Kapitel 18: Trials Of Odus

Ryan and Elora stood on the threshold of the grandiose cavern, their hearts beating in sync with a mixture of anticipation, excitement, and caution. The air hung heavy with silence, as if the very essence of time held its breath in reverence of the enigmatic structure before them.

"Elora, you never actually explain what this cave is. And do I simply walk into it, then it will transport me somewhere, like the Spatial Rift I came here through?" Ryan's voice cut through the stillness, his gaze fixed on the imposing entrance of the cave.

Elora's eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty as she pondered his question. "This is one of the Trials of Odus," she explained, her voice laced with a hint of reverence. "These trials are scattered across Aria, each guarding unimaginable treasures and revealing themselves only to those deemed worthy."

Ryan's mind buzzed with questions, his curiosity burning bright. "And who exactly is Odus?" he inquired, his eyes alight with intrigue.

Elora's gaze softened as she delved into the depths of history. "Odus was a legendary Human Mage, known as the Great One in his time," she explained, her voice carrying the weight of centuries.

Ryan's mind raced back to the pages of history books he had skimmed through that chronicled the so-called Great One's exploits, his legacy etched into the annals of time. But from what he could remember, he was a pioneer in magic whose time had ended thousands of years ago.

"So, you're saying that in all these years, no one has been able to pass the trial or uncover what he left behind?" Ryan's voice brimmed with disbelief, unable to fathom the magnitude of the challenge that lay ahead.

"It's not that simple, Ryan," she replied, her voice tinged with regret. "The trials are not to be taken lightly. They demand strength, courage, and unwavering determination."

"Only a few are deemed worthy and although there was one person not too long ago, before that, it had been a few centuries before anyone had attempted this trial. It is also what that dark mage was after, but even if he sought it out for the rest of time, it wouldn't reveal itself or allow him to enter. Or at least that's what I hope would be the case," she added.

The more she spoke about the trial, the more sombre her expression grew as she contemplated what awaited Ryan if he were to enter the cavern.

Although Ryan had made unbelievable progress, he could still only use basic Combat Magic and Mana Beams, which were only elementary forms of magic. If it wasn't for his unique constitution, he could barely be considered an entry-level mage.

With that in mind, a sense of unease crept over Elora as she grappled with the weight of her responsibility. Deep down, she knew she was sending Ryan into the dangerous unknown, which could potentially lead to his demise. It pained her to envision such a fate for someone she had grown to care for and was so young.

However, bound by her duty as the guardian, she couldn't deny anyone deemed worthy the opportunity to face the trial despite her reservations.

'Maybe... Maybe he can pull it off,' she hoped internally seeing the fire burning bright in his emerald green eyes.

One way or another, he seemed to always be able to defy expectations and go against the odds.

And if luck was on his side, who knows...

He could be the one to both receive the coveted rewards of the trials and free her from her duties.

There was a tense silence in which Ryan seemed to have already made up his mind no matter how much Elora warned him about it.

Of course, he had his doubts and was nervous, but Ryan was both reckless and an opportunist, as he reassured himself, 'This must be fate. And, so far, everything has turned out well, I guess. One thing has led me to another, so maybe...'

Convincing himself that the task ahead wouldn't be as challenging as Elora made it out to seem, with a touch of bravado he mused, "How hard could it possibly be? The person you mentioned who entered not too long ago and those before him must have just been weak and stupid."

With a final glance at Elora, Ryan took a deep breath and took a step into the mysterious cave. Bound by her duties, the elegant elf was helpless to stop him as she watched him step into a Spatial Rift resembling that which he had found in that fateful alleyway.

Feeling himself be sucked into it, he had a few seconds before he was transported to who knew where.

In that time, he couldn't resist asking one last question.

"By the way, Elora, how strong was the person who you said attempted to trial recently and never returned?

Elora hesitated for a moment, knowing that Ryan was already being drawn into the vortex, and reluctantly revealed, "Well, he was considered a rising star of this generation, so was likely similar to me in terms of power and skill."

The shock of her words mingled with Ryan's exclamation of "Whhaaaatttt?!" as he was swiftly swallowed by the vortex, disappearing into thin air.

Then, emerging in a completely foreign environment, Ryan couldn't help but say to himself, 'Maybe I should have given it more thought...'

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