Alex was stunned by the sights before him. The winds that manifested could only be described as world-devouring dragons. Their huge mass slammed repeatedly into the dunes spreading darkness and destruction in every direction except directly behind him.
With the wind speed going up to 200 km/h, it pulled up the sand and blotted out the sunlight. Spinning the grains of sand in every direction strangely the peak in the distance was still visible standing loftily in the distance, as though telling him there was no way forward and it was impossible to reach them.
Gritting his teeth and refusing to give up he marched forward not sparing the view of the massive sand storms a second glance. He mustered his strength and stepped onto the shifting sands, pushing against the ferocious winds that billowed him wildly. The sand pelted his body forcing his eyes shut but undeterred by this he step by step never erred from his path.
The more he walked the more the wind and sand raged fiercer and fiercer by the minute. Regardless of the forces he pushed on. Hours passed by seeming like weeks but after an indeterminate amount of time, the darkness caused by the storm faded and he found he was standing beside the largest mountain he had ever seen, or rather the largest mountain range he had ever seen. And a wooden shed was just beside the mountain, close to the dense forest of trees nearby. Behind him, he saw a calm desert that seemed so welcoming as though nothing of essence had just occurred.
"Strange," Alex said and walked towards the mountain. The feelings that seemed to have been building up within his consciousness since the beginning, seemed to be searching for escape. The mountaintop appeared to be the only place where there was hope for release but as he was about to venture up the mountain he noticed some movement within the shed.
Startled, as the sound was jarring in the silence of the forest. He quickly approached the shed stealthily to avoid scaring whatever may be hiding within it, but just as he was about to peer into it.
"You shouldn't climb it," a dry voice as though one had never drank a sip of water in ages came out of the shed first. The voice was so dissonant as though it was a mix mash of various people's voices. The voice was so disturbing it seemed to rip open the air as the sound passed through it towards Alex. Goosebumps and a relentless shiver tore through him.
'So creepy.' He thought.
Forcing himself to regain composure he stepped into the shed where he discovered an old man drinking a cup of tea. No teapot nor even tea, only an immaculately smooth, clean wooden cup. Its grain line seemed to hypnotize Alex as he stared at the cup which was when he noticed what exactly the old man was drinking.
Strands of what appeared to be cold air condensed within the cup. The old man picked up the cup and took a sip of the cold air. His body pulsated as he drank from the cup.
"You are not strong enough boy, many have challenged the trial of determination foolishly believing it to be the easiest gate to breach." the voice appeared again this time the shock was more intense as he could feel that the voice was coming directly from the cup in the man's hand. The voice sounded like a young child's, not fully developed yet although it came from a strange cup in an old man's hands. The impropriety of the scene made Alex pale in fear. However, a warm flush was released from the top of his head washing away the fear and he regained his composure instantly.
"Huh... Hmmmm, interesting," the voice said once again. "Seems you are not all that meets the eye. Leave, do whatever you want we won't care." the voice said and the man vanished in a puff of mist as he dropped the cup on the table.
Alex stood there stunned by the series of weird events. Turning to leave he walked towards the mountain to begin his climb in earnest.
"The gate of determination may seem to be the easiest of the 5 trials as everyone would eventually pass, but not without an appropriate price being paid. One way or another the trial never loses." the voice said quietly to itself
"As for phase 2.... that is just a death trap." the voice said echoing as the cup on the table seemed to shiver.
Alex arrived at the mountain's foot and observed a clear stairway leading into the sky along the mountainside. A path to follow had appeared.
Alex began the climb placing his foot on the first step. Upon placing his foot on its wide surface, a sudden burden seemed to be placed on his back. Shocked he removed his foot to search himself but discovered nothing on him. However, once he tried climbing the stairs again the weight doubled instantly. Quickly he placed both feet on top to regain his balance. These steps were about one foot high and as he began to climb up them one at a time the weight increased exponentially.
He walked up them confidently as he ascended towards the peak. Soon some things began to appear.
Spectral arms waving in the air pulled him backwards nearly returning him a step back. Alarmed Alex tried to punch them away from him only for them to disperse like a fog and regather the next moment. He tried to evade them but they seemed adamant on pulling him back.
Forced to ignore them he walked on, forcing his way upward with the ever-increasing burden and the rapidly multiplying arms. He climbed and climbed, making his steps firm so no matter how the spectral arms tried to take him down a step, he never failed. Gradually, a mountain peak appeared before him, stepping up to the platform at the very peak. He looked back to see how far he had come. In the distance, all he could see was a dense forest with the sun hanging in the same spot as it had been when he started the climb.
On turning back around he saw a domineering mountain that seemed to be pressing down on him with such force. The mountain seemed irresistible. It felt as though the larger mountain ahead would press down and pulverize the smaller one as well as destroy the little ant on it that dared to challenge it.
Alex gritted his teeth and looked around the platform. Under the mounting pressure, he saw a small stone bridge heading towards the next mountain and riding over a seemingly endless chasm. He walked towards the bridge and placed his foot on it. Immediately, the arms and burdens he carried up to the platform previously reappeared making him stumble. He began to cross the bridge leading to the opposite mountain where another flight of stairs awaited him.
Alex reached the first step of the new mountain and began to climb the now 2-foot-high steps. The weights became heavier and heavier, and the arms increased in number, gaining the forearms with an increased pull on him. Alex struggled to climb spending longer and longer on each step, but slowly and surely he climbed to the peak, reserving no thought to the notion of giving up. Hours passed and finally, he made it to the peak. However, he didn't have the chance to look at how far he had come but had to forge ahead to the next peak immediately. Heading for the stone bridge, due to the pressure from the massive mountain before him. A pressure unmatched by the previous one.
On getting to the stone bridge all the burdens and the spectral arms regathered. The weight was similar to the weight of the first and second mountains put together. Threatening to throw him into the endless abyss below. To make matters worse the stone bridge was filled with potholes and puddles, creating a drag on his every step. Some parts of the bridge shattered under the weight of the burdens.
Alex didn't mind the weight or the arms as he was expecting them. However, the bridge's instability took him by surprise. He needed to tread much more carefully. Step by step, he made it to the end of the bridge. Exhaustion appeared on his body, but his eyes remained focused. They even looked sharper. On arriving at the 3rd mountain he placed all his attention on the 3-foot-high first step.
Gritting his teeth he began the climb again. All the burdens and the arms continued to increase even though the steps seemed to become like thick mud holding him back from moving up to the next step. The stone steps stretched for what seemed like an eternity. However, with his steady speed, Alex climbed the third mountain. The burdens pressed firmly on his back and head preventing him from looking beyond the next step, but Alex didn't bend to it and kept his eyes above. Even when the arms pulling him back began to manifest shoulders and even began to pulsate as they increased in number, he remained steady until he ascended the platform.
Only to discover yet another lofty mountain before him and strangely beside the bridge that would lead him onto it, another shade appeared. This time it was built entirely out of metals of various colors, seeming so out of place in the environment. Walking closer he saw a shiny bronze beer cup with enchanting engravings on it resting within the arms of a bulky middle-aged man with greying hair filled with the charms of a mature man.
"Come have a drink, leave the mountains ahead for the strong," the voice came again. This time it sounded much more teasing and older but still as creepy as before.
Alex considered the offer for a moment but resolutely walked away, going to the now metal bridge and placing his first foot on it.