Hollowed Curse

"WHY DO I HAVE TO BE LATE?!" I said. It was my first day of training but why did it have to be in a cave? Saint Putz really is insane, Ha ha!

I'm very excited though, I can't wait what my first training session will be like. Is it Martial Arts? No, maybe even casting spells! That sounds even more awesome!! Oh right, I wonder if Elie will be there. It's been 3 years since we've seen each other, reminds me of the old days.

I stopped sprinting, pulling myself back to stop myself from accelerating any further, "Alright, I'm finally here.".

A distant shadow appeared inside the cave like it was waiting for me to follow it inside. I lost my senses for a second as I just focused on the shadow. Then, my ears suddenly ringed and I silently gasped, "..I hear something.".

What I'm hearing is like a heartbeat. "Wait, someone else is coming!", I quickly turned around, and I see...

"Elie!" I shouted. She is trying her best to get here but no way she actually came. I guess today really is that special. I turned back to the cave and the shadow disappeared back into the cave, I gulped. Elie arrived hastily as she heavily breathes for air, "Mon!".

"Elie!" I said surprisingly. I let her catch her breath. She looked up and focused on the cave as I did, and asked "Where's Uncle?". We stood there and I hesitated to respond, "I'm..not sure Elie.".

"But I'm sure Saint Putz is in there somewhere waiting," I said seriously. Elie looked at me, inspired by my words. "Yeah, let's do this!" She smiled. As I looked at her smile, I smiled back, "Let's go in there.".

We walked steadily inside the cave. And it was dark, it made me feel uneasy that something bad would happen. This felt long, as we continue walking through. It's as if we are in emptiness, a complete void. This uneasy feeling is dwelling on me, "Ah, Why is this taking forever!!" I said impatiently.

After speaking those words, a fire got lit up around us and we expressed shockingly. A small set of stairs faced in front of us, we decided to go up these stairs and see the unknown above. On our last step of the stairs, I saw a glimpse of a person wearing a blue robe in front of us standing, facing back.

"Who is that Mon?"

"I'm not sure Elie," I replied calmly. I suddenly felt at ease, it's like that feeling of uneasiness just disappeared out of nowhere.

"Welcome, young ones."

This mysterious voice sounds familiar...

"In the Realm of the Unknown or as they call it 'Purgatory'. But you can call it..'The Underworld."

Our expression changed as if we already knew who it was.

The "mysterious figure" then turned around and faced us.

"O Young Ones! You are prophesied to be the new Protectors of Calamity!"

A slight silence occurred after that corny line.

Elie giggled at Saint Putz while I just stood there completely hollowed.

As unfunny as it sounds, Saint Putz is just him and I understand why he sometimes acts like this, Saint Putz then cleared his throat.

"Art thee did prepare f'r the trials thee shall encount'r by me!"

I ignored him and just got straight to the point.

"Okay, can we start with the tests now?" I said disinterested.

"Hey, Ignoring your Saint is cold-hearted you know!"

As Saint Putz exploded, he quickly came to realize why I and Elie are here in the first place. His facial expression changed seriously in an instant which confused me a little.

I thought before we began the first trial, "𝙄'𝙫𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚..".

"This training session is very important as your knowledge and skills are put to the test and will be pushed to the limit that your physical, mental and spiritual body can be destroyed if not careful enough."

"As these trials are very intriguing but dangerous and cause permanent injury if weak, the benefits you get rewarded from succession is so tremendous that you can even unlock your magic attribute from it."

I and Elie gave a surprised gasp Saint Putz as I now know that it was worth it.

"Since you now know what this training session will do to you, good luck to you Mon."

I turned to my right and looked at Elie then Saint Putz confusingly, "Uhh, what about Elie?" I said.

Saint Putz stayed silent for a bit, then replied "Mon, that's not something you should worry about right now.".

And then I fiercely shouted back. "What about Elie!", "You can't leave her out of this!".

Saint Putz calmly followed along. "Agreed. Elie, you will sit out.".

I almost wanted to burst out at Saint Putz but knowing me, it wouldn't do any good for Me and Elie.

Saint Putz then raised up his hand, "Elie, you will do a different trial. A trial that's perfectly appropriate for you.", "Maybe even your magic attribute will form!".

As Saint Putz confidently laughs out.

I smiled and I am pleased with Saint Putz's answer. I then triumphed over Elie for victory in her trial to cheer her on. As I did, Elie quickly became more confident and encouraged by my words.

As Saint Putz shouts, "Then Now! Let's begin The Trials!".