Chapter 51: Greed?
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Alex stood tall, confidence radiating from him after passing the first test. His mind raced with thoughts of how he would conquer the next challenges, especially with CV and his friends by his side. He grinned, feeling invincible. *With them, I can pass every test* he thought proudly.
But then, something nagged at the back of his mind. A realization slowly crept in. Since arriving in Stella's realm, he hadn't seen CV or his friends. He blinked, glancing around the ethereal space. Panic started to bubble up. *Wait… where are they?*
He quickly turned to Stella, who watched him with an amused expression. "Stella!" Alex blurted out, trying to keep his voice steady. "Where are CV and the others? They were with me before we entered this place. What happened to them?"
Stella didn't say a word. Instead, she raised an elegant hand and pointed off to the side, where a soft glow hinted at something beyond the swirling mists. Confused, Alex followed her gaze, and what he saw made his jaw drop.
There, just a few steps away, was a cozy, modern living room setup—complete with a large sofa, a coffee table, and a massive flat-screen TV. His friends, Jenny, Mark, and Sarah, were lounging on the sofa, munching on popcorn. And right beside them, CV sat cross-legged, her eyes glued to the screen. They were all watching a drama that played on the TV, a drama apparently powered by CV's AI technology. The group was so absorbed in the show that they didn't even notice Alex staring at them, dumbfounded.
"Are you kidding me?!" Alex exclaimed, his voice a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "I'm over here risking my neck in these tests, and you guys are just… just watching TV?!"
Jenny finally noticed Alex, casually waving at him with a cheeky grin. "Hey, Alex! This drama is pretty intense, you should check it out!"
Mark, his mouth full of popcorn, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, man. You'd love it. Lots of twists and turns."
CV, without even turning her head, called out, "Don't worry, honey. We're cheering you on from here! You got this!"
Alex slumped, his earlier confidence completely deflated. He couldn't believe it. While he was battling illusions, testing the limits of his heart and soul, they were sitting comfortably, entertained by a drama on TV. He was at a loss for words.
"Stella…" Alex muttered, looking over at the Guardian who was barely holding back her laughter. "Is this part of the test too?"
Stella's composure broke, and she chuckled softly. "Not quite. Your friends are simply… making the best of their time here."
Alex sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't know whether to laugh or cry right now."
"Perhaps a little of both?" Stella offered, still smiling.
He shook his head, turning back to his friends. "Unbelievable. Just… unbelievable."
Regaining his composure, Alex took a deep breath and focused. The next test was looming, and he couldn't afford to be distracted, no matter how ridiculous his situation seemed.
"Alright" he muttered to himself, ignoring the ongoing drama and his popcorn-munching companions. "Time to focus. What's next?"
Stella's smile softened, and she gestured for him to follow. "Come, Alex. The second test awaits you."
Alex hesitated for a brief moment, casting one last glance at CV and his friends. They seemed perfectly content, absorbed in their show, completely unconcerned about the trials he was facing. It was almost comical.
But he had to move on. With a final sigh, he turned and walked alongside Stella, leaving the strange, surreal scene behind.
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The next space Stella led him to was far different from the first. The atmosphere shifted, growing heavier, more intense. They entered a grand hall filled with shimmering treasures—golden coins, sparkling jewels, ancient relics, and magical artifacts of unimaginable power. The wealth and power contained within this single room was enough to make even the most steadfast of hearts waver.
"This," Stella began, her voice echoing in the vast chamber, "is the Test of Greed."
Alex looked around, awe-struck by the sheer amount of riches piled before him. It was the kind of sight that could drive any ordinary person mad with desire. He felt a pull deep within him, an instinctual urge to reach out and take what he saw.
But Alex knew better. He had seen enough stories, fought enough battles, to understand the danger of unchecked greed. He folded his arms, focusing his mind on what mattered most. "I'm not here for wealth," he stated firmly. "I'm here for the World Fragment."
Stella watched him closely, her expression inscrutable. "The treasures you see are not just material wealth. Each one represents power, knowledge, and influence. Taking even one could grant you unimaginable strength—enough to challenge the gods themselves."
Alex clenched his fists. The temptation was there, no doubt. But he couldn't afford to be swayed. "Strength isn't something you can buy or steal. It's something you earn."
He stepped forward, cautiously, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of the test's true nature. He knew it wouldn't be as simple as just walking past the treasures. There had to be something more.
And then he saw it. At the far end of the hall, almost hidden among the piles of gold and sparkling treasures, was a simple, unassuming pedestal. On top of it sat a small, ornate box, glowing with a faint, ethereal light. Unlike the rest of the riches in the hall, this box exuded a sense of calm and serenity, as if it wasn't meant to be touched, only revered.
Alex's instincts kicked in. *That must be it* he thought. The World Fragment he sought had to be inside that box. But as he started to move toward it, the room itself seemed to react to his intentions. The air grew thick with an almost tangible pressure, and the treasures around him began to shift and stir, as though they were alive.
Stella's voice echoed through the hall. "This is where the real test begins, Alex. The treasures you see aren't just objects; they are manifestations of desire, of greed, of everything that can corrupt a soul. To reach that box, you'll have to confront your own temptations and overcome them. Fail, and you'll be lost to them."
Alex paused, taking a deep breath. He wasn't immune to desire; no one was. But he knew what was at stake. The World Fragment was too important, not just for him, but for everyone counting on him. He had to stay focused.
As he walked forward, the treasures around him began to shift more violently. Gold coins clinked and clattered, forming small hills that blocked his path. Jewels glittered with an almost hypnotic allure, their brilliance tempting him to reach out and take just one, just a small token of the wealth before him. But Alex kept his eyes on the box, pushing through the obstacles.
The closer he got, the more intense the temptations became. Ancient weapons, each one radiating immense power, appeared before him, offering him strength and dominance. He could feel the power emanating from them, a power that promised to make him unstoppable. But Alex gritted his teeth, refusing to be swayed.
"This is all just a distraction" he reminded himself. "None of this is real. None of this matters."
But then, as he approached the final stretch, the room itself seemed to shift again. The treasures melted away, revealing something far more insidious. Before him stood a figure, an exact replica of himself, holding the box in its hands. This doppelgänger smirked at him, its eyes glinting with malice.
"You think you're above all this, don't you?" the doppelgänger taunted. "You think you can just waltz in here, pure and righteous, and claim the World Fragment? You're no different from anyone else, Alex. You want power, just like the rest of them. Admit it."
Alex stared at his double, feeling a wave of anger and doubt wash over him. The words struck a chord, echoing his own hidden fears. *What if it's right?* he thought. *What if deep down, I really am just after power?*
The doppelgänger laughed, sensing his hesitation. "See? You're already doubting yourself. Why not just give in? Take the power, take the wealth. It's all here, waiting for you."
But then, Alex remembered something. The words of his parents came back to him: *True strength comes not from what you take, but from what you give.*
The doubt in his heart began to fade, replaced by a renewed determination. He wasn't here for power or wealth. He was here to protect, to keep the World Fragments safe from those who would misuse them.
"I'm not like you" Alex said firmly, staring down his double. "I don't need to prove anything to myself or anyone else. I know who I am, and I know what I'm fighting for."
With those words, he stepped forward, and the doppelgänger's smirk faltered. Alex reached out, and the figure began to dissolve, its form dissipating into nothingness. The path was clear again, and the box sat there, waiting.
Without hesitation, Alex took the box in his hands. The moment he did, the heavy pressure in the room lifted, and the treasures around him vanished, leaving only the pedestal and the box. The test was over.
Stella appeared beside him, a look of approval on her face. "You've done well, Alex. You've passed the Test of Greed."
Alex nodded, though he felt drained, both physically and mentally. "That was… Something." he admitted.
"Indeed" Stella agreed. "But necessary. The path you're on is fraught with temptations and challenges. You need to be sure of yourself, of your motives. Only then can you succeed."
Alex held the box tightly, feeling the weight of his responsibilities. "What's inside?" he asked.
Stella smiled. "That, you'll discover in time. For now, take solace in the fact that you've passed another test. But remember, Alex, the trials will only get harder from here."
Alex sighed, bracing himself for what was to come. "I figured as much."
As they left the hall behind, Alex couldn't help but glance back at the space where his friends had been lounging. He shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Unbelievable" he muttered to himself, still trying to process everything that had happened.
But there was no time to dwell on it. The journey was far from over, and the next test awaited.
To be Continued.....