Loud growls could be heard behind, something was coming as we rushed to get to the next door, one of the winners from the last trial activated a trap—arrows that could be laced with poison shot around the area. Eliminating him on the spot as we dodged others.
Soon as we passed that area, the ground shakes as if something big is coming, the corridor seems to have a gap for only 3 people at a time to fit in—Giant boulders could be seen from a distance, the growls from behind becoming close, we decided to fasten our pace. Han San's team occupied for the left side gap as the boulder gets closer, we decided to take the one on the right side—we were interrupted by the other team that has 1 less member.
"This spot is for us! If you don't want to die you will have to give it up!" A bald man, with a bulging veins in body, and a barbaric voice that suits him threatened us while holding his saber.
"Yeah, it's not good for you kids to stole a spot for the elderly." An elder lady with a twin tails added.
I looked at my team in their eyes, looking reluctant but decided to rushed at the next spot, its only a matter of time before the boulder pass on it.
"I think we should just get the other spot, we need to hurry or else we could be flatten by the boulder!" I shouted at them indicating that the danger is near.
Jose looked one last time at the team who threatened us with a sneer then said. "Lucky you, my friend is that kind. But next time I would take the lead."
We ran fast to the spot, the boulder would pass by any second now, as I was about to get in the spot, an iron chain stopped me from my tracks and pulled me where the boulder would passed by. Luckily, Emilia used her aura to cut the chains barely saving me from the passing boulder.
It was the other team that won that did that—looks like they are targetting our team which is the weakest of the bunch here, my forehead is warning me of to hurry up as the growls in the back became closer.
Thud! Thud Thud! My hurt is beating faster than it should, time is getting slower as the movements of everyone, or everything around me has slowed down. It should be an awakening but it eventually stopped. I urged my team and Han San's team to be faster.
"We need to hurry up!" I shouted ready to occupy the next spot when the giant boulder pass.
Thud Thud! My forehead keeps pulsating as if matching the rythm of my heart beat.
"Ughhh!" I groaned, Emilia supported me from falling down as we continue.
I saw the door to the other side. There is a giant hole falling down at the sides of the door.
5 minutes had passed by, but it felt like hours. The growl are getting nearer by time. You could hear the boulders getting destroyed by something strong.
We ran to the other side of the door before another boulder falls down. And we did get to the other side. The other teams struggle to follow our footsteps—I could sense the traps using my sense and helped my team's and Han San's crossed but they don't have it.
At the end of the room, it was time for the last trial and the price is the scabbard of the legendary sword—Excalibur.
The diwata we saw earlier that helped us get into the ruins was there. Sitting like the ruler of the whole ruins.
"Long ago, a young man wandered into this place. He claimed he had fallen into a pond and somehow ended up here. I taught him a sword style unlike anything in the West for a week. Then, as if fate called him, he began to vanish. Before disappearing, he promised he would return before the end of his life. Five years later, he did return. But this time, he was strong—stronger than most warriors I've ever seen. He left behind a scabbard and said that one of his descendants would come here to claim it. However, he requested that I hold a trial for her and her companions when they arrived. He also entrusted me with treasures to serve as rewards for those who would undergo the trials. He mentioned that one of his followers, a magician of high status, had foreseen all that would happen here. Girl, you have a trial awaiting you, one created by your ancestor, and you must face it." The diwata flicked her finger, and a portal appeared in the middle of the room. With another flick, she added, "For the others, there are trials as well. If you want treasures suited to you, you must complete them."
The others entered the portal and I was about to enter mine but got stopped by the diwata.
"And you boy! The child of destiny, though I saw you as the one defying it. You have another trial after this one. It was left behind by your mother for you though I added a bit of twist in the next trial for you. Hurry up! before Sakim breaks my barrier here. You have to get it!" She smirks as if amused.
I heard a thud in the door where we entered as if someone is forcing their entry by brute force.
"You know my mom?" I asked but a sudden force pushed me to enter the portal leaving behind a question that was not answered.
I was teleported in a dark gloomy forest, the atmosphere felt like I'm in a ghost story. What kind of trial awaits me in this world.
"What kind of destiny is she saying that I have?" I muttered puzzled by the things that is happening.
I walked around, bushes could be heard whisling as the forest was so silent as if no living thing was there besides me.
Eek! Eek! Eek!
I heard a creepy voice in a far distance getting closer. I hid in a thick bush, held my breath and stay still.
Soon, many figures started to show up, it was tiktiks but have more muscular, sharper claws than the ones Clint have. They seems to be a lot stronger too.
I was nervous because I know I can't defeat them.
Thud! Thud!
My forehead keeps pulsating and it hurts a lot. I tried hard to keep quiet but the sudden pain makes me groan.
"Oh sh*t, I have to run!" I grumbled and started running fast using my Phantom Prowl Steps.
Each step, each time my feet falls to the ground, I could see a blur of my feet following behind and I could feel I could control it. It seems my Phantom Prowl Steps is evolving to its next stage.
I led my steps scatter around. The tiktiks seems to have a sensitive hearing, so I made many misleading paths.
After running around for 30 minutes, my energy seems to be running out. I need to meditate to restore it. My energy is depleting faster than the usual.
"It seems that the Tiktiks are no longer around me. Time to explore this place and find the meaning behind these trial." I retracted my energy and stopped using the Phantom Prowl Steps.
I wander around in this seamless, endless forest—after walking in an aimless direction I saw a light, it was a village.
I could see a transparent barrier around the village, I tried getting in and I did. It seems a ward for something.
2 guards could be seen in a distant guarding the entrance to the village.
"Who are you!?" one of the guards shouted with hostiliy.
The guard seems to be wearing like those of our ancestors in the Philippines in a tribal attire.
"I'm from a distant tribe I'm called Tapang, I was gathering herbs for my sick sister then some kind of monsters are chasing me. I run fast then fell to a creak and lost consciousness and suddenly when I woke up I was just here." I lied thinking of an ancient filipino name, hoping my bluff will work.
"Why do you wear some strange clothes?" the guard asked looking at me suspisciously.
"I don't know. But those things with sharp, long claws with a bulking build creatures chased me. Luckily I hid in the bushes not making any noise or movements until they are far away." I added frowning.
"Looks like we had a special guest today. Let him in." A voice of an elderly could be heard around.
"Go in, in the middle of the village, there will be a wooden house there different than othere. The chief will be waiting for you there with the shaman." the other guard said as he showed the way.
"Welcome, child from the future. It seems you have encountered pack of Kaluskos on your way here. I sensed a magic from a diwata emanating from you. I foresaw that you will be coming here at this time too, to get a treasure that fell down in here 3 years ago. There will be no trial for you in here, so you can get this and get back to your own time. Your friends will need you there. If you got back here again, that will be the time for your trial. Here is the one that Diwata wants you to have." An elderly woman said as I went inside the house, as she handed me a piece of red stone.
"Thank you! then I'll be on my way now." I thanked the elderly woman with gratitude as I bowed my head.
"It seems you haven't awaken your third eye. With your bloodline, it will be one of your most formidable weapon. Here let me help you, it will just need a little push." She said as she touched my forehead.
A burning sensation could be felt on my whole body, then an energy from my storage ring is coming out, it's from the giant spirit stone that we've got.
All the energy is now condensing in my forehead. Something was coming out, not physically but spiritually.
"It hurts!" I shouted in agony.
I fell down, my body limping in the ground.
Back in the ruins, everyone seems to have been back from their trials except Jiro and Emilia.
Han San got an artifact—scroll which can help him master the space attribute in his constitution.
Tang Lin seems to have gotten a poisonous flower.
Hubei Li got new clothes that will amplify her ice attributes.
Jose got a bolo with a symbol matching his tattoos.
"Congrats for passing the last trial! It seems we will have a few unwelcomed guest in a moment." The diwata exclaimed.
Boom! an explosion occured in the entrance of the trial. Corpses of the two teams that had left behind splattered.
"Hahahaha! Atlast we caught up, Hand over the boy to me Diwata." Sakim demanded.
"The boy is under my protection, and Bakunawa seems to favor the boy." Diwata warned the ancient aswang.
"Well, you can't touch me nor bakunawa in these ruins as part of your oaths." Sakim exclaimed, with a joyful face and he added. "It seems the boy was still in his trial. I have to wait here and let my minions have a feast with these inferior food."
Several tiktiks, tiyanaks, minions made by an aswang blood suddenly encircled the two teams.
Diwata is using her barrier to prevent Sakim in joining the fight, while Jose and Han san is fighting with Clint, the others was dealing with the lackeys.
"You can't protect them forever Diwata" Sakim proclaimed, slashing around the barrier.
Now, what awaits them is a fight that is inevitible. Will Emilia and Jiro came back and save the day?