The moment Kael regained his breath, he knew something was wrong.
The chamber was vast and shrouded in shadows, the walls twisting into unnatural patterns, as if the tower itself were alive. The air was thick with something unseen—an overwhelming presence pressing against his chest, heavier than the exhaustion clinging to his battered body. The temperature had dropped. His breath curled in wisps of mist as he exhaled.
Then he saw him.
Standing at the center of the chamber was a figure clad in tattered, dark robes. His towering frame exuded an aura of absolute authority. His face was hidden beneath a hood, but two piercing white eyes gleamed beneath it, like twin stars in an empty void. In his hand, he gripped an obsidian spear, its jagged edges reflecting eerie light.
Stormreaper stood beside Kael, his daggers still crackling with faint traces of lightning from their previous battle. He tilted his head, clearly intrigued by the presence of the stranger.
The robed figure finally spoke, his voice a deep rumble that echoed through the chamber like distant thunder.
"You should not be here."
Kael straightened, ignoring the pain lancing through his body. "I don't care what I should or shouldn't be. I'm not leaving."
The figure stepped forward, his movements slow but deliberate. "Then you will face judgment."
A sudden, crushing force filled the air. It was like an unseen weight had slammed into Kael's chest, forcing him down to one knee. Even Stormreaper flinched, his grin faltering for the first time.
Kael's instincts screamed at him—move, now!
The Warden lunged.
Faster than a shadow shifting in firelight, the robed figure closed the distance in a blink, obsidian spear slashing in a ruthless arc. Kael barely managed to raise his sword in time. A thunderous impact sent shockwaves through his arms, his feet skidding across the stone. The power behind the strike was monstrous.
The Warden didn't stop.
Another attack. A blur of darkness. The spear lashed out, carving through the air with deadly precision. Kael twisted, barely dodging as the weapon sliced past his face, leaving a cold burn in its wake.
He countered with a fire-infused strike, his blade igniting with crimson flames as he swung.
The Warden caught it with one hand.
Kael's eyes widened.
Then the Warden slammed his knee into Kael's stomach.
A burst of pain exploded through his ribs. His vision blurred as he was sent flying backward, his body smashing into the stone wall.
Stormreaper whistled. "Damn. That looked like it hurt."
Kael coughed, struggling to rise. His entire body screamed in agony. He had fought countless battles before, but this… this was something else.
The Warden hadn't even broken a sweat.
"Leave," the voice echoed once more. "You are not ready."
Kael's fingers tightened around his sword.
"I don't care." He spat blood onto the stone. "I'm not leaving."
The Warden tilted his head. For the briefest moment, something akin to amusement flickered in those eerie eyes.
Then he vanished.
Kael barely saw it—just a flicker of movement—before a crushing impact sent him hurtling across the room again. This time, he didn't hit the wall. The Warden caught him midair and slammed him into the ground.
The floor cracked beneath him.
Pain flooded his limbs. His breath came in ragged gasps. His vision swam.
But he refused to fall unconscious.
Somewhere in the haze of agony, he heard Stormreaper's voice.
"Y'know, I should probably help… but this is kind of entertaining."
Kael growled and forced himself up. He felt something warm trickling down his forehead—blood. His ribs were bruised. His sword arm was numb. But still, he rose.
The Warden studied him.
Then, as if deciding something, he lowered his spear.
"You are not weak," the Warden said. "But strength alone is not enough."
He gestured toward the far end of the chamber. The air shimmered, and a massive gate materialized—an ancient door covered in shifting symbols, glowing faintly.
"You must face your past," the Warden murmured. "Or you will never move forward."
Before Kael could react, something pulled him forward.
The gate swallowed him whole.
---
The Trial of the Mind
Kael opened his eyes to find himself back in the kingdom.
No… this wasn't real.
Yet everything around him felt real. The towering castle. The bustling streets. The banners fluttering in the wind.
Then he heard the voices.
"Traitor."
He turned.
A crowd had formed around him, their faces twisted in disgust, in hatred. Soldiers. Nobles. His own people.
His friends.
His family.
"You killed the Dragon King!" someone shouted.
"Murderer!"
"He deserves death!"
Kael took a step back, his heart pounding. "No—I didn't—"
They surged forward.
Hands grabbed him. Pulled at him. Claws.
His sword was gone. His flames wouldn't ignite. He was powerless.
Then he saw them.
Standing atop the castle steps—his father.
Alive.
The Dragon King stared down at him, his expression unreadable. But then, he turned his back on him.
Kael felt something inside him break.
The voices grew louder. The world closed in.
He was drowning in the weight of their judgment, the crushing guilt of their accusations.
Maybe they were right.
Maybe he really was—
"NO!"
A voice boomed through the illusion, shattering it like glass.
Kael gasped as the world shifted.
The darkness retreated.
The kingdom vanished.
And Kael was himself again.
His sword was back in his hand. His fire flickered to life. The suffocating grip of guilt and fear loosened.
Because he understood.
This was a test.
The tower wasn't just testing his strength. It was testing his resolve.
And he refused to break.
The gate before him creaked open.
He stepped forward.
---
The Warden's Approval
Kael emerged from the gate, his body trembling, but his eyes clear.
The Warden was waiting.
He studied Kael for a long moment before giving a slow nod.
"You are worthy," he said.
Kael exhaled.
Stormreaper clapped. "Hey, you survived! That's more than I expected."
The Warden turned to him. "Protect him."
Stormreaper blinked. "Huh?"
"As he grows stronger, you will guard him," the Warden commanded. "See that he does not fall before his time."
Stormreaper crossed his arms. "And what do I get out of this?"
The Warden smirked. "The chance to witness his ascent."
The rogue seemed to consider it for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. But if he dies, it's not my fault."
Kael barely had time to process what was happening before the Warden vanished.
His presence disappeared like a passing shadow, leaving behind only silence.
Kael exhaled, exhaustion catching up to him. His journey was far from over.
But for the first time since stepping into the tower, he felt like he had truly taken his first step forward.
And the trials were only just beginning.
---