The chamber grew colder as the creature of shadow advanced. Its massive frame towered over the nobles, casting an overwhelming aura of dread. Each step it took echoed ominously throughout the vast underground space, and with every passing second, the walls seemed to close in, trapping them all in a nightmare.
Prince Arin stood firm at the front, his sword raised, flames flickering along its blade. His heart raced, but he suppressed his fear. This was a battle unlike any other—they were up against a force from another age. One wrong move could mean their end.
"We can't take this thing head-on!" Eldrin shouted from behind. His sharp mind raced through strategies, but none seemed viable. The creature was too large, too powerful
"Then what's the plan?" Loyd barked, his grip tightening around his broadsword. "We can't just run!"
Torin, ever the tactician, surveyed their surroundings. "We need to find its weakness. Every creature has one."
Before they could act, the shadow beast let out another earth-shattering roar and lunged toward them. Its massive claw swung in a wide arc, forcing the group to scatter. The ground shattered where it struck, sending dust and stone flying into the air.
Arin rolled to the side, barely avoiding the impact. "Everyone, focus your magic! We hit it together!" he commanded.
Loyd was the first to react, charging forward with a bellow, his sword raised high. "For the honor of the house!" He swung his weapon down, aiming for the beast's exposed side. But the creature's hide was like stone—the blade barely left a scratch.
The shadow beast retaliated, swiping at Loyd with blinding speed. The noble barely managed to block with his sword, but the force sent him crashing into a pillar.
Torin, using his earth magic, summoned jagged spikes from the ground to impale the creature. They shot up, sharp and fast, piercing through the air. But as they neared the creature, the spikes disintegrated into dust. The shadow seemed to consume them.
Eldrin, standing further back, unleashed a torrent of wind, trying to knock the creature off balance. But the gusts only seemed to stir the shadows, as if the creature was feeding off the very elements they wielded.
"This isn't working!" Eldrin yelled, retreating as the beast turned its glowing red eyes toward him.
Arin gritted his teeth. He knew they were outmatched, but he refused to back down. Summoning his fire magic, he sent a wave of flames toward the creature's head. The fire roared, bright and fierce, enveloping the monster in a sea of flames.
For a moment, it seemed like they might have gained the upper hand. The beast let out a low, guttural growl, its shadowy form flickering in the blaze.
"Did we get it?" Torin asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
But before they could celebrate, the creature emerged from the fire, unscathed. The flames seemed to roll off its body, absorbed into the void of its shadow.
Arin's eyes widened in disbelief. "It… it can't be harmed by magic?"
"No," Eldrin whispered, his voice trembling with realization. "It's not just a creature of shadow. It's a manifestation of the mountain itself. Magic won't work."
The group faltered, their hope dwindling.
Suddenly, a deep, echoing voice filled the chamber. It wasn't coming from the creature—it was the mountain itself, resonating through the stone and air.
"You who dare disturb the resting place of the Abyss... face judgment."
The nobles froze. They weren't just fighting a monster—they had awoken an ancient force, a guardian bound to the very earth.
"What do we do now?" Loyd groaned, rising to his feet with difficulty.
Torin narrowed his eyes, piecing the puzzle together. "If magic won't work, then maybe we need to outthink it. There must be something here keeping it bound. An anchor of sorts."
Arin glanced at the glowing runes around the chamber. "The runes. They might be controlling it. If we break them—"
"No time to think!" Loyd interrupted as the creature roared again, charging toward them with renewed ferocity.
This time, instead of trying to dodge, Arin stood his ground, eyes blazing with determination. "Torin, Eldrin—distract it! Loyd, help me with the runes!"
Torin nodded, summoning a barrier of earth to slow the creature's advance. Eldrin added to the defense with bursts of wind, trying to obscure its vision and confuse its movements.
Meanwhile, Arin and Loyd rushed toward the nearest rune. The ancient symbols glowed a deep red, pulsing with power. Arin inspected it quickly—its design was intricate, but there was something familiar about it.
"It's a binding spell," Arin muttered. "We need to disrupt it."
Loyd raised his sword, ready to smash the rune, but Arin stopped him. "Wait. If we do it wrong, we could make things worse."
Loyd scowled. "Then what? We don't have time for riddles!"
"Use brute force, and we might set off a trap," Arin explained, tracing the rune with his finger. "It needs precision."
With a wave of his hand, Arin summoned a small flame, delicately weaving it through the gaps in the rune's design. The flame flickered and sparked as it interacted with the ancient magic, slowly unraveling the spell.
Behind them, the creature grew more frantic, sensing the disturbance in its bindings. It smashed through Torin's earth barrier and lunged at Eldrin, who barely dodged the massive claw aimed at him.
"Hurry, Arin!" Torin yelled, sweat dripping down his face as he fought to hold the creature off.
"Almost… got it…" Arin whispered, concentrating on the final part of the rune.
Suddenly, the rune flashed brightly and then dimmed, its power fading away. The creature let out a deafening roar, its form flickering for a moment before stabilizing.
"We did it!" Loyd grinned, raising his sword.
But the creature was still standing. It wasn't as powerful as before, but it hadn't been defeated.
"We need to find the other runes!" Arin called out. "There's more than one."
The nobles scattered, each heading toward a different part of the chamber where more runes pulsed with power. Time was running out, and the creature was growing more erratic by the second.
As they worked to disrupt the runes, the creature's movements became more sluggish, its power waning. But with each rune broken, the chamber shook violently, as if the mountain itself was protesting.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last rune was broken. The creature let out one final roar before collapsing into a pile of dust and shadow.
The nobles stood in silence, their bodies aching from the battle. The chamber was still, save for the distant echo of the mountain's heartbeat.
"We did it," Eldrin said, barely believing it.
But as the dust settled, Arin couldn't shake the feeling that their ordeal was far from over.
"We might have stopped the guardian," Arin muttered, "but this mountain… it's still alive."
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances.
The mountain trembled violently, shaking the very ground beneath the contestants' feet. The walls of the cavern groaned, and the stones began to crumble. Dust filled the air as the deafening roar of collapsing rocks echoed through the cave. The participants, still recovering from their last fight, could barely maintain their balance.
Eldrin from House 2, scanning the surroundings, was the first to notice it. "Look!" he shouted, pointing ahead.
Through the thick dust and shaking ground, a massive portal-like structure materialized before them. Its towering, obsidian frame seemed to pierce the heavens, and swirling inside it was an eerie, dark mist, pulsating with energy. The temperature dropped dramatically, and a cold chill spread across the cavern.
From the portal emerged a figure so massive, it dwarfed anything they'd fought before. The ground shook with each step as it approached. Its bones were black as night, radiating an ominous aura. It towered above them, a skeletal giant, draped in tattered remnants of an ancient armor. In its bony hand, it held a massive sword, easily three times the size of any of the participants. The blade was jagged and dark, emanating a cursed energy that made the air around it hum with danger.
"This… this is it," Torin of House 4 muttered, gripping his spear tightly.
Loyd of House 3 clenched his fists, his eyes wide. "The final boss."
The black skeleton let out a guttural, hollow roar, shaking the mountain even more violently. Its eye sockets glowed with a deep crimson light, and with a slow, deliberate motion, it raised its sword high above its head, preparing to strike.
Arin, the prince from House 1, stepped forward, his face filled with determination. "Everyone, this is it. We have no choice but to work together."
For once, the rivalries and competitions between the boys faded. This was beyond any of their individual strengths. The final boss of the Grox trial had appeared, and it would take everything they had to defeat it.
"Spread out!" Eldrin shouted, his hands already crackling with magic. He summoned a series of ice spikes, hurling them toward the skeleton's legs in an attempt to slow it down. They shattered upon impact, barely leaving a mark.
Torin rushed to the side, using his speed and agility to get in closer. His spear glowed with a bright light as he charged in, aiming for the joints between the massive creature's bones. He landed a solid hit on the knee joint, but the creature barely staggered, raising its sword once more.
Loyd summoned a barrage of fireballs, launching them toward the skeleton's head. They exploded on contact, causing a burst of flames that illuminated the dark cavern, but still, the giant pressed on.
Arin, meanwhile, had not moved. He stood his ground, sword in hand, observing the creature's movements. His eyes narrowed as he focused, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The massive skeleton swung its sword down in a sweeping arc. The air howled as the blade came crashing down toward the group. Eldrin and Torin barely dodged in time, the sword slamming into the ground with such force that the entire cavern shook again.
As the boys continued to fight, a thought crossed all of their minds: this might be a battle that none of them were meant to survive.
"Focus on the joints!" Arin finally shouted, rushing forward. "It's the only way to slow it down!"
With that, the group of boys—once rivals—began to coordinate their attacks. One by one, they aimed for the skeleton's vulnerable spots, attacking its joints, legs, and arms. Though they made little progress at first, their combined efforts slowly started to weaken the creature. The dark energy surrounding it flickered as its movements began to slow, but the final blow still seemed far from their grasp.
The battle raged on as the skeleton lashed out with its sword, unleashing waves of dark energy with each strike.
The fight raged on, with the mountain trembling as the boys from the Grox houses battled the colossal black skeleton. The air was thick with tension, and their bodies ached from dodging the massive blows of the final boss. Each strike from the skeleton's jagged sword sent shockwaves through the cavern, causing the ground to fracture beneath their feet.
But they fought on, united in their desperation.
Arin, the prince of House 1, grit his teeth as he looked for a weakness. His eyes, sharp and calculating, observed the creature's movements, searching for any sign of vulnerability. "It's slowing down!" he shouted, noticing the flickering dark energy around the skeleton.
Kieran, previously known as Renji, moved swiftly alongside him. "The joints—it's working! We just need to keep pressing the attack!" Kieran's speed allowed him to dart in and out of the skeleton's reach, landing precise strikes on its vulnerable areas. But even he was starting to tire.
Eldrin and Loyd, pouring their mana into a final, combined spell, unleashed a barrage of lightning and fire toward the creature's skull. The resulting explosion sent a shockwave through the cavern, staggering the massive skeleton. Its bones rattled, and for the first time, it let out a low, rumbling groan.
Torin, sweat dripping down his brow, saw his opportunity. With all the strength he could muster, he charged toward the creature's knee joint, thrusting his spear deep into the bone. The skeleton stumbled, its massive frame tipping as the weakened joint finally gave way.
"Now!" Arin yelled.
In one coordinated strike, the boys aimed their attacks at the same spot—the skeleton's chest. Kieran dashed in, using his speed to slice through the last bits of dark energy surrounding the boss. Arin, with his powerful sword, delivered the final blow, driving his blade deep into the skeleton's ribcage. The black energy exploded outward, consuming the cavern in a blinding light.
The skeleton let out one last, guttural cry before collapsing. Its massive body disintegrated into dust, leaving only its giant sword and the remains of the portal behind.
For a moment, silence filled the cavern. The mountain stopped shaking. The undead army outside had crumbled to ash, as though the very essence animating them had vanished with the skeleton's defeat.
Breathing heavily, the boys looked around at each other, their faces a mix of exhaustion and relief. They had done it—they had defeated the final boss.
Arin was the first to speak, sheathing his sword. "We made it."
Kieran, catching his breath, looked at Arin and smirked. "Don't think I needed your help back there, prince. I had it under control."
Arin chuckled, shaking his head. "Sure you did."
The group began to relax, but as they turned to leave, a strange glow emanated from the remains of the portal. From the dust, a crystal floated into the air. It pulsed with a deep, blue light, clearly the key to completing their trial.
"That must be it," Eldrin said, stepping forward cautiously. "The mark of a true Grox."
They had survived the trial, and with the crystal in hand, they were one step closer to becoming full-fledged members of their noble houses. But none of them could shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far greater.
Without Kateku present, the others had worked together—if only for a moment—but what came next would test their loyalty, strength, and the true meaning of being a Grox.
As the portal opened, the boys were ready to celebrate their victory, but their expressions shifted when they saw Kateku emerge. His body was covered in blood, his clothes torn, and his face pale. For a moment, anger flared among the group, especially from Arin and Kieran, but it quickly dissolved into concern. Kateku's appearance told a story of its own—one that wasn't shared in their battle against the skeleton.
Still, without a word, Kateku walked past them, too tired to explain. The others watched him go, unsure what to think.
A grand celebration awaited them outside. The entire kingdom had gathered, cheering for the boys who had survived the deadly trials. Banners flew high, and tables of food and drink stretched as far as the eye could see. Kateku stayed for a brief moment, barely touching his food before quietly slipping away. His mind wasn't on the celebration; he had other matters to attend to.
When Kateku finally arrived home, his eyes widened in surprise. The emperor himself sat in the grand hall, but he wasn't alone. Beside him stood two unfamiliar girls. One had long, flowing black hair, while the other's hair was a striking shade of blue. They were beautiful, elegant, and both looked at Kateku with interest.
Before Kateku could ask, his mother stepped forward with a warm smile. "These are your older sisters, Kateku. Twins—Nymera and Saria."
Kateku blinked. He had heard rumors of siblings but had never met them in person. Nymera, with her black hair, gave him a playful smirk. Saria, with her blue hair, had a gentler expression.
The two sisters approached Kateku, and Nymera spoke first. "You look just like our older brother," she said softly, studying him carefully.
Kateku didn't respond right away. His mind was still processing everything. Instead, he turned to his mother and said, "I knew you had raised a child before. You were never overprotective of me. You let me grow on my own."
His mother smiled gently, her eyes warm. "I knew you would figure it out eventually. You're strong, Kateku, just like them."
The twins exchanged glances, intrigued by their younger brother's composure. They could tell he had been through something intense, but before they could ask, Saria stepped forward and asked, "What happened to you when we were fighting the final boss? You look like you've been through a war."
Kateku sat down, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "I was fighting a slime."
The room fell silent. The emperor's eyebrows raised in surprise, and his lips curled into a smile. "A slime?" he repeated. "Do you realize what a feat that is?"
Nymera and Saria exchanged curious glances, both clearly impressed. Slimes were considered one of the rarest and most dangerous creatures in the world. Their bodies were resistant to nearly all forms of magic and physical attacks. Some people lived and died without ever encountering one, and those who did often didn't live to tell the tale.
The emperor's voice boomed with approval. "Slimes are incredibly rare, Kateku. Not only surviving an encounter with one but defeating it is no small task. You've done well, my son."
Kateku gave a small nod, too exhausted to bask in the praise. His mind replayed the fight against the slime—a grueling battle that had pushed him to his limits. He hadn't expected recognition for it, but hearing his father's words felt strangely comforting.
Nymera grinned. "I guess we underestimated our little brother."
Saria smiled softly. "I'm glad you're safe, Kateku. You'll have to tell us more about it later."
The emperor stood up, looking down at his son with pride. "Rest now, Kateku. You've earned it. But remember, this is only the beginning. There are greater challenges ahead."
Kateku nodded again, feeling the weight of the emperor's words. He knew that his journey was far from over. There were more battles to fight, more mysteries to uncover, and more about his family to learn.
As he stood up to retire for the night, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what was to come. For now, though, he was content knowing that he had survived, and that he was no longer alone.