Chapter 155: The Final Trial
The air was thick with an unnatural hum, vibrating through Natasha's body like a warning. Every time they went deeper into the jungle, it seemed like the earth was pushing them back. They had crossed through uncharted territory, the trees twisted and vines thicker, almost as if the jungle was alive, and it didn't want them there.
Eldric was surprised and said, "This feels very different from what I expected."
Natasha said, "We're getting close," with her voice trembling. She could sense that the last test was coming soon. The ruin they were after was not far, but they had to fight the jungle at every turn. Enemies manipulated by the reliquary attacked them and their power was enough to beat them back, yet it became obvious that the jungle was getting more dangerous every moment.
Every time she encountered a problem, Natasha was reminded of what the relic could do. It was a small part of reality, very powerful but the cost was unknown. She started to question if it was all worth the effort. Would they be able to hold back the temptation or would it end up controlling them all?
At the entrance to the ruins, the atmosphere grew chilly and filled with energy. He placed an obstacle so that the party did not enter.
It is necessary to find out what has happened. The relic isn't just an artifact; it's alive. It represents an idea that is ancient and hard for us to grasp.
He stepped forward, pointing to a set of ancient symbols on the ruins' entrance, almost as if the stone had absorbed the knowledge of centuries. "The texts say the relic is capable of undoing great damage, reshaping reality. Yet, there is a price to pay for those great powers. It draws power from your disappointment, your worries and your biggest dreams. The trials... they are not just tests of strength, but of your very soul."
Nothing could stop the war now. In front of them, the air glittered and the wilderness behind seemed much further, almost as if they were in a whole new world.
--
As soon as Natasha looked into the center of the ruins, she realized just how terrible the mist smelled and looked. Her legs did not want to take a step forward. She blinked to clear her thoughts, but as soon as she did, she saw a terrifying picture appear.
It was home again.
There stood her childhood house, made exactly as it was before. Her mother's delicious smells, the noise of the wooden floor and her brother laughing out loud. She was again thinking about her life from a time that now felt very far away.
"Natasha, please tell me, why have you come?" Her mother begged her in a gentle voice from behind her.
Her dad also began to speak. "Doing this is risky. You should only act if you are comfortable. Sweetheart, leave now to come back home before anything terrible happens."
And then—Alison. There was concern in her friend's eyes as she waited at the door. "You don't have to keep going, Nat. We might be able to go back and do it again. Together."
The illusion drew her over, with every word drawing another pain from her chest. Fighting was her only option when it happened to her. She was certain that love was only fiction. All the challenges, the choices she made and the things she gave up were connected to a bigger reason. She wasn't working to change things only for herself now.
"You just don't know, Alison and I can feel the hole my best friend is leaving behind. This is something I need to accomplish. For everyone."
With her last agonizing breath, she managed to break the illusion and move forward. All memories from the past were breaking apart and turning to nothing.
Ira, as well, believed the lie perpetuated by her family. She faced the woman who used to be like a mother to her. But at that moment, what happened was as fresh as a wound that refused to get better.
The mentor spoke in a way that brought out venom in what he said. "Weakness was always your problem, Ira. Not able to understand the real situation. You managed to lose everything I gave you."
Raging pain from the past caused Ira's hands to clench tightly. Yet, things changed one day. Standing up straight, her determination became stronger than ever.
Ira shook her head and said, "No." I am stronger now than I was before. I can figure out who I am on my own now.
She shattered the illusion for herself with one bold act. She felt scared, yet she never hesitated. This was only one of the hardships she had overcome.
---
Dren's trial was even more harrowing. He faced the ghosts of those who had died and their expressions seemed to show that they blamed him.
"You failed us, Dren," one of them spat. "You weren't strong enough. You abandoned us."
Their ruling weighed him down heavily and felt like a stranglehold. His movement was paralyzed for a moment, as he felt guilty. However, something suddenly happened within him.
"I couldn't protect you," Dren whispered to the shadows. "But I can fight for something greater now."
He started speaking more strongly. "I won't carry the weight of your disappointment any longer."
With an angry shout, he burst through the illusion and hit out with much more force. Even though he still understood he had done wrong, the guilt did not control his life. His experiences in the past had strengthened him as a person.
---
The case against Eldric was the most heartbreaking for many people. The boy found himself facing his deceased brother, who he had been compared to all his life and could never equal. Eldric's brother's spirit loomed large, looked proud and accused him of stealing all that belonged to him.
You took over my legacy, Eldric. What happened to you was never fair or right.
The words made their way into his heart as they were said over and over. However, Eldric wasn't put off by the question.
He replied, "I did not take anything from them." I worked hard for it. I take control over what I do in life.
As his brother's image was replaced by Eldric's, he stood there confidently, his shoulders set forward, no longer affected by his past.
---
When the trials finally ended, a shadow formed among the damaged buildings. A dark force emerged from the center of the relic. At first, Natasha felt a silent message in the air as if someone was talking from every location and nowhere at once.
It whispered, "Fools, fools, to think you could ever hold that kind of power."
The relic released a pulse of energy that flooded the ruins. The land shook and cracks appeared in the walls. They were rapidly losing their opportunity.
---
After reaching the final chamber, they learned the relic was being watched. Surrounded by a spooky glow, the fragment shone with pure energy. Natasha understood that partaking in the drug would change things forever. She desperately wanted to make things right again by reversing Alison's death.
Nevertheless, she knew she could not make a mistake like that. Now, the situation had higher consequences.
"I won't be able to," Natasha whispered. It would be too risky for me. We don't have any idea of its effects.
At this point, the relic started to vibrate even louder and from the ancient ruins, something was stirring. Something monstrous.
A huge blast went off in the chamber and the ground where they stood started crumbling. As the dark force took over, it appeared as a massive, dark shape with great power. It emerged from below and its eyes shone with a fiery and evil light.
The team understood each other's thoughts: they had to choose between the relic and this never-ending menace.
They didn't have enough time for their work.
"Are we able to pick up the stick?" The approaching creature caused Natasha's voice to shake.
The relic's excitement became stronger. No one could change their minds.