The forest opened before them like a living cathedral. Towering trees shimmered with natural magic, their bark etched with glowing runes, their leaves whispering ancient hymns. Ethereal lights floated like fireflies, and the deeper they walked, the more the air itself seemed to pulse with breath.
Erik whispered beside Nyxaris, "I've never seen anything like this…"
"Few ever have," Lenna muttered, scanning the surroundings warily.
They were led to a massive clearing, where a raised stone platform stood surrounded by luminous crystal roots emerging from the ground. Around the platform were a circle of elves in deep emerald cloaks, their faces painted with sigils of the forest gods.
At the center stood the elder who had spoken earlier.
"I am Elduin, Keeper of the Heartgrove," he said. "You've entered our domain wielding power that defies the world's order. Your intentions matter—but only action reveals truth. Thus, the Three Trials."
Nyxaris crossed his arms. "What are these trials?"
Elduin's gaze didn't waver. "Trial of Spirit. Trial of Kin. Trial of Flame."
A soft ding echoed in Nyxaris' ear.
[SYSTEM QUEST – Trials of the Glade]
Objective 1: Face your inner self and emerge unshaken.
Objective 2: Earn the trust of those who fear you.
Objective 3: Survive the Flame Warden's judgment.
Rewards: High Elf Alliance, Ancient Knowledge, Access to Glade Magic
Failure: Expulsion from the Glade. Reputation loss.
Zeraldris' voice was unusually quiet.
"These aren't just tests for show… This magic predates even me. Be careful."
Nyxaris stepped forward. "Let's begin."
They led him alone to a quiet part of the glade—a grove surrounded by mirrored water. In its center was a floating shard of crystal, glowing softly.
Elduin spoke from the edge. "Touch the crystal. Face what lies beneath your mask."
Nyxaris reached out. His fingers brushed the surface—
And the world twisted.
Suddenly, he stood… before himself.
Another Nyxaris—same face, same armor, but eyes of burning crimson and a twisted smile.
"So," the reflection sneered, "you're playing god now?"
Nyxaris narrowed his eyes. "You're the fear. The doubt."
"I'm the truth," the reflection growled. "That power in you? It'll consume you. Zeraldris inside your head? He's a curse, not a guide."
Nyxaris didn't flinch. "I've heard worse from the world I came from. You're nothing but an echo."
The reflection lunged—but Nyxaris didn't raise a weapon. He simply stared it down.
"You're not real. I define who I am. Not my power. Not my past."
A pulse of light exploded from his chest, shattering the illusion.
He stood alone again, in the grove. The crystal pulsed once, then dissolved into dust.
[Trial Complete: Trial of Spirit]
[Your resolve has been acknowledged.]
Zeraldris chuckled in his mind.
"You faced it without violence. Smart. There's hope for you yet."
Nyxaris returned to the main grove, where Elduin awaited. The elder's expression was unreadable.
"The grove accepted you. Few pass that trial without drawing blood," he said. "You may rest before the next."
Nyxaris shook his head. "No rest. What's next?"
Elduin raised an eyebrow, then gestured to the waiting elves. "Then prepare… for the Trial of Kin."
From the shadows, an elven warrior stepped forward, chains around his wrists, eyes wary and full of anger.
"He was exiled for betraying the glade. Your task… is to reach him."
Nyxaris stepped down from the platform, his gaze meeting the bound elf's.
"I don't need a blade for this," he said, and walked forward.
The elf spat. "Don't think you can tame me, outsider."
Nyxaris smirked. "Tame you? No. But maybe I'll remind you what you were fighting for."
----____----
The air was crisp the next morning, sunlight pouring through the half-open window. Leo yawned as he removed his VR headset, the coolness of the room a jarring contrast to the mystic heat of the Glade he'd just left behind. He rubbed his eyes, a tired grin spreading on his face.
"Okay… Trial of Kin can wait. Real world calls," he muttered, stretching his limbs and shutting down the headset.
Downstairs, the smell of breakfast was already floating through the air.
"Leo!" his younger sister Mia called from the kitchen. "Get dressed! We're going shopping today, remember?"
"Coming!" he shouted back with a laugh.
Their mother, wearing a comfortable white cardigan and tying up her hair, gave him a warm look as he entered. "You okay? You look like you fought a war in your dreams."
Leo smirked. "Kind of did."
She chuckled. "Well, you'll survive another one—trying on clothes with Mia at the mall."
Mia grinned with mock mischief. "You better not complain today!"
It was a picture-perfect day for a break from fantasy.
Leo carried a few shopping bags—mostly his sister's—and wore a relaxed hoodie and joggers. He walked beside Mia as she tried on sunglasses for the third time while their mom browsed through dresses on the other side.
"You think I'd look cooler in this?" Mia asked, striking a pose.
Leo raised an eyebrow. "You already look cooler than me. That's cheating."
She laughed and bumped his side playfully. "It's because I'm the main character now."
Their mom waved them over. "How about dinner after this? My treat."
Leo nodded. "You're on. Steak?"
Mia gasped. "YES."
The day went by in ease—eating, laughing, walking through the arcade and bookstore. The entire world of Evolvera, with its elves and glades and ancient spirits, faded into the background for a few hours. And Leo felt… normal again.
But as dusk settled, and they returned to their apartment complex with the city lights beginning to flicker on, the quiet broke.
A man in a clean black coat, wearing tinted glasses and holding a sleek tablet, stood up as they approached. He gave a professional smile.
"Leo," the man said, voice calm and smooth. "It's been a while."
Leo's heart skipped. He recognized him instantly.
"You…" he muttered.
The same man who somehow knew Nyxaris' true identity. The only one.
His mom frowned. "Friend of yours, Leo?"
The man extended a card toward Leo, but spoke gently to them all. "Please, don't be alarmed. My name is Kieran Vale. I represent a global marketing network that specializes in virtual sponsorships. I'm here with a business proposal for Leo."
Mia tilted her head. "Business?"
Leo took the card slowly. "This isn't a bad time, is it?"
Kieran smiled. "Just a few minutes. I'll wait inside if you don't mind."
The bags were set aside. Their mom handed everyone a drink, still unsure but curious. Mia sat cross-legged, watching Kieran like he was from a spy movie.
Leo sat across from him. "So? What's the offer?"
Kieran leaned forward, fingers steepled. "Simple. My client is a multinational tech brand expanding into the VRMMORPG market. They've seen your work as Nyxaris. The way you've changed the game—literally. You've become a legend overnight. And you've only just started."
Leo didn't speak, eyes narrowing.
Kieran continued, "They want to sponsor your rise. Every banner you raise, every soldier's armor, every corner of the empire you build—marked with their insignia. They're offering seven figures… and that's just the initial contract."
Leo blinked. "Wait… You're saying if I just add their brand to my kingdom, they'll pay me millions?"
Kieran nodded. "Yes. And they'll provide additional support. Resources, in-game custom tools, even storyline backing. You would, essentially, build a sponsored fantasy empire."
Mia's jaw dropped. "Bro. Are you serious?"
Even their mother looked stunned. "Leo… that's a lot of money."
Leo leaned back slowly, the weight of reality and fantasy blurring once more. Zeraldris' voice echoed faintly in his head.
"A kingdom born of both realms… intriguing."
He smiled, half in disbelief, half in excitement.
"I'll need time to think," Leo finally said.
Kieran stood and nodded. "Of course. Take your weekend. I'll return Monday for your answer."
As the man walked out and the door shut behind him, Leo turned to his family.
"Well…" he muttered. "I guess building an empire just got real."