Kael tested her not with power, but with truth.
He showed her the seal. The void. The thing beyond.
He showed her what it meant to stand watch forever.
"You're looking for someone to replace you," she said quietly.
"I'm looking for someone to choose," Kael replied.
Ilyra turned away, trembling. "You're asking for a sacrifice no one should make."
Kael nodded. "The gods thought the same. They were wrong in how they chose."
She looked back at him. "And you think I'll choose better?"
"I think you'll choose freely."
That mattered more.