Theron stepped on the top stair leading into a large archway. The moment he did, a ripple of energy spread out in a shockwave, threatening to throw him back.
He paused, strong waves of chill penetrating into his soul. It was continuous and relentless in a way he couldn't describe.
Almost instantly, ice began to appear along his skin.
The Trial of Heart was, unsurprisingly, a test of the soul. The trouble was that the Heart Pavilion could only gather so much energy. As such, there was a special opportunity for the first ten people that stepped into the courtyard that wouldn't be there for those that followed after.
As much as this was an opportunity, though, it was likewise a responsibility, one that fell heavily onto the shoulders of the ten disciples who took it on.
Unless they could survive this wave of assault against their soul, the other disciples would never get a chance to progress forward.
