As I made my way towards Lizark's location, a palpable sense of anticipation hung in the air, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in my journey. The landscape transformed around me, and the atmosphere seemed charged with an unfamiliar energy.
Upon reaching Lizark, he gestured toward a distant structure. "They are inside that ancient ruin. Seems like they stumbled upon something intriguing."
"Let's not keep them waiting," I suggested, and together, we stealthily approached the ancient ruin. As we drew nearer, the sounds of muffled voices and the rhythmic clinking of tools reached our ears. Peering into the ruins, we witnessed the group of survivors from Alpha Special Army gathered around a mysterious ancient artifact.
"What's going on here?" I pondered aloud.
One of the survivors, Haili, noticed our presence and called out, "Lera, you're just in time. We found something incredible!" she exclaimed. "And who is this man with you?" she continued.
"He's a civilian, helping me with the route. Name's Hulaif," Lizark explained as part of his disguise.
As we stepped into the ruin, the artifact came into view—a mystical crystal adorned with intricate engravings. It emitted a subtle yet captivating glow.
"This crystal is believed to harbor ancient knowledge and power," Rey, one of the survivors, explained. "We think it might hold the key to understanding the forces at play here."
Intrigued, I approached the crystal. It pulsed with energy, and in that moment, I felt a peculiar connection, as if it held echoes of the guardian spirit encountered in the tomb.
"We must tread carefully with this," I cautioned. "Power of this magnitude can be both a boon and a bane."
Yet, as the survivors immersed themselves in decoding the ancient inscriptions, a revelation began to unfold. The crystal unveiled secrets about the origin of the curses and the trials that safeguarded the tomb.
"This knowledge has the potential to change everything," Grey, one of the survivors, exclaimed.
However, with newfound power came unforeseen challenges. The crystal's energies, once dormant, reactivated the ancient traps within the ruin. It appeared that the tomb wasn't finished presenting its trials.
As the ruins trembled and mystical energy crackled in the air, I realized that my adventure was far from over. The words of the ancient guardian echoed in my mind—knowledge and power entwined in a delicate dance.
And so, with the mysteries of the ruin laid bare before us, we prepared for the trials that lay ahead, recognizing that the path forward demanded not only strength but also wisdom to navigate the intricate dance of ancient forces.
"Hulaif, the guardian spirit you sealed wanted me to convey this information to you," Katz telepathically communicated. "He mentioned that the guardian spirit in this ruin doesn't compromise like him. It scrutinizes the heart, allowing only those with pure intentions to enter. The trials here primarily engage the mental state."
"Thanks for letting me know, Katz." I glanced at everyone, but before I could speak, they all vanished, leaving only Lizark, who reverted to his form within my watch. Surveying my surroundings, I sensed a profound shift. I found myself in a vast, luminous chamber, its brilliance almost blinding. Was this the mental trial Katz spoke of — an ethereal space designed to play with the intricacies of the mind?
Alone in the luminous chamber, attempts to use my device were futile, blocked by some unseen force. Calling out to the others yielded no response; it seemed I was truly on my own. In an effort to understand this place, I traversed its expanses, but every step revealed nothing new. It was like being confined to an immense, featureless white room.
Deciding to rest, I closed my eyes briefly, only to find myself transported to a different scene within the chamber. A boy caught my gaze and darted towards a narrow pathway. Intrigued, I followed, only to witness a horrifying scene — a man callously taking the life of a child. The trial played with my perception, and the boy I had followed met a tragic end before my eyes. It was jarring, but I reminded myself that this was a mental trial, a game with my mind.
In an instant, the setting shifted again. Now, I was inside a burning house with numerous children. Reacting without thought, I worked fervently to save them. Navigating through chaos, I managed to lead them to safety, escaping the engulfing flames. Yet, as I emerged from the fiery ordeal, I found myself thrust into a heart-wrenching scene — the children I couldn't save. Their lifeless forms lay amidst the charred remains of the house.
Confused and distraught, I questioned aloud, "What is happening? Is this somehow my fault?" The trial continued, plunging me into scenes that tested my resilience and moral compass, each experience pushing the boundaries of my understanding and challenging the core of my being.
The scenes continued to morph, transporting me to Sigma Country, within the confines of a prison. I found myself in the moments before Mia unleashed havoc on the prisoners, standing alone in a desolate field. The solitude was unsettling, and the environment shifted once more, placing me amidst the aftermath of a gruesome scene, with lifeless bodies scattered around.
The journey led me to the final location — the place where Mia and I had crossed paths. This time, Mia attacked me, and I was caught off guard. Yet, amidst the illusion, a realization struck me. I couldn't change the past, and this vivid recreation was but a play on my memories. Choosing to be a passive observer, I let the scenes unfold without interference.
As I embraced this understanding, a voice echoed in my mind, stating, "Congratulations, you have found the key." With those words, the illusion dissipated, and I returned to the present. It took a moment to recognized that Mia and the others had been calling my name repeatedly during this mental journey.
"Huh! What's wrong? What happened?" I asked.
"It seems you have awoken. We thought you wouldn't come back," Mia said.
"It seems this trial is quite troublesome," I remarked. "Where are the others?"
"Don't know, it seems like you have been split up from them."
"Can you do a search for me, Mia?"
"Wait a moment." Mia activated her searching ability. Just as she began, a sense of someone approaching from behind gripped me. Instinctively, I dodged, turning to find a Barbar in a frenzied state.
"Wait, wait." I observed Barbar, realizing she seemed to have lost her composure. It was evident that she was unprepared for this trial."Arr..." With a plasma knife in her left hand, she lunged towards me. Anticipating her erratic movements, I skillfully sidestepped and executed a well-timed leg sweep, unbalancing her. As she stumbled, I swiftly subdued her, rendering her unconscious.
"I've completed my search," Mia reported. "So, what do you want to do with her?" she asked, gesturing to the unconscious Barbar. I quickly took a photo of Barbar. "Wait, don't tell me you want to become this girl this time?" Mia questioned."Nope, maybe not yet. I just want to add to my skin collection. I can't always use Laura's skin after all." After explaining to Mia, I sent Barbar into the domain for treatment. Now, I need to find this ruin guardian spirit. "Can you lead me the way to find the guardian spirit." I asked Mia.
"Synchronized" It seems like Mia use her synchronize on me. "I lent you my sight. Follow the red thread." As soon after that, I followed the red thread that Mia told me. Before I arrived to the location, I found Haili was surrounded by others survivor, Grey and Rey.
"Ah, enough!" With an abrupt surge of force, she effortlessly knocked down all of them in the blink of an eye. I stood there, taken aback and silently resolved never to provoke her further. Then, she looked at me, seemingly unfazed by the scuffle.
"You're the person that Lera brought. Did you see her?" she asked me, as if nothing had happened.
"I am sorry, I don't know. We got split up after entering this ruin," I explained to her.
"So, as you're local here, how about you help me show the way to get out of here?" Haili said, while lifting the other two survivors.
"We cannot escape from this place unless we clear the trial first. The trial this time needs us to find the one who did this to us. Or, should I say, this ruin guardian spirit," I explained, offering a brief overview of our predicament.
"So, you want me to help you clear this trial together?" Haili said.
"Or do you want to clear this by yourself?" I tried to provoke her, sensing her inclination to follow me.
"Okay, I will help you. Show me the way." We walked through the ruin, encountering and fighting some mobs (Haili taking them down), making our way to the destination.
As we arrived, Haili suddenly said to me, "Back away!" Then, a monster resembling a giant crab descended from above.
"What was that?" I exclaimed.
"Beware! This is an ambush," Haili warned.
"Thou art forgiven, thy sin shall be blessed," the monster uttered, adding an eerie layer to the unfolding mystery.
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The monstrous crab-like creature spoke in cryptic phrases, its intentions unclear. As it descended, I readied myself for a confrontation, uncertain of its allegiance or hostility.
Haili, unfazed, stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the creature. "This isn't a mere ambush. It's a manifestation of the trial," she declared, her tone steady.
As the creature approached, its form shifted. Strange symbols danced in the air around it, and the air itself seemed to thicken with an otherworldly energy. Haili, with a determined expression, signaled to me to stay back.
She engaged the creature in a battle of not just physical prowess but also arcane mastery. Her movements were swift, and the air crackled with energy as she unleashed a barrage of attacks. The creature retaliated with powerful strikes, its claws slashing through the air.
In the midst of the clash, I observed the intricate dance of combat and magic. It became evident that this trial demanded more than just brute strength—it required an understanding of the mystical forces at play.
As the battle intensified, Haili shouted, "Find its weakness! There must be a way to break through its defenses." I focused, trying to discern any patterns or vulnerabilities in the creature's movements.
After a moment of observation, I noticed a faint glow emanating from a particular area on the creature's underside. "The abdomen! Aim for its abdomen!" I called out to Haili.
She adjusted her tactics, targeting the revealed weakness. With a series of precise strikes, she managed to exploit the vulnerability, causing the creature to convulse in pain.
"Thou hath shown insight. The trial acknowledges thy understanding, now thy shall enter the last trial. Only one person can complete this trial." the creature uttered before sending us into another location.
After a while, we found ourselves in an arena, nestled within a cave adorned with numerous stalactites and stalagmites. The water rose up to our knees, creating an eerie yet captivating environment. "Did we not complete the trial already? What is this trial now?" Haili inquired.
"Two warriors shall duel to prove your braveness," echoed the voice in our heads.
"I apologize to the local people; I'll ensure your deaths are not in vain," Haili declared, positioned not far from me.
"I suppose I rested too much. Need a bit of warm-up," I replied.
"Now, let the battle commence," echoed the voice once more.
As the voice resonated through the cavern, Haili and I readied ourselves for the impending clash. The atmosphere was charged with tension, the stakes high in this brutal contest.
In the dance of blades, Haili exhibited swift and precise movements, lunging forward with a sword that spoke of her mastery. In response, I assumed a defensive stance, countering her strikes with a knife taken from Barbar. The cave bore witness to our clash, the resonance of our weapons creating an eerie symphony in the confined space.
"Your combat skills are impressive. Are you a seasoned soldier?" Haili's demeanor shifted during our duel, revealing a side of her that seemed like a different person.
"Who's to say?" I deftly pushed her back with a swift kick to her stomach, creating some distance.
"It seems I've found a formidable opponent. Prepare yourself," she declared, her movements now even quicker and more precise. The tempo of the duel intensified, with Haili taking an offensive stance while I maintained a defensive strategy.
Observing her refined techniques, I discerned a pattern. Exploiting this insight, I began to analyze her attacks. The duel evolved, with Haili pressing forward aggressively while I skillfully parried, waiting for the opportune moment.
Having analyzed her new movements, I saw an opening and swiftly executed a countermove. Seizing the chance, I dislocated her knee joint, temporarily slowing her movements.
As Haili grappled with the sudden impairment, the cave's atmosphere seemed to intensify, echoing the tumultuous struggle within. Despite the setback, she displayed remarkable resilience, adjusting her tactics to compensate for the slowed movement. The clashing of blades reverberated through the cave, as if the very walls bore witness to our contest.
"Your adaptability is commendable, but this battle is far from over," Haili remarked, her determination shining through despite the pain. With a surge of adrenaline, she launched a flurry of attacks, seeking to regain the upper hand.
I responded with nimble evasion, relying on precision rather than brute force. Each movement became a delicate dance, a strategic interplay of offense and defense. As Haili's strikes became more ferocious, I recognized the need to end the duel swiftly.
With a calculated maneuver, I disarmed her, sending the sword clattering to the cave floor. The blade skidded away, leaving Haili momentarily defenseless. She regarded me with a mix of defiance and respect.
"Well fought," she conceded, acknowledging the ebb and flow of our confrontation.
Before we could catch our breaths, the voice echoed once more in the cavernous space. "The trial is concluded. The warrior has proven their worth. Both shall leave this arena alive. But, only one shall encounter with me."
"Go, Hulaif, or should I call you Lera?" Haili said, acknowledging my dual identity. "You deserve it."
Surprised, I questioned, "How do you know I am Lera?"
Haili replied, "How long since we met. Although it was only one month, it made me recognize the moment we clashed blades. Your skill is remarkable, even without your own weapon. Also, where is Barbar? If I am not mistaken, that was her weapon."
"She is in a safe place. How did you become so sharp?" I inquired.
"Well, everyone has their own secrets, so I won't tell you." Suddenly, we split up, and I found myself in another bright room, this time alone. Before me stood a large figure, and from what I could discern, it seemed to be a guardian spirit.
"Now, human, you have proven your worth. What is your wish for seeking me?" The guardian spirit inquired.
"I inquire..." After sharing my deepest desire with the guardian spirit, a surge of energy enveloped me, and I found myself standing once again in front of the ruin entrance. The cavernous echoes of my wish lingered in my mind as I processed the mysterious encounter.
To my surprise, all the survivors from Alpha Special Army, including Haili, were present. I had apparently awakened earlier than the others. Haili approached me with curiosity written on her face.
"Did you see Lera?" she asked. I shook my head in response.
"Oh, I see," Haili said, as if forgetting momentarily about the events within the cave. The rest of the team gradually stirred awake. Upon exiting the ruin, our respite was short-lived, as we were immediately confronted with a new challenge—a horde of Sigma army soldiers accompanied by a few formidable leading generals. The air crackled with tension as we prepared for the impending clash.