Overcoming the oppressive pressure of the Qidius Domain, the relentless golems closed in on Ryan and Wayde, encircling them with their towering presence. Ryan, feeling the weight of imminent danger and struggling under his magic, called out to Wayde.
"Can't you nullify the effects of your magic and lend me a hand?" Ryan pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice.
Wayde effortlessly glided past the lumbering golems with incredible speed, wearing between their attempts at knocking him out of the air, before responding with nonchalance, "Oh, right. I almost forgot about that."
In the nick of time, just as two golems swung their massive fists towards Ryan, the youth suddenly felt the burden of the Qidius Domain lift from his body. Surprised by the sudden weight being lifted off him, Ryan darted past the golems, joining Wayde on the other side of the closed-off path.
Trapped within the confines of a narrow, impenetrable corridor, Ryan and Wayde found themselves face-to-face with the five formidable golems. The creatures possessed seemingly invincible bodies, imbued with sentience and lacking any discernible weak points.
"Yeah, this might be the end for me," Ryan muttered to himself, acknowledging the gravity of their predicament, yet the thrill of the challenge and the unknown ahead surpassed any apprehension he felt.
Adrenaline surged through his veins, fueling his determination to overcome the daunting obstacles that lay before them as he took a moment to catch his breath.
If Wayde had not swiftly controlled his Qidius Domain to exempt Ryan from its effects, the young mage would have undoubtedly been crushed by the giant fists of the golems. The mere thought of it sent a shiver down Ryan's spine, but he remained composed, his gaze fixed on the floating mage, seeking guidance.
"I warned you that physical attacks would be futile, and aside from briefly impeding their movements, my Qidius Domain holds no other power over them. You must have felt the draining resistance it exerted, but for the golems, it poses no challenge."
"From what I know, they are impervious to fatigue. So, we must act swiftly and decisively to eliminate them. Allowing ourselves to remain weakened and vulnerable in the depths of this unpredictable and perilous maze is an invitation to our demise," Wayde summarised, his words carrying a sense of urgency and caution.
Ryan absorbed Wayde's assessment, fully aware of the precariousness of their situation. The golems stood as formidable opponents, impervious to conventional attacks and possessing inexhaustible stamina. The need for speed and efficiency became paramount in their plan of action as they braced themselves for the imminent clash with the indomitable golems.
However, as Ryan and Wayde spoke between themselves, the golems halted for a moment, as if also gathering themselves. They then shifted their attention with a synchronised motion, their burning red eyes intensifying as they charged toward the two mages.
This time, their approach was unrelenting, each thunderous step shaking the very ground beneath them. In a matter of seconds, they closed the distance, which was unbelievable considering their size as well as the slowing effects of the Qidius Domain.
However, just as Ryan was poised to dart past the golems and Wayde prepared to manoeuvre deftly through the air for the second time, the golems abruptly halted, their movements fluid and eerily calculated.
It became apparent that these creatures possessed a level of intelligence far beyond their initial expectations.
Two golems directed their focus on Ryan, one slamming its colossal fists into the ground, causing a tremor that threw the young mage off balance. Simultaneously, the other conjured a massive boulder, hurtling it toward Ryan with devastating force. Despite his agility, Ryan barely managed to evade the projectile, his off-balance state leaving him vulnerable and ill-prepared for such a display of magical prowess.
'They can use Earth Magic?!'
The impact of the boulder, even though narrowly avoided, sent Ryan hurtling backwards, his body sliding across the ground. Both golems then armed themselves with more boulders, launching them relentlessly toward the resilient mage.
Meanwhile, Wayde found himself engaged in a fierce confrontation with the remaining three golems. Two of them firmly planted their hands on the ground, manipulating the earth itself, altering the landscape to restrict Wayde's aerial mobility.
The very ground they stood on was being lifted, and with the invisible ceiling, the space Wayde had to evade their capture was rapidly decreasing.
Despite that, Wayde attempted to blitz past them, which didn't work out too well.
Leaping into the air, the third golem managed to seize Wayde with a vice-like grip, intent on bringing him crashing down to the ground.
However, Wayde erected a protective force field that held steadfast, forming an impenetrable barrier that defied the golem's attempt at harming him. Yet, with each exertion of force, the force field drew upon Wayde's mana reserves, depleting them steadily.
The combined strain of maintaining the Qidius Domain and fending off the golems posed a formidable challenge.
Summoning a surge of energy, Wayde unleashed a powerful burst that forcefully repelled the golem, allowing him to escape its clutches. As he did, the golems' sheer invincibility and their proficiency in Earth Magic struck him with a wave of uncertainty.
Both Ryan and Wayde shared a common thought, echoing in their minds: "How are we going to defeat them?" The towering, intelligent, and synchronised golems appeared unbeatable, their mastery over Earth Magic and unknown capabilities presenting a daunting obstacle to overcome.
'There must be something more to taking down the golems,' both Ryan and Wayde pondered in unison, their attempts at damaging the seemingly invincible bodies proving futile.
The origin of these intelligent, telepathically connected creatures and the extent of Odus's involvement left them astounded, unable to comprehend the intricacies behind their creation.
However, one thing remained certain in their minds - nothing was truly impossible, and a solution to defeat the golems must exist.
'Odus wouldn't have designed a trial that's unbeatable, would he?' Ryan questioned, his thoughts racing as he considered the nature of the challenge before them.
Suddenly, a realisation struck him like a bolt of lightning.
'It's a trial! And if Wayde was right about the significance of Mana Sensitivity, then perhaps I can utilise my Mana Vision to...'
At that moment, both Ryan and Wayde seemed to come to the same realisation, a shared understanding illuminating their minds...