The dawn of Tierwyn came with a pale mist that curled around the rooftops and lantern posts like sleepy fog spirits reluctant to fade. Bells tolled softly through the town, a deep resonant chime that echoed across the walls of the Adventurers' Guild.
Drathan adjusted his cloak as he stepped out of the inn. His eyes darted to the sky. Faint streaks of orange light crept along the horizon.
The guild square was already buzzing with early risers, weapon checkers, and clerks organizing scrolls on glowing boards. Banners labeled "TRIAL PARTICIPANTS" fluttered over the east wing of the courtyard.
Kenshin was stretching nearby, lightning occasionally flicking off his fingertips with small cracks of energy—zzztzzap.
"You're gonna set the guild on fire," Drathan muttered.
"Wouldn't be the worst way to start the day," Kenshin replied, grinning.
Seme arrived in full armor, her obsidian blade strapped across her back. Every step she took gave off a low metallic clank, followed by the subtle groan of her sword's weight shifting in its latch.
"I had to push past a party of axe-users bragging about killing a bear," she said flatly. "If we don't beat them in this trial, I'm cutting someone's legs off."
The courtyard doors creaked open with a boom. The trial overseer—a stocky elf with gray streaks in his hair and battle scars lining his jaw—stepped out onto the platform.
"Trial of Valor contestants! Form your lines and ready your weapons. This year's trial will be done in randomized squads. Survive the gauntlet, reach the end, and prove you're more than bragging rights and borrowed gear!"
Lines were drawn. Badges distributed. Names called.
"Drathan, Seme, Kenshin—you're Squad Seven."
The three stood together on a summoning circle, glyphs glowing beneath their boots.
A flash of golden light burst outward—fwhooom—and the scenery around them changed.
They now stood in a coliseum-sized cavern of red stone and glowing fungus. Torches lit the walls. Statues of fallen warriors lined the corridor. Wind howled faintly through unseen crevices.
Ahead, the Trial Gauntlet awaited.
A massive gate groaned open. The smell of sulfur poured in.
"Showtime," Kenshin said, electricity crackling off his arms. Bzzzt—CRACK! A bolt danced across his knuckles and sparked into the dirt.
Seme unsheathed her greatsword. Its runes pulsed blood-red with every breath she took. "I'll lead."
Drathan tapped his bracelet. "Ten minutes. Unlocked."
He felt it—the restriction peeling away. The void surged up his arms like liquid shadows. Reality shimmered as a black haze wrapped around his form.
SSHHHWWWOOOM! A pulse of warped gravity emitted from his feet.
"Let's move," he said, voice echoing faintly, dual-toned like something speaking over itself.
The group entered the first chamber: a swarm of stone guardians, standing idle until triggered.
As soon as their feet hit the glyph-laced floor, the eyes of the statues glowed blue.
CRACK! RUMBLE! CLANG!
Six golems tore themselves from the walls, stone cracking and dust blasting outward as they roared to life.
Drathan vanished.
A void ripple snapped across the chamber like a blade of night. WHOOSH—PAFF! He reappeared behind the first golem, thrusting his hand forward.
"Void Collapse!"
VVVVMMMMMM! A swirling orb of pitch black exploded at the golem's core. Its body imploded inward before bursting in a shockwave of dust and shards.
Seme crashed into the second golem, sword arcing in a savage vertical slash. CLAAAANG! The blade met stone—and SPLINTERED IT.
"Shadow Break!" she called.
Dark flames ignited from her blade's edge and chewed through the creature's chest. The golem fell with a heavy crunch.
Kenshin somersaulted between two golems. Electricity arced from his entire body as he spun mid-air.
"Storm Chain!"
KRKKT-BZZZZZ-THWACK! A web of lightning exploded outward, linking the two enemies in a crackling circuit. They spasmed, cracked, and dropped to their knees in molten ruin.
Sweat glistened on his brow as he landed, cloak flaring.
"Next wave incoming!" Seme shouted.
Spiked beast-hounds leapt from the side walls—snarling, glowing-eyed monsters with bladed tails and metal jaws.
Drathan inhaled deeply and stepped into the void again. The world slowed.
Inside the pocket of stillness, everything moved like honey. Time bent around his fingers as he weaved between incoming strikes. His blade glowed purple.
He emerged mid-strike.
THWIP—SLASH! WHUUM! Two beast-hounds fell in pieces.
Kenshin collided with the pack leader mid-air, shouting, "Thunder Crash!"
The explosion of light and sound shattered several nearby torches.
As silence returned, the Trial Chamber glowed green.
"Phase one—complete," a voice boomed from the ceiling.
They panted, victorious.
"Damn," Kenshin muttered. "That was just the warm-up?"
Drathan wiped dust from his brow and let his void energy settle.
"Let's hope we get a water break before phase two."
A loud hum echoed through the chamber as the stone walls began to shift and reshape, revealing a side corridor glowing with soft green light. An archway opened, marked with the words INTERMISSION – FIVE MINUTES floating above it.
"I don't know who programmed this world," Drathan muttered as they stepped through, "but five minutes? That's barely enough time for a flirt and a flex."
The trio entered a resting chamber lined with glowing moss and floating orbs of light that gently drifted like fireflies. Marble benches curved along the edges and a fresh water fountain bubbled at the center.
Kenshin immediately dunked his face in the water. "I'm not even gonna pretend I don't love this."
Seme dropped onto a bench, sword beside her. "Same. No shame. My legs feel like stone."
Drathan stretched, cracking his back with a groan. "Well, at least they gave us ambiance. Looks like a damn fairy spa in here."
As they recovered, another squad entered the chamber—four women, each in distinct armor: a wind dancer rogue, a flame mage, a beastkin lancer, and a towering half-giant paladin. Their armor gleamed with recent enchantments, and confidence radiated from every one of them.
Drathan elbowed Kenshin. "Dibs on the mage."
Kenshin grinned. "Only if I get the lancer."
Drathan walked over casually. "Ladies," he said, voice smooth. "Tell me—is it the Trial of Valor, or are you all just naturally radiant?"
The mage chuckled. "You flirting mid-battle break? Bold."
The lancer winked at Kenshin. "Points for effort."
The paladin crossed her arms, unimpressed. "They better fight better than they flirt."
The rogue gave them a smirk before they turned and headed to their own corner.
As they walked away, Kenshin sighed. "I think I'm in love."
Drathan scratched his chin. "Pretty sure I was just rejected in four different dialects."
Seme rolled her eyes. "You two are hopeless."
A bell chimed overhead.
PHASE TWO – COMMENCING IN ONE MINUTE
Drathan stood up and rolled his shoulders. "Alright, back to the grind."
Kenshin smirked. "Trial of Valor: zero dates, infinite bruises."
Seme grabbed her sword. "Let's try not to die before we embarrass ourselves further."