„Hmm, did someone talk to us?”, asked Martina in confusion.

“I guess so. But who should this god carrot be? Let me tell you, we hold mass every Sunday in my retirement home. I’m sure there is no such god!”

Some indignation accompanied Olivia’s voice. As a pious woman she was sensible to megalomaniacal people proclaiming to be gods.

“I tell you. If I find out who this scammer is, he will be in deep trouble. It’s one of the biggest sins to pose as God!”

“What do you know? He might be a subordinate of the southern dragon king. Calling himself god might be a bit too much, but this title might have been granted to him.”, explained Dongmei from a different viewpoint.

Just as a new discussion threatened to break out, the majestic voice sounded out again.

“Enter the gate of trial, mortals”

“Getting impatient now or what?”

“Right. We old ladies aren’t the fastest anymore. Show some respect, youngster!”

Only now did the three old ladies turn their attention back to the gate. After it opened earlier, it only led to a dark void. The three grandmas didn’t know what to expect from it, so they subconsciously ignored it.

Now that they had received clear instructions, Olivia was the first to take a step forward. She didn’t forget about her daughter’s situation, urgently wanting to leave this place.

“Be careful. This doesn’t look save.”, warned Dongmei kindly after she noticed Olivia’s actions.

“I don’t think we have much of a choice.”

With those words the old American lady carefully reached out with her hand. It was hard to tell if her arm shuddered from nervousness or from age.

Her hand advanced slowly. She neared the dark void piece by piece. Suddenly her first finger touched the dark void. And Olivia instantly vanished.

Martina and Dongmei drew a sharp breath. They looked at each other, confirming the resolution in each other’s eyes. After overcoming the first trial the three heroes had already forged a bond. Thus, they didn’t hesitate, promptly recaching out to the dark void as well.

*clang*

A bright metallic sound rang out in a majestic, luxurious hall. The three grandmas had just appeared in another room when their attention was drawn to a small metallic device falling onto the gorgeous marvel flooring not far from them.

Only Martina hadn’t noticed the commotion. She clicked her tongue derogatorily as her eyes followed the opulent golden pillars, which vanished into darkness above their heads. The old lady couldn’t tell if this room had a ceiling or not, as she quietly mumbled something about staying humble.

After her first surprise, Olivia turned her head towards her companions.

“Oh, you came so fast.

Any idea what this thing on the floor is? I…”

Before Olivia could continue, a raspy, angry voice interrupted her.

“Mortals! How dare you neglect me!”

Dongmei and Oiliva were startled. While the old Thomson narrowed her eyes, trying to see where the voice came from, Dongmei soon spotted its source.

A few tens of meters in front of the three ladies there was a gorgeous gallery. Artistical golden railing separated its front from the rest of the room. Huge, impressive paintings adorned the wall at its back. They depicted majestic, green… people?

Leading her vision downwards, Dongmei noticed two similar people standing on a huge golden throne. It was at least ten meters in height. In comparison the two green people seemed like dwarfs.

While the older of the two calmly observed the room, the younger one openly showed his anger. Veins were protruding from his fists holding a tacky golden scepter. His chest, only partially covered by high-quality brown fur clothing heaved up and down. The way too big red cloak behind his back fluttered without wind.

Of course, his majesty emperor of goblins, conqueror of the blue sun, technological genius, pioneer of magic, the great Zotrahn’gra had all reason to be angry.

In the name of the great god Khirotsan’ahn the almighty he held the Heroes Trials every year. But he had never received such disrespect before. Not only did those candidates take forever to finally approach the gate, they didn’t even acknowledge him after entering the trial chamber. How dare those weak mortals disregard him so much?

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

His anger rising continuously Zotrahn’gra shouted again:

“Mortals! Where are you looking?!”

Dongmei observed the green dwarf in curiosity as he jumped atop his throne. Her walking stick quickly swept out towards her right and left. Olivia and Martina rubbed their waists as they looked at her in confusion. Their eyes followed her walking stick pointing forward, soon also noticing the strange person atop the throne.

Finally, Zotrahn’gra was satisfied. Those mortals still knew what was good for them. Just as he wanted to start his intimidating speech, Olivia’s voice sounded out.

“Martina, Dongmei, what is this? Are those two children playing with costumes? Is it Halloween already? I don’t have any sweets with me.”

Zotrahn’gra stocked. What was going on today?

“Mortal! How dare you call me, the great emperor Zotrahn’gra, a child? I am the noble emperor of goblins. Arbiter of Khirotsan’ahn the almighty!”

Dongmei could have sworn steam emitted from the goblin’s head as he boiled in anger.

“Ladies. What did that man say? He’s too far away. What are those manners? How should we understand him?”

Even the stern Dongmei chuckled lightly as she noticed the goblins anger replaced by disbelief. His narrow eyes opened widely as his mouth gaped open. Sharp teeth could be seen.

“He said he’s a goblin emperor. Ha! I told you we are in a fantasy movie!”, exclaimed Olivia.

The goblin’s brain seemingly stopped working. He stocked before he suddenly deflated. It seemed Earth’s heroes were too tough for him. He couldn’t build up his authority.

A sulking expression appeared on his face as he sat down in a bad mood.

Disbelief appeared on the three ladies’ faces. Martina drew in a shocked breath. Since the emperor’s cape covered the small stool behind him, from the three heroes’ perspective it looked like the goblin sat down in the air.

Zotrahn’gra noticed their reactions but didn’t understand it. With his superior hearing the ladies’ quiet whispers didn’t escape him. He shook his head as they talked about ‘magic’ with awe in their voices.

The goblin emperor felt like something was wrong with the world today. When had he ever dealt with such strange heroes. He knew that the trial’s summons were random, but didn’t the great god state that the trial would summon heroes? Then what about the three grandmas?

“Ah!”

While Zotrahn’gra contemplated life in confusion something suddenly hit his head. He turned around towards the old shaman next to him, displeasure on his face.

The old goblin wasn’t faced in the slightest.

“Do your job!”

“High priest, how can I do my job like this? Could it be that something went wrong during the summoning progress? How about we start anew?”

“Don’t search for excuses. Your job is to create suitable trails. Don’t question the summoning only because you are incompetent.”

“How can you say that? Have you looked at these three heroes? How can they pass any trials? Aren’t they too old?”

Suddenly Zotrahn’gra winced as the high priest’s face fell.

“Are you saying the elderly are too weak?”

“No… I…”

Zotrahn’gra’s earlier scream caught the three old ladies’ attention again. Noticing that the two goblins were almost falling out, Olivia coughed gently.

“Goblin emperor. Why don’t you explain why we are here?”

Under normal circumstances interrupting the great emperor would be a crime worthy of dead. But right now, Zotrahn’gra was more than thankful. He quickly turned away from the high priest.

Puffing out his chest Zotrahn’gra began his explanation with a majestic voice:

“Welcome, mortals, to the Heroes Trial!”

Rumbling sounds of thunder dramatically accompanied his words. Dongmei and Olivia looked around in confusion while Martina addressed the great emperor:

“Youngster. Could you talk louder please. With you so far away, how should we understand you?”

Zotrahn’gra’s eyebrow spasmed but he finally wanted to get on with the trials. Thus, he raised the volume again as he continued:

“In all his benevolence the great god Khirotsan’ahn the almighty has decided to grant wishes to the heroes of all worlds! But of course, not everyone is worthy to receive the great god’s grace.

Thus, the Heroes Trial was born. It is my honor to test the heroes of all worlds in the great god’s name!”

Zotrahn’gra paused dramatically as he eyed the current trial takers. Noticing their mellow reactions, he wasn’t sure if they were fearless or naïve.

“You three heroes have been randomly chosen to represent Earth. If you manage to pass three trials, each of you will have one wish of theirs fulfilled. Be it wealth, power, or eternal life. The great god’s might knows no bounds!”

As Zotrahn’gra observed the three old ladies, he finally felt some satisfaction. He could see the joy on their faces. He knew that no one could be indifferent when faced with the possible reward. Even these three difficult trial takers were finally moved.

Just as a proud smile formed on the emperor’s face, Olivia’s next sentence let it stiffen again.

“Great. Then we are only missing two trials now.”

“Mor… motral? Didn’t I clearly explain it right now? You have to pass three trials!”

“But we already passed one, right?”, asked Dongmei confidently.

“Why would you think that?”

“We made it past those stairs earlier! Wasn’t this the first trial?”

Zotrahn’gra slowly lost his spirit. How should he survive this? Maybe he should get a subordinate of his to lead the trial this time?

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath the great emperor adjusted his mindset. He had to see this as a battle. A vicious war. If he lost his cool, he would be defeated! Yes, like this! He could do it!

After adjusting his mood, he explained with a solemn voice:

“How could those stairs be called a trail? Your trials will be dangerous fights between life and death or unique situations only solvable by the brightest of minds.”

“What? Then why would you put those stairs there?”

“This is unfair! I demand to speak to the manager!”

“Right. How could they do this? This should definitely count as the first trial!”

Observing the disgruntled grandmas, Zotrahn’gra had to do his best not to despair on the spot. In his own palace such a situation would never happen, but as the great god’s arbiter he naturally couldn’t attack the trial takers.

Gritting his teeth the emperor shouted loudly:

“Silence! The rules are set. The trial will begin. Stop complaining!”

Not letting any further delay happen, Zotrahn’gra finally waved his hand.

Just as a golden light flashed trough the room a door to the emperor’s side opened. A small head happily poked out. Suddenly its eyes widened as everyone vanished.