“I seek judgment,” you say, stepping forward. “I seek Aldric’s Scales.”

The glow intensifies. A figure materializes above the scales—a man in merchant’s robes, his face stern but not unkind. His eyes are the same gold as the scales themselves.

“MANY HAVE SOUGHT THE SCALES. FEW HAVE BEEN WORTHY. THE SCALES DO NOT MEASURE GOLD OR GOODS. THEY MEASURE THE SOUL ITSELF.”

Theron steps up beside you, his face pale. “Ancestor…”

“THERON. MY BLOOD. MY BURDEN.” Aldric’s spirit regards him with something that might be sadness. “YOU HAVE RUN FAR. BUT THE SCALES ALWAYS BALANCE. YOU CANNOT ESCAPE WHAT YOU ARE.”

“I never wanted to be what you were,” Theron says quietly.

“NO. BUT YOU MUST CHOOSE WHAT YOU WILL BECOME.” Aldric turns back to you. “THE TRIAL IS SIMPLE. THE SCALES WILL WEIGH YOUR HEART. EVERY LIE YOU’VE TOLD. EVERY PROMISE YOU’VE BROKEN. EVERY TIME YOU CHOSE THE EASY PATH OVER THE RIGHT ONE.”

The scales begin to move. The feather rises; the stone descends.

“IF YOUR HEART IS LIGHT ENOUGH, THE SCALES ARE YOURS. IF NOT…”

The stone hits the bottom of the pan with a sound like thunder.

“…YOU WILL KNOW TRUE JUDGMENT.”

You feel it then—every moral compromise, every small cruelty, every moment of cowardice. They weight you down like chains. The scales tip further.

But then you feel something else. Every kindness. Every sacrifice. Every time you chose others over yourself.

The scales begin to balance.

“INTERESTING.” Aldric’s voice holds surprise. “YOU CARRY MUCH. BUT YOU CARRY IT WITH PURPOSE. THE SCALES RECOGNIZE ONE WHO SEEKS JUSTICE, NOT FOR GLORY, BUT FOR TRUTH.”

The scales settle. Perfect balance.

“YOU ARE WORTHY.”