Damien left the dojo and found himself in a small village. He knew Solis's estate was large from the outside but seeing the whole thing in person was breathtaking. The man had very good taste. He preferred the traditional Oriental style decor. At least back when that was an actual thing. The world had long since forgotten the many wonders of varying cultures. So Damien would never see anything as beautiful ever again most likely. There were zen gardens, a beautiful bamboo canopy, and a gorgeous villa with citizens of the compound dressed in kimonos, yukatas, nagajubans and the like.
Damien worked his way around looking for any monument to lead him to Solis. Eventually he saw a large shoin-zukuri resting on a hilltop above the rest, it was absolutely stunning, worthy of any lord. The woodwork was immaculate and catching to the eye. He saw a pathway leading up to the building and meandered up to the large home.
"Mr. Black sir!" He called for Solis as politely as he could. It smelled of eucalyptus, bamboo, and lavender around the premise of the property. A few moments after he called out the doors slid open and a servant stood inside. "Mr. Black will see you young master."
"Young master?" Damien was confused by the formalities but he didn't question it out loud as he followed the young man who had turned and started walking without an answer. Damien had to speed walk to keep up with the servant who walked at an unruly pace.
Walking through the home, Damien noticed that everything was traditional to the culture Solis had chosen for his base of admiration. "He must've done a lot of research to know it to this extent." Damien had learned a little bit about the old cultures during his classes over the last year, but not as in depth as learning ancient history so this was absolutely gorgeous to him seeing it in person.
After traversing through the home led by his silent companion they came to a large set of doors. "You may enter" the voice of Solis echoed through the doors.
The servant slid the doors open and gestured for Damien to proceed. "The master awaits." Damien looked at the servant strangely and thanked him before walking past. Solis sat cross legged in the middle of the floor his eyes closed. There was a suffocating presence throughout the whole room. "Must be his Soul Aura." Damien struggled with his breath but stayed calm as he felt no malice in the aura just a deep peace and serenity.
"You've done well young shadow walker." Solis's eyes opened and the aura receded as he stood up. "You defeated one of the novice trainers. Next time you visit we'll bring you to the class above the one you just trained at. I heard you were adept at fighting and already had some training in a style from whence you originated."
"Yeah, mingling the two styles is what led to my victory believe it or not."
"How were you able to train with such a young soul."
"Um, it's kind of hard to explain, but let's just say I'm not constrained to the shackles of my body for training."
"Well the next time you visit my humble abode, I'd love to learn more in depth how you managed that." Solis smiled knowingly
"I'll be sure to let you know cause by then I might be able to explain it better. Um, I actually came to thank you for your hospitality and the opportunity to learn that you gave me. It was a humbling experience even if I may not be old enough to fight for real yet. Also I wanted to know how I leave the trial."
"Ah, you're welcome, and you must go back to the fountain in the city square and a door will open up to take you back to your body."
"Last question, do all trials lead here?"
"Uh... Most trials lead to this dimension though you won't always end up in a city."
"Thank you Mr. Black, I'll be taking my leave now." Damien bowed and left the room. The servant escorted him all the way to the gate of the compound. "Who would've known there would be an entire ancient civilization style village inside those walls" Damien thought to himself.
"I hope you enjoyed your stay young master" the servant bowed and then left.
Luckily Damien remembered his way around the crystalline city he followed the roads and passed by the jet black obsidian building he had his eyes on since her first caught sight of it. "Next time... Next time I will enter those walls and explore."
He continued forward until he reached the city center. His gaze fell on the fountain again and he walked forward. Just as Solis had said as he got close to the fountain a portal opened up for him. He looked back one time before passing through the portal. As his soul re entered his body he felt a burning sensation in his soul. He closed his eyes and he entered his Soul Prism. As he looked at his soul he watched as symbols were burned into his soul. He didn't know how but he knew that it translated to Seed of Darkness. This was his first blessing.