The wind howled across the Thunderlands like a thousand galloping steeds. Leon gripped the wolf-claw totem until his knuckles turned white. Beside him, Garrosh suddenly halted and drove his axe deep into the frozen ground.
"Ahead lies the *Storm Rift*," he said grimly. "The Trial of the Storm Element Lord awaits at the *Thunder Altar* in its heart."
Elara pointed toward the churning clouds on the horizon. "Those storm mages from the Shadow Covenant are tampering with the elemental laws—using chaos energy to twist the skies." As she spoke, a jagged bolt of violet-black lightning tore through the heavens, striking a nearby rock formation with an explosive crack.
Leon activated the Heart of the Flame Dragon. Blue fire swirled in his palm—but a creeping cold seeped into the flames, battling for dominance. This was order clashing with chaos itself. He recalled Chieftain Ironmane's warning: *"Don't let hatred blind you."* Yet as he looked upon the charred remains of a Frostwolf village torn apart by lightning, the embers of vengeance flared once more in his chest.
"Look! There are people trapped inside the *Wind Wall!*" Tom pointed to a shimmering barrier formed by spiraling air currents. Inside, several figures in white robes could be seen struggling against the violent winds.
"That's the Academy's apprentices," Elara recognized the laurel crest on their robes. "Arthus is capturing all who wield elemental magic." She nocked an arrow etched with wind runes. "Leon, channel the Heart's power into me—I'll strike the wall's weak point."
Leon nodded, pouring flame energy into her. The moment the arrow flew, red and blue light spiraled together, piercing the Wind Wall's core. The barrier cracked open just enough for the apprentices to escape—but the leading girl screamed, pointing back inside: "There's still someone in there! My mentor!"
The wall began to collapse inward, trapping the old man within. Lightning arcs of violet and black danced around him. Leon glanced between Elara and Garrosh, his mind warring—entering would delay the trial, but abandoning them would betray his knight's oath.
"I'm going!" Leon made his choice. He thrust the Heart of the Flame Dragon into Elara's hands. "Cover me!" He dashed into the Wind Wall. Instantly, the raging winds tore at his cloak. Violet-black lightning lashed his flame shield, sizzling against the heat.
"Child… go…" the old man rasped, waving feebly. "Leave me…"
Leon gritted his teeth, melting the frost binding the elder before hoisting him onto his back. Just as they reached the edge of the collapsing wall, a massive bolt struck Leon square in the back. A freezing pain surged through him—the rune on his hand dimmed, and dark veins crawled beneath his skin.
"Leon!" Elara caught him as he stumbled. Smoke rose from his scorched coat; the black markings were visible under his torn flesh.
"He's been struck by Chaos Lightning…" the elder coughed, pulling out a crystal. "Quick… use this to draw the energy out!" As the crystal touched Leon's skin, the black纹路 began to shift—draining into the gemstone. But the elder gasped, blood spilling from his lips. "I'll help purify it…"
Inside Leon, two forces clashed—scorching fire versus icy corruption. When the elder poured his last spark of holy light into him, the darkness faded. The crystal turned pitch-black.
"Thank you…" Leon whispered, watching the elder's form begin to fade.
"I was the Grandmaster's apprentice," the man smiled faintly, dissolving into motes of light. "Remember… justice isn't about black or white—it's about protecting your heart when you must choose."
Above, the violet-black lightning intensified. Elara pointed toward the Thunder Altar. "Chaos energy is overloading the skies! We have to complete the trial now!"
Leon forced himself up. The rune on his hand glowed again. He approached the central stone pillar of the altar, where a broken Thunder Glyph had been carved. As he pressed the wolf-claw totem against it, golden lightning erupted from the pillar, merging with the blue fire of the Heart of the Flame Dragon—forming a swirling yin-yang pattern.
"This…" Elara stared in awe, "this symbolizes elemental balance. It seems your choice passed the *Trial of Justice*."
Garrosh suddenly pointed beyond the cliffs. "Look! Arthus's army!"
A vast dark force advanced across the highland. At its head stood Arthus himself, drawing violet energy from the sky with his shadow staff.
Leon tightened his grip on the Heart, feeling fire surge anew in his veins. He glanced at Elara and Garrosh—one an elven guardian, one a beastkin warrior. Different races, same purpose.
"We can't fight here," Leon made a hard decision. "Garrosh, is there a shortcut that bypasses the army?"
"There is!" Garrosh gestured toward a deep fissure behind the altar. "The *Throat of the Thunder God*. But it's guarded by a corrupted *Storm Element Lord*."
Elara checked Leon's wounds. "You're not healed yet. It's too dangerous."
"But we don't have a choice," Leon turned toward the approaching forces, eyes resolute. "If Arthus completes the Chaos Egg's awakening, all of Azlan will fall." He thought of his father's teachings, of the sacrifices of the Frostwolves. "Some choices are hard—but someone has to make them."
As the three stepped into the Throat of the Thunder God, the Thunder Altar behind them erupted in blinding gold light, forming a temporary barrier to hold back the enemy. Leon knew this was the elements' response to his choice—and the beginning of the next adventure.
Deep within the earth, the corrupted Storm Element Lord awaited. And above, Arthus's plot closed in like a tightening noose. After this difficult choice came even greater trials.