The training grounds of Verdantia's royal army were eerily silent—a stark contrast to their usual vibrancy, where shouts of determination and clashing weapons typically echoed.
Today, however, the soldiers stood frozen in awe, captivated by a spectacle they might never witness again: a duel between two mages wielding spells of unparalleled mastery. On one side was Liora, a novice mage brimming with raw ancient power.
Opposite her stood Elowen, a seasoned veteran whose decades of experience radiated through every calculated move. The clash of elements—light versus nature—only added to the intrigue.
Yet amidst the tension and excitement, there was one person who seemed out of place. Liora, though skilled, felt more burdened than exhilarated. She yearned to end the match, but a single glance at Elowen's determined expression told her that surrender wasn't an option—not yet.
As if reading Liora's thoughts, Elowen launched another attack without hesitation. "Don't hold back, Liora!" she called out as her voodoo doll glowed brightly, spinning rapidly. A barrage of magical seeds shot toward Liora once again.
Without missing a beat, Liora countered with her signature spell. "Prismatic Barrier!" The shimmering shield materialized just in time, disintegrating the incoming projectiles into harmless dust.
But Elowen wasn't done. Even as Liora deflected the attack, Elowen chanted another incantation. "Root Surfer." Thick roots resembling human arms sprouted beneath her feet, encircling them snugly to form a stable platform.
These roots then extended forward like living pathways, carrying Elowen swiftly around the battlefield. Her movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as she continued launching waves of seed bullets while circling Liora.
Liora couldn't help but feel a flicker of surprise. Until now, she had assumed mages fought statically, relying on warriors for mobility. Yet here was Elowen, proving otherwise. Still, Liora managed to keep pace, rotating gracefully to track Elowen's movements and reinforcing her barrier whenever necessary.
Amidst the relentless barrage of seeds, Elowen slipped in another spell. "Tree Bark Legion." Ten humanoid tree figures emerged from the ground behind Liora, advancing steadily toward her with purpose. Caught between the hailstorm of seeds and the approaching plant soldiers, Liora found herself momentarily overwhelmed.
However, thanks to countless hours of meditation and mental simulations during their journey, she quickly devised a solution. Summoning her resolve, she unleashed two spells in quick succession. First, "Dawn's Embrace" engulfed the tree-men in radiant flames, reducing them to ash.
Simultaneously, she reinforced her defenses with another "Prismatic Barrier," ensuring the seed bullets remained ineffective.
From the remnants of the destroyed tree-men, mere steps away from Liora, Elowen seized the opportunity. "Root Grasp." Massive roots thicker than a man's thigh erupted from the ground, racing toward Liora with alarming speed.
Startled, Liora leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the grasping tendrils. Instinctively, she retaliated. "Wind Cutters!" Sharp gusts sliced through the roots, breaking them into smaller fragments. But before she could catch her breath, new roots surged upward from behind her, snaking closer with unrelenting determination.
Panicking slightly, Liora raised another "Prismatic Barrier" to block the advancing roots. To her dismay, the roots cleverly curved upward, bypassing her shield entirely. At their tips, grotesque flowers bloomed, releasing clouds of toxic pollen into the air.
Liora gasped, inhaling a small amount despite her efforts to retreat. Her vision blurred, and her body swayed unsteadily. Fighting through the dizziness, she acted decisively. "Golden Ray." Waves of healing light enveloped her, purging the poison from her system and restoring clarity to her senses.
Just as her vision cleared, ten more tree-men appeared, mere paces away, brandishing thorn-covered clubs and staffs. With no time to waste, Liora summoned her next spell. "Gale Force!"
A massive pillar of wind erupted from her position, slamming into the tree-men with devastating force. They shattered like brittle cardboard, scattering debris in all directions. Exhausted, Liora dropped to one knee, catching her breath.
In the distance, Elowen watched with a mixture of satisfaction, mischief, and cunning etched across her face. Above her palm, the ever-familiar voodoo doll continued to glow and spin.
Sensing something amiss, Liora spun around instinctively, still crouched low. One final tree-man loomed directly in front of her, swinging its thorny staff downward.
Acting purely on instinct, Liora shouted, "Tornado Vambrace!" A miniature tornado formed around her forearm, deflecting the blow with a resounding crack as the wooden weapon splintered under the force.
For a fleeting moment, Liora froze—her mind lagging behind her body's reflexes. Those precious seconds were all Elowen needed. Having anticipated the outcome since spotting the swirling winds around Liora's arm, Elowen maneuvered her root platform with precision.
By the time the sound of breaking wood echoed through the field, she was already behind Liora. In one swift motion, Elowen wrapped her left arm around Liora's neck, pulling her close while extending her right hand, voodoo doll hovering ominously inches from Liora's face.
"Gotcha," Elowen declared triumphantly.
Defeated but undeterred, Liora bowed her head in acceptance. "I yield. I still have so much to learn."
At that moment, the crowd erupted into applause, cheers, and whistles. Soldiers shouted praises and expressions of admiration for both combatants. Not only had they been entertained, but they had also gained invaluable insights into battle strategies and magical techniques worth far more than gold.
Standing amidst the chaos, Liora reflected on the lessons learned. Every second counted in battle; even the briefest lapse could mean the difference between life and death. And though she had lost this round, she knew she had grown stronger—not just in skill, but in wisdom.
Amidst the clamor of the crowd, Elowen called out to the captain and all the soldiers and mages.
"Thank you, Captain. Thank you, everyone. We'll take our leave now."
Instantly, the noise died down as they all bowed toward Elowen. She and Liora walked slowly toward the exit, and the moment they passed through the gates, the spectators erupted again—buzzing with chatter, dissecting every moment of the battle.
Elowen led Liora to rest and snack on street food at People's Square. Between eager bites of delicious treats, Liora spoke up.
"You were really cunning back there, Elowen. You deliberately made the first wave of tree warriors ten. Then, the second time, I assumed it'd be ten again—but you hid an eleventh one and caught me off guard!"
Elowen laughed before replying, "That's just the advantage of experience. You'll get there too, eventually."
Liora sighed, her tone flat. "Yeah… I'm not so sure. Even if I do, who knows how long it'll take?"
Elowen chuckled again, pinching Liora's cheek. "Are you mocking me, huh? Don't think I didn't notice—you were still holding back."
Liora let out a soft whimper, rubbing her cheek where Elowen had pinched her. "Ow… ow… ow…" she muttered under her breath.
Elowen smirked and nudged her. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Liora. Think about it—could the you from a month and a half ago have lasted even two seconds against me?"
Liora shook her head sheepishly.
"Exactly," Elowen continued, her tone firm but encouraging. "You have gotten stronger, whether you realize it or not. Take pride in that. Be grateful for it. And keep pushing forward."
A small, proud smile tugged at Liora's lips as she tightened her grip on her staff.
The two spent the rest of the afternoon exploring People's Square—sampling more street food, browsing colorful stalls of clothes and jewelry, even joining games with local children.
They paused to watch street performers, their laughter blending with the lively hum of Verdantia's citizens.
Before they knew it, the sun dipped low, painting the sky in hues of amber. Exhausted but content, they returned to the palace to rest and await Elder Amir's arrival.
After freshening up in their rooms, just as twilight settled, a knock echoed at Liora's door.
The maid who usually attended her bowed deeply. "Forgive the intrusion, Miss Liora. But I've been instructed to escort you to the royal throne hall."
Liora blinked. "Oh! Of course—thank you. Just a moment!" She grabbed her staff, and they set off down the gilded corridors, the weight of the summons lingering in her steps.
Stepping into the royal throne hall, Liora was once again awestruck by its grandeur. How could such opulence be carved into the trunk of a giant tree? she wondered silently.
Directly ahead, the royal throne—crafted from the Royal Tree's own wood—stood imposingly, adorned with gold ornaments and plush emerald-green cushions.
Beneath her feet stretched an elegant crimson carpet, running from the entrance all the way to the base of the throne.
At the foot of the small staircase leading to the throne, Elowen and Elder Amir stood deep in conversation. Liora approached them with a polite bow. "Good evening. My apologies for keeping you waiting."
Elowen waved dismissively. "Don't worry about it. We're still waiting for that old man anyway."
Elder Amir, however, offered a warm smile and a slight bow. "Good evening, Liora."
As they resumed their discussion—likely about the unrest in Woodedge District, Liora guessed—her attention drifted back to the hall's intricate details.
Then, something caught her eye.
Above the entrance, opposite the throne, an engraved inscription stood out—similar to the one she'd seen before. It read:
"A tree that rules the forest must not chase the wind—it must listen to the rustling of its leaves. For true strength lies not in command, but in understanding what grows beneath its shade." — Alden Verdantia
Liora stared at the words, lingering on their meaning. What wisdom lay hidden here? The carving seemed to hum with quiet authority, as if the tree itself whispered secrets of leadership and empathy.
As Elowen finished her conversation with Elder Amir, she walked up behind Liora.
"That's from Verdantia's second king," she said, gazing at the inscription with a solemn, almost sorrowful expression. "A piece of advice specifically meant for the rulers who sat on that throne."
She sighed. "A simple message on the surface, yet filled with layers of complexity—and challenge—in its execution."
Liora nodded slowly, the weight of the words settling in her mind.
Suddenly, a royal guard announced with booming reverence: "His Majesty, the King, enters!"
Elowen and Liora quickly moved to the edge of the crimson carpet, standing opposite Elder Amir.
The king strode into the hall flanked by two guards, his presence commanding silence. Those assembled bowed slightly as he passed, then took his seat upon the throne.
Without preamble, the king addressed Elder Amir. "Has the Woodedge District matter been resolved, Elder?"
Elder Amir bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to your wisdom, the situation has been settled."
The king smiled. "Good work, Elder." Then, clapping his hands, he rose from the throne with a playful grumble. "Well then, is everyone ready to ascend? Though I still don't understand why I must climb those infernal stairs when all you need is my blood—hohohoho!"
Chuckling at his own joke, he motioned toward a door at the side of the hall. His guards opened it, revealing an inky darkness beyond.
Without hesitation, the king stepped through, followed closely by Elder Amir. Elowen and Liora trailed a few paces behind, their footsteps echoing as they disappeared into the shadowed passage.
The moment the king stepped into the dark chamber, something magical happened.
The walls suddenly bloomed to life—luminous flowers clinging to their surface, their glow warm and radiant, illuminating a spiral staircase carved seamlessly into the heart of the Royal Tree. Like an enchanted passage, the steps wound upward, beckoning them deeper.
One by one, they began their ascent.
Liora, awestruck, whispered to Elowen, "Are we… inside the Royal Tree itself?"
Elowen nodded with a knowing smile. "Yes. Unlike the stairs connecting People's Square to the Royal Square, this path was carved within the trunk."
"But why?" Liora pressed, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Wouldn't an outdoor staircase be brighter? More beautiful?"
"Because," Elowen replied, her voice low, "this leads to two of Verdantia's most guarded secrets—the king's throne and the highest temple, where your trial will take place."
Liora fell silent, absorbing the weight of her words.
The climb was grueling, the stairs steep and unrelenting. King Darius, panting heavily, lagged behind, his face flushed with exertion. Just as his steps began to falter, light pierced the darkness—the end of the tunnel.
At the temple's entrance, the king collapsed onto a waiting bench, stretching his legs and gasping for air. Elder Amir, ever dutiful, began clearing wild vines from the temple door.
Meanwhile, Liora stood frozen in wonder.
She was at the crown of the Royal Tree.
The world sprawled beneath her—stars so close she could almost pluck them from the sky, the forest below dotted with torchlight like scattered embers. For a moment, she forgot to breathe.
Elowen lingered beside her, silent. Letting Liora savor this peace, this fleeting joy.
May this strength carry you through what comes next, she thought.
With the vines now cleared, Elder Amir turned to Liora. "Are you ready, Miss Liora?"
Startled back to reality, Liora nodded firmly. "Yes, Elder. I'm ready."
Elder Amir then addressed the still-panting King Darius. "Your Majesty, are you prepared as well?"
Waving a hand between breaths, the king wheezed, "Alright... alright... Let's just get this over with so we can go back." He struggled to his feet with Elder Amir's support.
As they approached the ancient door, King Darius plucked a thorn from a nearby bloom and pricked his fingertip. A single drop of blood welled up, which he smeared across the weathered wood.
Elder Amir began chanting softly. The blood seeped into the grain, revealing carved words that glowed faintly:
"In the shadow of ancient boughs, I learned:
Discipline is not a burden, but a shelter.
Order is not a chain, but a choice." — Theodore Verdantia
Beneath the inscription, the outline of a Starlight Staff materialized. "Come, Miss Liora," Elder Amir instructed. "Press your staff against this mark."
Liora stepped forward, her staff meeting the carving with a soft click. The door swung open, flooding the area with blinding white light—just like at Sanctora.
She turned back to meet Elowen's gaze. Her mentor responded with a warm, encouraging nod.
After exchanging respectful bows with the king and Elder Amir, Liora squared her shoulders. Unlike her previous trials, she entered this time with her head held high and her resolve unshaken.
Begins with one confident step, driven by a pure and sincere heart, she entered the room as an attempt to fulfill her destiny. What she once resisted, she now embraced with open arms.
What she once dismissed, she now desired with all her heart.
And at the end of this long journey—this struggle—lay the radiant reward she dreamed of: the salvation and happiness of all mankind.