Sofia stood before the final challenge of the "Trial of the Saints," her body trembling, sweat dripping down her face. She had fought with every ounce of strength and willpower, drawing on her sacred mana. The trial, which tested her resolve and her spirit, had pushed her to the very edge of her capabilities.
She had been battered by the intense waves of divine energy that sought to tear her apart, but now, she stood in the heart of the trial, facing the final obstacle.
In front of her was an immense beam of golden light, its brilliance nearly blinding. It pulsed with the energy of a thousand suns, and within it, Sofia could see the faint outline of what she had to become—pure, unwavering, saintly. The voice of the trial echoed in her mind, commanding her to become one with the light.
"Only through complete surrender to your sacred power will you transcend."
Sofia’s heart pounded in her chest as the weight of the task overwhelmed her. She had barely passed the previous stages of the trial, often relying on sheer will rather than understanding. But this… this final step was different. It required her to give in completely to the saintly energy within her, to embody purity and sanctity in ways she hadn’t fully grasped before.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped forward into the light.
As the golden energy engulfed her, Sofia’s body was filled with an overwhelming surge of divine power. It burned through her like fire, threatening to consume her entirely. She could feel her consciousness slipping, her mind screaming to resist the unbearable pain. But then she remembered her journey, the faces of her companions, and the responsibility she had to grow stronger.
"No," she whispered to herself. "I won’t fail now."
She forced herself to let go of her fear, her doubt, and her hesitation. Slowly, the pain began to ebb. The light, once fierce and overbearing, started to flow through her like a river of pure energy. It filled her from within, cleansing her soul, purifying her thoughts, and elevating her beyond her mortal limits.
And then, something extraordinary happened. Her body began to change.
Her skin took on a radiant, almost ethereal glow, the light of divinity shining from within. Golden patterns formed along her arms and legs, intricate designs that seemed to move with her, as though alive with sacred power. Her long hair floated around her, weightless and shining like threads of sunlight. The aura around her grew brighter, taking on the shape of a halo that shimmered above her head.
Her once normal eyes now glowed with a divine light, clear and piercing, full of wisdom and power. She had transformed into the very embodiment of a saint—a figure of purity and strength.
The trial had been passed.
When Sofia opened her eyes again, she was no longer in the heart of the golden light. Instead, she found herself standing back in the ancient ruins where her trials had first begun. The room was still and quiet, save for the faint humming of ancient magic that permeated the air. The transformation still clung to her; her body, her mind, her very being had changed.
She felt weightless, powerful, and yet serene.
As her eyes adjusted to the familiar surroundings, she saw Guinevere and Eldric standing a few feet away, their gazes locked onto her. Guinevere’s flames were still glowing around her, blue and fierce, while Eldric’s body crackled with tribulation lightning. But what struck Sofia the most was the presence she hadn’t noticed at first.
A shadow, faint and nearly invisible, stirred in the corner of the room. It moved like mist, creeping silently along the walls. Sofia’s breath caught as the shadow suddenly coalesced into a figure—Ethan.
For a moment, none of them said anything. Guinevere and Eldric stared at her in awe, clearly noticing her new saintly appearance. The golden aura around her, the shimmering halo, and the divine patterns etched on her skin were impossible to ignore.
"You… passed," Guinevere said, her voice low and reverent. "You’ve changed, Sofia."
Eldric nodded, his lightning dimming slightly in respect. "You look like a saint."
Sofia blinked, still adjusting to the reality of her transformation. She felt different, as though a higher power had taken root inside her, but she was still Sofia—still herself. She gave a small, hesitant smile. "I… I barely made it."
Guinevere grinned, her flames flaring brighter. "But you made it. That’s all that matters."
Sofia looked toward the shadows where Ethan stood, still barely perceivable. At first, she hadn’t even realized he was there, but now that she saw him, she could sense his power. He was different too, but in a way that was almost unnerving. His form was nearly intangible, like a wraith moving through the air.
"Ethan…" Sofia said quietly, "I didn’t even see you."
This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.
"That’s because I didn’t want you to," Ethan replied, his voice cold and distant. "I’ve changed too."
Sofia frowned slightly but nodded. They had all gone through immense trials and emerged transformed. Each of them had become something more, something greater. But there was no time for celebration—Kaelen was still in his own trial, and they needed to be ready for whatever came next.
Aether, who had been waiting in silence, stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the group. "You have all grown. Your transformations are remarkable." He looked at each of them in turn, nodding in approval. "But Kaelen’s trial is not yet over. We must wait for him."
Sofia glanced at the entrance to the ruin, her new saintly aura pulsing softly around her. "I hope he’s doing all right."
Aether’s expression remained calm, but his eyes held a hint of worry. "He will be fine. His trial is meant to test him in ways none of you can imagine. But when he returns, he will be stronger than ever."
With that, they all stood in silence, waiting for their final companion to emerge.
But little did they know that the agents of the Dragonyx family, cloaked in shadows and obscured by the dense mist of the surrounding forest, moved swiftly and silently through the underbrush. Their dark cloaks blended seamlessly with the foliage, making them nearly invisible to any casual observer.
The leader of the group, a tall figure with an aura of cold authority, raised his hand to signal for a halt. His sharp, piercing eyes scanned the ancient ruin in the distance, calculating every step as they edged closer.
"We’ve confirmed it," the agent who had ambushed Aether earlier whispered, his voice low and respectful. "Kaelen’s companions are starting to emerge."
The leader narrowed his eyes, the faint glow of the ruin reflecting off the edges of his cloak. "Good. That means the trials are nearing completion." His tone was measured, dripping with menace. "But we will not make a move just yet."
They stood just outside the range of Aether’s perception, aware of the formidable power the young guardian held. The Dragonyx agents had no intention of engaging him yet. They knew all too well what Aether was capable of, having seen his skill firsthand. But their mission was clear—capture or eliminate Kaelen before he could fully realize his potential as the wielder of the Blade of Eternity.
"We must wait for Kaelen to appear," the leader continued, his voice icy. "He’s our primary target. The others, while powerful, are secondary. But keep in mind, the moment we strike, it must be decisive. No one escapes."
The agents nodded, their expressions grim beneath their hoods. They were all seasoned operatives, trained to execute their orders without hesitation. The weight of their mission pressed heavily on their minds. Failure wasn’t an option.
A slight breeze rustled the leaves above them as the agents shifted into position, spreading out in a wide perimeter around the ruin’s entrance. They moved with precision, staying just outside Aether’s perception field. They knew that any wrong move could trigger an alert, and Aether’s strength was not something they wished to test—yet.
The air around the ruin shimmered with ancient magic, a testament to the power of the trials within. The agents watched carefully, their senses heightened, waiting for the moment when Kaelen would emerge from the ruin. The tension in the air was palpable, and despite their training, some of them felt a small flicker of unease.
The boy they hunted was no ordinary target—he carried the Blade of Eternity, a weapon tied to the Order of the Eternal Blades, and his potential was unknown.
"Stay sharp," the leader muttered to his men, his eyes never leaving the entrance of the ruin. "When the time comes, we strike fast and without mercy."
From their vantage point, the agents could see the occasional flash of energy from the ruin, a sign that the trials inside were still ongoing. But they were patient. They had waited this long, and soon, their target would emerge.
The leader clenched his fist, feeling the weight of the family’s mission. The Dragonyx family had long sought to control the power of the Blade of Eternity, and Kaelen’s existence threatened that control. The time was drawing near for them to complete their task, and they would not fail.
Silence fell once again as they settled into their positions, the ruin standing ominous in the distance, glowing faintly with the magic of the ancient trials. They watched, and they waited, knowing that soon, the time to strike would come.