Fire, Leo's confidence surged. The guardians praised him for his control and skill, but the next trial loomed ahead—the Trial of Water. As he stood before the guardians, their supportive gazes encouraged him, but he knew this trial would be more difficult.
Auriel motioned for Leo to follow, leading him to a serene, shimmering lake that stretched across the edge of Eldoria's kingdom. The waters were calm, reflecting the bright sky like a mirror. Elowen, the guardian of nature, stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"For this trial, Leo, you must call upon the waters and bend them to your will," Elowen said. "Water is a force of life and flow. It can be both gentle and destructive. To pass this trial, you will need to summon a powerful wave and bring it to rest without letting it spill or cause harm."
had felt natural—its energy aligned with the strength inside him—but water was a different challenge. Water required calm, fluidity, and adaptability. His thoughts were interrupted as Lysandra spoke up, offering her support.
"Remember, Leo," she said softly, "water responds to emotion. Stay calm, let your energy flow like the currents, and trust in your abilities."
Leo nodded, appreciating the advice, and turned to face the still lake. Taking a deep breath, he focused his energy, reaching out to the elemental force of water. At first, nothing happened. The water remained motionless, reflecting the sky as if mocking his efforts. But Leo was determined.
Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to relax, feeling the ebb and flow of the water's energy beneath the surface. He imagined the currents, flowing smoothly like a river, and focused on moving that energy. Slowly, he raised his hands, palms outstretched.
A ripple appeared on the surface of the lake.
Encouraged by this small success, Leo deepened his concentration. The ripple expanded, growing into a series of waves that swayed back and forth. With a subtle gesture, Leo pushed his energy forward, and the waves rose higher, building momentum as they neared the shore.
The guardians watched closely, their expressions focused as Leo continued to manipulate the water. The wave grew larger, forming a wall of water that surged toward the edge of the lake. Just as it seemed the wave would crash into the land, Leo closed his fists, commanding the water to stop.
The massive wave halted mid-motion, suspended in the air like a frozen waterfall.
For a few tense seconds, Leo struggled to maintain control. The weight of the water pressed against his mind, testing his limits. Sweat trickled down his face, and his muscles tensed as he held the wave steady.
"Now," Auriel called out, "return it to the lake. Show us that you can both create and restore balance."
Leo exhaled slowly, relaxing his grip on the energy. The wave receded, slowly falling back into the lake without a single drop spilling over. The water's surface calmed once again, as if the wave had never been there.
A collective cheer erupted from the guardians.
"Well done!" Elowen praised, stepping forward with a broad smile. "You've mastered the flow of water with grace and control. Not many can achieve such balance."
Leo sighed in relief, his heart pounding with exhilaration. His control over the element had been shaky at first, but he'd found his rhythm, just as Lysandra had advised. He gave her a grateful glance, and she smiled back proudly.
"Two trials down, one to go," Auriel said, nodding approvingly. "You're proving yourself more than worthy, Leo."
Lysandra walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Rest for now. You've earned it. The final trial will test more than just your elemental abilities—it will test your mind."
Leo's mind buzzed with anticipation. The guardians gave him time to recover, offering him water and food to regain his strength. As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue across the kingdom, Leo couldn't help but wonder what the Trial of Earth would entail.