"Why dost thou question me so?" the unknown man asked, confusion evident in his voice. "Is there some reason thou dost not seem to trust me?"
Lucius looked at him incredulously. "Trust? I don't even know who you are," he replied, his tone laced with disbelief.
The unknown man sighed and nodded, as if understanding Lucius's skepticism. "Very well. I am but like everyone else here on the Isle of Sorrow—lost and seeking an escape. I saw thee and chose to follow. Here, we seldom have reasons for our actions. But if thou canst take the crystal, thou mayest save us. After all, 'twas thee who led us hither."
Lucius swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the crystal. The man's insistence only heightened his suspicions. Why was this crystal so important? Was it more powerful than just draining the joy from the land?
If the man wanted it so badly, why hadn't he taken it himself?
As Lucius pieced together the situation, a realization struck him. He looked at the man, a new understanding dawning in his eyes. "You… you can't touch the crystal, can you? I'm the only one who can."
The man's demeanor shifted, a flicker of restlessness crossing his face. "I know not of what thou speakest," he said, but his voice lacked conviction.
"You knew… you knew I looked different…"Lucius continued, his voice trailing off as he struggled to connect all the pieces in his mind.
"Thou art not merely confusing me; thou art frightening me," the man replied, his tone pleading. "Take the crystal, that we may save the people from their sorrow. Dost thou not understand? All they think of is death, trouble, pain—'tis an endless cycle in their minds. They never conceive of aught that could bring even a hint of a smile. That crystal begets this despair. Remove it, and they shall be free. Believe me."
Lucius scoffed and shook his head, a mix of disbelief and annoyance in his voice. "You must think I'm stupid just because I look like a kid."
"Thou art but a kid. What art thou, fourteen?" The unknown man smirked, his tone mocking.
Feeling a sting of hurt, Lucius frowned. "I'm sixteen, and I don't look anywhere near fourteen. Are you blind or something?"
The man's demeanor shifted slightly, sensing Lucius's growing distrust. He wondered how a child like him could have picked up on something being off. What had he done to give himself away?
"People must have told thee thou art smart, have they not?" he asked Lucius, his smirk widening.
Lucius shrugged and answered, "I'm not sure, but I've recently been made to believe that I have a sharp mind."
"Ah," the man nodded with a touch of amusement, "Is that right?"
As the man moved towards the altar where the crystal hovered, Lucius felt a surge of urgency. Just as the man was about to reach for the crystal, Lucius's instincts kicked in. He lunged forward, grabbing the crystal before the man could get his hands on it.
No sooner had he done so than a blade seemed to appear out of nowhere, slashing towards him. Lucius ducked just in time, falling on his butt, and shifting away in shock.
"What the hell? Where did that come from?" he gasped, his heart pounding as he clutched the crystal tightly.
The man sneered, leveling the sword at Lucius with a cold grin. "And here I believed thee to be smart. Yet, as thou art clever enough to see through my 'friendly' facade, I shall grant thee some credit. That said, I am here for that crystal, and thou shalt give it to me."
Lucius swallowed hard, eyes locked on the sharp blade pointing at him. The fear of being killed gnawed at him. "Uh, you…," he stammered, frowning at the man. "You… you tricked me. You were never going to get the crystal. You made me think..."
"Too late to play the smart one, dost thou think?" the man interrupted, his gaze hardening. "Hand it unto me, and I might just let thee live."
Clutching the crystal tightly, Lucius stood up, staring defiantly at the sword inches from his face. "You're not getting this crystal from me!" he shouted, shoving the sword aside and trying to run.
But the man quickly grabbed his arm, yanking him back and plunging the sword into Lucius's stomach. Lucius gasped, his face contorted in pain and shock.
As the sword was withdrawn, Lucius crumpled, gasping for breath. Before he could react, the man swung the sword again, severing Lucius's head.
The crystal slipped from his hand as his body shattered into the air, vanishing into nothingness.
[You have failed your first trial. Again, Aspirant.]
***
Oh, no, not again "..?"
How can Lucius even survive this?