While Shubhu and Satya were on their way to the Drawrna Mountains for their exploration quest, Shubhu's three companions—Ansh, Kavi, and Tara—had already reached the sacred Swargna City, the city of the gods, to begin their God Trials.
The atmosphere in Swargna City was ethereal. The shimmering golden gates of the Divine Temple stood tall, radiating a holy aura. The three of them approached the temple with anticipation and a hint of nervousness. As they stepped closer to the entrance, they were greeted by priests dressed in flowing white robes. The priests carried small silver bowls filled with holy water and gently sprinkled it over the adventurers, purifying them for what lay ahead.
The temple itself, from the outside, appeared deceptively small, almost modest in comparison to the grandeur of Swargna City. But as they crossed the threshold, they realized the temple's true nature. Inside, the space seemed infinite—stretching endlessly in all directions as though they had entered another world entirely.
One of the priests explained, "This temple is connected to a different dimension, far removed from the one you know. Once you pass through these doors," the priest gestured towards three glowing doors at the far end of the hall, "you will be transported to your God's Trial. Each of you has been chosen by a god, and you must prove yourselves worthy of their powers. The trial will not be easy. You will face challenges that test your abilities, your willpower, and your resolve."
The priest's voice grew solemn as he added, "Remember, the gods are watching. If you fail to meet their expectations, the powers you've been granted could be stripped away."
Ansh, Kavi, and Tara exchanged glances. This was the moment they had trained for. Each of them knew that passing these trials was the only way to ascend beyond the low-tier gods' powers they currently held and gain the strength of a mid-tier god. With determination in their eyes, they nodded to one another.
Without hesitation, Ansh was the first to step forward and place his hand on the door. The surface of the door shimmered, and in an instant, he was transported. Kavi and Tara followed, each entering their respective trials.
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Ansh's Trial: The Water World
When Ansh opened his eyes, he found himself standing on what seemed like an endless expanse of water. The horizon stretched infinitely in every direction, and beneath his feet was a vast pond, its surface eerily calm. In fact, the entire world around him was made of water—ponds of various sizes, rivers weaving between them, all shimmering under a golden sky.
As Ansh stood there, taking in the surreal sight, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the air. "You have been chosen by the Pond God. To pass this trial, you must gather the waters of all ponds in this realm into one. Only by demonstrating your mastery over water can you ascend."
Ansh frowned, looking around at the vast stretches of ponds surrounding him. "But... where are all the ponds?" he muttered. It was then that he realized the surface he was standing on was not solid ground at all—it was water. The entire realm beneath him was a pond. As he stepped cautiously forward, the water rippled beneath his feet, and in the distance, he spotted more ponds, stretching out like a mosaic.
Determined, Ansh dove into the water. His body cut through the surface like a blade, and as he swam deeper, he felt the presence of a powerful current pulling him toward the heart of the water world. But it wasn't enough to simply swim. He needed to control this water, to command it, and draw it together in one great force.
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Kavi's Trial: The Metal World
Meanwhile, Kavi found himself in a world made entirely of metal. The sky above was a swirling storm of metallic clouds, and the ground beneath his feet was made of iron, bronze, and steel. Spires of sharp metal jutted out from the landscape like mountains, and the air itself hummed with a metallic resonance.
The voice of his god, the Metal God, spoke. "In this trial, you must shape the metal around you. Bend it to your will and create a path forward. Only those with true control over the elements of metal can ascend."
Kavi glanced around, noticing that his once-sharp abilities to manipulate metal were severely weakened. He stretched out his hand toward a nearby iron spire, attempting to shape it, but the spire barely moved, bending just slightly before stopping.
"So, they've taken away most of my power," Kavi muttered under his breath. This trial wouldn't be easy. He would have to rely on his wits and what little power remained to pass.
Determined, Kavi began walking through the landscape of jagged metal, his eyes scanning for any clues on how to complete his trial. In the distance, he saw an immense iron gate, partially buried beneath the ground. He knew instinctively that this gate was his way forward, but it was too large and too deeply embedded to lift with the limited power he had.
Kavi closed his eyes, focusing. He remembered the teachings of his god: metal wasn't just about brute strength; it was about precision. If he could find the weak points, the hinges and joints in the gate, he could break it apart with the strength he had left.
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Tara's Trial: The Volcanic World
Tara's trial, on the other hand, was in a world of fire and brimstone. Volcanoes dotted the landscape, spewing molten lava into the sky. The air was hot and thick with ash, making it difficult to breathe. The ground beneath her was constantly shifting, cracking as rivers of lava flowed beneath it.
The fire Goddess, whom Tara served, spoke to her. "Your trial is to contain the power of this volcanic realm. The fires here will consume you if you are not strong enough. Prove that you can withstand the heat, that you can control the flames."
Tara felt her powers diminish the moment she arrived. Her usual command over fire was reduced to a mere flicker of what it had been before. She raised her hand, trying to summon a flame, but it sputtered weakly before going out. The realization hit her hard—this trial would push her to her limits.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, her eyes scanning the fiery landscape for any signs of where to begin. In the distance, she saw a massive volcano, its peak glowing with molten lava. A path of stone bridges stretched toward it, but the bridges were unstable, cracking and melting from the heat. Tara knew that she needed to cross them to reach the heart of the trial, but one misstep could mean falling into the fiery abyss below.
With her heart pounding, Tara stepped onto the first bridge. It trembled beneath her weight, but she steadied herself, summoning what little control over the flames she still had to reinforce the stone. Slowly, carefully, she began to make her way toward the volcano, knowing that the real challenge lay ahead.
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The Trials Begin
In their respective worlds, Ansh, Kavi, and Tara were now fully immersed in their trials, each facing their own unique challenges. Their powers were weakened, their paths uncertain, but the voice of the gods was clear: to ascend, they would have to prove themselves worthy.
Each step they took, each decision they made would determine their fate. Success would mean ascending to the next level of godhood, gaining the strength of a mid-tier god. Failure, however, would strip them of the divine powers they had worked so hard to gain.
As they embarked on their trials, Shubhu and Satya, far away in the Drawrna Mountains, were beginning an adventure of their own. Little did Shubhu know, the fate of his friends in the God Trials would soon intertwine with his own in ways none of them could have foreseen.