The guardian's armored footsteps echoed ominously as it led Dave deeper into the temple. The vast stone hallways felt colder with each step, and the air thickened with tension. Dave remained focused, his senses sharp, as they neared a large, glowing gate. Ancient runes danced along the edges of the gate, shimmering with a strange energy.
"This is the gateway," the guardian said, its voice low and grave. "Beyond lies the dimension where the trial for the relic will be held."
Dave studied the gate, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension swirling within him. He could feel the power emanating from it, and though he knew it would take him to another realm, the unknown always carried its own dangers.
"Once you enter," the guardian continued, "there is no turning back. The trial will test not only your strength but also your will to survive. Thousands have tried. Few return."
Dave took a deep breath. He had fought hard battles before, but this felt different—a challenge far beyond what he'd faced on Earth. He clenched his fists, readying himself for whatever lay ahead. "Let's do this," he said resolutely.
The guardian nodded, its expression unreadable behind the armored helmet. With a swift motion, it opened the gate. A blinding light poured through, and before Dave could react, the energy pulled him in.
Dave blinked as the blinding light faded, revealing an entirely different landscape. He stood on a massive stone platform that stretched as far as the eye could see. The sky above was dark, filled with swirling clouds of energy that crackled with lightning. The air was thick with a mix of tension and anticipation. It didn't take long for him to realize he wasn't alone.
Hundreds—no, thousands—of people filled the platform. Warriors, fighters, mages, and creatures of every kind, each one vying for the same goal. Dave's eyes widened in shock as he scanned the crowd. There were so many. He had expected a few competitors, but not this overwhelming number.
"All these people… all of them want the relic?" Dave muttered to himself, unable to comprehend the sheer scale of the challenge ahead. He could feel the power radiating from some of the competitors, and it was clear that many were far from ordinary. Some looked otherworldly, with glowing eyes, strange weapons, or bodies enhanced with supernatural abilities.
The crowd was restless, murmuring and sizing each other up, their gazes filled with determination and a hunger for power. Dave noticed a group of hulking figures, each one towering over the others, their muscles bulging under armor made of strange materials. Nearby, a trio of robed figures floated above the ground, their faces obscured, but the energy they exuded was palpable.
"These aren't just any ordinary people," Dave thought, trying to assess the situation. "These are warriors from all over—people who have probably been through countless battles just to get here."
Suddenly, a booming voice interrupted his thoughts, filling the air with authority. It was the guardian, now hovering above the massive platform, addressing the entire crowd.
"Welcome to the Dimension of Trials!" the guardian declared, its voice echoing across the vast expanse. "You are all here because you seek the relic. But only one will leave with it."
The crowd grew silent, every competitor now focused on the guardian's words. The tension in the air thickened as the rules of the contest were about to be revealed.
"This is not a test of skill alone," the guardian continued. "It is a trial of survival. A royal battle where one thousand enter… and only one will emerge victorious."
Dave's heart raced as the gravity of the situation settled in. A royal battle? A death match between one thousand fighters? It was far more brutal than he had anticipated. He glanced around again, seeing the fierce determination in the eyes of those around him. These weren't people who would hesitate to kill for the relic.
The guardian's voice boomed again, cutting through the thick silence. "The rules are simple: fight until only one remains. There will be no mercy. There will be no second chances. The relic will be granted to the last one standing."
A cold shiver ran down Dave's spine. He had faced dangerous enemies before, but this was on an entirely different scale. A thousand warriors, all fighting for the same goal, and he had to be the last one standing.
He stepped forward, raising his hand to catch the guardian's attention. "Wait, how does this work?" Dave asked, his voice firm despite the uncertainty gnawing at him. "Are there matches? How do we know who we'll face? Is it every man for himself?"
The guardian turned its glowing eyes toward Dave, its gaze piercing. "The trial begins soon," it said. "All of you will enter the battlefield simultaneously. The arena is vast, but there will be no alliances, no safety. Everyone is your enemy."
Dave's mind raced as he processed the information. A thousand competitors, all fighting at once, in a massive arena. There was no way to predict who he would face first or how strong they might be. He could be up against ten at once, or maybe someone far stronger than him.
"But…" Dave began, feeling the weight of the challenge, "who are these people? Where are they from?"
The guardian gave a chilling smile. "They come from many worlds, many dimensions. Each one has fought their way here, just like you. Some have been here for years, waiting for this moment. Others arrived just like you—seeking power, glory, or survival."
Dave swallowed hard, his resolve strengthening despite the daunting odds. This was going to be the most dangerous challenge of his life.
The guardian's final words echoed in the air: "Prepare yourselves. The contest begins now."