Chapter 4: The Trial of Shadows
Kaelina moved through the glowing forest with an uncanny grace, her cloak flowing behind her like smoke in the wind. Leon followed closely, his gaze darting nervously between the strange flora and fauna that surrounded them. The air buzzed with an energy that made his skin tingle, as if the forest itself were alive and watching him.
"You'll need to focus if you want to stay alive," Kaelina said without turning around.
"I'm focused," Leon replied, though the unease in his voice betrayed him.
Kaelina glanced back, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You're nervous. That's good. Fear keeps you alert. But too much fear will get you killed."
Leon scowled but said nothing. He didn't want to admit that she was right.
After what felt like hours, they emerged into a clearing. At the center stood a massive stone monolith, etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly in the dim light. Surrounding it were towering statues of figures in various poses—some heroic, others monstrous.
"What is this place?" Leon asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kaelina stopped and turned to face him. "This is your first trial."
Leon blinked. "Trial? What trial?"
She gestured to the monolith. "The Trial of Shadows. It's a test designed to awaken the dormant power within you—or kill you, if you fail."
Leon's heart sank. "You're joking, right? I just got here, and now you're throwing me into some life-or-death test?"
Kaelina crossed her arms, her expression unyielding. "This world doesn't wait for anyone, Leon. You want answers? You want to survive? Then step forward and prove you're worthy."
Leon hesitated, staring at the glowing monolith. Every instinct in his body screamed at him to turn and run, but something about Kaelina's words—and the strange pull he felt toward the monolith—compelled him to stay.
"What happens if I don't do this?" he asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
Kaelina shrugged. "Then you'll stay weak, and when the Corruptor's forces find you, they'll tear you apart. Your choice."
Leon clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. He hated being pushed into a corner, but deep down, he knew she was right.
"Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "What do I have to do?"
Kaelina's smirk returned. "Step into the circle, and the trial will begin. The rest is up to you."
Leon took a deep breath and stepped forward, his legs feeling like lead. As soon as he crossed into the circle, the runes on the monolith flared to life, casting the clearing in an eerie light.
The air grew cold, and a low hum resonated through the ground. Shadows began to swirl around the monolith, coalescing into a humanoid shape.
Leon's breath caught as the figure solidified. It was him—or rather, a twisted, shadowy version of him. Its glowing eyes stared back at him, filled with malice and hunger.
"What the hell is that?" Leon asked, his voice shaking.
Kaelina's voice was calm, almost amused. "Your shadow. Your fears, doubts, and weaknesses given form. Defeat it, and you'll unlock a fragment of your true power. Fail, and… well, you won't have to worry about that."
The shadow lunged at Leon without warning, its movements quick and fluid. He barely had time to dodge, stumbling backward as it slashed at him with clawed hands.
Panic surged through him as he realized he had no weapon, no training, no plan. The shadow pressed its advantage, forcing him to retreat further into the circle.
"Fight back, Leon!" Kaelina shouted. "Use your instincts!"
Leon gritted his teeth, adrenaline surging through his veins. As the shadow lunged again, he sidestepped and threw a punch, his fist connecting with its chest. To his surprise, the shadow staggered, its form flickering like a disrupted hologram.
The connection sent a jolt of energy through Leon, and for a brief moment, he felt something awaken within him. A spark of power, raw and untamed.
The shadow snarled and lunged again, but this time, Leon was ready. He dodged its attack and focused on the energy he had felt earlier, willing it to surface.
A faint glow surrounded his hands, and as the shadow charged again, he struck out with everything he had. The impact sent the shadow flying backward, its form disintegrating into a cloud of smoke.
Leon dropped to his knees, gasping for air. The glowing runes on the monolith faded, and the clearing grew quiet once more.
Kaelina approached him, her expression unreadable. "Not bad for a first attempt."
Leon looked up at her, his body trembling. "What… was that?"
She offered him a hand, pulling him to his feet. "That was just the beginning. The shadows you face from here on out will be far more dangerous."
Leon swallowed hard, his mind racing. If this was only the beginning, he wasn't sure he wanted to know what came next.
But deep down, he felt a flicker of something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Hope.