The trio pressed on through the jagged canyon, the wind whistling sharply in their ears. The rocky terrain began to shift subtly, the air growing heavier with every step. Richard couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
"This place is too quiet," Elara muttered, her voice barely audible over the wind. Her hands flickered with faint magical light, ready for anything.
Kaela stopped suddenly, raising a hand. "Hold up."
Richard moved up beside her. "What is it?"
She pointed ahead to where the canyon narrowed into a steep, winding path. At the entrance to the path stood a massive stone statue, easily three times their height. It was shaped like a humanoid warrior, with a shield in one hand and a sword in the other.
"That's no ordinary statue," Kaela said, her tone cautious.
Richard squinted at it, then noticed faint glowing lines etched into the stone. They pulsed rhythmically, as though the statue were alive.
"Another trial," he guessed.
"Looks like it," Kaela said. She drew her sword.
Before they could take another step, the statue's eyes lit up with a brilliant blue glow. The ground trembled as it came to life, stepping forward with a deafening crash.
"WHO DARES TO ENTER MY DOMAIN?" the statue boomed, its voice echoing through the canyon.
Richard raised his dagger defensively. "We mean no harm. We're just trying to pass through."
The statue's head tilted slightly, as if considering his words. Then it straightened, its glowing eyes narrowing.
"TO PROVE YOUR WORTH, YOU MUST DEFEAT ME IN COMBAT. ONLY THE STRONG MAY ASCEND."
Kaela smirked. "Finally, a trial that makes sense. Let's take it down."
Elara wasn't as enthusiastic. "That thing's made of stone. Do you have any idea how hard it's going to be to damage it?"
The statue didn't wait for them to prepare. It raised its massive sword and swung down, the blade crashing into the ground with enough force to send shockwaves through the canyon. The trio scattered, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"Spread out!" Richard shouted, darting to the left.
Kaela charged forward, her sword gleaming in the dim light. She aimed for the statue's legs, slashing at the glowing lines etched into the stone. Sparks flew, but her blade barely left a mark.
"It's too tough!" she growled, dodging another swing of the statue's sword.
Elara unleashed a torrent of fire, aiming for the statue's head. The flames washed over it, but when the fire cleared, the stone was unscathed.
"This isn't working!" she shouted.
Richard's mind raced as he dodged the statue's attacks. His eyes locked onto the glowing lines on its body. "The lines! They're its weak points!"
"Easier said than done!" Kaela snapped, leaping back as the statue's shield nearly crushed her.
Richard activated Mimicry, copying a burst of agility from one of the adventurers he'd encountered earlier. His movements became faster, more fluid, as he dashed toward the statue.
"Cover me!" he shouted.
Elara nodded, her hands glowing with a spell. She summoned a burst of blinding light, momentarily stunning the statue.
Richard seized the opportunity, scaling its leg with his enhanced speed. He drove his dagger into one of the glowing lines, and the statue let out a deafening roar. The light in its eyes flickered.
"It's working!" Kaela shouted.
The statue swung wildly, trying to shake Richard off. He held on tightly, stabbing at another glowing line. The light in the statue's body began to dim, and its movements slowed.
Kaela took advantage of the opening, slashing at the weakened lines on its legs. Cracks spread through the stone as she struck, and the statue stumbled.
Elara unleashed another spell, a concentrated beam of fire aimed directly at the statue's chest. The glowing lines there shattered under the heat, and the statue let out one final roar before collapsing into a pile of rubble.
The trio stood panting amidst the debris, the canyon now eerily quiet.
"That was... intense," Elara said, wiping sweat from her brow.
Kaela sheathed her sword. "At least it wasn't another mind game."
Richard approached the pile of rubble, noticing a faint glow emanating from the center. He reached in and pulled out a small crystal, similar to the one they'd found in the Trial of Deception.
"Another one," he said, holding it up.
The glow from the crystal spread, and the path ahead began to shift. The canyon walls parted, revealing a stairway leading upward.
"This tower really doesn't want us getting to the top," Kaela muttered.
Richard smiled faintly. "We'll make it. One floor at a time."
With the crystal in hand, they ascended the stairs, ready to face whatever the next floor had in store.