As soon as Jonan's foot hit the eighth step, he was startled. There was nothing to worry about. Looked like his limbs moved with no restrictions, the pressure on his body was nonexistent, as well as the invisible weight that followed behind his every step. Even reaching out with his senses in half-expectation of some presence lurking somewhere, waiting for the trap to spring, turned up no results—at least, none that revealed themselves.
Pondering about it as he scratched at his chin, Jonan mumbled under his breath, "This is weird. Why is this eighth step different from the others? No pressure... no illusions... maybe the next steps are also like this. Have I already cleared the trials? Could it really be this simple?"
There was a light chuckle in his voice. This was the first sign of relief he allowed himself since beginning this ascent. Cautiously, but with increasing confidence, he stepped onto the ninth.
And that is when everything changed.
