The Lumina Steed's Reflection

The air thrummed with a magic unlike anything Elara, Finn, and Kael had ever encountered. They stood at the edge of a vast, frozen lake, its surface so impossibly smooth it seemed to be made of polished obsidian, yet it shimmered with an inner light. Above them, the aurora borealis, the very essence of Aethelgard, pulsed and swirled in a celestial ballet, casting shifting colours onto the frozen expanse. This was it. The final trial, spoken of in hushed tones by the elders of Veridia, the place where the Lumina Steed would finally reveal itself to those deemed worthy.

“It’s… beautiful,” Elara breathed, her voice barely a whisper. Her hand instinctively went to the small, carved wooden bird tucked into her tunic, a familiar comfort. She felt a knot of apprehension tighten in her stomach, a familiar fear that had been her constant companion since they’d left the safety of their village. Could she truly be strong enough for this?

Finn, ever the observer, adjusted his spectacles, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Beautiful, yes. But look closer, Elara. It’s not just ice.” He pointed to the centre of the lake. “The reflections… they’re not quite right.”