The crown jewels of Helya were within reach now. Havi had told Aranya and the Scions that three keys had to be found to claim them - one with the val'kyra under Eyir, one in Helheim, and one on the Naglfar. Trials at every step of the way, as was the custom of vrykul, val'kyr, and Odyn.
Eyir's judgement had been cold, absolute. Illusions were conjured to test Aranya, Halenvar, and Gran'dyne.
Aranya had stepped forward first. Her test had been to be there to fight for her family, and a burning Shattrath appeared around her, besieged by fel orcs. Valéria had been in danger, with an axe over her head. There was no hesitation, no thought, Aranya was at the image of her little girl's side in an instant. She suffered a near-mortal wound, but ultimately jabbed her sword through the burning orc's skull. Eyir judged her worthy.
Gran'dyne had been given the Broken shore. Her lover, Phantom, being consumed in shadow to one side, and other elves being torn apart by demons on the other. Gran'dyne's choice was to save her love or protect the other lives.
Too cruel.
The priestess had worked valiantly, desperately, to protect the elves from the demons… and was cut down by a sargerei's image. Her sentence for unworthiness was banishment to Helheim.
But as the orb of banishing magic meant for Gran'dyne hurled towards her, Halenvar charged in the way and intercepted it. The magic swallowed the warrior. The last look on his face was a smile to Aranya… and Eyir judged his unexpected action worthy enough to relinquish the key.
They had the key, but Halenvar was now in Helheim.
Gran'dyne had been tearful. Aranya had screamed, roared, went into flames with her rage.
The two women parted ways to prepare for the journey into Helheim. The priestess would inform the Scions, and the arcanist would make preparations of her own, taking the key with her.
Yet even now, alone and in private, the sorceress' rage smoldered.
Damn Eyir's judgement. Damn Havi. Damn Halenvar and his bravery and that last smile. Damn it all.
"If I have to rip him from the tentacles of Helya MYSELF, we will get him back!"
Not for the first time, Aranya's fist curled around the golden key bestowed by Eyir. Through gritted teeth, she whispered, "I am going to bring you back."