Chapter 6: The First Trial

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: The First Trial

Eli’s grip on the wand tightened as the cloaked figure advanced, its green firelit eyes piercing the gloom. Kael stepped back instinctively, but Eli held his ground, his pulse roaring in his ears.

“You dare tread the path of the Wandmaker,” the figure growled, its voice a haunting echo that seemed to fill the chamber. “Prove your worth, or be cast into the void.”

The figure raised its staff, and the shadows around it twisted and coiled like living creatures. The air grew heavy, and the chamber seemed to constrict, as though the walls were closing in. Eli felt the wand pulse violently in his hand, almost as if it were reacting to the figure’s challenge.

Before Eli could speak, the ground beneath him began to shift. The pedestal and pedestals disappeared, replaced by a stone bridge suspended over an abyss that seemed bottomless. The glow from the chamber faded into blackness, leaving only a faint flicker of light ahead. Eli and Kael were now stranded in the middle of an impossible trial.

Kael let out a nervous laugh. “Well, this is new.”

Eli ignored him, focusing on the figure that stood at the far end of the bridge. Its staff struck the stone with a resonating sound, and three swirling portals appeared before them, each filled with strange visions.

The first portal showed a brilliant flame, roaring and alive. The second held a pool of calm, rippling water. The third shimmered with gusts of rushing wind, twisting and untamed. Above the portals, more ancient runes glowed faintly, their meaning unclear.

“You must choose,” the figure intoned. “But beware—each choice comes with a price.”

Eli swallowed hard, sweat beading on his brow. He looked to Kael, who had his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. “Any advice?” Eli asked, his voice trembling.

Kael shrugged. “You’re the chosen one, mate. I’m just along for the ride.”

Eli glared at him before turning his attention back to the portals. The wand pulsed faintly, as if urging him forward. He stepped closer, feeling the intense heat radiating from the flame portal, the soothing coolness from the water, and the fierce currents from the wind. Each seemed to pull him in a different direction, tempting him to step through.

He closed his eyes, letting instinct take over. The wand grew warmer in his hand, and he felt an undeniable pull toward the second portal—the pool of water. It wasn’t the most dramatic or awe-inspiring choice, but something about its calmness resonated with him.

“I choose water,” Eli said, his voice firm.

The figure’s green eyes burned brighter, and the other two portals vanished. The chamber shifted again, and the stone bridge was replaced by a rushing river that flowed endlessly into the abyss. On the river’s surface were stepping stones, each spaced just far enough to make crossing a perilous endeavor.

“Prove your resolve,” the figure commanded.

Eli hesitated for only a moment before leaping onto the first stone. It was slippery beneath his feet, and he nearly lost his balance before steadying himself. Kael followed, his movements agile and confident. The stones ahead shimmered faintly, as though reacting to Eli’s presence.

As Eli stepped onto the next stone, the wand pulsed again, and he felt a surge of energy. The river began to ripple violently, and shadows rose from its depths, forming into dark, twisting shapes that lunged at him.

Eli raised the wand instinctively, shouting, “Lux ignis!” A beam of light shot forth, striking the shadows and dissolving them into mist. His heart raced, but he pressed on, moving stone by stone, battling the darkness with each step.

Finally, they reached the far side of the river, breathless and soaked but alive. The figure nodded slowly, its fiery gaze unwavering. “You have passed the first trial. But the path ahead grows darker still.”

The portals disappeared, and the chamber shifted once more, revealing a staircase spiraling downward into the depths. Eli glanced at Kael, who looked uncharacteristically serious.

“This is only the beginning,” Kael said quietly. “Are you sure you’re ready for what’s next?”

Eli wasn’t sure, but he nodded anyway. The Wandmaker’s legacy awaited, and there was no turning back now.