With the help of the mysterious figure, Tatsuya was taken to a small village deep within the desert. This village seemed isolated from the outside world, a place where time and space no longer held meaning. At the village's center stood a colossal ancient tree, its massive trunk casting a cool shade over the surrounding area, and from its roots flowed a stream of crystal-clear holy water.
The villagers, who had been there for generations to protect this tree, had a single task: to care for and guard the tree from those who sought to steal its sacred power. Despite the harsh desert trials, many travelers and survivors managed to reach this place and chose to stay. Upon seeing Tatsuya, the villagers welcomed him with respect. They did not inquire about his identity or how he arrived; they simply guided him to the great tree to rest and recover, sensing that Tatsuya came with good intentions.
Tatsuya sat under the tree's shade, feeling the holy water flowing through his hands. The coolness and serenity of the water eased the pain and exhaustion accumulated in his body. But he knew this rest was only temporary. Tomorrow, he would face the final challenge, where not only his physical strength but also his will and spirit would be tested to their limits.
The next morning, Tatsuya awoke to the dim light of dawn. Weak rays of sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of the ancient tree, creating a shimmering curtain of light. The villagers had gathered around him, their faces filled with hope and concern. The village elder, an old man with flowing white hair, approached and spoke in a solemn tone:
"Are you ready, Tatsuya? The trial of the Great Tree is not something that everyone can overcome. But if you succeed, you will receive its protection and become a part of this village forever."
Tatsuya nodded, his resolve unwavering. He knew this was the only path forward to achieving his goal. The elder handed him a necklace made of tiny green leaves, saying it was a symbol of the Great Tree's approval.
As the necklace touched Tatsuya's skin, he felt a strange energy flow through his body, as if the Great Tree was watching every step he took. The elder led Tatsuya to an open area near the tree's roots, where the trial would take place. A large stone table, carved with ancient symbols, stood in the center of a circle formed by the tree's branches extending from its trunk.
"You must channel your will into this stone table while fighting the challenges set by the Great Tree. Only by maintaining your will and spirit throughout the trial can you overcome it," the elder explained. "No matter how strong you are, the trial remains the same and is never easy."
Tatsuya stood before the stone table, closed his eyes, and began to focus his will. Immediately, a heavy pressure bore down on his mind. Horrific images from his past surged forth, painful memories, and fears he had once faced. The tree trembled, as if testing his mental strength.
But Tatsuya did not falter. He knew he had to overcome his fears and past to move toward the future. The images gradually faded as his will became stronger. The Great Tree not only tested him with memories but also summoned mystical creatures from its roots, forcing him to fight while maintaining his composure.
He plunged into the battle, each punch and strike fueled by determination and resolve. The creatures grew stronger, but Tatsuya remained undaunted. Whenever he seemed on the verge of collapsing, he remembered why he was there, which helped him stand firm.
After an indeterminate time, when Tatsuya was nearly exhausted, the Great Tree suddenly ceased its challenge. The creatures vanished, and the mental pressure lifted. Tatsuya collapsed onto the ground, panting, but felt a sense of relief.
The elder approached, his face filled with respect and pride. "You have done it, Tatsuya. The Great Tree has accepted you. From now on, you will always have its protection."
"Do you know why the Great Tree only gave such an easy trial?" Aiko appeared and asked.
"Easy? What are you talking about?" Tatsuya was startled.
"That was easy. In reality, while you were fighting, the Great Tree was also assessing your past to see if you were worthy. It was likely testing your goodness or something like that," Aiko explained.
Tatsuya nodded, trying to understand Aiko's words. Before he could fully grasp their meaning, the elder led him to the Great Tree again to immerse himself in the holy water for the second time.
As Tatsuya absorbed the holy water for the second time, he felt a refreshing coolness spreading throughout his body. His body was invigorated, and his mind became clearer. The elder, satisfied, then led Tatsuya and Aiko to a large stone platform near the edge of the village. This platform was different from the others in the village, adorned with intricate and ancient symbols, indicating a special kind of magic.
"This is the teleportation gate," the elder explained. "It will take you out of the desert to a place near the edge of the outside world. Be careful, as there are still many dangers beyond."
Tatsuya asked, confused, "Why is there a teleportation gate here but not letting us through immediately?"
"The Great Tree will not allow anyone to leave. The gates are controlled by the Great Tree, and only those approved by it or its guardians can come and go freely," the elder responded.
Tatsuya and Aiko stepped onto the platform. The elder touched a symbol on the platform, and immediately, a powerful light enveloped them. In an instant, their surroundings changed, and they found themselves standing in a dense forest, with no trace of the barren desert.
However, as soon as they set foot on the ground, a sense of danger enveloped them. Tatsuya had no time to react as an assassin with cold eyes emerged from the darkness ahead, launching a surprise attack with a sword.
Aiko immediately jumped in to block the blow for Tatsuya. Her soul took the full brunt of the strike, dealing damage directly to her spirit. The blow weakened her significantly, and Aiko began to fade before Tatsuya's eyes. Before disappearing completely, Aiko cast a curse on the assassin, weakening him substantially and draining almost all his energy.
"I could only weaken him this way; the rest is up to you," Aiko said quickly to Tatsuya before vanishing completely, leaving him to face the assassin alone.
Without time for sorrow, the assassin struck again, but this time Tatsuya managed to dodge. Although the enemy was weakened, Tatsuya still felt the intense pressure. The assassin, despite being depleted, still proved to be superior in every strike. Each punch and sword swing was deadly accurate.
Tatsuya stepped back, evading each attack while searching for an opportunity to counterattack. He knew that maintaining distance and waiting for the right moment might turn the tide. But the assassin did not give him an easy opportunity. He charged with terrifying speed, forcing Tatsuya to focus all his energy on defense.
In a brief moment, Tatsuya recalled Aiko's and the elder's words. He had overcome the Great Tree's trial not just with strength but with will. Remembering this, Tatsuya decided he could no longer just defend. He switched to offense, using all his skills and experience. Despite the assassin's superior power, Tatsuya felt each of his strikes gradually weaken the enemy.
The battle stretched on in the tense atmosphere of the forest. Each blow cut through the stillness, but with determination and mental strength, Tatsuya began to see changes. The assassin exposed weaknesses that Tatsuya could exploit. A sense of victory began to emerge, though still fragile. With the brass knuckles already on his hands, Tatsuya focused all his remaining energy into each punch and prepared to counterattack. The assassin's cold eyes no longer displayed absolute confidence but rather anxiety as he realized Tatsuya was gaining the upper hand.
The brass knuckles on Tatsuya's hands gleamed with a sharp metallic light as he delivered powerful punches, each one targeting the weaknesses he had discovered. The assassin tried to counter, but his strength had been significantly depleted by Aiko's curse, and now he could not withstand Tatsuya's resolve.
The fight continued for a few more moments until Tatsuya saw a final opportunity. He stepped forward, dodging an attack, and poured all his strength into a final punch. The punch struck the assassin's chest, causing him to stagger and fall to the ground, his sword dropping from his hand. Tatsuya gasped for breath, feeling each heartbeat strongly in his chest. He had succeeded.
The assassin lay on the ground, his breath weak. He looked up at Tatsuya with a gaze filled with resignation and resentment. He knew he had failed but maintained a challenging smirk on his face.
"Tatsuya... Do you think you have won?" he said weakly, but with a lingering threat. "I am just one of many sent to eliminate you. What you faced today is only the beginning... and you will never achieve your goal." With that, he cloaked himself in the shadow of Tatsuya and vanished.
A gentle breeze stirred, carrying the scent of plants and the tang of blood. Tatsuya took a deep breath, trying to calm himself after the intense battle. He looked around, searching for any sign of Aiko, but all he saw was silence and darkness.
"Aiko..." Tatsuya whispered, feeling the sudden pain of loss spreading within him. He wasn't sure if she had truly disappeared forever or was somewhere else, but all he knew for certain was that he had to continue his journey. His goal was still ahead, and Tatsuya couldn't let anything make him falter.
He grips the brass knuckles tightly in his hand and walks forward, delving deeper into the forest. Each step Tatsuya takes carries his determination and resolve, despite the surrounding darkness and the ever-present dangers lurking. He knows there is no other choice but to keep fighting, to keep moving forward, and to never back down.
The path ahead is long and arduous, but Tatsuya is ready to face it all, for he knows this is the path he has chosen, the only path that will allow him to uncover the truth and achieve his ultimate goal.