The castle halls were alive with the vibrant energy of all the people who had gathered to witness the event. The candidates for the Golden Crown were the center of attention, and the crowd's enthusiasm was palpable. 
As the candidates made their way through the plaza, escorted by royal guards, the air was filled with a symphony of cheers and applause. Each candidate wore attire befitting the occasion. The crowd, a sea of diverse faces from all corners of Marvellon, waved colorful banners and flags that bore the emblems of their favorite candidates. Children on their parents' shoulders, eager to catch a glimpse of the potential ruler of their realm. The elderly and wise shared stories of past coronations and the great leaders they had witnessed. "Celestia! Celestia!" chanted a group of young admirers as their voices rose above the rest. As the candidates approached the Aurorion Gates, with their towering golden arches shimmering in the sunlight, the crowd's applause reached a crescendo. It was a moment when the people of Marvellon came together to celebrate their future, their traditions, and the promise of a new era. As the gates closed behind them, they came to the realization that they were on their own now and that they must remember all they learned at the academy if they wanted to succeed. The forest before them is a place of eerie beauty, where nature has taken on a sinister and corrupted form. The trees, once proud and tall, now stand twisted and contorted, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers towards the dim, foreboding sky. 
“What’s wrong, Thaddeus? Scared of the dark?” Seraphina asks. “It’s the first time I’ve been outside the walls. Aren’t you afraid of what’s out there?” “Of course not. A ruler must not fear anything. Fear is the enemy’s weapon against us.” “We all listened to the tales of the black forest and the wild beasts that live here.” “That’s why we have a better chance to survive if we stay together.” Celestia intervenes. “No! A ruler must find his own path, even if it leads to his death, and only the strongest will survive. It's the only way!" “Then you have made your choice!” Thaddeus, Isolde, and Garrick look at each other cluelessly about what to do but eventually choose to stay with Celestia. “Weaklings! I’ll see you back at the castle, with the crown in my head." As Seraphina ventures deeper into this dark realm, the air grows heavy with a palpable sense of malevolence. Shadows dance and flicker, playing tricks on her senses. The ground beneath her feet is uneven, covered in gnarled roots that seem to writhe and coil like serpents in the undergrowth. 
The wildlife here has been touched by the darkness that permeates the forest. Strange and grotesque creatures lurk in the shadows, their eyes gleaming with an unholy light. These once-beautiful beings have been twisted and warped by the corrupting influence of the forest, and they now bear little resemblance to their former selves. Sickly, phosphorescent fungi cling to the trees, casting an eerie, sickly-red glow that barely illuminates the twisted path ahead. The forest seems to pulse with malevolent energy, as if it has a mind of its own, seeking to ensnare and corrupt all who dare to enter. The silence is broken only by the haunting cries of the corrupted creatures that call this forest home. Their voices are a cacophony of twisted, mournful wails that seem to echo through the very soul of the forest. As she continues her journey through this nightmarish landscape, she can’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. The dark forest with its twisted trees and corrupted creatures is a place of dread and despair, a reminder of the destructive power of darkness when it takes hold of the natural world. Out of the darkness, a voice calls for her. 
“Who’s there?” Seraphina shouts, gripping her sword. “Don’t be afraid, child.” “Who are you?” “My name is Nyxara. I have been waiting for you.” “Show yourself!” “I’m not here to fight you!” “What do you want from me, then?” “I want you to join me.” “Why would I do that?” “I can feel your anger and the pain that you carry inside.” “Don’t talk like you know me; you don’t know anything!” “I know you seek revenge and punishment for the pain your God has inflicted on you. I can help you with that.” “I don’t need your help; I can do it myself!” “You are clearly strong, but you won't be chosen to rule. As long as she lives, Celestia will be the new ruler of Marvellon.” “You don’t know that.” “I know enough. But don’t worry, I have a plan.” “What plan?” “This whole trial is a trap. If it all goes according to plan, she won’t survive. If she does, I’ll need you to finish her.” “You want me to kill my own sister?” “If you want to rule, yes! You must fulfill your mission!” “You are insane.” “You may refuse my offer, but soon you will know the truth, and then you’ll return to me! “You can’t corrupt me!” “I’ve seen this place bring out the worst in people, and only a few can resist it.” “You tried to corrupt Roderic?” “I did, but failed. I’ve told him he had no chance to rule, so he slaughtered the other candidates. I’m sure that on the surface he may have looked like a good and just ruler, but underneath he was a ruthless man. In order to keep His people alive, your God had no choice but to accept Roderic as the new ruler. The same can happen to you if you join me.” “No! I will take my own path!”
To be continued...
