softly,
"The third test."
He looked at Aurelia.
"Intent."
Aurelia stood calmly in the center of the circle.
"What does that mean?"
Orion replied,
"This circle does not only measure strength or emotion."
He pointed to the stone floor.
"It also judges a leader's purpose."
Blue light from the symbols began to gather in the air.
Ancient energy swirled slowly, forming something.
But this time it was not a creature.
Not a shadow from the past.
But a vision.
The entire hall suddenly shifted.
The stone walls disappeared.
A night sky appeared above them.
Beneath Aurelia's feet, a vast battlefield spread out.
Flames burned everywhere.
Wolves fought.
Alpha against Alpha.
Blood flowed across the ground.
Ragnar whistled softly.
"Ah… the circle shows the future."
Kael crossed his arms.
"Interesting."
Orion looked at Aurelia.
"This is a possibility."
He said softly.
"A future that could happen… depending on your choice."
In the center of the vision, Aurelia's figure appeared.
Another version of herself.
But colder.
Stronger.
Crueler.
This version stood atop a battlefield full of bodies.
Her eyes glowed gold.
But there was no mercy there.
Ragnar sneered.
"The path of power."
Kael added,
"Many leaders choose that path."
Orion said softly,
"The question is…"
He looked at Aurelia.
"Will you choose it too?"
The vision shifted again.
Now a different battlefield appeared.
But this time Aurelia stood before the pack's forces.
Not above them.
Not as an oppressive ruler.
But as a leader standing with them.
Light from the circle trembled powerfully.
The final test had begun.
And the Shadow Lands waited to see.
Which path the new wolf world's Luna would choose.