Kael adjusted the straps on his pack as the morning sun bathed the village in warm, golden light. The Scared Realm Trials were fast approaching, and the air was thick with tension. Every initiate who planned to participate was preparing in their own way some sharpening weapons, others meditating to refine their inner strength. For Kael, however, the preparation was more about survival than ambition.
The village elder had summoned all the initiates to the training grounds, a clearing just outside the village surrounded by ancient oaks. As Kael arrived, he spotted Mareth leaning casually against a tree, his signature smirk firmly in place.
"Thought you'd skip the session," Mareth said as Kael approached.
"I need every advantage I can get," Kael replied.
Mareth chuckled. "Smart. The trials don't care about pride they'll break you either way."
The training grounds were alive with activity. A group of initiates sparred with wooden weapons under the watchful eye of an instructor, while others practiced using their affinities. Sparks of fire, gusts of wind, and shimmering barriers of light danced in the air, a dazzling display of raw power and potential.
Kael tightened his grip on his spear. His Abyssal Affinity was a double-edged sword, and he'd learned the hard way that relying on it too much could be dangerous. The dark energy that pulsed within him was potent, but it had a will of its own, constantly urging him to unleash more than he could control.
The elder, a wiry man with a stern expression and a weathered staff, stepped forward. His voice carried across the clearing with ease.
"Listen well, initiates. The Scared Realm Trials are not for the weak or the unprepared. Those who enter must be ready to face not only beasts and the system's challenges but also their own limitations. These trials will strip away your arrogance, your fear, and your illusions of safety. Only those who overcome themselves will rise."
A ripple of unease passed through the group. The elder's words were not meant to comfort; they were a warning.
"Today's lesson," the elder continued, "is about adaptability. The trials will not cater to your strengths. You must be prepared for the unexpected."
He gestured to a series of makeshift obstacles that had been set up around the clearing walls to climb, pits to cross, and targets that moved unpredictably. At the far end, a cage held a low-tier beast, its growls echoing faintly.
"You'll work in pairs," the elder said. "Choose wisely. Your partner could mean the difference between success and failure."
Kael immediately turned to Mareth, who raised an eyebrow.
"Me? Are you sure?" Mareth asked.
"You're the best fighter here," Kael said. "And I can hold my own."
Mareth shrugged. "Fair enough. Let's see what you've got."
The pairs were set, and the training began. Kael and Mareth were among the last to go, giving them time to watch the others. Some teams worked seamlessly, coordinating their movements to overcome the obstacles. Others fell apart, their lack of trust and communication leading to failure.
When their turn came, Kael felt the weight of expectation settle on his shoulders. Mareth, for all his cocky demeanor, was a skilled fighter, and Kael didn't want to let him down.
The first obstacle was a series of narrow beams suspended over a shallow pit of mud. Kael went first, his movements cautious but steady. Behind him, Mareth moved with practiced ease, his balance impeccable.
"Not bad," Mareth said as they reached the other side.
The next challenge was a climbing wall studded with handholds. Kael started up, but halfway up, one of the holds crumbled beneath his grip. He slipped, his heart lurching, but Mareth caught his arm and hauled him up.
"Focus, Kael," Mareth said. "The trials won't be this forgiving."
Kael nodded, a flush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. He couldn't afford mistakes.
The final test was the beast. It was a Tier 1 Common-ranked creature, a wolf-like beast with sleek fur and glowing eyes. Though it was considered weak by most standards, it was still dangerous to an unarmed or inexperienced opponent.
"Your turn," Mareth said, stepping back.
Kael stepped forward, gripping his spear tightly. The beast lunged at him, its jaws snapping. Kael sidestepped, thrusting his spear toward its side. The beast twisted midair, avoiding the blow, and came at him again.
Kael summoned a flicker of his Abyssal energy, letting it flow into his limbs. His movements became sharper, faster, as he dodged the beast's attacks. He managed to land a solid hit on its flank, driving it back.
But the Abyssal energy surged, and for a moment, Kael felt its dark tendrils reaching for more. He gritted his teeth and forced it back down, focusing on the fight. The distraction cost him—a claw raked his arm, drawing blood.
"Kael!" Mareth called.
"I've got this," Kael said, adjusting his grip.
The beast lunged again, and this time, Kael was ready. He feinted to the left, then drove his spear into its side as it leapt past him. The beast yelped and fell, its body going still.
Kael lowered his spear, breathing heavily.
"Not bad," Mareth said, clapping him on the back. "You might survive the trials after all."
The elder nodded approvingly as Kael and Mareth returned to the group.
"You've proven you can adapt," the elder said. "But the trials will be far more challenging than anything you've faced here. Prepare yourselves."
That night, Kael sat alone by the village well, staring at the stars. His arm throbbed where the beast had scratched him, a reminder of how close he had come to failing.
The Abyssal energy within him stirred, a dark, whispering presence that he couldn't fully suppress. It was a part of him now, whether he wanted it or not.
Mareth joined him, sitting on the edge of the well.
"You're too hard on yourself," Mareth said. "You fought well today."
Kael looked at his hands, calloused and bruised. The trials loomed ahead, a test of everything he had learned and everything he feared.
"I just hope it's enough," Kael said.
Mareth smirked. "It will be. And if it's not, we'll figure it out. That's what we do."
Kael managed a small smile. For the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of hope. The trials were coming, and he wasn't alone.