Soft greens and blues of bioluminescent flora lit the miniature forest. A steady pulse resonated through the cavern. Its walls expanded and contracted like a slow breath.

  Panting heavily, hand clenched to his side, InuShin stared into the mirror as his reflection stared back. The aura of the different elements swirling around his frame. Now that they’re awake, I have to learn how to control them. Warm red liquid trickled down his skin; face, neck, and arms.

  Reaching out, he pressed his fingers against the liquid glass forcing it to ripple from his touch. As he pushed off the mushy ground, the same warm, mystical aura swarmed his body as the light engulfed him.

  Faint voices emerged within the light, some familiar, others not.

  “What do you mean my son wasn’t with you?” His mother’s voice surrounded him, filled with concern and panic. “He entered the mirror just after you. How could he not appear?”

  “Don’t ask me,” Leif snarled. “As far as I’m concerned, he chickened out and abandoned the trial. I knew he shouldn’t have been a part of it.”

  “Chieftain Soravell.” Worry laced Syelira’s words. “Where does the mirror lead? Is it possible for the mirror to take you somewhere else?”

  “No,” the Chieftain said sternly. “Whoever enters the mirror goes to a mystical place where they must overcome the darkest part of themselves. They are welcome to help one another, as a team, because it is not always possible to overcome one’s darkness alone.”

  “And what happens if someone can’t overcome their darkness?” Her voice trembled.

  “Then they don’t make it out. Ever,” Edrimar answered flatly.

  “Shin…” Syelira’s voice choked.

  “The trial was never meant for a Fylkn?r,” one of the adult Skifulv hollered.

  Another joined. “That is why it’s a trial for Skifulv only. Never should an outsider participate in what is sacred.”

  As the light faded, InuShin stepped into the hollow, the space of the first trial. Hundreds of faces all shifted towards him. Majority in a scowl. Some in surprise. A few in distress.

  “Shin!” Syelira shouted.

  He shifted his attention towards her.

  Eyes welling, she clung to his tantō.

  Shuffling his feet forward, InuShin approached the other participants. Three teenage Skifulv stood before him; Leif, Sigrid, and Vetr.

  Leif, mangled arm by his side, glared in disgust. Streaks of subtle blood marks crossed his face. Pieces of his clothes torn to shreds.

  Sigrid, blood seeped through the shoulder part of her shirt and cloak, stared at him wide-eyed. Her white hair strung all over the place, covering part of her pale face.

  Vetr leaned against Sigrid as he hovered part of his left foot off the ground, clearly avoiding discomfort.

  “Where’d you run off to?” Leif roared. “Couldn’t handle the trial so you tucked your tail between your legs and hid?

  Once within range, he raised his good arm and shoved InuShin.

  Wincing, InuShin clenched his jaw and shot back. “Where’d I go? I don’t even know. I followed you into the mirror and then I ended up in some cave and had to fight five versions of myself at the same time. Don’t you even try to think I was off having a good time. They were too fast, too synchronized for me to easily defeat.”

  “I say you’re lying,” Leif barked, his lupin ears pressed forward, cyan eyes in a cold glare. Static danced within his pupils.

  “Leif, stop trying to pick a fight,” Sigrid piped in, shifting herself and wrapping an arm around Vetr as he applied some weight to his injured leg. “You’re severely injured and we still have one more trial.”

  “What’s the Fylkn?r going to do? His water against my lightning? It’ll be over before he can react.” Smirking, Leif raised his hand once more, the electricity dancing between his fingertips. “Want to put it to the test?”

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  Am I going to survive the next one? An intense fire burned within him, relaxing his muscles and easing the tension of his injuries. No, I’m going to push through these trials. I will get the Skifulv to join us, as well as the Kobrrev and we will defeat the Gr?nnage.

  “InuShin, calm yourself.” Edrimar’s voice broke his thoughts. Calm yet stern. His arms were folded over his chest.

  “What’s the matter? Scared?” Leif taunted.

  “No, but if you can still stand after the next trial, we can fight.” Clenching his hands, he glared.

  “Shin, no more!” Syelira shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks. “You don’t need to prove yourself anymore. You’ve done more than enough, it is time for you to rest.” She jerked her head towards his mother. “Maelira, tell him to stop. Tell him it’s okay to rest. No one else needs to die.”

  Inhaling sharply, conflict within her eyes, Maelira shook her head. “As much as I don’t want my son to continue this, it is a path he chose and he will see it through.”

  “But…” Syelira started.

  “Enough chatter,” Chieftain Soravell commanded. “It is time to move to the third trial.” Raising an arm, she pointed to the far corner of the Hollow. “Through that tunnel, the four of you will reach the edge of the mountain, where you will survive the remainder of the night without food or shelter.”

  “You first,” Leif grumbled.

  Looking to the other S?lvcù, he nodded curtly before dragging his heavy body through the narrow tunnel.

  The air grew colder and colder with each step. Every breath released a puff of smoke. Silver moonlight bled over the jagged cliffs as they weakly stepped onto the tundra.

  “The night accepts only those who endure. Alone or together, prove your worth beneath the Howl.” The chieftain’s voice echoed faintly through the wind.

  Tucking themselves against the wall, Sigrid and Leif quickly collected pieces of dry shrubs as Vetr used his fire element to create a small fire on top of a large flat rock. Wrapping themselves in their furred cloaks, they curled close to one another, sharing what little body heat they had left.

  His skin burned from the frigid air as he lingered near the edge, wrapping his cloak around his weakened form. I’ll endure this alone. I’ll prove to everyone that I’m strong.

  Grayish-white clouds drifted in front of the full moon, casting shadows on the frozen ground. In the distance, leaves danced in the wind. Hypnotizing.

  As the night dragged on painfully slow, the winds grew harsher by the second.

  InuShin’s vision began to blur as whispers echoed in his ears. Silhouettes of transparent white smoke emerged from the light. Each of them with a different message.

  “You’ve done enough, son. Rest. Lay your burdens here.”

  “They will never see you as one of them.”

  “You will always be weak. It’s in your nature as a Fylkn?r.”

  Closing his eyes, InuShin crouched, curling his arms around his legs, using his cloak in an attempt to contain his body heat. A sting nipped at his ears as he pinned them against his head.

  Lightly tracing his fingers along his bracelet, he exhaled slowly. I can do this. I just need to wait until dawn.

  Huge puffs of white smoke expelled from him with each breath.

  Suddenly. A blood curdling scream filled the tundra.

  InuShin whipped his head around and saw Leif clutching his head. Vetr struggled to maintain the fire as Sigrid’s skin shifted into a pale blue, her eyes nearly closed.

  Is he having hallucinations too? His breath quickened as he stared at them. Should I help them? I won’t have to fight Leif if he doesn’t make it.

  No, I can’t just let them die. He shook the thoughts away. That’s not the S?lvcù way, every life has meaning. Sye and Mom taught me that. I have to do something.

  Pushing himself off the ground, the harsh winds bit into his flesh as he slowly stepped towards the Skifulv. The fire ignited in his chest, fueled by his determination to rescue.

  Maybe I can redirect the wind away from them.

  Closing the distance, InuShin squinted one eye closed and said. “Vetr, focus on the fire. I’m going to try to redirect the wind.”

  “How? You’re attuned to water.”

  “I’m going to try.” Removing his torn cloak, he draped it over Leif and Sigrid and then turned to face the harsh weather. Come on. Please, let me keep them alive. Mom, Sye, lend me your strength.

  Inhaling deeply, InuShin focused on the rapid winds. I’m here to maintain peace and balance. I’m here to help.

  The flame behind him flickered as he struggled to form a transparent barrier around them. Bits of harsh air breaking through, cutting against his face. I don’t know how long until dawn, but I’m going to stay like this until sunrise or until I collapse.

  Clenching his jaw, InuShin fought against the frigid air, body shaking as he strained to maintain his warmth and the barrier. How am I supposed to control fire and air?

  The flames behind him intensified, causing him to glance back.

  Sigrid secured InuShin’s cloak around Vetr and then she moved closer to the fire. Leif wrapped both his and her cloak around them, his gaze fixated on InuShin.

  “Don’t let up, InuShin,” Leif hollered. “Don’t let the wind through!”

  “We’ll focus on the fire!” Sigrid added.

  Nodding, InuShin looked ahead, narrowing his eyes as he focused on the severe wind. Mom, Sye, no one else will die. Not if I can help it.

  Streaks of red, orange, and yellow pierced the night sky.

  As the sun broke over the horizon, the outline of the moon began to fade. With one final gust, a sharp howl of wind infiltrated his ears.

  In response, Sigrid, Vetr, and Leif howled in unison, holding it.

  Inhaling deeply, the cold air burned his throat before he bellowed out a howl, harmonizing with the Skifulv.

  Falling to his knees, InuShin’s chest heaved with deep breaths, his eyes half-lidded.

  Silence lingered around them as the warm rays of the sun broke through the dissipating air.

  A distant howl echoed, an acceptance from the mountain.

  Exhausted and sore, gravity slowly pulled him forward. Firm hands gripped his shoulders, holding him up. Peering out the corner of his eye, Vetr, Sigrid, and Leif supported him, each with an approving expression.

  “I’m sorry. I was wrong,” Leif said, “You’re not a Fylkn?r.”

  “I still don’t know exactly what that means.”

  “It means someone born outside of a tribe, a mix-breed, who will never be accepted,” Sigrid answered.

  “But tonight, you proved you are one of us,” Vetr added.

  Shifting behind him, they hoisted him up and supported his weight on their shoulders.

  “Let us return to the Chieftain,” Sigrid said.

  With heavy steps, they left the tundra and sluggishly walked through the narrow tunnel.

  Emerging on the other side, back in the Hollow, the four survivors stood together.

  A barrage of celebratory drums filled the air around them as the S?lvcù and many Skifulv cheered.

  Chieftain Soravell stood silently, nodding slowly.

  As the ovation quieted, Chieftain Soravell cleared her throat. “The mountain has answered your call. You are our Kin, and with that, we will fight by your side to protect these lands.”