Kael awoke to the scent of herbs and the faint sound of murmurs outside the healer's hut. His body ached, and his side throbbed with a dull, constant pain. The weight of exhaustion clung to him like a heavy cloak, but his mind was sharper now, focused on what came next. He had survived the forest, but the true trials were far from over.
The first rays of sunlight filtered through the cracks in the hut's wooden walls, casting a warm glow across the room. Kael stretched, wincing as his side protested the motion. Despite the pain, he felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
He pushed himself up from the bed, careful not to jostle his wounds too much. The healer had done a good job patching him up, but he still needed rest. He knew the villagers would expect him to report back to the mission hall, and he couldn't afford to delay any longer. Not after everything he had been through.
Kael dressed quickly, slipping on his tattered tunic, the fabric sticking to his skin in places where sweat had dried. He grabbed his spear, its once-sharp tip now dulled from the many battles in the forest, and stepped outside. The air was cool and fresh, the sun casting long shadows as it rose higher into the sky.
The village was waking up in earnest. Farmers and traders were beginning their day, gathering their tools and setting up their stalls in the market square. Kael could hear the familiar chatter and the sounds of wood and metal being worked. It was peaceful, almost too peaceful for someone like him someone who had just returned from a life-and-death struggle in the woods.
He walked slowly, his legs still stiff from the exertion of the previous day's battle. The villagers who saw him gave him nods of acknowledgment, some offering polite smiles, but Kael noticed the unease in their gazes. He knew what they were thinking. His scars, both visible and hidden, were proof of the danger he had faced. They had heard the stories of the beasts in the forest, but they didn't truly understand the horrors that lurked there.
By the time Kael reached the mission hall, the morning sun had climbed higher in the sky, bathing the building in a soft, golden light. It was a simple structure, built from stone and wood, with a large, carved door that led into the mission's interior. Inside, the hall was a place of business and order, where villagers could take on quests or request help for a variety of tasks.
Kael pushed open the door and stepped inside, his footsteps echoing on the stone floor. Behind the wooden counter at the far end of the room sat Elira, the mission hall coordinator. She was a woman in her early forties, sharp-eyed and always calm, her demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos of the missions that often came through the hall.
Elira looked up from the papers she was sorting, her gaze flicking over Kael as if assessing his condition. Her eyes softened with concern when she noticed the blood-stained bandages on his side.
"Kael," she said, her voice warm but laced with curiosity, "you've returned. I trust the mission was successful?"
Kael gave a short nod, though his throat was dry. He couldn't bring himself to smile, not yet. The weight of the last few days hung heavily on him, and the adrenaline from the battle had worn off, leaving only the exhaustion behind. He stepped forward and placed the small bundle of Moonshade Blossoms on the counter.
"I completed it," he said, his voice hoarse. "I have the blossoms."
Elira took the bundle carefully, inspecting the flowers. Her expression was approving, but she didn't speak immediately. She seemed to be considering something.
"These are perfect," she said at last, her tone approving. "You did well, Kael. These will help the child in the village, as promised. The reward will be transferred to your account." She paused, studying him again, this time with more scrutiny. "But... you look worse for wear. What happened out there? You don't seem like you've just completed a simple herb-gathering mission."
Kael's eyes flicked away, and he bit his lip. He didn't feel like explaining the battle with the beasts, nor did he think he could. The power that had surged within him, the Abyss it was something he wasn't ready to share. Not yet. Instead, he kept his response short and impersonal.
"There were more dangers than I anticipated. But I survived. That's what matters."
Elira nodded, seeming to accept his answer, though her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary. "Very well. Rest is what you need now. But before you go, I have another task for you. Something far more dangerous."
Kael's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't sure if he had the strength for another mission, not after everything he'd been through. But the prospect of more rewards, of building his strength, was too tempting. He glanced up at Elira, his brow furrowed.
"What is it?" he asked.
"The Scared Realm Trial," she said, her voice low and serious. "It's an ancient rite. Only a select few ever take it. But it's necessary for those who wish to grow stronger, especially for those who will be fighting the beasts that lurk beyond the forest. If you want to continue to grow, Kael, this is the path you must take."
The Trial
Kael swallowed. He had heard of the Scared Realm Trial, but only in whispers. It was a rite of passage, a test for those who wanted to gain true strength. To enter the trial, one had to venture into a dangerous, otherworldly place where time and reality twisted in strange ways. Few came back, and those who did were forever changed.
"You'll need supplies," Elira continued, seeing the hesitation in Kael's eyes. "The trial is taxing, and it takes more than just skill to survive. You'll need to stock up on provisions potions, weapons, and armor. Whatever you think you'll need."
Kael didn't respond right away. He was still processing the idea of the trial. But one thing was clear: if he wanted to survive the dangers ahead, he would need to grow stronger. The Abyss was still calling to him, and he needed more power to resist its pull.
"I'll take it," he said at last, his voice steady. "Tell me what I need to do."
Elira smiled, her eyes gleaming with approval. "I'll prepare the necessary materials. Go to the merchant's shop in the market square and speak with Master Rook. He'll provide the supplies you need for the trial. And Kael... be careful. This is no ordinary mission. It will change you."
Kael nodded, his resolve hardening. "I understand."
With that, he turned and left the hall, his mind already racing with thoughts of the Scared Realm Trial. Whatever awaited him, he would face it head-on. The path to true power was never easy, but Kael had already come this far. He wasn't about to stop now.