The air thickened as the priest's words hung heavily in the hall. I glanced around, seeking some hint of what was to come, but the expressions of the others were unreadable, their confidence a stark contrast to my rising dread.
A low rumble echoed through the vast chamber, shaking the very ground beneath us. The ornate designs on the walls shimmered with an eerie light, and suddenly, a series of platforms emerged from the floor, each glowing with a different hue. They hovered just above the ground, forming a circular arena at the center of the hall.
"Step forward, and prepare for your trials," the priest intoned. "Each of you will face a test designed to challenge your abilities and resolve. You must overcome these challenges to prove your worth as the new Primordial Pillars."
I swallowed hard, the reality of the situation crashing down like a wave. The others seemed unfazed, stepping onto their respective platforms with a grace I could only envy. My heart raced. What if I failed?
Lux was the first to face her trial. As she stood on her glowing platform, the air around her shimmered, and radiant light burst forth, creating illusions of monstrous figures that twisted and writhed in the space around her. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured beams of pure light that sliced through the illusions, each blast precise and powerful.
Elaris stepped up next. Her platform turned vibrant green, and the ground beneath her transformed into a lush forest. Vines and roots erupted from the ground, entangling ethereal creatures that seemed to thrive in this environment. With a mere thought, she commanded the plants to ensnare and subdue the creatures, showcasing her dominion over nature.
Blitz's trial was next. As he stepped onto his platform, frost radiated from him, and the air became frigid. He summoned a blizzard, swirling winds and shards of ice forming a tempest around him. As the storm intensified, it began to take shape, an enormous ice golem formed from the swirling frost, obedient to his commands.
I watched, mesmerized and horrified. Each display of power reminded me of my own shortcomings. What was I supposed to do? The weight of my self-doubt pressed down on me like a physical burden.
Finally, it was Falgran's turn. He stepped onto his platform, which pulsed with a muted, shadowy light. As he stood there, shadows coalesced around him, forming dark creatures that whispered and hissed. He hesitated, but then, gathering his resolve, he channeled his power, commanding the shadows to dance and morph into a protective barrier. With a wave of his hand, he sent the creatures racing towards invisible foes, defending against threats only he could see.
And then it was my turn.
I stepped onto my platform, which flickered with an uncertain flame. The warmth radiated around me, but it felt weak, almost pitiful compared to the other trials I had witnessed. I closed my eyes, focusing on the flames that flickered within me. I could barely harness my power, and the thought of failure loomed like a dark cloud.
Gathering every ounce of willpower, I called forth my flames. They ignited within me, but instead of a raging inferno, I summoned a weak, flickering ball of fire, barely the size of my hand. "I will not yield!" I shouted, thrusting my hands forward.
The flames surged, but the moment they met the air, they sputtered and dimmed. I felt the weight of judgment pressing down on me, my heart pounding in my chest. "As expected from a Flareon, nothing but weak!" I could almost hear the whispers of the others.
Desperation clawed at me. I reached deep inside, drawing on every memory of my training with Zhal, every moment I had tried to prove myself. With a final push, I concentrated all my energy into the tiny flame, willing it to grow.
But no matter how hard I tried, the size remained the same. Panic surged as I realized my power was insufficient, yet something deep within me stirred, a darkness I hadn't fully understood. I felt the edges of my consciousness fraying as I fought to summon a flame more potent than I had ever wielded.
Suddenly, I tapped into a deeper well of energy, and for an instant, I felt a powerful dark flame beginning to flicker to life, its heat radiating in waves. I gasped, exhilaration and fear coursing through me. But before I could unleash it fully, a sharp pain shot through my chest, my mana was running out.
"No! Not now!" I cried out, but the energy dissipated as quickly as it had come, leaving me with nothing but the pitiful flame I had summoned at the start. I stood there, gasping, feeling the weight of their judgment and the sting of humiliation.
The hall grew silent. The priest's expression darkened as he surveyed my failure. "Stop what you are doing, Carrion. Your trial is over. It is proof that you are nothing but a weakling."
The words struck me like a physical blow. Memories surged forth. Lyra, my adoptive mother, lying lifeless in front of me. The moment I had lost her, rage and despair had awakened a power within me I had never known. I could still remember the dark flames that had surged forth from my grief, consuming everything in their path. But here, in front of these pillars of strength, I felt only impotent.
The others looked on, their expressions a mix of pity and disdain. I felt smaller than ever, exposed and humiliated. What had I gotten myself into?
As I turned to step off my platform, a sudden tremor shook the ground. The ornate designs on the walls began to shift, revealing symbols pulsing with dark energy. A cold wind swept through the hall, sending chills down my spine.
"What is happening?" Lux demanded, her voice sharp.
The priest's face paled as he took a step back. "This cannot be-"
Before he could finish, a deep, guttural roar reverberated through the hall, drowning out his words. I felt the dark energy within me surging again, demanding release, but this time it felt different,like a warning.