Around him, five colossal pillars emerged from the void, arranged in the shape of a star. Each radiated a different aura—daunting, mysterious, oppressive.
But the platform shifted beneath his feet, spinning with a mind of its own. No matter how Leonel braced himself, it always realigned toward a single path.
He let out a sharp breath. "So it's decided for me, huh?"
The extensions snapped into place, forming a bridge. Leonel stepped forward, each step echoing in the emptiness.
The first pillar welcomed him.
Statues lined the chamber, silent guardians with blank eyes. At its center sat a platform holding a white bead, glowing faintly like captured moonlight. Behind it stood five statues, one at the front and four behind—an arrangement of reverence.
Leonel frowned. The bead pulsed gently, almost expectant.
The familiar ding echoed in his ears, followed by the calm, playful voice of his system.
{ I have a Suggestion if you don't mind. Place your hand on the bead and take a deep breath.}
Leonel obeyed, pressing his palm against the cool surface. The bead hummed, light swirling inside it—then… silence.
Nothing.
Leonel blinked. "Huh? Did I break it?"
The system chuckled.
{Chill out. Maybe the bead's just too old. These ancient relics don't age gracefully, you know.}
He sighed, shaking his head. "Great. First trial and I already break the artifact…"
Before he could complain further, the world twisted. His body was enveloped in light, and in the blink of an eye, he was back on the central platform.
He stumbled, wide-eyed. "What the hell just happened? Was it really broken?"
The system remained quiet, almost… amused.
Unaware of the unseen presences watching him, Leonel steadied his breathing.
Deep within the temple, voices stirred.
Potential: "The bead failed… Impossible. Unless… no, could his potential truly be beyond measure?"
Wisdom: "Perhaps too vast for the bead, or so low it cannot register. Either way, he is an anomaly. We must observe him closely."
The stone statues did not move, but the weight of their attention lingered.
And Leonel, utterly unaware, faced the next bridge as the platform turned once more.