The Trial
The forest loomed before you like the maw of a beast, its dense foliage suffocating the pale light of the moon. Every step forward was met with resistance—the gnarled roots seemed to rise to trip you, the branches reaching as if to snare you. The whispers in your mind had quieted now, replaced by the sound of your breathing and the occasional snap of twigs underfoot.
Miranda’s words echoed in your mind: “The artifact you seek lies in the forest beyond the village.”
She hadn’t said what the artifact was, only that finding it would be your trial. The thought of her cryptic smile and the power behind her golden eyes sent a shiver down your spine. You were walking into the unknown, driven by the pull she had awakened within you, and by the unspoken promise that answers lay ahead.
It didn’t take long for the forest to reveal its hostility. The air grew colder with every step, a biting chill that clung to your skin. The trees around you seemed to twist unnaturally, their silhouettes resembling the spindly limbs of some great, watchful predator.
Then came the sounds.
At first, it was faint—a rustling in the underbrush, like leaves caught in a sudden breeze. But there was no breeze, and the rustling was too deliberate. It circled you, moving closer with every passing moment.
You stopped, your heart hammering in your chest. “Who’s there?” you called, your voice shaky but firm enough to echo through the trees.
Silence.
And then, from the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes emerged. They were low to the ground, predatory, and accompanied by a guttural snarl that sent a jolt of terror through you.
The creature stepped into the pale light filtering through the trees—a grotesque amalgamation of man and beast. Its twisted frame was covered in matted fur, its hands ending in sharp claws that glistened as if freshly stained. Its maw hung open, revealing jagged teeth that dripped with saliva.
Your instinct was to run, but your legs felt rooted to the spot. The creature growled again, its body lowering as it prepared to pounce.
It lunged.
Time seemed to slow as the beast closed the distance, its claws reaching for you. Panic surged through your veins, and you stumbled backward, barely avoiding its strike. The creature snarled in frustration, circling you like a predator sizing up its prey.
A voice—Miranda’s voice—whispered in your mind.
“The spark within you is the key.”
You had no idea what she meant, but in that moment, survival outweighed reason. You raised your hands instinctively as the creature charged again, and something erupted from deep within you—a surge of energy, raw and untamed.
The air around you shimmered, and a blast of force rippled outward, slamming into the beast and sending it sprawling into the underbrush. It howled in pain, scrambling to its feet, but its movements were sluggish now, as though it were fighting an invisible weight.
You stared at your hands, your chest heaving. The energy had come from you, that much was clear, but it felt foreign like it didn’t belong to you.
The creature snarled again, shaking off the effects of your attack. It lunged once more, but this time you were ready. The same force surged through you, and with a shout, you directed it toward the beast. The air crackled as a shimmering wave struck it, knocking it to the ground.
It didn’t get back up.
The forest fell silent once more, save for the sound of your ragged breathing. You stared at the fallen creature, your hands trembling from the lingering energy. Whatever this power was, it had saved your life. But it had also confirmed something Miranda had hinted at—you were not normal.
Pushing the thought aside, you pressed on. The pull grew stronger as you moved deeper into the forest, guiding you toward your destination.
After what felt like hours, you came upon a clearing. At its center stood an ancient stone pedestal, weathered by time and etched with the same four-winged symbol you’d seen on the chapel gates. Resting atop the pedestal was a small, blackened orb, its surface pulsing faintly with an inner light.
You approached cautiously, your heart pounding. The orb seemed to hum with energy, resonating with the same spark you had felt within yourself.
“This must be it,” you murmured, reaching out to take it.
The moment your fingers brushed the orb, a surge of energy shot through you. Visions flooded your mind—images of Miranda standing before a massive, pulsating mass of black tendrils; the faces of the Four Lords, each one twisted and powerful in their way; and finally, a glimpse of yourself, standing beside Miranda as the village burned around you.
You stumbled back, clutching the orb to your chest. The visions faded, but their impact lingered. This wasn’t just an artifact—it was a piece of something greater, something connected to Miranda’s grand design.
The moment you took the orb, the forest seemed to come alive. The ground trembled beneath your feet, and the air filled with an ear-piercing shriek that sounded almost human. From the shadows, more creatures emerged—dozens of them, their glowing eyes and sharp claws gleaming in the moonlight.
Panic surged through you, but so did the spark. You could feel it coursing through your veins, urging you to fight.
The first creature lunged, and you raised your hand, releasing a blast of energy that sent it flying. Another charged from the side, but you dodged, striking it down with a surge of power.
The battle was chaotic, your movements driven by instinct rather than skill. For every creature you struck down, two more seemed to take its place. The forest itself felt like it was closing in, the trees bending and twisting as if to trap you.
You were outnumbered, and your strength was fading. The spark within you burned brightly, but it was unstable, draining you with every attack.
As the creatures closed in, you clutched the orb tightly, the whispers returning to your mind. “You are more than you know,” they seemed to say. “Prove it.”
With a final surge of determination, you unleashed everything you had. The air around you crackled with energy as a wave of force erupted outward, knocking the creatures back and sending a shockwave through the forest.
When the light faded, the clearing was empty. The creatures were gone, and the forest was silent once more.
Exhausted but victorious, you made your way back to the village. The orb felt heavier in your hands now, its pulsing light dimmer but still present.
When you stepped into the chapel, Miranda was waiting for you. Her golden eyes swept over you, lingering on the orb in your hands.
“You succeeded,” she said, a note of approval in her voice.
Barely able to stand, you handed the orb to her. “What is this?” you asked, your voice hoarse.
She took the orb, cradling it with a reverence that made your chest tighten. “A fragment of the Megamycete’s power,” she said. “And a piece of what binds us together.”
Her gaze met yours, and for the first time, there was something almost… tender in her expression. “You have proven yourself worthy. The path ahead will not be easy, but you are ready to take the next step.”
You wanted to ask what that meant, but your exhaustion overtook you. Miranda caught you as you fell, her voice the last thing you heard before the darkness claimed you.
“Rest now,” she said softly. “The truth awaits.”