Chapter 2 — The Divine Trial
The path to the Central Temple lay ahead, and Elias's determination was absolute.
The god's instructions had been clear: he must undergo the Trial of Proving, a sacred test that would determine if he could become a knight-apprentice of the Saints. One week remained before the trial began.
Until then, he was to train his mind, strengthen his spirit, and nurture the divine power within. The first trial would demand the essence of his newfound abilities.
Elias walked with purposeful steps, each one filled with determination. The world seemed darker, shadows longer, and unseen dangers lurked at the edges of his vision. Yet he moved without fear.
He remembered the god's words: "Even broken… even lost… you carry a righteous heart. That is why you have been chosen."
And he would honor that trust.
The First Signs of Power
By midday, the full effect of his meditation became evident. Tasks that once exhausted him now energized him. His hands, once raw and bleeding, now moved with precision and speed, shaping stone and performing labor that would leave others trembling with fatigue.
The overseers, who had once ruled him with fear and pain, watched in astonishment. This same slave, beaten and broken, now moved with energy and authority, his presence commanding attention.
Elias felt the divine power pulsing within him—a quiet, steady rhythm whispering strength, endurance, and protection.
He knew, without doubt, this was only the beginning. The Trial of Proving awaited, and the forces approaching the world would test him in ways no meditation or healing could prepare him for.
But for the first time, Elias did not feel powerless.
He felt chosen.
And far away, in the shadows of the world, something sinister had also begun to awaken.