Sara awoke the next morning to the warm glow of Ignatius's volcanic domain. Her muscles ached from the previous night's training, but a sense of accomplishment filled her. For the first time in centuries, she felt like she was making progress, not just as the Chief God but as herself.
She stretched and looked around, noticing Ignatius standing near a pool of molten lava. He was focused, his amber eyes locked on the swirling flames as if they were whispering secrets only he could hear.
"Morning," she called, her voice still groggy.
Ignatius turned slightly, his expression softening. "You're up early. How are you feeling?"
"Like I wrestled a boulder," she replied with a laugh, rubbing her neck. "But better. Thanks for the training yesterday."
He nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Good. You'll need that strength for today's challenge."
Sara raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Challenge? What challenge?"
Ignatius gestured to a massive obsidian door at the far end of the cavern. It shimmered with heat, glowing faintly in the dim light. "Behind that door is a Trial of Flames. It's designed to test your control over divine energy under pressure. You'll face obstacles that push your abilities to their limits."
Sara blinked, her confidence wavering for a moment. "And you're just casually mentioning this now?"
Ignatius smirked. "Would you have slept if I told you last night?"
"Fair point," she muttered. "What's the catch?"
"The trial adapts to the participant's strengths and weaknesses," he explained. "It won't harm you, but it will challenge you in ways you may not expect. I'll guide you through it, but you'll need to rely on your instincts and what you've learned."
Sara squared her shoulders, determination flickering in her eyes. "All right. Let's do this."
Ignatius led her to the door, his expression growing serious. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and grounding. "Remember, Sara. Stay calm, trust yourself, and don't try to overpower the flames. Let them guide you."
She nodded, taking a deep breath as the door groaned open, revealing a corridor of swirling fire. The heat was intense, but it didn't burn—at least, not yet.
As Sara stepped inside, the door closed behind her, leaving her alone in the fiery expanse. The flames danced around her, forming shifting patterns that seemed to taunt her.
The first challenge appeared as a wall of fire blocking her path. Sara hesitated, remembering Ignatius's advice. She reached out, channeling her energy to part the flames. At first, they resisted, but as she focused, they obeyed, creating a narrow passage for her to step through.
"Not bad," she murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips.
The next obstacle was trickier. Columns of fire erupted from the ground, forcing her to dodge and weave. She faltered once, her sleeve singed, but she quickly adapted, her movements growing more fluid.
By the time she reached the trial's midpoint, sweat dripped down her face, and her energy wavered. She paused, placing her hands on her knees as she caught her breath.
"You're doing well," Ignatius's voice echoed faintly, though he was nowhere in sight. "But don't get complacent. The hardest part is yet to come."
Sara straightened, her determination renewed. "Bring it on," she muttered, stepping forward.
The final challenge was a maze of fire, its walls shifting and changing as she moved. The heat pressed against her, testing her resolve. She closed her eyes, focusing on the flame within her. Slowly, she began to navigate the maze, her movements guided by instinct rather than sight.
When she finally emerged, she was greeted by a blinding light. The fiery corridor faded, replaced by the familiar glow of Ignatius's domain. He stood waiting for her, his arms crossed, a faint smile on his face.
"Not bad for a first attempt," he said, his tone laced with approval.
Sara grinned, despite her exhaustion. "I'll take that as a compliment."
He nodded, his amber eyes warm. "You should. Most don't make it through on their first try."
She smirked, brushing soot from her sleeve. "Guess I'm not 'most,' huh?"
Ignatius chuckled softly, a rare sound that made her heart skip. "No, you're not."
As they walked back toward the main cavern, Sara felt a renewed sense of confidence. The trial had been grueling, but it had also shown her what she was capable of. And for the first time, she began to see herself not just as the Chief God, but as someone who could stand alongside Ignatius as an equal.