Kingdom of Altheria – Inner Sanctum, Grand Cathedral
Golden light filtering in through stained glass windows stained heavenly patterns on shining marble floors. At the center of the sanctum, the four heroes stood, still wearing what was left of their Earth clothes, barely taking in the reality.
In front of them, hooded high priests and royal guards bowed respectfully.
Welcome, Chosen Ones," the High Oracle spoke, her voice three centuries old yet unbreakable. "You are the salvation our world has waited for centuries to behold."
Rin Takahashi crossed her arms and scowled. She didn't talk much hadn't since they'd arrived but her gaze pierced straight through.
Jax Ward wished he could punch the wall beside him. His fists were still bruised from trying to break through the summoning circle in the chamber.
Sofía del Valle Cruz was silent, clutching the silver pendant against her chest, lips moving in quiet prayer. She didn't trust them.
Li Wei was still the most composed. Watchful. Reflective. But even he realized this wasn't right.
"You promised there would be five of us and still no response ," Li Wei said softly. "So it's time for you guys to answer our questions where is the fifth?"
The high priest hesitated for an instant.
A silence, not deep, but profound.
"There was an error in the summoning. A lapse in the calling. The fifth soul was. ventured into the off somewhere else in the world or could have met there death."
Li Wei listened to what the high priest said he wanted more answers because he feels that the high priest is lying but for now he will believe him
They pressed onward at once, talking of the Demon Kings, ancient evil, and divine destiny.
But the silence weighed more intensely than all their words.
Royal Training Grounds A Day Later
The heroes were given lavish lodgings, fine cuisine, enchanted weapons, and Altherian Guard trainers. Folks filled the streets daily just to get a glimpse of them.
But underlying the spectacle tension.
Rin was taught swordcraft in silence, her moves economical but anonymous.
Jax worked day and night, seething at the concept of mana.He was not in this facility for magic. He was in this facility to fight.But he had a liking for Fire magic so secretly he would train himself with the element to see what will the future hold for him.
Sofía studied the ancient books, growing sharper with each incantation, but never trusted anyone not even teachers.She wanted to achieve power on her own believing that teamwork is just a way to slow down success
And Li Wei. observed everything. His role as a hero is rare and useless for other people he is the healer class.He already knows that he won't be useful in battle but he is the only person who can help with injuries and more so he he studied about healing and getting more and more information.
The kingdom favored them. A they saw that truly they are beautifully all geniuses for the wars to come. Humanity will be successful and become the most strongest race of all in this world.
Scene: Royal Training Grounds – Morning
Morning sun poured over the shining stone courtyard where the four heroes stood gathered. It was cool, with the scent of dew and ancient oak.
A grizzled master-at-arms led them, arms folded. His voice was gravelly but soft.
"Strength is not enough. Magic is a tool. Discipline, resolve, and understanding will forge you into true heroes."
Rin readjusted the grip on her sword, tense muscles but peaceful.With beautiful swings almost like she is performing a dance for a concert of Beethoven.
Jax cracked his knuckles, fidgety but agitated.Every punch becomes more destructive making him more intense wanting to fight someone strong.
Sofía watched the master closely, her pendant held firmly in her fist.After the demonstration she reapeated after the master even shocking the master making the saying "THE STUDENT SHALL BECOME THE MASTER" true.
Li Wei took notes under his breath, his mind racing through all of the facts.With his studies of the world he understands everything that happened in the world.
Rin had swordsmanship mastered to near-surgical levels, yet struggled to accept the magic which clumsily coursed through her veins. Her stoic countenance concealed seething frustration.
Jax fought bare and brutal, exhausting himself in the process. He scoffed at the training in magic but secretly practiced controlling fire, sparks flying from his fists when unseen eyes watched.
Sofía found power in words and spells. Her poetry and her cantrips grew together, fashioning language into something as fatal as a sword.
Li Wei combined magic with anatomy, healing with fighting, and became an multi-faceted and unpredictable fighter.
Sofía sat quietly one night, beside a tiny fire.The rest of the heroes enter the room and see Sofía sitting alone so they join her a silence takes hold for a few minutes until Sofía breaks it.
"We're strangers in a story someone else has told. But if we fail, it's not just us who will lose."she said with a quiet voice
Rin nodded deliberately. "We won't know until we truly understand what is our job here"
Jax sneered. "Well I don't give a shit about it in my view i just see war and victory with only my fists."
Li Wei smiled faintly. "Maybe we are stronger together than we are alone. If we are going to fight the darkness, we must trust each other."
They all agree with different facial expressions understanding their true motives in this world.
They all looked around at the leaping fires uncertain, distrustful, but starting to see the hazy outlines of a team.
The next day the four heroes get called by their master to a certain place.All heroes where confused at first is the place a battlefield but it has already been three months and with Li's notes other heroes who where summoned took six months before going to the battle field.
Sofía with a soft voice :"Why are we getting called all of a sudden?"
Rin also confused:"I truly wish to know too."
With the confusion they shrug it off and they all where their equipment and take their weapons and move to the place
The four heroes stood before a massive old gate carved with runes called the Ember Gate, softly glowing with dwindling embers. This was a trial not just of their strength, but of their unity.
The grizzled master-at-arms addressed them: "You will enter the Ember Gate singly, but what you will discover inside will need the aid of your companions. Succeed or you may never return."
Rin gripped her Katana more tightly.
Jax cracked his knuckles in expectation.
Sofía whispered a soft spell.
Li Wei changed position, calm as ever.
They entered a shifting labyrinth of fire and shadow, each chamber filled with elemental puzzles and illusions that preyed upon their fears.Then they all seperate to different rooms of the labyrinth.
Rin's trial a room where her mind magic didn't work and his katana arm had to rely on technique alone. She learned to trust her instincts, and, more surprisingly, her teammates' instruction from afar.She just hopes that her teammates will survive the trial and starts her trial as well.
Jax's trial an infernal arena where brute strength couldn't win out. Jax was forced to combine his fists with surgical bursts of fire magic while the team coordinated together to douse deadly fire traps from afar.This made Jax even more excited remembering his old boxing days just with some abnormal flames.
Sofía's challenge is a echoing hall of voices and memories. Her poetry and spells shattered illusions, but only when the others reminded her that her strength was more than words it was Seeing her old cruel and best memories made her truly want to clear the labriynth
with no regrets.
Li Wei's challenge a test of healing and endurance. Wounded illusions forced him to balance offense and support, relying on teammates to cover his vulnerable moments.Some were difficult some were confusing but with his notes he already knows what to do.
Wh perfect performances the grizzled master Lontra witnesses every hero clear the labriynth and gets a small smirk believing that he truly created monsters
After three hours all four heroes they emerged, exhausted but victorious together stronger than alone.Lontra congratulates all heroes for their hard work which puts a smile in all of their faces.
As they caught their breath, the large doors to the training grounds burst open. A dignified figure walked in Chancellor Velran, advisor to the throne and keeper of ancient secrets.
Velran's eyes swept over the heroes, sharp and assessing.
"Your successes here are well-documented. But the threats outside these walls grow darker by the day. The court needs your loyalty and swift readiness. Failure is not an option.".
He turned to Rin, his voice dropping.
"And you might yet again about the fifth missing hero all I could just say is that his disappearance is an enigma we cannot afford to overlook. Your quest is clear."
The four exchanged anxious glances. The story was only beginning.