Chapter 12
Trial of Origin, Part 1
"So this is the loop? Seems pretty normal. But Vale said this place shows you the worst things unimaginable. But there's one problem: why am I so small?" (Gruff thinking)
Gruff takes the appearance of a 15 year old version of himself. For comparison Gruff's current age is 33.
"Brother are you awake now? Come on, we have to go." (???)
"Thomas?" (Gruff)
"Thomas? Who's that? Stop being dumb and get out of bed." (???)
"It can't be! Big Brother Victor!" (Gruff)
"How is Victor here? He died when I turned 16. Don't tell me. Is today that day?" (Gruff thinking)
"Well if you're that eager to see me then I guess you don't want to become a man that badly anymore since you're taking so long. Today's the day you take the 'Trial Of Origin' .So stop sitting there and GET YOUR ASS OUT OF BED." (Victor)
"Sorry. I'll be out right away." (Gruff)
"Victor's always been one to be serious. But he's a really nice brother. But today is that day. Where he risked his life for me. The 2nd worst day of my life." (Gruff)
"The Trial Of Origin. A common tradition that occurs in my home town. Whenever a man or woman comes of age they have to take a grueling bundle of trials to prepare them for adulthood." (Gruff thinking)
"Victor! I'm ready." (Gruff)
"STOP YELLING YOU DAMN IDIOT!" (Victor)
"Maybe you should take your own advice." (Gruff)
"Eh, are you trying to tell me what to do? You might turn 16 today but you don't get any right to talk to me like that until you finish this challenge." (Victor)
"You might as well just call me an adult now because I'm going to ace this challenge with minimum difficulty. No negative I'm going to neg this challenge." (Gruff)
"What the hell is a neg? Whatever you kids say dumb things." (Victor)
Victor and Gruff travel to the area where The "Test of Origin" is taking place.
"Ok, we're here. Are you sure that you won't run away at the last second?" (Victor)
"No. I won't. I'm not a chicken." (Gruff)
"I'm only so confident because for some reason all of the physical skills that I honed and built are still available to me in this body. I just can't overdo it. I'm also kinda happy because the only reason why Victor got killed was because of my own incompetence and cockiness. But now I'm not cocky or absolutely focused because anything and everything can happen as unlikely as it may seem." (Gruff thinking)
"Everyone is welcome to the 'Test Of Origin'. As those of you may know this is a very dangerous and likely deadly test of strength, speed, and most importantly willpower. Those who turn 16 today have to prove that they are allowed to leave the village and act. If not, don't worry you can try again on your next birthday. There are 4 trials. Those of which are the following.
1st The Strength trial, contestants must carry these 2 ton boulders up the 50t hill all while escaping from venomous snakes and being under a slow down drug. Deaths from this trial: 5.
2nd The Speed trial, contestants must run up the 1,000ft hill whilst also running from Land of Origin's fastest animal the Silverback Lynx. Taming the animal is also an option. Death's from this trial: 0.
3rd The Endurance Trial, contestants must endure brutal lashes from a Aetherite Whip. Aethrite is a strong and unique material that when stricken by it the sensation of molten lava envelopes your body. You must endure 5 strikes. But you can continue further if you would like. Death's from this trial : 40.
Lastly, The Origin Trial. Contestants will gain their Crest Of Origin. Also known as 'Types'. It is rumored that you awaken your 'Type' after your 1st victory in battle. This is only the case in the 3 other regions Heaven, Hell, and Limbo. Due to the god's still existing over there. Here in Origin we must undergo a trial of worthiness to prove you deserve the power of the almighty Origin. The trial is 1 on 1 combat. It's similar to rumors stating you have to win a battle. The contestant that loses won't lose their chance to become an adult. If they lose. They'll just lose their chance to gain the Crest for this year. With all that being said good luck and may Origin be with you." (Village Chief)
The last one is really the most important one. This is what everyone in the village cares about. There's a huge betting scene around it. The biggest lost was 2 houses.
"What the hell. These trails are different from the original timeline. These are all death sentences. Even with my matured mind these will be hard. It'll take everything I got and a little bit of luck." (Gruff thinking)