The Trial of Strength

The temple loomed ahead, its stone pillars rising like ancient sentinels guarding the heart of the island. The faint glow from deep within the island grew stronger, casting an eerie light over everything as they approached. The air around them felt charged, as if the very rocks beneath their feet hummed with energy. Ria could feel her pulse quicken as they drew closer. She had no idea what awaited them inside, but she was certain that the trials were about to begin in earnest.

The cloaked figure led the way, his footsteps silent on the rocky ground, as though he were part of the island itself. He didn’t speak as they approached the entrance, but Ria could feel his gaze on them, heavy with expectation.

“This is where it begins,” the figure said, his voice soft yet carrying across the silence. “The Trial of Strength. You will face your first challenge here, and it will not be easy. Only those who are truly worthy will succeed.”

Ria’s heart pounded. Strength. She had always thought of herself as capable, but she wasn’t a fighter, not like Ren or Jack. Could she really stand up to whatever the island had in store?

They entered the temple’s darkened interior, the air thick with the scent of moss and ancient stone. The faint glow that had illuminated the path ahead now flickered weakly, leaving the interior bathed in shadow. The cloaked figure led them down a long, winding corridor, its walls covered in faded carvings and symbols that seemed to pulse with a life of their own.

“Prepare yourselves,” the figure said as they reached a large chamber at the heart of the temple. The room was vast, its high ceiling lost in shadow, and in the center stood an enormous stone altar, surrounded by dark figures carved into the walls. At the far end of the room, an archway stood, glowing faintly with a strange blue light.

Ria’s breath caught in her throat as the figure turned to face them. “This is your first trial,” he said. “Only one of you can pass. The rest... will be left behind.”

Ren stiffened, his gaze flicking nervously toward the figure. “What do you mean? Only one of us can pass?”

The cloaked figure raised a hand, and suddenly, the blue glow from the archway grew brighter, forming into a shimmering wall of light. “You must fight for your right to continue. Only the strongest will survive. The rest will be... lost.”

Ria’s stomach churned. This was no ordinary test. She had expected challenges, yes, but she hadn’t anticipated something like this.

“You have a choice,” the figure continued. “Step through the portal, and you will face the Trial of Strength. Each of you will face an opponent—a creature forged from your greatest fears. Defeat it, and you may continue. Fail, and you will be cast aside, unable to enter the deeper trials.”

Ren stepped forward, his usual bravado now tempered by uncertainty. “What kind of creatures? What do they look like?”

The figure gave no answer, only motioned toward the glowing portal.

Without another word, Ren stepped forward first. Ria could see his jaw set with determination, but the tension in his body was obvious. He was nervous, but he wouldn’t back down.

“Ren, wait,” Ria called. “We don’t know what’s in there. What if it’s too dangerous?”

Ren turned, flashing her a grin that was more for himself than anyone else. “I’ll be fine. It’s just a trial. I’ll be back in no time.”

He stepped through the portal before Ria could protest. There was a flash of light, and then he was gone.

The silence that followed was almost unbearable. Ria could feel the weight of the moment settle on her shoulders. She wanted to protest—wanted to stop the trial from happening at all—but she couldn’t. This was their only chance. They had come this far, and there was no turning back.

Minutes passed, though it felt like hours. Ria paced back and forth, the sound of her boots echoing off the stone walls. She had no idea what Ren was facing. Was he in danger? Or was the creature he was fighting simply a test of his strength, something to overcome?

Finally, a soft rumble shook the ground beneath them. The portal flickered, and Ren stumbled through it, panting, his face pale and covered in sweat. His clothes were torn, and his hands were bleeding.

“I-I... did it,” he gasped, his voice shaking. “It was... a huge serpent. It came out of nowhere, and it was fast, too fast. But I managed to... to fight it off. Barely.”

He collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. Ria rushed to his side, her heart in her throat.

“Ren, are you okay? What happened? Are you hurt?” Ria asked, kneeling beside him.

Ren waved her off. “I’m fine, I just need a moment.” He looked up at her, his eyes wide with adrenaline. “That thing—it was like a reflection of all my fears. I couldn’t outrun it. But I had to fight it head-on. I couldn’t let it consume me. I had to prove I was stronger than it.”

Ria could see the strain in his eyes, the toll the battle had taken on him, both physically and emotionally. This trial wasn’t just about fighting—it was about conquering their deepest fears.

“Are you going to be able to continue?” Julian asked, his voice quiet but full of concern.

Ren nodded, though it was clear he was exhausted. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’m not going to let some serpent stop me.”

The figure nodded approvingly, though his face remained hidden. “Ren has passed the Trial of Strength,” he intoned. “He will move forward with the others. But the trials are far from over.”

Ria swallowed hard. She couldn’t imagine what her trial would be like. Would she face a serpent, too? Or something far worse?

“It’s your turn now,” the figure said, his voice somber.

Ria stepped forward, her heart pounding. She wasn’t sure if she was ready, but she couldn’t back down now. The portal shimmered before her, and with one last glance at Ren, she stepped through it.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***