Aries closed her eyes, focusing her senses on the earth's energy. She began to hum a gentle melody and Thrain joined in, their voices blending in harmony. The crystals on the wall started to glow brighter and the hum louder and louder, resonating with their voices.
As their voices grew louder, other unknown voices joined in as well. As soon as the final note of the humming faded,the passageway ceased shaking and the crystals dimmed their glow. Aries opened her eyes, feeling a sense of peace and accomplishment. Thrain smiled, nodding in approval.
The voice came again. "Weldon, you have successfully completed the earth trial, your resonance with the earth's energy has brought balance to this realm. Proceed to the next trial".
A hidden door in the passageway slid open, revealing a vast chamber filled with whispering winds and floating clouds.
The air was crisp and clean, and the scent of misty rain filled their nostrils.
The voice announced." The trials of the winds awaits, you must navigate the shifting currents and find the center of balance where the winds converge".
As they ventured deeper into the chamber, the winds grew stronger and the clouds swirled around them. Aries raised her hands and the wind responded, carrying her and Thrain forward. They twirled and spun, their movements fluid and graceful, as they danced with the air elements.
Thrain became apprehensive,he has never felt anything like this before, the whispers became audible and disturbingly clear, clouding his memory. He heard his mother's voice unexpectedly,so soft and tender.
"Thrain,my sweet child, come to me,am right here". He looked inquiringly at Aries,he wanted to be sure he wasn't hearing things. Aries noticed his anxiety and tried to calm him down." It's not her Thrain,you have to focus alright ". She heard the voice too.
Thrain's eyes widen, he tightened the grip on his sword as he struggled to maintain his composure. Aries' words pierced through the whispers and he nodded, taking a deep breath. The wind howled louder and the clouds swirled faster, but Thrain determination anchored him.
Aries reached out,her hand on Thrain's arm, and together they faced the heart of the trial of winds. The whispers grew clearer and clearer, tempting them with memories and doubts. Aries'voice became a beacon, guiding Thrain through the turbulent air.
Suddenly a gust of wind blew aside the clouds, revealing a glowing crystal at the center of the chamber. The whispers ceased and the winds died down. Thrain and Aries approached the crystal, their footsteps echoing in the silence.
The voice announced." You have overcome the trials of the winds, your bond and focus have proven stronger than the whispers of the past.
As they reached the crystal, Aries touched it and it began to glow brighter and the air around them shimmered. A hidden door materialized, leading to the next trial.
A vast ocean came to sight, Aries and Thrain couldn't hide their astonishment.
"How is this even possible?". Thrain asked, surprised at the marvelous sight of the ocean.
"This is the doings of the ancient ones, anything is possible I guess ". Aries replied.
"The water trial". The voice began.
"I must warn you, water is a calm element but can as well be very destructive and dangerous, you have to be cautious".
Aries and Thrain stood at the edge of the vast ocean,its turquoise water stretching to the horizon. They felt tiny compared to the sheer scale of the ancient one's creation. The voice's warning echoed in their minds as they gazed out at the seemingly peaceful waters.
Aries closed her eyes taking a deep breath, she reached out with her senses, feeling the ocean energy. The calm water surface bellied its hidden power and she knew they had to respect it fury.
As they waded into the ocean, the water enveloped them, its coolness refreshing their skin. They swarm deeper,the pressure increasing, but they pressed on.
A massive wave crashed down, threatening to engulf them. Thrain instinctively raised his sword ready to defend. But Aries grasped his arm,her eyes locked on his.
"Trust the water Thrain, let it guide us".
Thrain hesitated,then lowered his sword and together they surrendered to the ocean's embrace. The wave swept them forward, tumbling them through the water until they emerged on the other side, gasping for air.
The voice came again. " You have passed the water trial. Your trust in the elements and each other has proven your worth,you may now proceed into the library".
A hidden door in the ocean floor swung open, revealing a radiant light. Aries and Thrain exchanged a look,they were excited. They stepped into the library of the ancients, their eyes widen with awe, the library back at the tower was nothing compared to this one. Towering shelves stretched towards the ceiling, laden with ancient tomes,bound in worn leather. The air was of course thick with the scent of old parchment.
"I can't believe this Thrain, we're really in the library of the ancients!". Aries exclaimed and went ahead to do a little jumpy dance. Thrain smiled,he only get to see her this genuinely happy, once in a blue moon.
"Be careful though,try not to touch anything yet".
"But am tempted to" Aries said moving around.
"Hold it in,I think we need some kind of permission, better safe than sorry".
As they ventured deeper, the shelves gave way to a grand chamber, filled with glowing orbs that floated like stars in the darkness. The orbs pulsed with an ethereal light, illuminating rows of pedestals, each supporting a single leather-bound book.
The voice of the library whispered in their minds. "Welcome Aries and Thrain. Choose a book and its secrets shall be revealed to you".
*****************
Xylara stood before a glowing crystal, her hands weaving intricate patterns as she chanted ancient incantations. The air around her seemed to writhe and twist,as if the very fabric of reality was being manipulated.
The door burst open and Malakai stormed in,his face twisted with rage.
"What is it this time, what's so important that you had to disrupt my sleep?". He growled,his voice like thunder.
Xylara's eyes gleamed with malevolence as she turned to face him.
"They were able to complete the trials, the child is in the library of the ancients as we speak ".
Malakai's face darkened further."Foolish mortals, what do they hope to achieve in that library?. I will crush her just like I did her foolish parents ".
Xylara's smile grew wider,her eyes glinting with darkness.
"You speak as though you are immortal Malakai. Leave the child to me I have a special fate in store for her... one that will make her beg for mercy ".
The air seemed to grow cold.
"You should have killed her then, that was the plan,to swipe out the whole family, but you let yourself fall prey to a stupid trick". He paused and began to pace up and down.
"I can feel it in my bones, she's coming for us, she's definitely going to avenge her parents" Malakai thundered.
Xylara's smile faltered for a moment, before she regained her composure.
"Ah Malakai, always so quick to anger. But I assure you,my plan is unfolding perfectly. Aries' parents were mere pawns in my game. And Aries herself...well, she's walking right into my trap".
Malakai's face turned red with rage.
You and your stupid plans,if it weren't for your 'plan' we wouldn't be in this mess. The prophecy was clear." The child of Lyra and Kael will bring our downfall. And now you are blabbering about another plan?. You should have eliminated her when you had the chance!".
Xylara's eyes flashed with anger, but her voice remained icy calm.
" You dare to question my judgements. I've kept our secret safe for a decade and this is seventh year,yet no one knows what really happened to Lyra and Kael till date. While you, you are nothing but a brutish warrior,driven by your temper and lust for power ".
"What did you say?". Malakai asked, glaring at her.
Xylara took a step back,her voice steady.
"I said, you are nothing but a brutish warrior, driven by your temper and lust for power. You have no vision,no cunning,no mastery of the dark arts!".
Malakai's face twisted in fury,his hand clenched into fists.
"You will pay for your insolence ". He growled,his voice low and menacing." I will show you the true meaning of power!".
Xylara laughed,a cold mirthless sound.
"You dare to threaten me?. I have power of the dark realm at my command,I have the secrets of the universe at my fingertips, you are nothing but a mere mortal,a fleeting moment in the annals of time".
Malakai could no longer contain his rage,he charged towards Xylara but was interrupted.