Chapter 30: Crystal Guardian Trials. Final Part
He wiped away his tears and did what he did all that life and walked forward into a gateway.
A crystal guardian greeted him on the other side. “Congratulations, you have passed all of the Crystal Guardian Trials and have been judged worthy of joining us.
If you would still like to learn our ways and join us you can, otherwise we will have to erase your memories of all that has happened and send you back to the academy. Oh right, I am Ruby.” - Ruby
“What erase my memory? What about all the trials and growth I’ve had would that all be taken away too?” - Coal
“Yeah, we were able to put you in a time dilation in which fifty years of an alternate life was half an hour in this world. You would keep all the growth you have had in these trials. How long do you think it took you to complete all the trials?” - Ruby
“I have no idea, a year or two?” - Coal
“Haha, going through over a hundred trials took you around six minutes or ten years. Honestly one of the faster times compared to everyone else. It would put you in the top two percent of Crystal Guardians Trial times. “ - Ruby
“Is that good? Where are Gwen and Gary? Don’t tell me they failed!?” - Coal
“Is two percent good? Think about it man, we are an extremely elite group of protectors that have existed for over ten thousand millennia, if being in the top two percent isn’t good, most people should go jump off a cliff.” - Ruby
“That’s great, but what about my party members? My friends?” - Coal
“Alright, alright I get it. They are doing just fine, just that they are still taking their trial. It is a little different from yours since they are twins.” - Ruby
“They get a different test cause they are twins? How different?” - Coal
“Well, you were tested more on your individual attributes, but we will test them more on their bond as that should be their strongest aspect and their area with the most potential. Of course just like you their mind and bodies shall be tested, as well as their morality.” - Ruby
“When did you test my morality?” - Coal
“Well, you were given a pass in your last trial. The world was seemingly against you with nothing but suffering for decades, and yet once it was over you did not seek revenge or hate the world. You went back to your roots and made a positive impact on the world, and through all your suffering you never gave in to your hatred and lashed out.” - Ruby
Coal nodded, understanding the logic behind the test. "I see. So what happens now? Do I have to decide whether or not to join the Crystal Guardians right away?"
Ruby shook her head. "No, you can take your time to make your decision. We understand that this is a big commitment, and we want to make sure that you're making the right choice. You can stay here for as long as you need to, and we'll provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision."
Coal breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Ruby. That's very kind of you. I think I'd like to stay for a while and learn more about the Crystal Guardians before making my decision."
Stolen novel; please report.
"Of course," Ruby said with a smile. "We're happy to have you here. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask."
“Am I able to see what Gwen and Gary are going through?” - Coal
“Of course here stand still for a moment” - Ruby
Ruby extends her crystal arm and taps Coal’s head, and his perspective shifts from being in the original cave to an aerial view of a huge battlefield.
Coal could see Gwen and Gary fighting side by side against a group of powerful monsters.
They moved in perfect synchronization, their attacks complementing each other seamlessly.
After a while, Ruby tapped Coal's head again, and his perspective shifted back to the crystal cave. "What did you think?" Ruby asked.
"They're amazing," Coal said with a hint of admiration in his voice. "I can see why you're testing them on their bond. They're like two halves of a whole."
“Oh yeah more so than you realize, there is a bond and technique that allows two beings to temporarily combine into one entity that quantifies their powers and brings out the best of them both to the forefront.
It is able to be done by close individuals, but that is less than one in half a trillion chance of happening, but for twins, the odds are much easier with it being able to occur between one in a million.
Sadly that chance of occurring is still small since compatible and skilled twins do not occur that frequently.” - Ruby
“Is it limited to only two people? How does that combination occur? When combined are there still two minds or have they truly become one being before separating again? This is such a fascinating concept.” - Ruby
“Well more than two people can be utilized in the technique, but the chances are near impossible. The last time more than two people used the technique were triplets in the great century war against the demon folk centuries ago.” - Ruby
While they were talking the battle below continued to rage on. Gwen and Gary seemed to be leading their army into battle, and it seemed they didn’t stay stagnant during their trials either.
A couple of large tornadoes filled with sharp metal fragments swept into the enemy lines unable to be stopped by other’s attempts to disrupt or fully stop it.
While the enemies were distracted and distraught from the tornadoes they and some other affinity users all touched the ground and a giant wall broke from the ground lifting them into the air.
Once high up in the air, Gary touched the wall, and metal spikes came through the wall and stuck out towards the enemies.
Once they were aimed in a good general direction, Gwen would put a spiraling wind on metal spikes and propel them at the enemies.
These spells decimated the enemy army’s frontlines.
After a few minutes of unloading metal spike after metal spike at the enemy, it stopped not due to mercy, but due to lacking metal in the ground.
For their final act in the battle, Gary spread metallic wings from his back and Gwen got on his back, and using her wind they glided down towards the last of the enemy troops.
“That’s amazing! They have gotten so much stronger while we have been separated! So what trial is this?” - Coal
“Well of course, you probably don’t have a grasp at how much stronger you’ve gotten either, but you will know soon enough.
This is their last trial as well, they were born as slaves in a kingdom that treated every that wasn’t of nobility severely bad.
There was so much wrong with the systems in place and the treatment of fellow intelligent beasts that most people would be tainted and become part of the system.
Your two friends here completely broke down the system and freed all the commoners and slaves from the oppressive nobility, but other kingdoms nearby who had similar practices and had alliances with the kingdom tried to swiftly bring down the hammer upon them.
Chapter 30: Crystal Guardian Trials. Final Part
They failed and now your friends are waging a continental war for the good of all intelligent creatures.
A version of you was with them, but he sadly perished, beaten to death by a noble. It was likely what caused such strong action from the two.” - Ruby
“They are much braver than I, they took action against their oppressors and made a great change that would affect that world for centuries to come.
All I did was bide my time and eventually escape staying under the radar until my death.” - Coal
“People have different strengths and being able to bear all you did was no easy feat. Humbleness in excess can be seen poorly.” - Ruby
Coal continued to sit and chat with Ruby while watching Gwen and Gary fight battle after battle as they united the continent and abolished slavery.
It took a few years, but they had done it. The entire continent they were on was united under one banner with all beings having equal treatment and respect under the law.
They eventually passed away of old age after creating an empire that would last many millennia and would continue to lead the world in progress.
Once they passed they were met by Coal, who approached and gave them both a big hug.
They talked for a bit before Coal introduced Ruby.