Ahmed slid down the narrow path with his guard raised, he didn't know where he was going just that wherever it was it was good for his body.
After a long way down he was finally spat out meters away from the air, his brows furrowed when he looked beneath his.
An island stood in the middle of what seemed to be a mystical meadow, lake of sorts, the water body fully covered filled the the space between the clearings walls and the island, it was a distance of nearly ten or so kilometers.
Within the waters Ahmed could she schools of fishes whose fins glowed with every swap, large and small they swam, frogs croaked at the banks, lillie floated on top of the waters drifting in the small ripples.
Connected to the Island were four long bridges made of stone and concrete ten meters above the water body.
Ahmed willed Aldram to change into a rope which he skillfully threw at the closest bridge, once the rope touched the bridge he willed it to stick to it as he swung beneath it.
His legs touched the water as he skid across before being launched upwards by the momentum, he then tightly yanked at the rope that was too durable for him to break resulting in him being pulled back.
He then nimbly landed onto the bridge and sat down catching his breathe, it was only then that he focused his sights on the island, more so above it.
Above the Island was a blue spherical stone that shone with a radiant amber almost golden glow, it's light touched everything amd anything within the area of the island and water body.
Stalactites twinkled above the waters like stars attached the ceiling, he looked up and only now could he tell just how far high he had come from and just how far down he was.
He stood up and walked towards the island, nothing leapt oit of the water for his head, no pressure trial was sent his way, the only peculiar thing that happened was that the bridge he was on glowed brighter and brighter the further he walked.
He soon after an hour of walking, running and jogging reached the island, it was then that a not so unfamiliar voice whispered into his ear.
[You have discovered Island 847.
Realm has been determined, Awakening realm trial shall be issued.
Prepare yourself for the trial.]
Ahmed couldn't help but grin once he heard the voice, after all to him the voice was synonymous to making profits, he had also already discerned the cause of his bodies reaction towards the cave.
A single lotus grew on top of the island, at it's highest peak, this was what had drove and was still flaring signals at Ahmed.
[Passing Condition: Advance to the next level.]
The Voice whispered once more as Ahmed was sealed within a barrier of sorts, he looked towards the peak of the Island and grinned inwardly, 'I'll be harvesting you soon.'
He first waited assessing his surroundings, he didn't enter the forest before knowing where he was.
He had however taken his trial too lightly, before he could even take a step, the earth rumbled and quaked as dust rose from the forest approaching Ahmed at high speeds.
He willed Aldram into a bow and begun shooting his arrows, he begun with one as he was still unsure of the threat coming his way, this however changed when he saw the tide of beasts coming his way.
He shot two arrows and then begun to shoot three, he feeling the time to pick the bow to knock at his quiver was too much willed Aldram to directly form his arrows whenever he pulled the bow string.
He shot hundreds of arrows in the mear ten minute distance between him and the approaching hoarde, seeing them so close he switched from his bow to a pair of short swords and dove into the fray.
For as long as Ahmed could remember, fighting had never been an issue for him, he could even say it came to him naturally, how to clench the fist which muscles to tighten for more damage where to hit how to block and dodge.
When he first spared with his sister she had beaten him to a pulp, he rematched her again and again for a full month straight, in the month he went from being overwhelmed to being able to block to finally being able to counter, this had shocked his older siblings who became even more invested in his training.
He had liked fighting but was forbidden from doing so, told that it would be bad to hurt others that bullying wasn't the Reeves way, that martial arts was for self defense only.
He found their reasons stupid for majorly two reasons, if they didn't want him to fight why teach them then? He had asked and they could only say it would be better if he knew.
His second reason was what if fighting was the only way to handle a situation, should he just stand and receive whatever was coming his way?
They shrugged saying ut was his choice, but should always acknowledge whatever he did good or bad they were his actions.
Now diving into the beast tide a grin was carved onto his face, his sapphire blue eyes glowed with fighting intent as for rhe first time in forever he let loose and fought to his hearts content.
He was grazed, bruised, bit, stabbed and wounded but his grin never keft his face even the blood that covered his body couldn't dampen or invoke the sense of disgust most kids his age would feel.
He oddly felt at peace and in harmony with himself, it was like he had been putting a lid on a soda bottle that had been shook repeatedly and only now was it being open, and the result...
He had long discarded his short swords and had them turn into a proper sword, he had at one point already begun using his weapon art, The Blade Monarch to fight.