I ran straight into the storm of fire.
Heat blasted against my skin, my robe nearly catching flame as I raised the sword in my hand.
The girl stood at the center of the chaos, her eyes watching me with amusement.
Her power surged through the air, making it heavy, thick, and suffocating.
"Foolish," She murmured. "You will burn."
But I ignored her.
I had already decided—I wouldn’t run. I wouldn’t hesitate. I would see this through, no matter what.
The masked figure moved beside me, his own blade glowing with crimson energy.
We charged together, cutting through the swirling flames.
The girl raised her hand again and I realised that maybe the motion of raising her hands in the air had something to do woth her powers. A column of fire erupted between us, forcing us apart. I skidded to a stop, coughing as smoke filled my lungs.
"You still don’t understand, do you?" The girl’s voice echoed through the battlefield. She stepped towards me, their form flickering like a mirage. "This is not a fight you can win."
I tightened my grip on my sword.
"Then why give me the chance to fight at all?"
"Because it is not victory that matters."
Her words sent a chill down my spine.
I already knew this wasn’t just about strength. It was about proving myself. About proving I could face the consequences of my own actions.
But there was something else.
Something I hadn’t realized yet.
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The girl vanished again.
I barely had time to react before she appeared in front of me.
Her hand pressed against my chest.
And then—
Fire.
A hot, unbearable pain shot through my body. It felt like my very soul was being set ablaze.
I gasped, falling to my knees as flames wrapped around my figure.
"Feel it." Their voice was soft now. "The weight of your choice."
The trial wasn’t just about taking responsibility.
It was about understanding.
Understanding the pain of those who suffered because of their choices.
Understanding the burden of power.
Understanding why Suryi had once fallen.
I gritted my teeth, my vision blurring from the heat. The flames dug into my skin, but I refused to scream.
I wouldn’t break.
I couldn’t break.
For the first time in the last 8 years, the urge to live rekindled in me.
I WANTED TO LIVE—
Somewhere in the distance, I heard the masked figure moving. He was trying to reach me.
But I knew.
This was something I had to endure alone.
I forced my head up, locking eyes with the girl.
My whole body felt like it was being torn apart, but I still clenched my fists.
"You want me to suffer?" My voice came out hoarse. "Then I’ll suffer."
The girl’s expression flickered—just for a moment.
That was the answer, wasn’t it?
Not fighting. Not running.
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Enduring.
Accepting.
The flames burned brighter, wrapping around me in a swirling inferno.
My mind screamed at me to give up, to lose my will and surrender.
ARGHHH
I found myself screaming out loud.. no, I did not wish to die.
Staring deep into the girl’s soul a teardrop escaped my eyes.
No.
It was not because I was scared of death.
Neither was it because of the pain in my body.
No.
I wanted to live.
And it was because of this that I refused to give up.
And so,
I let it happen.
I let the fire consume me.
Pain turned into something else.
Heat became a familiar warmth.
The agony dulled into a deep, pulsing ache.
And then—
The fire disappeared.
I gasped, falling forward on my four limbs.
My whole body was trembling, and my heart almost stopped beating, but I was alive.
The girl’s figure slowly morphed into how I had seen her exactly before she had escaped.
The soft features of her face only reinforced me that I had made a right choice in freeing that smile.
The girl stood over me, her golden eyes glowing.
"You understand now?"
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stand. My legs were weak, but I managed to stay upright.
"Yes," I whispered.
This trial was never about strength. Never about battle.
It was about whether I could face pain without turning away.
Whether I could endure.
The masked figure stepped forward. "You have passed."
The world around us shifted. The blackened sky began to fade, the swirling flames dying out.
The ground trembled, and cracks of golden light spread through the scorched earth.
All of a sudden, the girl let out a soft chuckle.
"You are not like Suryi."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
She looked at me—really looked at me, as if seeing something new.
"She fought. She struggled. She tried to fix her mistake with power."
Her gaze softened.
"You chose to carry it instead."
The realization struck deep in me.
Suryi had tried to undo her mistake by fighting back, by proving her strength.
But I had done the opposite.
I had accepted my suffering.
And in doing so, I had proven I was ready.
The girl then took a step back.
The golden glow around her figure dimmed, as she flashed me another smile.
"You are worthy."
A rush of energy surged through the air, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. My wounds faded, my exhaustion lifting as a mysterious power settled deep into my core.
I gasped as a mark burned itself onto my wrist—a sword of fire, glowing faintly before it faded into my skin.
The masked figure lowered beside me also lowered his sword.
"The trial of the Forsaken Child has ended."
The world shattered like glass.
And then?
I was falling.
***
A/N: Just wanted to let yall know that these are the bonus chapters I’m uploading as promised previously.
The offer still continues until the 25th of March.
For every 1000 coins worth gift, I’ll upload a Bonus Chapter.
And
For every Magic Castle, I’ll upload 7 Bonus Chapters!!
Regards,
Bearateme_