As Guinevere, Sofia, Eldric, Ethan, and Aether stood together, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of anticipation. Kaelen was still within his trial, and the companions, having completed their own daunting challenges, could only wait. Ethan, who had revealed himself from the shadows earlier, now stood in plain view.
Aether’s calm expression was the only thing keeping them grounded, though all of them had a strange feeling stirring in the air.
Suddenly, the elemental mana around them began to shift. The air became charged, and the ground trembled slightly beneath their feet. Guinevere’s sharp senses picked up on it first. Her phoenix-like flames flickered, responding to the sudden disturbance. "Something’s wrong," she said, her voice tense as she looked around.
Sofia frowned, feeling the golden light within her pulse erratically. "I can feel it too. The elements… they’re restless."
Eldric, with his connection to the tribulation lightning, felt a surge of electricity sparking through the air. "This isn’t natural. What’s causing it?"
Even Aether, usually composed and serene, had a flicker of surprise cross his face. He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the flow of mana around them. "This energy... it’s not dangerous, but it’s powerful. And familiar."
Before they could fully grasp what was happening, a massive pillar of multicolored light shot into the sky from a distance, casting a brilliant glow that made everyone shield their eyes. The ground beneath them shook violently, and the elements in the air seemed to bend toward the source of the light, drawn to its overwhelming presence.
"Morris," Aether muttered under his breath, his eyes widening slightly. "He’s completed his trial."
Guinevere squinted at the pillar of light in awe. "That’s Morris? What kind of trial did he go through?"
As the light slowly began to dissipate, a figure emerged from within it, standing tall and regal. Morris Grey, the once calm and composed scion of the Grey family, was now transformed. His aura was almost otherworldly, and his body seemed to be encased in a shimmering barrier of elemental energy.
His eyes glowed with multicolored hues, reflecting the essence of all five elements—earth, fire, water, air, and lightning—perfectly balanced within him. His scepter, which had always been a symbol of his family’s prestige, now radiated with immense power, its core pulsing with elemental might.
Eldric whistled softly under his breath. "I’ve never seen anything like this before."
"Morris…?" Sofia whispered, almost not recognizing him in this form. The raw power emanating from him was staggering, and even with her own sacred light, she could feel the weight of his newfound strength.
Aether, however, seemed to understand. "He is no longer just Morris Grey. He is now the inheritor of the Elemental God. His trial was beyond anything the rest of you have faced."
Guinevere’s eyes widened in shock. "Inheritor of the Elemental God? What does that mean?"
Aether nodded, his gaze steady as he watched Morris step forward, still enveloped in the glow of elemental energy. "The elemental gods are beings who once controlled the primal forces of this world. Their power has been dormant for millennia, but it seems Morris has inherited their legacy. He now holds the ability to manipulate the elements in ways none of you can imagine."
Morris walked toward them, his every step radiating power. His usual calm demeanor was now infused with a quiet confidence, as if he had come to terms with the incredible responsibility placed upon him.
Ethan, still cloaked in shadowy mist, observed him with a curious gaze. "So, he’s one of us. But… different."
Morris smiled faintly at his companions, his voice steady but carrying a new depth. "It’s still me. But I’ve been changed. I can feel it—everything around me, the elements… they’re part of me now."
Sofia, unable to hide her awe, stepped forward. "You’re incredible, Morris."
Guinevere nodded in agreement, still trying to comprehend what had happened. "So you’re now an elemental god, in essence."
Morris shook his head modestly. "Not a god, but I’ve been given their power. I’m still learning to control it. But I believe this will help us in our journey, especially with whatever is coming."
Aether, watching carefully, nodded in approval. "Indeed, Morris has ascended. But this power comes with great responsibility. He must learn to balance the elements within him, or it could overwhelm him."
The companions exchanged glances, realizing the gravity of Morris’ transformation. His trial had been far more than any of them could have anticipated. As they stood together, waiting for Kaelen to emerge, there was a silent understanding that they were all growing stronger, preparing for something far greater than they had yet to face.
"What about Kaelen? He hasn’t come out yet?" While looking all around his surroundings in search for Kaelen, Morris calmly asked.
"Yes he hasn’t" Guinevere replied with a calm look also on her face. When Morris heard her, he suddenly smiled wryly as he thought.
’Well that makes sense, the main character of this story can’t possibly come out before me, an ordinary side character’
But none of them could ignore the tension in the air. Whatever awaited them beyond the trials was looming closer, and they would need every ounce of their newfound strength to face it.
While all these things were going on in the ruins, The Dragonyx agents lay in wait, hidden just beyond Aether’s perception, watching and listening as the pillar of multicolored light erupted from the ruins. They had been preparing for Kaelen’s emergence, but the arrival of this unexpected power had thrown their plans into disarray.
The leader of the agents, a tall figure with piercing eyes barely visible under his dark cloak, tensed as he watched the spectacle. "What is that?" he muttered, his gaze locked on the distant glow.
One of his subordinates, crouched beside him, stared at the scene in awe. "That light… it’s different. It doesn’t belong to the Dragonyx, but it’s no less dangerous. Could it be… another inheritor?"
The leader’s jaw tightened, frustration brewing within him. They had anticipated Kaelen’s companions would be formidable, but this power was far beyond their calculations. "An elemental inheritor…" the leader whispered, his mind racing. "This complicates things."
Another agent, clearly unnerved, glanced at the leader. "Should we still proceed? This Morris Grey… he’s been marked by something far greater. If he wields the power of the elements, even we might struggle."
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The leader clenched his fists, anger and tension building. "It doesn’t matter. Kaelen and the Dragonyx are our targets. But we can’t afford any mistakes. We wait until they are all together again. Once they regroup, we strike—hard and fast."
As they spoke, a heavy, oppressive energy began to settle in the air. The Dragonyx agents felt it immediately, their instincts sharpening. "Something’s wrong," the leader growled. "That feeling… it’s him. Aether has sensed us."
Back near the ruins, Aether’s normally calm expression suddenly shifted. His eyes narrowed as he turned sharply, sensing a subtle yet oppressive presence creeping into the air. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but unmistakable to someone of his caliber. The Dragonyx were near.
Aether’s grip on his blade tightened as he quickly glanced toward Guinevere, Sofia, Eldric, Ethan, and now Morris, who had just arrived from his trial. His voice was calm but urgent. "We are not alone. Prepare yourselves. Something’s coming."
Guinevere’s eyes flashed with a mix of confusion and readiness as her flames began to flicker more intensely. "What do you mean, Aether?"
Eldric’s hand instinctively went to his sword, feeling the tribulation lightning crackle at his fingertips. "Are we being hunted?"
Aether gave a short nod, his eyes scanning the horizon. "It’s the Dragonyx. They’re close, and they’re watching us. Whatever they’re planning, it’s about to happen soon. We need to be ready."
Morris, still adjusting to the immense elemental power coursing through him, took a deep breath. "They’ve been following us all this time?"
Aether glanced at Morris, his eyes serious. "It’s likely they’ve been watching since we entered the ruins. But your transformation—your presence—has made them more cautious. They know we’re strong, but they won’t hesitate to strike."
Sofia, ever the calm one despite the looming danger, summoned the golden light of her power, a soft glow emanating from her hands. "What’s the plan, then?"
Aether’s face hardened as he drew his sword, the air around him becoming charged with tension. "We face them head-on. But we wait for Kaelen. Once he returns, we fight together. Until then, we stay sharp. They won’t strike without the advantage."
Ethan, his form still partially obscured by shadows, grinned slightly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Good. Let them come. We’ve all been through hell in these trials. I’m ready."
As the group readied themselves, the oppressive energy in the air thickened. The Dragonyx agents, hidden in the shadows, were growing restless, waiting for their moment to strike. The tension between the two groups was palpable—each side preparing for the inevitable clash that was just moments away.