"HERE YOU GO, YOUNG ONE," the voice boomed, resonating through the cavern.
Roy spun around, trying to locate the source of the voice. Despite the fear tightening his chest, he called out, "Who are you? Show yourself! What do you want from me?" His voice shook, revealing the nervousness beneath his defiance.
Suddenly, the dim cavern was filled with a bright light, forcing Roy to squint and adjust his eyes. His vision blurred for a moment as he struggled to adapt to the sudden brightness. The cave, now visible in its mysterious splendor, had only one exit—a hole in the ceiling through which Roy had fallen. Yet, what was utterly unexpected was the sight that met his eyes within the cave. The ground was covered in lush grass, and at the center stood a magnificent tree, radiating an ethereal light. The tree was adorned with thousands of golden lights that blinked like stars on a clear night.
The voice chuckled softly, its tone a mix of amusement and authority. "I AM THE HEAVENLY MONARCH, DO YOU SEEK POWER, ROY?"
Roy's eyes widened in shock. "How... How do you know my name?" he stammered, bewildered by the sudden mention of his identity.
The Monarch let out a calm, almost condescending laugh. "I CAN READ THE MEMORIES OF SOMEONE LIKE YOU WITHOUT ANY STRUGGLE."
Roy felt his heart skip a beat, his shock deepening.
Monarch then continued, "WHY DO YOU SEEK POWER, YOUNG ONE?"
Roy swallowed, unsure about the voice but decided to answer. His voice trembled slightly as he replied, "I... I want to be strong enough to protect the people I care about. I don't want anyone else to suffer because I was too weak. I want to find my parents."
Monarch let out a thoughtful hum, and Roy could almost feel it appraising him. "A NOBLE REASON, BUT WORDS ARE EASY, ROY. ACTIONS ARE WHAT MATTER. I CAN GIVE YOU THE POWER YOU SEEK, ROY. BUT IT WILL NOT BE GIVEN FREELY. I SHALL TEST YOU, AND ONLY IF YOU PROVE YOURSELF SHALL YOU RECEIVE MY LEGACY."
Roy stood frozen, his face betraying a sense of shock. The mention of a 'legacy' had hit him hard. He had heard tales of legacies back in the Demonic Blood Sect—powerful artifacts or ancient knowledge left behind by mighty cultivators, meant to transform the lives of those who found them. But to hear it here, now, and to realize that he was standing in front of such an opportunity—it felt unreal, like a story from one of those whispered rumors come to life. It was one thing to hear about them in tales shared among the sect members, but to be standing here, facing such a trial himself, was beyond anything he could have imagined. The reality of it all left him momentarily speechless. He swallowed hard, pushing away the disbelief. "I will prove myself.""
"YOUR TEST IS SIMPLE," the heavenly monarch declared, its commanding tone filling the air. "EACH ITEM REPRESENTS A CHALLENGE." he paused, and before Roy, three items appeared in a beam of light: a sword, a scale, and a candle, each resting on a pedestal of stone. The items were arranged in a semi-circle, their symbolic meaning clear as Roy stepped closer to examine them. "THE SWORD IS THE PATH OF COURAGE, A TRIAL OF STRENGTH AGAINST A FORMIDABLE FOE. THE SCALE IS THE PATH OF JUSTICE, WHERE YOU MUST BALANCE WHAT IS RIGHT OVER WHAT IS EASY. AND THE CANDLE... THE CANDLE WILL TEST YOUR SPIRIT, REQUIRING PATIENCE AND ENDURANCE. CHOOSE, AND YOU WILL BE TESTED ACCORDINGLY."
Roy looked at each item carefully, then glanced back up at the unseen presence. "Why these three tests? What are you trying to teach me?"
The Monarch seemed almost pleased by the question. "EACH TEST IS DESIGNED TO REVEAL WHO YOU ARE. POWER IS NOT ONE-DIMENSIONAL. TO BE TRULY STRONG, ONE MUST HAVE COURAGE, A SENSE OF JUSTICE, AND THE SPIRIT TO ENDURE. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG CHOICE HERE."
Roy eyed each item carefully, his mind racing. The sword shimmered, its sharp edge glinting with power. The scale stood solemnly, promising a test of his moral compass. The candle, flickering in the breeze, seemed deceptively simple, yet Roy could sense it held a trial of a different kind—a trial of resolve.
He thought back to everything he had endured—the hardships of being enslaved by the Demonic Blood Sect, the constant struggle to stay alive, and Chris, his only friend. He needed strength, yes, but not normal strength, he wanted power unparalleled to others.. He needed to become someone who could protect others, who could make a difference, and perhaps one day take on those who had wronged him.
He hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. He wasn't strong enough to fight anyone—he knew that. He was malnourished, his body weakened from years of mistreatment. The idea of a trial of strength seemed impossible. And as for judging others, he wasn't anyone to pass judgment on others. He had made mistakes, had been powerless in many situations. His heart told him that the test of endurance would reveal the depths of his resolve and the only thing that is possible and suited him at the moment. Roy took a deep breath and stepped toward the candle.
Monarch, now with a hint of approval, spoke again. "VERY WELL, YOUNG ONE. YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE PATH OF ENDURANCE. BE PREPARED, FOR THIS WILL TEST YOUR WILL TO THE LIMIT."
The moment Roy touched the candle, the ground beneath him shifted. The lush green field disappeared, and he found himself in a narrow, darkened space. He was in a confined stone chamber, the air thick and heavy. The candle floated before him, its soft light barely enough to illuminate his surroundings.
"YOUR TASK IS TO KEEP THIS CANDLE BURNING UNTIL THE END," Monarch's voice echoed, fading slightly as if withdrawing. "THE FLAME IS DELICATE, AND THE WIND WILL TRY TO EXTINGUISH IT. YOUR ENDURANCE WILL BE TESTED NOT ONLY BY TIME, BUT BY YOUR WILLINGNESS TO STAY WITH THE FLAME. DO NOT LOSE HOPE."
Suddenly, a cold wind began to blow through the chamber, swirling around Roy and making the candle's flame flicker dangerously. Roy cupped his hands around the small flame, protecting it from the gusts. He knelt down, trying to use his body to shield it better. The wind increased, howling through the small chamber, and Roy could feel its chill biting into his skin.
Hours seemed to pass, the wind relentless, the cold seeping deep into his bones. Roy's muscles ached from staying in the same position, his legs numb from kneeling on the hard stone. The temptation to give up crept into his mind. It would be so easy to let the flame die out, to let go and rest. He had already endured so much—maybe it was enough.
But then he remembered Chris. He remembered the way his friend had smiled at him, even in his last moments, urging him to survive. He also remembered his parents—memories of their faces, though fading, still brought warmth to his heart. He had been taken away from them, and he had no idea where they were or if they were even alive. Roy clenched his jaw, tightening his grip around the fragile flame. He couldn't give up—not now, not ever. He needed to be stronger, not just for himself but for those who had sacrificed everything for him.
The Heavenly Monarch, observing Roy, could read every thought that passed through his mind. What the Monarch sought was not a mere display of strength, courage, justice or anything like that. He wanted to understand the true nature of the person before him—what force drove them. He could read the memories of someone through their soul but he could not read the thoughts of someone. He was ancient, so old that concepts of right and wrong had long blurred for him. What the Monarch despised was senseless evil—actions taken without reason or purpose. He wanted to know the driving force behind Roy's actions and how far he was willing to push himself. The path of cultivation was unforgiving; gaining strength was not the hardest part, but staying on that path, enduring its challenges, and continuing forward required deep motivation. Without a worthy driving force, no one could reach the heights the Monarch envisioned.
The wind grew fiercer, as if sensing Roy determination, trying to snuff out the tiny flame. Roy shifted, adjusting his body to block the gusts. He brought the candle closer to his chest, using his body as a shield. The heat from the flame burned his chest and fingers, but he ignored the pain, refusing to let go. His teeth chattered from the cold, and his vision blurred from exhaustion, but he held on. He would protect the light, no matter the cost.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the wind began to subside. The howling echoes faded, and the chill in the air lessened. Roy's body seemed to freeze, a bluish hue settling into his skin as the relentless cold had almost claimed him. He was on the verge of collapse, feeling as though he had nearly died. Yet, the flame steadied, burning brightly once more. Roy let out a shaky breath, his body trembling from fatigue, but his heart was filled with relief. He had done it—he had protected the light.
Monarch voice returned, softer this time, almost reverent. "YOU HAVE SHOWN GREAT ENDURANCE, YOUNG ONE. YOU HAVE PROVEN THAT YOU POSSESS THE WILL TO PROTECT WHAT IS PRECIOUS, EVEN WHEN ALL SEEMS LOST." The Heavenly Monarch seemed pleased, a hint of satisfaction in his tone, as if this was exactly what he had hoped to see.
The stone walls around him began to dissolve, and the cavern returned, the majestic tree once again standing before him. The test seemed simple at first glance, but considering that it was being taken by a nine-year-old boy, what Roy had accomplished was nothing short of remarkable, the monarch was deeply impressed.
In the center, a figure began to materialize, forming from the swirling iridescent light until a man appeared—a figure that seemed almost otherworldly, his form partially translucent, shifting like mist in the moonlight. He was cloaked in robes that shimmered like the night sky, adorned with intricate patterns of constellations that seemed to move across the fabric. His presence was ethereal, his eyes holding the depth of a thousand lifetimes. The Heavenly Monarch stood before Roy, his gaze both powerful and kind, exuding an aura of ancient wisdom.
"YOU HAVE PASSED THE TEST, ROY," the Monarch said, his gaze meeting Roy's. "POWER IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT PHYSICAL STRENGTH. SOMETIMES, IT IS THE STRENGTH OF ONE'S WILL THAT MATTERS MOST. YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED THIS TODAY.""
Roy, exhausted but resolute, nodded.
"WHAT HAPPENS NOW?" Roy asked, his voice barely a whisper.
The Heavenly Monarch smiled faintly. "NOW, I SHALL BESTOW UPON YOU THE KNOWLEDGE AND POWER YOU SEEK, FOR YOU HAVE EARNED IT WITH YOUR HEART AND SPIRIT."