Four paths opened up, and with no other choice, they each entered one.
Ares's Trial
Ares walked quickly. He stopped when a tall figure emerged from the mist—his father. It was the same face he had last seen: cold, dignified, and his gaze full of judgment.
"Ares," said the shadow. "You failed. You disgraced the family. You lost everything. And now, you drag others down with you."
Ares clenched his sword. "You are just a shadow. I will not let your words destroy me again."
The shadow smiled faintly. "You cannot cover up the truth with false bravado."
Ares attacked immediately. His sword was deflected with his bare hand, and his body was sent flying. "Weak," the shadow said simply.
The pain in his chest was not just from the impact, but also from the truth in those words. But the faces of Lyra, Ryn, and Orion flashed across his face. They believed in him. He could not fall now.
Ares stood. "I am not alone anymore. I will protect them."
She struck again. This time her sword vibrated, a red light flashing. Her slash sliced through the shadow, shattering it into light.
Before disappearing, her father's figure said, "You're stronger than I thought."
Lyra's Trial
Lyra took a hesitant step. From the mist, a woman emerged—her mother. Her gaze was hard, full of disappointment.
"You're just a spoiled brat," the shadow said. "You'll never be independent. You can't even protect yourself."
Lyra gripped her wand tightly, her hands trembling. Memories of her childhood returned, how her mother rarely showed pride.
Tears welled up, but Lyra shook her head. "I may not be perfect. But I'm no longer a silent child. I will stand, even if I'm alone."
She raised her wand. Blue light exploded, flowing like a wave, crashing against the shadow until it shattered.
Before disappearing, the shadow stared at her wordlessly. Lyra looked down, wiped away her tears, and continued walking with a calmer expression.
Ryn's Trial
Ryn gave a short whistle to calm herself, but the mist revealed her own form. The same face, but more cynical.
"Look at you," he said. "Clown. You think people believe you? When the seriousness comes, who listens? You're just a distraction."
Ryn paused. The words stung because they were true. He often joked to cover up his fear.
The shadow chuckled. "You're just a burden. They'll leave you."
Ryn looked down for a moment, then looked up. "If my jokes can keep them going, that's enough. I don't care if I look like a clown."
He stepped forward, clenching his fist. The fist struck the shadow with a force mixed with red light. The figure shattered.
Ryn wiped his eyes quickly. "Huh. Even my own shadow doesn't know how to laugh." He continued walking, straighter than before.
Orion's Trial
Orion walked steadily. From the mist, a man with a spear emerged—his former teacher. The figure he once trusted, but also the one who betrayed him.
"You're a failed student," the shadow said. "Without me, you don't exist. Everything you know is from me. You can't escape."
Orion stared straight ahead. "I'm no longer your apprentice."
The shadow raised the spear. "You're only deceiving yourself. You'll never escape my shadow."
Orion's sword rose. "I choose my own path."
The fight was brief. The spear struck, and Orion's sword slashed straight through. The shadow split, shattering into light.
Orion sighed. "It's finally over."
The Path Opens
The four paths of mist vibrated in unison. The system's voice echoed.
[Personal test successful.]
[Bond maintained. Path open.]
The mist slowly cleared. They reappeared in the same place. Although their faces were tired, their eyes were more determined.
Ares simply nodded. Lyra took a deep breath. Ryn raised an eyebrow, attempting a smile, while Orion remained calm. They didn't need words. Everyone knew the next test would be even tougher.
The fog had completely vanished. The air cleared, and a new sight unfolded before them. It was no longer a gloomy hallway or an examination room, but a vast plain surrounded by stone ruins. Broken pillars towered, like the remains of an ancient city swallowed by time.
Ares swept his gaze around. "This… what is this place?"
Lyra raised her staff, the tip reflecting a faint light to test the surrounding aura. "There's a strange energy here. It's not the same as the fog just now."
Ryn scratched the back of his neck, feigning casualness while his face was serious. "Don't tell me after fighting our respective shadows, now we have to fight the big boss here too?"
Orion stared straight at a large ruin in the center. Giant stones were stacked, forming an ancient gate that still stood tall. Above it, a symbol glowed faintly—a circle with three lines across it.
"That's the key," Orion said curtly. "The next challenge is over there."
They moved cautiously, approaching the gate. The ground around it was full of cracks. As Ares stepped closer, the system's voice echoed loudly.
[Collective Test Zone: Guardian's Ruins.]
[Requirement: Survive the guards for 300 seconds.]
Ryn's jaw dropped. "THREE HUNDRED SECONDS?! That's five minutes! You're kidding, right?"
A tremor shook the ground. From behind the ruins, rocks began to move. One by one, the fragments coalesced, forming a giant, armored figure, its eyes glowing red. The ancient Guardian rose, nearly ten meters tall.
Ares tightened his grip on his black sword. "There's no other way. We face this."
The Guardian roared, its voice like thunder, then raised its giant hand to strike.
"SCATTER!" Ares shouted. They leaped in different directions.
The first blow shattered the ground, creating a large crater. Rocks flew in all directions. Lyra immediately raised a barrier, keeping the fragments from harming them.
Orion struck first, leaping with his sword, slashing at the Guardian's arm. The slash left only a thin graze. "Thick defense. We need to focus on the weak point!"
Ryn ran, throwing a small rock, feigning casualness. "Hey, stone giant! Did you forget to buckle up?" The rock bounced uselessly, but it caught the Guardian's attention.
Ares took advantage of the gap, darting forward and slashing the Guardian's knee with his black sword. A slight crack appeared. His sword vibrated, a whisper echoing in his head. Give me control. I'll destroy it for you.
Ares gritted his teeth. "Silence." He suppressed the whisper, choosing to fight with his own strength.
Time slowed. A system counter appeared in the corner of their vision. [270 seconds remaining.]
"Four and a half minutes left…" Lyra wiped away sweat, then raised her staff. "Then let's make this a battle of defense, not destruction." She channeled magic into the ground, creating blue roots that momentarily restrained the Guardian's legs.
Orion nodded. "I'll focus on blocking his attacks. You guys find a way to slow him down longer."
"Hey, don't forget I can keep him busy," Ryn chimed in, running zigzag, her voice loud. "Hey, big rock! Let's go after your favorite clown!"
The Guardian roared and tried to kick him. Ryn nearly fell, but managed to roll out of the way. "OK, that almost made me a pancake."
Ares attacked again, this time targeting the cracked knee. The cut went deeper, but the giant swung his arm, knocking Ares flying.
Lyra shouted, "ARES!"
Ares got up with blood on his lip, wiping it quickly. "I'm fine. Keep holding him back!"
The countdown continued. [180 seconds remaining.]
The Guardian grew angrier, his attacks more brutal. Orion parried with his sword, trembling with exertion. Lyra continued to channel protective magic to lessen the impact. Ryn kept running, drawing attention.
And Ares, though his body was starting to weaken, stood back in front. "We've come too far. We can't fall here!"
His black sword vibrated even harder. The whispers returned. Use me fully. Or you will lose them.
Ares closed his eyes for a moment. The pressure on his chest grew heavier, but the faces of his friends kept him awake. "No. I will fight them. Not you."
Time remaining: [120 seconds.]