Morning came quietly, the sun peeking through the curtains as Zora remained fast asleep. Lila, however, was wide awake and filled with energy. She rushed over to Zora's bed and shook him vigorously. "Papa, wake up! It's time! The trials are today! We can't be late!". Zora groaned, cracking one eye open to see Lila's excited face. Her confidence and excitement from the day before had returned in full force. Though he was still worried, he couldn't help but smile. "Alright, alright, I'm up," he muttered, stretching as he sat up.
As they prepared and headed out, Zora's thoughts were conflicted. Deep down, he hated to admit it, but part of him hoped she would fail the trials. The thought of her venturing into the dangerous world of adventuring made his heart heavy. But above all, he wanted Lila's happiness, even if it meant letting her walk a path he feared.
---
When they arrived at the guild, the usual lively atmosphere was subdued. Adventurers spoke in hushed tones, and there was a palpable tension in the air. "What's going on?" Zora asked the receptionist. The woman sighed. "There was an urgent mission last night. We sent out our top adventurers, but they haven't returned yet. Because of this, the trials have been delayed." Lila's initial disappointment quickly shifted to concern. "Do you think they'll be okay?" she asked, her voice soft. "We hope so," the woman replied. Lila turned to Zora. "I want to wait here until they come back. I hope they all return safely." Zora hesitated. "They might not return for a while, Lila. You don't need to wait here all day." But Lila's determination was unwavering. "I'll wait, Papa. It's the least I can do." Zora sighed and gave in. He left briefly to fetch food for her and then returned to wait with her.
---
Evening fell, and just as the guild was preparing to close for the day, the adventurers finally returned. Their mission had been a success, but their faces were grim. The usual cheers and celebrations were absent, replaced by a complete silence. "What happened?" someone asked, breaking the tension. One of the adventurers spoke, his voice heavy. "One of our comrades… didn't make it back. We don't know where he is. He went missing during the mission." The guild fell silent. Lila's face dropped as she processed the news. Zora saw his chance.
"Do you see now, Lila?" he said quietly. "Adventuring isn't always about glory and good stories. There's risk, loss, and heartache. I'm not telling you to quit, but… maybe reconsider. Is this really the life you want?" Lila didn't respond immediately. After a moment, she turned to Zora. "Can we stay in this town for a while? I… need to think about it."
Zora nodded. "Of course."
---
The days passed, but Lila was quiet and withdrawn, her usual energy gone. Zora couldn't stand seeing her like this. He tried everything to cheer her up—jokes, stories, her favorite foods—but nothing seemed to work. She smiled occasionally, but Zora knew it wasn't genuine.
One day, Zora went to the guild alone. He approached the receptionist and asked about the mission. "What do you want to know?" she asked, curious. "Just… curious," Zora said evasively. After some persistence, he learned the details: the mission location, its dangers, and the lost adventurer's last known whereabouts. That night, while Lila slept, Zora quietly left the lodge.
---
The location was an ancient ruin on the outskirts of town, filled with puzzles and traps. Navigating it was no easy task, but Zora's experience, served him well.
The First Puzzle: Balance the Energy
In the first chamber, floating orbs glowed faintly, each a different color: red, blue, green, and white. The air buzzed with energy, and an inscription carved into the floor read:
"Balance sustains, chaos consumes." Zora glanced at the orbs, his eyes scanning the room. "Simple enough," he muttered. Lifting his hand, he released a stream of soft, blue energy, stabilizing the movement of the orbs. Their light flared briefly as they aligned, pulsing in rhythm. Zora adjusted the flow with precise control, watching as the room filled with satisfaction. When the puzzle resolved, the pedestal in the center sank, revealing the way forward. Zora stepped through without any pause , his movements steady and efficient.
The Corridor of Traps
The hallway ahead was dark, but Zora's sharp vision caught the faint outlines of pressure plates on the floor and small holes in the walls. "Standard," he remarked quietly. As the traps activated, Zora moved swiftly, sidestepping spears that shot from the walls and hopping lightly over collapsing tiles. His pace remained steady, his face unreadable. When a massive blade swung down from above, he deflected it with a small burst of energy, shattering the mechanism. When the hallway was clear, Zora simply dusted off his hands and continued forward, offering no acknowledgment to the challenges behind him.
The Final Room: Guardian of the Ruins
The last chamber was vast and empty, the adventurer lying unconscious at the center, surrounded by glowing red sigils. A low growl echoed from the shadows as a massive stone guardian emerged, its molten eyes fixed on Zora. Zora stopped and sized up the creature. "A guardian. Of course." The guardian charged without warning, its molten fist slamming down where Zora stood. With a quick step to the side, Zora avoided the impact, releasing a sharp wave of energy that struck the guardian's shoulder, cracking its stone armor. The guardian roared and swung again. Zora ducked, countering with a focused strike to its chest. The guardian staggered but did not fall. Zora sighed lightly. "This would be easier if you weren't in the way." With a fluid motion, Zora summoned a larger surge of energy, forming it into a glowing blade. When the guardian lunged again, Zora stepped forward, striking its core with precision. The guardian froze, cracks spreading across its body before it crumbled into pieces. Zora walked past the remains without looking back.
He walked toward the missing adventurer. The man was injured but alive. Zora helped him escape the ruins, ensuring his safety without waking up the adventurer. Once outside, Zora found a quiet spot near the main road. He placed the adventurer under a tree, ensuring he would be visible to any passersby. In the distance, he spotted a merchant cart approaching. Zora turned and walked back toward the lodge without a second glance, muttering only, "That's done."
---
Morning came, and once again, Lila was the one waking Zora. "Papa, wake up! The adventurer returned! He's alive! Isn't that amazing?". Her voice was full of joy, and she was practically dancing around the room. Zora smiled, relieved to see her happy again. But then, her demeanor changed. She stopped mid-spin and looked at Zora seriously. Zora's heart sank. Did she see me sneak out last night? he wondered, panic creeping in.
But before he could say anything, Lila threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "Papa, I've been thinking," she said, her voice steady. "You're right, being an adventurer won't always give me good stories to tell. But that's exactly why I want to do it. For the good and the bad, because that's what being an adventurer is all about. It's what makes me happy." She pulled back and looked him in the eyes. "So… can I still become an adventurer?"
Zora stared at her, his mind racing. He wanted to protect her, to keep her safe from the dangers of the world. But he also knew he couldn't deny her dreams. Finally, he sighed and nodded. "If this is what you truly want, Lila, then I won't stop you." Lila's face lit up, and she hugged him again. "Thank you, Papa! I promise I'll make you proud!"
Now Lila is again filled with excitement as she prepares for her trials, her dream of becoming an adventurer closer than ever. Zora, despite his lingering worries, can't help but smile as he watches her.