Arin and Lyra forged deeper into the Vale Relic's shimmering expanse, the path beneath their feet lined with glowing pebbles that pulsed like tiny stars. The air carried a faint hum, not Arin's own, but the Relic's, vibrating through the crystal vines that draped from towering trees, their leaves casting prismatic light across the ground. The spiral-carved archway still loomed in the distance, its runes a beacon of promise, but Arin's spiritual detection caught a potent energy signature veering off the main trail. The hum in his chest thrummed sharply, a pull stronger than the berries or Elira's trial, urging him toward a shadowed grove to their left.
"Feel that?" Arin said, pausing, his hand resting on his plain iron sword's hilt. "It's close. Something big."
Lyra's Third Realm aura flared as she scanned the grove, her runed sword gleaming faintly in the dim light. "Yeah, it's heavy. Like the air's pressing down. Lead on, but stay sharp."
They veered off the path, their steps cautious as they navigated through trees with bark that shimmered like polished jade. The spiritual energy grew denser, almost tangible, clinging to their skin like mist. Arin's detection pinpointed the source—a jagged rock formation half-hidden by glowing vines, its base opening into a cave mouth. The entrance was wide, framed by crystalline stalactites that glowed with a faint, emerald hue, casting eerie shadows. At the threshold coiled a massive snake beast, its scales glinting like molten silver, its eyes two burning amber orbs. Its aura was unmistakable: peak-level Spirit Core Stage, the pinnacle of the Third Realm, radiating a predatory menace that made the air tremble.
Arin's hum surged, not with fear, but with certainty. Something inside that cave—beyond the beast—resonated with the spiral visions in his mind, a golden pulse that promised aid for his cultivation. It wasn't just a trial; it was personal, tied to the Relic's deeper secrets and his own path.
"That's no ordinary beast," Lyra whispered, her voice steady but tense. "Peak Third Realm. Stronger than the squirrel guardian."
Arin nodded, his spiritual detection mapping the snake's coiled form. It hadn't noticed them yet, its head resting on its massive coils, but its aura was a wall, daring them to approach. "There's something in there," he said, his voice low. "I can feel it. It'll help me—us. We need to get past that thing."
Lyra's eyes flicked to the cave, then back to the beast. "You sure? That snake's not playing around. We're Third Realm, but it's got the edge."
"I'm sure," Arin said, his resolve firm. The hum was clear, like a whisper of the Vale Founder himself, guiding him to whatever lay within. "We can take it. Together."
Lyra exhaled, a faint grin tugging at her lips. "Alright, let's plan this. My sword's better, but that thing's huge. What's the move?"
They crouched behind a cluster of glowing rocks, keeping the snake in view. Arin's detection swept the area, noting the cave's narrow entrance—a choke point that could limit the beast's movement but also restrict their own. The snake's scales looked tough, likely resistant to his plain sword, but its eyes and underbelly might be vulnerable. Its aura suggested speed over brute force, meaning they'd need to outmaneuver it.
"Elira said trials give insights," Arin said, recalling her clipped advice. "If we beat this, we might get something to push us toward the Fourth Realm. But we need to be smart."
Lyra nodded, her fingers tracing the runes on her sword. "I'll draw its attention. My blade can handle its scales better, and I'm faster. You flank it, aim for weak spots—eyes, maybe the throat. Use your detection to track its moves."
Arin considered her plan, his mind racing. His spiritual detection was their edge, letting him anticipate the beast's strikes, but his plain sword limited his damage. Channeling spiritual energy into the blade, as he did against the squirrels, could help, but it'd drain him faster against a peak-level foe. Still, the hum's insistence drove him forward.
"Agreed," he said. "I'll stay mobile, keep it off-balance. If it lunges, we dodge and counter. We can't let it coil around us."
Lyra's aura steadied, her Third Realm core spinning in her dantian. "Got it. We hit hard, fast, and don't let up. Ready when you are."
Arin took a deep breath, his own core pulsing in rhythm with the hum. He checked his pouch, where his four spiritual berries rested, tempted to use one for a boost but deciding to save them for after the fight. The cave's energy called to him, a promise of insight or power that could bridge the gap to the Fourth Realm's mindset Elira described. His plain sword felt heavy, but his Third Realm strength and detection made it viable. Lyra's runed sword, glowing faintly, was their trump card.
They rose, moving silently toward the cave. The snake's head lifted, its amber eyes locking onto them, a low hiss reverberating through the clearing. Its coils shifted, scales scraping against stone, its peak Third Realm aura flaring like a storm. Arin's hum pulsed in response, steadying his nerves.
"Together," Arin whispered, gripping his sword.
Lyra nodded, her blade drawn, eyes fixed on the beast. The Relic's energy seemed to watch, the cave's glow intensifying, as if the trial itself awaited their challenge. The serpent reared, fangs bared, and Arin braced for the fight, the hum guiding his every step.