Chapter 13
Trial Of Origin, Part 2
"The first trial starts in 5 minutes and all contestants who are not ready will be eliminated." (Announcer)
"You heard them. Get going." (Victor)
"Ok I am. But have the trials always been this brutal?" (Gruff)
"Huh? What are you talking about? Of course they have been. Are you trying to make excuses to get out now?" (Victor)
"Why do you keep thinking I'm going to back out? Are you worried?" (Gruff)
"Worried!? Me? Shut the hell up and get to the starting area." (Victor)
"Alright, I am." (Gruff)
Gruff continues to the starting area
"The first trial will now begin." (Announcer)
"Ok the trial of strength. This one should be the easiest of them all." (Gruff thinking)
Gruff picks up both boulders and carries them on his shoulders. The trial begins. Gruff's immediately in 1st place. The snakes are nowhere near him. Then a woman catches up with him. Gruff is impressed that anyone can keep up with him at all.
"I'm surprised that you're able to keep up with me." (Gruff)
"Well don't be. I'm going to be the one who stands at the top of these silly trials. I'll show this village that its old ways of thinking are wrong." (???)
Gruff feels an oddly nostalgic feeling.
"Huh those words sound super familiar." (Gruff thinking)
"So what's your name my fearful challenger." (Gruff)
"Me? The name's Vale. Vale Silverheart." (Vale)
"Vale!?" (Gruff)
"What do you know about me? I've never seen you before though." (Vale)
"No, not you. I'm probably mistaken. But I'm Gruff. Gruff Mesteren. I hope for an eventful competition, best of luck." (Gruff)
After finishing his conversation with Vale Gruff speed's up. Making him 7ft away from the ending.
"Huh, talk about old time's. I completely forgot this is where we met. How could I forget?" (Gruff)
Gruff finishes the race with Vale following.
"First trial over. 1st completion, Gruff Mesteren. 2nd completion, Vale Silverheart. 3rd completion, Blanco Northstar. Congratulations to these amazing contestants. Now the 2nd trial starts soon everyone go to the area."
(Announcer)
After the first trial Gruff completes the others with ease. Only losing to Vale in the second one. The second one Gruff withstood 100 lashes making everyone think he was a "chosen". Chosen is term for those seen as fit for the prophesied "Armageddon". The war to end all wars. Although some in the village think he took a performance enhancing drug.
The 4th trial doesn't allow such things as every contestant is tested. So everyone is eager for him and Vale to face off.
"4th trial will now begin everyone please walk to the testing area." (Announcer)
"Yeah now we can see if he's taking drugs." (Spectator 1)
"Idiot, why would he take them now? It's common knowledge that you're tested here." (Spectator 2)
"Maybe that's true to you but not everyone so don't call me an idiot. In fact I bet my week's sales he's taking drugs." (Spectator 1)
"Hey if you're giving away free money I'll gladly accept." (Spectator 2)
"Stupid fool. I drugged that boy's drink and started knowing some idiot would join in. Now I get paid and make someone look stupid." (Spectator 1 thinking)
"Is probably what he's saying right now. But I swapped the drink. Now who's stupid."
(Spectator 2 thinking)
"Hey! Both of you. 10 Million Yir says he won't drink from that bottle." (Spectator 3)
"10 MILLION?!" (Spectator 1&2)
"Sure." (Spectator 1)
"Wait I don't like this. That guy's too confident. Why would someone bet something that specific." (Spectator 2)
"What. Stop being dumb. I'll take his stupid bet. It's ridiculous to think someone won't hydrate before a fight." (Spectator 1)
"Ok then your lost. Hey you! I'm not taking part of this bet." (Spectator 2)
"Huh oh ok." (Spectator 3)
"The match will now begin between Gruff Mesteren and Vale Silverheart. Both contestants are allowed to do whatever to prepare except take performance enhancing drugs." (Announcer)
"No need for that, we have both agreed to fight now. Food and water isn't always accessible in the harshest situation's and this battle is a showing of readiness for the outside world." (Vale)
"Wow. Couldn't have said it better myself." (Gruff)
"Shut up. You owe me for this. I really wanted to eat that food." (Vale)
"Don't worry after destroying you. I'll treat you to the finest dinner. Something tells me money will be entrusted to me very soon." (Gruff)
"Wow cocky much? Don't cry when I beat you." (Vale)
Due to Gruff knowing basically everything about Vale the two became close very fast
"Well then if both fighter's agree then the match shall start now with no delay. Both fighter's may enter the arena." (Announcer)
"WHAT! THIS IS ABSURD. How could he enter battle against his fiercest opponent unhydrated. 10 million Yir that's 15 years worth of savings. Why did I agree to this bet?" (Spectator 1)
"Ok now both fighter's have entered. Now the selection process. Place your hand on the tablet. Once you do the crest that you desire will be spoken to you. This is a Origin tablet therefore the power granted to you is of desire and not just the locked elemental types and fighting style of standard tablets." (Announcer)
"Origin tablet. Huh in real life I'm sure we used a standard. No, I know we did. I was given Earth/Swordsman. Origin tablets are only used in the holy land." (Gruff thinking)
"Now contestant Vale Silverheart if you would go first." (Announcer)
"Ok." (Vale)
Vale places her hand on the tablet. After which a sliver light pierces the sky.
"Vale Silverheart. You have been granted the power to manipulate and control the properties of metal." (Announcer)
"Whoa. That's cool. Now I really have to win. This power might be what I need to continue down my path." (Vale)
"Wow she got a cool one. Wonder what I'll get." (Gruff)
"Now contestant Gruff you may step forward and place your hand on the tablet." (Announcer)
"Will do!" (Gruff)
Gruff goes to touch the tablet. But then something flashes through his head. Everything all at once. His entire life experience and more. Slowly Gruff forgot everything. This lasted for a brief moment because what happened after his hand was placed changed everything.
"What was that? Was that me? Wait, what is this? Oh no my hand I have a bad feeling about this. I have to stop mysel–" (Gruff)
As he touches the tablet the WORLD itself touches him and then annihilation. All of it happening too fast Gruff doesn't even know that everything around him has vaporized. Everything surrounding just white.
"What was that? Where is everyone? I don't understand anything anymore." (Gruff)
"Oh but you do. You do Gruff. Remember this is Purgatory. You're in a loop." (???)
"A loop? What do you mean? Who are you?" (Gruff)
"Yes, a loop. A continuous event of non-stop events repeating in fact this is your 743,473 thousandth time going through it. But this one you finally were becoming self aware and your power's were coming back to you. No your POWER the power of an Origin God. Congratulations you have successfully gained awareness. Although I'm disappointed compared to everyone else, being your companion's plus your wife. You took the most time to gain awareness. Maybe that was your purgatory's way of getting you. Also as for who I am, don't worry HE will tell you soon. Now don't keep your wife waiting." (???)
"Wife. Vale? Oh My God. How could I forget she was waiting for me outside of the loop. I have to hurry." (Gruff)
Gruff runs to green meadow in the distance of this seemingly endless whiteness. There he saw a woman. Silver hair with a dress to match. From afar she seems to be flying. The truth couldn't have been further. As Gruff closes the distance he sees the women and a rope.
"No. No. No. No. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. AGAIN WHY. HOW COULD I LET THIS HAPPEN. HOW LONG AS SHE BEEN WAITING. HOW LONG." (Gruff)
The sight he sees is not of a woman flying. But one of her hanging from a tree. Then more trees pop up. Each is a different person.
"NO WHY NOT MORE. THOMAS. VICTOR. MOM. DAD. JAMES. SORA. MIA. EVERYONE I'VE EVER MET. THE WARRIORS OF PECAN VILLAGE. All of them I let down." (Gruff)
The trees keep appearing more and more exposing all of Gruff's woe and Too help them grow, the owner's blood starts to fall. Then a stream of blood flows. With it the despair in Gruff's heart grew. This isn't 'Chapter 13 Trial Of Origin, Part 2' This is 'Chapter 13, The Time That Flew'.