Chapter 18: The Heir's Final Test
The room before Eric transformed into something he had never imagined. The large pillars around him shone with golden light, while the altar in the center of the room radiated a powerful aura. There, stood the majestic Sword of Everia, embedded in the stone, as if waiting for its true owner.
Eric took careful steps forward, his body still alert. However, before he reached the altar, the air around him vibrated, and a sound echoed through the room.
"Stop right there, heir of Everia. Before you touch this sword, you must prove yourself worthy."
From the shadows around the altar, figures emerged that surprised Eric. They were people he knew—his father, Duke Alaric; Leon; even Celeste, and Lady Seraphina. Their gazes were sharp and judging as if judging his every move.
Then, another figure emerged from the darkness. An old man in the Everia family's grand robes, his aura exuding unmatched authority. Eric immediately recognized him.
"The first patriarch...," Eric muttered.
The man stood tall in front of the altar, his sharp eyes staring at Eric. "Eric Valentinus Everia, many have tried to take this sword, but not all are worthy. You, the last heir, must face the final test to prove yourself."
Eric stood firm, even though he felt immense pressure from the figure's presence. He knew this was not just a test of strength, but also a test of heart and purpose.
"This trial will test your heart, your resolve, and your loyalty to the Everia family. Be prepared," the Patriarch said, before snapping his fingers.
Instantly, the room turned into a battlefield. Eric stood amidst the ruins, surrounded by illusionary soldiers that resembled the Everia family's past enemies. They had no faces, but their movements and attacks were real.
Eric drew his sword, moving deftly to counter their attacks. He realized that the soldiers were not only testing his strength but also his strategy and composure.
After defeating wave after wave of soldiers, Leon's illusory figure appeared before him, staring at him with a gaze filled with hatred.
"Eric, do you think you are worthy to lead this family?" the illusion said. "Do you even know what you must do to protect it?"
Eric sighed, lowering his sword slightly. "I know I'm not perfect, but I won't let this family fall. Even if I have to fight my flesh and blood."
With one decisive strike, Eric defeated Leon's illusion. The figure faded, and the altar shone again.
Eric stepped forward, his body tired, but his determination strong. When he reached for the hilt of the sword, he felt an incredible flow of energy flow into his body. The Everia family symbol lit up on the back of his hand, and the sword was now a part of him.
However, the sound of footsteps from behind made him turn around. There, stood the real Leon, with a sinister smile on his face.
"It seems you have succeeded, my brother," Leon said, stepping forward. "But you know, the sword is not leaving here with you."
Eric spun the sword in his hand, raising it steadily. "Then let's see who is worthy of carrying this sword."
Eric stood before Leon, his eyes sharp. The aura emanating from the Everia Sword merged with the energy within his body, giving him a new strength he had never felt before. Leon, with a confident smile, drew his gleaming longsword, a symbol of his status as the eldest son.
"Do you think you deserve to carry that sword, Eric?" Leon said, a mocking tone in his voice.
Eric didn't answer. Instead, he pointed the sword forward. Energy from the sword flowed, creating waves of light that made the air around it vibrate.
"If you want this sword, then come and take it," Eric replied coldly.
Leon moved first, his body flashing like lightning.
His sword swept towards Eric, but Eric deftly raised the Everia Sword, blocking the attack with ease. The sound of metal against metal echoed throughout the room, and sparks of energy burned the air around them.
Eric immediately countered, launching a series of rapid slashes. However, Leon, with his vast experience, was able to dodge each attack. Their fight became increasingly intense, and the floor of the room began to crack from the force of the attacks unleashed by both of them.
"That sword is not yours, Eric!" Leon shouted, swinging his sword with full force.
"And I won't let it fall into the wrong hands!" Eric replied, dodging and attacking with a vertical slash.
However, as the fight continued, Eric began to notice something. Although Leon looked strong, his movements were a little hesitant, like someone who was fighting not to win, but to prove something.
At one point, Eric saw an opening in Leon's defense. He could have easily cut Leon, but he held back. Instead, Eric kicked Leon's sword, causing it to slip from his brother's grasp and fall to the floor.
Leon was pushed back, panting. His face showed frustration but also surprise.
"Why didn't you finish me off?" Leon asked, his tone filled with confusion.
Eric lowered his sword. "Because I am not your enemy, Leon. I am not fighting to take something from you. I am fighting to protect our family—and that includes you."
Leon was silent, his eyes staring at Eric with a mixed expression. However, before he could answer, the room shook violently again. The light from the altar flashed brightly, and the voice of the first Patriarch was heard again.
"Eric Valentinus Everia, you have completed your final test. However, the responsibility of being an heir is not just strength, but also heart and sacrifice. Remember that."
The altar slowly sank into the floor, taking the Sword of Everia with Eric. He reappeared outside the ruins, under the starry night sky. The sword now glowed dimly in his hand, a symbol of acceptance and new strength.
Leon, who appeared a moment later, stood a few meters away from him. He said nothing, just stared at Eric with an unreadable gaze before turning and leaving.
Eric took a deep breath, sheathing his sword in the sheath on his back. Although his trial was over, he knew that his struggle had only just begun.
"This is just the beginning," Eric muttered.
After Leon disappeared into the rubble, Eric stood alone in the middle of the now silent grand hall.
The energy of the Everia Sword still enveloped his body, flowing with power that he could barely control fully.
The room around him slowly changed, the mossy stone walls now glowing with glowing patterns. A rumbling sound filled the room as the main altar split open, revealing a large circle of golden light in the center.
Eric frowned. "What is this?"
Suddenly, the golden light condensed, forming a tall and dignified shadow figure. His face was vague, but his aura was extremely oppressive, stronger than anyone Eric had ever faced.
"Eric Valentinus Everia," the voice echoed throughout the chamber, reverberating into Eric's soul. "You have proven yourself worthy, but this is the final test. The sword will only receive its true master after you face me."
The shadow raised a weapon similar to the Sword of Everia, but it shone brighter, and its sharp aura seemed to cut through the air.
Eric took a defensive stance, realizing that this test was not just about physical strength, but also about his determination as the heir to the Everia family.
"Very well," Eric said firmly. "I will show you that I am worthy of being the heir to this sword."
The shadow moved quickly, much faster than Eric could have anticipated. The first attack came with a diagonal slash that cut through the air, producing a sharp wave of energy. Eric jumped to the side, barely dodging it.
"This is crazy," he muttered, catching his breath.
Eric immediately launched a counterattack, swinging the Everia Sword at the shadow.
However, his sword was stopped in midair, as if held back by an invisible force. The shadow struck back, sending Eric flying several meters back.
"Your courage is admirable," said the shadow. "But courage alone is not enough."
Eric stood back up, his body beginning to emit energy from within him. The golden blue light coming from the sword began to merge with his aura, strengthening his every move.
"I won't give up," Eric said determinedly.
The fight continued. Attack after attack was launched. Every time Eric fell, he rose again, stronger than before. He began to understand the rhythm of the shadow's attacks, and slowly, he found a gap in its defense.
In the middle of the fight, the shadow suddenly stopped. He pointed his sword at the ground, creating a vortex of energy that enveloped the room.
"True strength is not just about winning in battle. An heir must be able to fight the darkness within himself."
From the vortex, another figure emerged—a figure that resembled Eric, but with hateful eyes and a sly smile.
Eric froze. The figure is himself, but in a darker form, representing the doubts, anger, and ambitions he once harbored.
"This..." Eric gripped his sword tighter.
The dark figure approached his voice a whisper that filled the room. "You know you want more, Eric. Power, recognition, honor. Give it all to me, and I will take you to the top of the world."
Eric shook his head. "I don't need that. My power is to protect, not to dominate."
The dark figure smiled sinisterly, swinging his sword at Eric. "Then prove it."
Eric raised the Everia Sword, the light and darkness energies around him colliding, creating sparks that filled the room. With one powerful strike, he ran towards the dark figure, determined to defeat the shadow of himself that was trying to destroy everything.
Eric and the dark figure fought fiercely. Every slash of the sword not only hit their bodies but also touched their souls. Every movement of the dark figure seemed to reflect Eric's weaknesses and doubts all this time.
"What makes you so sure you're different from me?" the figure taunted, lashing out with a circular slash that nearly missed Eric.
Eric fended off the attack with difficulty. "Because I'm not like you. I won't let ambition blind me to my goals."
The dark figure laughed sinisterly, and his voice echoed like a thousand shadows speaking at once. "Your goal? All of this is just an excuse to protect your ego. You know that, Eric."
But Eric was no longer deterred. With the power beginning to coalesce from the Everia Sword, he changed his strategy. He not only attacked but also understood the dark figure's attack patterns—a reflection of his fear.
In a decisive moment, the dark figure attacked directly with a powerful vertical slash. Eric fought back with a counterattack, but this time, he did not just use his sword. With burning determination, he coated his sword with his inner energy, creating an unstoppable attack.
"This ends now!" Eric shouted.
Their swords met, creating an explosion of energy that made the entire room tremble. Light and darkness collided, forming a wave of energy that swept across the surroundings.
When the explosion died down, Eric stood there gasping for breath, while his dark figure slowly faded, being absorbed back into his body.
The shadow of the guard who had appeared earlier stood before him again. The figure smiled faintly.
"You have proven yourself. The darkness within you is part of your strength, but you did not let it control you."
Eric just nodded, still holding his sword tightly. The Everia sword now emitted a steady light, as if accepting Eric as its true master.
However, before he could feel relieved, a loud rumble sounded from behind him. A purple portal opened at the end of the room, emitting a mysterious energy that made the air around it feel heavier.
Eric turned quickly, his eyes narrowed, preparing for the new threat. From within the portal, an unknown figure slowly stepped out. His form was shrouded in a pitch-black robe with ancient symbols faintly glowing, while a dark and oppressive aura radiated from his body.
Eric raised his sword, glaring at the figure. "Who are you?" he asked in a firm tone, ready to fight at any moment.
The figure didn't answer, only chuckled, the sound of his laughter echoing throughout the room. With slow but authoritative movements, the figure directed his gaze to the Sword of Everia that was still embedded in the altar. His eyes glinted strangely as if he wanted something that was in front of Eric.
Eric gripped his sword tighter, suppressing a growing sense of wariness. "If you came for this sword, you'll have to face me first," he said coldly, spiritual energy pulsing from his body.
The figure finally spoke, his voice deep and echoing, filled with a tone of certainty. "That sword... will only bow to the strongest. The question is, are you strong enough to defend it?"
A massive energy pressure slammed into Eric, causing him to take a step back. Eric's eyes flashed with determination as he regained his stance. The chapter ended with the image of the figure slowly raising its hand, preparing something that did not appear to be an ordinary attack.
End of Chapter