Kaal stood in silence, his fingers trembling as he stared down at the broken token in his palm.
The Lifelight Token of his father that is broken, Kaal's heart was burning, his mind clouded by grief and the unquenchable thirst for vengeance. But first… he needed to get out of this place.
He turned to Ashen, eyes sharp and laced with suspicion.
"Where is the first trial?" he asked coldly.
Ashen didn't flinch. "Follow me."
Without another word, he moved through the forest's winding path, his steps silent but sure. The others followed, weaving between crystalline trees that sparkled under the glow of spiritual light. Vines shimmered like veins of the world itself, pulsating with rich Qi.
Eventually, they arrived at a clearing encircled by towering jade pillars. At the very centre stood a massive slab of black stone, obsidian-like, smooth as glass, and utterly unmarred by time.
Ashen came to a halt and pointed.
"This," he said, "is the Stone of Will. The first trial."
