“Let’s just get on with the next test already, he’s a mortal, there’s no way he could have made it through that forest.”

On the mountain peak, the test participants were gathered. The elders stood above them, silent.

The person who had just spoken had arrived countless hours ago, in fact everybody there had arrived countless hours ago. They were all waiting for one person, Dalian.

The time limit of twelve hours had only been there to make the test disciples think the distance was the difficulty, not the creatures within the forest. Truthfully, anyone who could have made it through had done so within the first six hours. And the people who arrived last were always in such bad shape that they couldn’t proceed

As was done every year, the elders were about to declare the test finished, but a group of three boys had all arrived at the last possible second. They thrummed with energy and demanded that the test not end until the time was up, so that Dalian could arrive.

One of them shouted in response, “he’s not dead! He’s coming to finish the test!”

“Yes, yes. You’ve told us that plenty of times now. But look around. The sun is setting. The twelve hours are about to be up. Where’s your wonder boy?” It was a male testee speaking. He had long blonde hair and a pale complexion. He was one of those who had a high grade spirit root.

He continued, “the way I see it, he died a long time ago in that forest, some stray dog is probably feeding on his corpse right now.”

“Bastard!” A boy without any hair charged forward.

After he took a couple of steps, he was suddenly stopped in motion. An immense aura and pressure descended upon the mountain. Elder Alano, the elder in charge of the test, stepped forward.”

“Disciple Johan, I’ve accepted your words that disciple Dalian is coming. That does not mean however, that I am a pushover. To fight without my permission during the test is an insult to the Azure Light Sect. I will not tolerate disrespect.”

He turned to the boy who had caused the trouble. “Disciple Bartholdt, you seem to have an issue with my decision to continue the test to its preordained conclusion. Do you think your judgement to be better than mine?”

Bartholdt shook his head vigorously as the pressure lessened. “No! I lower myself to your decision. Disciple will be silent from now.”

Elder Alano merely stared at him, before returning to his position, with Elder Kailin on one side and Mersault on the other.

The mild chatter among the youngsters was now completely silent, and everybody waited patiently for the test to end to see whether Dalian would arrive.

A few moments after he had returned to his position, Elder Kailin had a look of surprise take over his face and he looked at Elder Alano, who only returned his gaze with a brief nod.

The minutes passed and the final light began to disappear from the horizon, leaving only a few reflections of navy blue as the moonlight was reflected by some crystals jutting around the peak.

The three boys had clenched fists as they waited for Dalian to come.

Elder Alano stepped forward and spoke.

“With my authority as an elder of the outer sect, I declare this test-“ he was suddenly cut off by a loud shout.

“Wait!” Everybody turned to the source of the sound.

There was nothing, but after a moment, a tall figure ran onto the peak. It was difficult to see in the dark, but the three boys rejoiced. Mersault smiled slightly.

Dalian had arrived in time.

—-

Elder Alano’s expression was unfazed. He allowed Dalian to run up to the three that he had been imprisoned with.

“Brother, you made it!” The bald boy spoke.

Dalian nodded. “I gave you my word.”

He nodded in response. Elder Alano spoke again.

“Now that everyone is here, I’ll continue. Using my authority as an elder of the outer sect, I declare this test finished. There is now only one more obstacle for you to overcome before you can enter the sect. You will all be once again travelling to another mountain peak.” He turned to the opposite side that Dalian had come from.

A suspended rope bridge extended flimsily into the night, and the other end couldn’t be seen.

“To get there, you must use this bridge. You may take as much time as you need once on the bridge, but you must step onto it within two hours. Once on, you only have one chance to make it to the other end. If you step off, that will be counted as a failure. That is all. You may begin.”

A clamour of noise rose as everyone suddenly started speaking to each other about the test. Dalian ignored their words and instead turned his attention to his comrades.

“Brothers, we didn’t have much time to introduce ourselves back in the cave. You can call me Dalian. I have no ability of my own, so I’ll have to rely upon your care.”

The three laughed, and the bald boy spoke.

“If you don’t have any ability, then what does that mean for us? I’m Johan, I come from a small merchant family, and was lucky to encounter a sect disciple as I carried out my business, allowing me to step onto this path of immortality.”

The boy on his left who was slightly chubby spoke, “I’m Ferjuz. My dad did some good things for the kingdom, so he got a worthless title, which makes me a noble. But I’m really as normal as anyone.”

On Johan’s right, a boy in similar farmhand clothes to Dalian was standing. “Tybalt. I’m just a farmer. Nothing much more to say,” he said in a blunt manner.

They each held their hands out for Dalian to shake, but he slapped them away and brought them in for a hug. After they separated, he smiled.

“Back in that cave we fought together, with our backs to each other. That’s all I need to call you each my brother. Of course, that is if you’re willing.”

“Definitely!” They said at the same time.

Ferjuz laughed, “if it wasn’t for you, then we’d all be dead right now. From that moment my life stopped belonging to myself. When you need help, you must call upon me, otherwise I won’t be able to call you my brother.”

“I feel the same way. My father always taught me to make my decisions to get the best investment back, but he also said to never forget the favours others have given me. I will treat you as my brother forever.” said Johan.

Tybalt spoke in a monotone voice. “Is there a need for so many words brother?”

“Then our names shall shake the world! Brothers tied together by a trust stronger than blood!”

They all roared, without a single care.

A snivelly voice cut through their celebration. “Just a mortal and his half baked posse of weaklings think they can shake the world? What a joke.”

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They all looked at the source and found it to be Bartholdt, who had a mocking sneer on his face.

Johan charged up to him.

“Say that again!” He shouted in his face.

“Just a mortal and his half baked posse of weaklings think they can shake the world? What a joke,” repeated Bartholdt.

Johan pulled his arm back to punch but it was caught by Dalian before he could attack.

“Don’t. An idiotic parrot isn’t worth your anger,” he said, with a disdainful gaze.

Bartholdt had an ugly expression on his face, but before he could say anything, Johan spoke.

“Alright, since it’s my brother asking, I’ll listen.” He turned and walked away, “let’s get on with this test.”

After the brief disruption, everybody turned their attention back to the suspended bridge. It looked very shoddily made, as if it would fall apart if even a fox walked over it. Dalian looked around and saw only a hundred and fifty people. That meant fifty people hadn’t passed, most likely, they were all dead.

The figure was a bit chilling, but Elder Alano had warned them all. He said only half would pass, which meant that fifty had to die here.

As everybody was waiting for someone to test the bridge out first, Mersault went over to Dalian.

“You made it through after all.” He said.

“I did, although only barely.” Dalian replied.

Mersault smiled slightly. “What do you think this test is about?”

“I would guess it’s some type of courage test. To cross a bridge that looks like it's about to fall apart. The only people ready to do something like that are ready to die.”

Mersault nodded. “An interesting perspective, but once the first people cross, where does the element of courage go? Everybody would see that the bridge was strong enough and could simply go across without any bravery.”

Dalian let out a ‘hmm’, before speaking. “What do you think then?”

“I have no idea.” He said bluntly.

“Huh?” Johan said. “Our brother just gave you his opinion and you can’t even return a thought. What kind of a person are you?”

Mersault laughed. “I truly don’t know. But if I could advise you, I would say not to even attempt without a spirit root. Dalian, it’s impressive that you came this far already, but this is your limit. If you try to walk on that bridge, you will die.”

Having said that, he turned around and walked over to the bridge, and in front of everyone’s gazes, he stepped on. Nothing happened. He continued further along, and eventually disappeared in the darkness.

Once they had seen that, most people lost their wariness, and the more arrogant ones directly ran over to be the next person on the bridge.

Still in their group, Ferjuz looked at Dalian and asked, “Wat are you going to do, Dalian? That Mersault is a bit arrogant, but he doesn’t seem like the type to lie.”

“You don’t have to worry about me, if it’s just a spirit root, then I’ll be fine.”

Ferjuz was confused for a moment, before a look of understanding came upon his face, and he asked.

“Do you mean-”

Dalian cut him off. “If you know, then that’s good enough.” He said, not wanting to clue others in any further to his new spirit root. “Come, let’s see what this bridge is all about.”

He led his group to the bridge, and after a moment’s hesitation, they all stepped on one after another, and felt nothing. Still, they kept their guard up and started walking, taking care not to step through any holes from missing planks.

It was after five minutes of walking that Ferjuz spoke up, sounding scared. “Did you all just hear that scream?”

They shook their heads and Johan replied, “No. It’s completely silent, I can only hear the wind.”

“Same here.” Tybalt said.

Dalian also said that he hadn’t heard anything. With three against one, Ferjuz assumed that he had just misheard. They continued further, this time all keeping their ears out for any sounds.

A couple of minutes later, Tybalt spoke. “I just heard screaming as well.”

Again, they confirmed that none of them had heard it and continued.

A minute later, Johan said, “I heard it.”

They all stopped walking. “Something that we all hear has to be real, right?” said Ferjuz.

Dalian considered the possibility, perhaps it was another participant. However, the fact that only one of them heard it at a time made him think differently. He was reminded of the Carvines that had attacked him in the forest. They had a way to imitate screaming. What was to say that there weren’t other things in possession of the same ability?

He told the others about his experience and they all fell into thought.

“Regardless, whether it's real or not, keep your guard up. Control your mind, if you notice any unnatural thoughts, tell each other. I think this may only be the start of it.”

As they proceeded further, the night seemed to only get darker. No stars could be seen in the sky, with clouds blocking them. They rumbled ominously, as thunder roiled within. The only thing that could be made out was the group’s faces, as well as the flimsy bridge which they stood on.

The three began to hear the screams more often, going from one every few minutes, to every few seconds. However, Dalian was unaffected, having heard nothing but the galing sound of nature.

It was at half an hour of walking when things changed. They, who had been all alone during their entire passage, came across another participant. It was difficult to tell whether it was a boy or a girl, but they had come back the way they came. In other words, they were returning to the mountain peak.

“Hello! Identify yourself!” Dalian shouted. He didn’t feel right about letting the unknown person come close to them. This was a test with a danger of death, unknown variables could not be allowed to affect them; not to mention the fact that the others were on edge after being tormented by endless screaming.

There was no response. The person just stood there, looking at them.

“You heard him! Who are you?” Ferjuz shouted over Dalian’s shoulder.

Like a ghoulish spectre, they stared. The icy glare of theirs was enough to freeze the blood in someone’s body. Suddenly, the white of their teeth could be seen. A wide smile had been plastered across their face.

“Hehehe.” A disturbing giggle that belonged to a little girl.

“Listen here bastard, don’t play games with us, or you’re gonna regret it.” Johan said angrily. Still, his words had no effect, and the laughter kept on coming, it even picked up in intensity.

“Dalian, let’s throw this sick person over the edge. They clearly want us to,” said Johan.

Lost in thought, Dalian considered the possibilities of why the person was there. Some depraved fun? Had they gone mad? Was it even a person? Could it have been a creature that could mimic humans, and was sent to test them?

If they killed them, what would happen to them?

Abruptly, the person charged towards them, like a wild animal. They had their arms out in front of them. Without even thinking about it, Dalian pulled out a knife that he kept from the cave, from his pocket. The person reached him.

He could see clearly now that it was a boy. And he was definitely a test participant. Dalian recognised him from his face, but he couldn’t recall his name. Snot dripped out of his nose, and saliva hung down on tendrils from his snarling mouth.

The boy swiped down with his hand, as if to try and claw Dalian. However, with regular hands, all he could do was slightly scratch him. Meanwhile, Dalian thrust his knife into the boy’s neck, causing him to quickly start losing strength. Then, not bothering to take it back out, he grabbed the boy and lifted him. He was heavy, and Dalian could only manage to push him against the ropes.

Johan stepped forward and grabbed the boy as well. Together, in one motion they lifted the boy over the rope, and tossed him over the edge. Just before he fell, a flash of life appeared in his eyes, and a great fear took his face. However it was only for a moment, as his snarl quickly reappeared, and madness controlled him once again.

The group peered over the edge as they watched his body fall into the black abyss, never to be seen again.

They were silent for some time.

“Fuck. We just killed someone.” Johan said.

“Don’t think about it. We’re still in the middle of the test. If you start berating yourself, then it’ll end up being you if someone else comes,” said Dalian.

“Right.”

They kept walking. Although Dalian had projected a strong front, he was furiously contemplating. Madness. That had to be the difficulty in this trial. Some way or another, people went crazy. Was it something similar to the screaming? Did it get worse?

“I think they’re testing our will, don’t give into any negative emotions.” He said.

The others nodded, ignoring the screams that they were constantly hearing. Despite the grating sensation they felt, they moved onwards.

Dalian wondered why he was unaffected. Perhaps it was because he had already experienced the Corvines' screams. But that didn’t make any sense. The level he had heard was nowhere near what the others seemed to be hearing. Then it was something else.

The only thing that he could think of that could be different about him was… the immortal creation orb.

His chest tightened.

The idea that it was able to help in such a way was surprising. It threatened to take his concentration from the task at hand. After seeing what that boy had become, Dalian forced himself to refocus.

This test would take everything he had.