The night after Ren's victory, the twins were summoned not to the healing chambers, nor to their quarters but to the Court of Ashes, a hidden council chamber deep beneath the Onyx Citadel. It was a place where secrets lived and the Empire’s truest decisions were made.

Masaru escorted them in silence. Even he seemed on edge.

“This isn’t part of the Trials,” Kaede whispered.

“No,” Masaru replied, his hand never leaving the hilt of his blade. “This is something deeper. Older.”

They were brought before a crescent-shaped chamber carved from black volcanic glass. Ten robed figures sat in silence, each behind veils and masks. House leaders. Seers. Enforcers of the Empire’s hidden order.

In the center stood Lady Itsume, the High Seer of the Capital, her robes patterned with constellations and storms.

“You are both brave,” she said, her voice distant yet sharp. “And dangerous.”

Kaede stiffened. “Is this a reward or an accusation?”

“Both,” Lady Itsume replied. “You were not meant to face a cultist in the First Trial. That man was planted. A test, yes but not one designed by us.”

Ren’s eyes narrowed. “Then by who?”

The Seer gestured. A tapestry unrolled from the ceiling, revealing an ancient image: a black moon rising over a burning palace. Below it, a pair of twins one holding a blade of light, the other of shadow stood at the edge of a battlefield.

“The prophecy,” Kaede breathed.

Lady Itsume nodded. “It is older than the Empire itself. When the Black Moon returns, twins born under a red star will determine the fate of the world. One shall rise to save it. The other to end it.”

The council chambers darkened as the image faded.

“You are those twins.”

Kaede’s hands curled into fists. “We don’t believe in fate.”

“Fate believes in you,” said one of the masked elders.

Ren stepped forward. “You think we’ll turn on each other?”

“We know others will try to make it so,” Lady Itsume answered. “The Eclipse Cult has risen again. They serve the Black Moon. And they will stop at nothing to twist prophecy to their design.”

Kaede looked to her brother. “Then let them come.”

“No,” the Seer warned. “They already have.”

She raised a hand.

A door opened, revealing a prisoner dragged in chains a teenage girl with silver hair and foxlike eyes. The same girl Kaede had seen meditating with fox spirits before the First Trial.

“She was caught trying to contact an Eclipse agent,” Lady Itsume said. “But she claims she was doing it for you.”

Kaede blinked. “What?”

The girl raised her eyes. They shimmered with magic, sadness and something else.

“I know who you are,” she said. “And I know who’s going to betray you.”

“Who?” Ren asked sharply.

The girl smiled, but it was bitter.

“One of the five remaining contenders is already working for the cult. You’ll see them in the Second Trial. But you won’t know who they are until it’s too late.”

The Seer turned away. “Enough. Rest while you can. The next trial begins at dawn.”

As the twins were led away, Kaede whispered, “Do you believe her?”

Ren’s voice was cold.

“I believe we can’t trust anyone now.”

Somewhere deep within the capital…

A lone figure watched the city from a shadowed balcony. His robes bore the crescent moon. His hands were stained with ink, blood, and prophecy.

“Their bond is strong,” he murmured. “We’ll have to break it.”

Behind him, ten masked cultists knelt in silence.

“We’ll strike during the next trial,” he said. “Let the twins shine… before we make them fall.”