ALL NOVEL Chapter 20: Trial of the Forgotten
The ascent to the mountain shrine was nothing short of grueling. The jagged rocks underfoot and the biting wind challenged not just their bodies but their spirits. The higher they climbed, the heavier the atmosphere grew. Dark clouds swirled above, obscuring the peak and crackling with ominous energy.
Adam led the group, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. Aelina followed close behind, her twin blades gleaming faintly under the dim light. Kael stayed at the rear, his bow ready, scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. Nymara floated above them, her ethereal form illuminating the path in flickering intervals.
"Something is wrong," Nymara said, her voice tinged with unease. "The closer we get, the more the mountain resists us. The curse here is ancient, and it will not be undone easily."
Adam tightened his grip on his blade. "Then we fight through it. Whatever's waiting for us, we'll handle it."
As if in response, the wind howled louder, carrying with it faint whispers—not like those in the Forest of Echoes, but deeper, harsher. The voices seemed to claw at their minds, dragging up doubts and fears they had buried.
"You should've stayed behind, boy."
"They will fall because of you."
"This is not your fight. Turn back before it's too late."
Adam flinched but pushed forward, his Spirit Mark glowing faintly. "They're just words. Keep moving."
---
The Guardian of the Shrine
When they finally reached the plateau where the shrine stood, the air was thick with tension. The shrine itself was a grand structure carved into the mountainside, its pillars worn with age but still exuding an aura of majesty. At its center stood a colossal door, sealed with glowing runes.
Before the shrine, a figure waited.
The guardian was massive, easily twice the height of a man. Its armor, tarnished with time, glinted faintly under the stormy sky. In one hand, it held a massive halberd, its blade etched with glowing symbols. Its face was obscured by a cracked helmet, but its eyes burned with an intense blue light.
Kael let out a low whistle. "And here I thought the shadow beasts were bad."
The guardian's voice rumbled like thunder. "Who dares disturb the sanctity of this place? Turn back now, or face the trial of the forgotten."
Adam stepped forward, his blade ready. "We're not here to desecrate the shrine. We're here to cleanse it. If that means facing your trial, so be it."
The guardian paused, its glowing eyes narrowing. "To cleanse the shrine is to challenge the will of the mountain itself. Prove your worth, or perish under its judgment."
Without another word, the guardian raised its halberd and charged.
---
The Battle Begins
The first clash shook the ground. Adam barely managed to block the halberd's swing, the force sending him skidding back. Sparks flew as steel met energy, the impact reverberating through the air.
Kael took a position on a ledge, loosing arrows with precision. The projectiles struck the guardian's armor but did little more than scratch its surface. "This thing's a walking fortress! We need to find a weak spot!"
Aelina darted in, her twin blades flashing as she aimed for the gaps in the armor. Her strikes were swift and calculated, but the guardian's movements were deceptively fast. It countered with a sweeping strike, forcing her to retreat.
Adam focused his energy, summoning a torrent of water that surged toward the guardian. The attack struck its chest, forcing it back a step, but it quickly recovered.
Nymara's voice rang out. "The guardian's strength comes from the runes etched into its weapon and armor. Destroy them, and it will weaken."
"Easier said than done!" Kael shouted, narrowly dodging a piece of debris sent flying by the guardian's strike.
Adam nodded. "Aelina, cover me! I'll go for the runes on its weapon."
Aelina gave a sharp nod, charging forward to distract the guardian. Her movements were a blur as she danced around its attacks, forcing it to focus on her.
With the guardian momentarily distracted, Adam surged forward, his Spirit Mark glowing brighter. He leapt into the air, his blade slicing through the air like a comet. He struck the halberd, shattering one of the glowing runes etched into its surface.
The guardian roared, its movements faltering for a moment.
"Keep it up!" Nymara urged. "The more runes you destroy, the weaker it will become!"
Kael joined in, his arrows now targeting the runes on the guardian's armor. One by one, the runes dimmed under their relentless assault.
---
Unleashing the Spirit's Power
But the guardian was far from defeated. With a deafening roar, it slammed its halberd into the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the plateau. Adam and the others were thrown off balance, struggling to stay on their feet.
"This isn't working," Kael muttered, gritting his teeth. "It's still too strong."
Nymara floated closer to Adam, her light pulsing. "There is another way. Use my power—merge with me fully. But be warned, it will push your body and spirit to their limits."
Adam hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Do it."
A surge of energy enveloped him as Nymara's essence flowed into his Spirit Mark. His blade transformed, glowing with an intense blue light. His eyes burned with the same energy, and his movements became fluid yet precise.
The guardian charged again, but this time, Adam met its attack head-on. His strikes were faster, more powerful, and each one carved away at the remaining runes.
Aelina and Kael supported him, exploiting every opening he created. Finally, with a devastating slash, Adam shattered the last rune on the guardian's chest.
The guardian froze, its glowing eyes dimming. It slowly lowered its weapon, falling to one knee.
"You have proven your worth," it rumbled, its voice now softer. "The shrine is yours to cleanse. May your resolve carry you through the trials ahead."
With that, the guardian dissolved into light, leaving behind only its halberd, now free of corruption.
---
Cleansing the Mountain Shrine
Adam approached the shrine, placing his hand on the central altar. The Spirit Mark on his arm flared, and a brilliant light erupted from the shrine. The dark clouds above dissipated, revealing a clear sky.
Nymara's form reappeared, her energy restored. "You have done well, Adam. The shrine is cleansed, and with it, the mountain's curse is lifted. But the journey ahead will only grow more perilous."
Adam turned to his companions, his resolve unwavering. "One step at a time. We've come too far to stop now."
As they began their descent, a new determination burned within them. The road to the Demon King was clearer than ever, but the challenges ahead would test them in ways they had yet to imagine.
Unbeknownst to them, in the shadows of the mountain, a pair of glowing eyes watched their every move.
"Impressive," Kaelen murmured, a sly grin on his face. "But let's see how long you can keep this up, little hero."