As dawn breaks, Diana brushes a veil of sand off her torso. The sizzling heat belies the season... yet, in a trial, anything can go south real fast. A pulse of Law emanates from her feet, effortlessly lifting her from the sandy expanse. The intense brightness prickles her eyes, prompting her to rub them.

Diana "What the? Is this... a skill panel? Wait, where the fuck are the words?"

Diana attempts to grab the yellow object, yet it dodges her corporeal grasp. In mounting frustration, The Aspect of Law attacks the panel with a flurry of punches, kicks, and even teeth. However, her efforts merely reward her with bitter mouthfuls of sand.

Diana "Yuck! Fuck! Come on! Do something already! You stupid floating square son of a bitch!"

Taking a deep breath, she goes for a pinch– and it clicks! Diana's joy bubbles over, her laughter echoing as she twirls around. Then, in the midst of her elation, an insight hits her... this thing resembles the lens of sunglasses. She moves it between her eyes and the glaring sun.

Diana "Oh yeah! Fucking score! Now there is some shit! Let's see here..."

|Hello, Warrior of Law or The Aspect of Law. There is a task I need you to do. Build the three constructs then decide your law of the conflict that is to come. Fight or Endure. Your choice.|

Diana "Err, what? Man, I don't know this shit! Can you fucking tune down the smart-ass writing? The only person I can accept that from is the boss. And you ain't my boss!"

|... Fine then. You. Collect. Parts. Build. Your. Enemy. Choose. Fight. Or. Endure.|

Diana "I'm not an animal you know! Jesus! But I get it now. Where can I fight the parts?"

|... Just search lol. Good luck ;)|

Diana "Hey, come back! I'm not done!-Shit... too late. Well, I need to get moving. This heat is way too fucking hot!"

Diana continues her voyage, committed to following a straight path. Time stretches, the sun remains immobile, and fatigue begins to infest her legs. She stumbles, finding a protruding piece of wood in the sand beneath. Upon standing, she tugs it free. It is an oak trunk, as tall as herself and twice as wide. Oddly, it bears no signs of heat damage or aging. A light beam hits the trunk, reflecting and casting a radiant streak toward the horizon...

Diana "Those must be where the other pieces are! Hold up! Mama's coming for ya!"

Diana hefts the oak trunk over her shoulder, breaking into a sprint. Her discoveries include a colossal sunflower head, four deer-like legs of bamboo, and a vine-woven tail. She assembles them into a two-dimensional semblance of a four-legged beast, using the trunk as the body.

The pieces blend together— forming a nascent creature that gazes down at her

|I AM PHOTOSYTHESA, THE FLORAL CONSTRUCT. CHOOSE YOUR ROOTS, Wielder of Law. HUNTING OR BE HUNTED."

Di: "You know... I have been thinking about what the boss said to me yesterday. Maybe it's time for me to learn how to constrain myself. Alright, I'll endure your attacks! Bring it on!"

|VERY WELL THEN.|

Suddenly, the creature expands to a gargantuan size rivaling skyscrapers. Diana's every instinct screams at her to flee, but determination reigns. As the creature's colossal foot descends, she resists, her wrists creaking ominously under the crushing weight. In a desperate move, she reroutes the energy from her feet to her hands, sliding them along the base of the creature's foot. The Aspect of Law gradually manages to evade the imminent stomp.

|EXCELLENT. NOW FOR MY NEXT GROWTH STATE.|

Another shaft of light descends, striking the colossal creature, producing additional legs to sprout from the sides of its body. Diana, focused, conjures a high-friction sand line before her. As leg after leg crashes down, she easily weaves around them.

Diana "Okay, you are fucking INSANE! Please tell me that's it!"

|NO. HERE'S THE NEXT ATTACK.|

Photosythesa swivels its sunflower head towards Diana... the seeds within squirming unnervingly. Diana bolts, evading a torrential downpour of seeds. Spotting a massive rock formation, she takes cover. Observing the seeds whizzing by, she sees their resemblance to leeches. However, these creatures quickly perish in puffs of smoke, perhaps succumbing to the scorching heat.

Diana "That is fucking gross! Hey, Photo-or whatever you are! Are we done?!"

|IT'S PHOTOSYTHESA! AND NO... HERE IS MY FINAL ATTACK. BE READY!|

The tendrils on Photosythesa's tail uncoil, each fiber tip producing a thorn. These lances dart towards Diana, shattering her rocky refuge. As she flees, an idea sparks. Turning back towards Photosythesa, she tries to maneuver around its legs, hoping to entangle the tail vines. However, she watches in dismay as the legs cleverly unfold to allow the vines passage. Tripping, her right leg is skewered by several vines following up with the rest of her limbs.

Diana "Dammit! What the hell are these things doing? Wait... no. NO! NOT MY MUSCLES!"

Her biceps visibly deflate, resembling an exhausted tube of toothpaste. Overcome with pain and fury, Diana weeps. Then, channeling her rage, she wrenches the impaling vines from her arms. She bites off the thorns and, with an urgency rivaling a black hole's pull, sucks back the stolen nutrients.

|WOAH. WOAH! I YIELD. I YIELD! YOU WIN OKAY!|

Diana "Awesome, what's my reward bitch! It's better be awesome!"

Photosythesa withdraws the vines from her leg, the thorny tendrils retreating to its rear. There, she observes them interacting with something. Diana waits... soon, a small badge appears— an orange sunflower decking an oak circular frame.

Diana "Is this a fucking joke to you?"

|JESUS. I'M NOT DONE YET OKAY? LET ME EXPLAIN... THIS TALISMAN ALLOWS YOU TO CONJURE UP MY ATTACK ONCE DURING THE REST OF THE TRIAL. SO USE IT WISELY.|

Diana "Wait, where do I find the other- FUCK! That fucker's already gone! I guess I should just keep searching. What a pain in the ass?!"

Affixing the talisman to the left side of her chest, Diana ventures north. After traversing endless dunes, she discovers an oasis. The water's texture is odd, emitting a ceaseless plume of white mist. As Diana touches the cloud, a cold sensation shoots up her arm. Drawn in, she reaches for the liquid...

Diana "Ouch! What the fuck is this shit?! Not doing that again!"

Diana attempts to warm her hand by rubbing them together, only to experience more discomfort. Swinging her hand through the air, she notes the strange mist actively evading her. It moves with intention, prompting a grin to form on her face. With multiple swings, she uncovers a clear path ahead.

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Diana "Awesome! Guardian number two! Here I come!"

Energized, Diana sprints, encountering a kaleidoscope of bizarre novelties.

She observes six pairs of glass arms, their interiors partitioned into three compartments each, holding a clear fluid resembling water.

Next, she spots a hefty glass barrel, it's exterior adorned with stout spikes. Within it, seven layers of differently colored liquids stack one upon another.

Lastly, her eyes fall on a glass head, its structure akin to those of iron maidens. Split down the center into eight divisions, each section houses unique powders.

Diana "Okay and now I should put together this fucking weird ass Russian doll?"

The result of her assembly is a towering glass doll, sporting three arms on each side.

|HEY! I'M NOT A FUCKING A RUSSIAN DOLL! YOU SNIVELING LITTLE LAB RAT! I'M CHEM'TA, THE GLASS MAIDEN!|

Diana "I don't know, man. You look like a giant Russian doll to me. Reminds me of the one I had when I was six."

|OKAY. WE CAN STAY HERE AND DISCUSS WHAT IS AND ISN'T A RUSSIAN DOLL ALL DAY. BUT DO YOU WANT TO START THE CHALLENGE OR NOT?!|

Diana "Sure. Sure. Just get on with it."

|WHY YOU LITTL- CALM DOWN, CHEM'TA. BE PRESENTABLE AND CALM DOWN. NOW THEN... CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIMENT, JERK BAG. DO THE TESTING OR BE THE TEST SUBJECT.|

Diana "Well I did pretty well on the latter. Might as well continue the streak. I'll be the test subject!"

|GOOD! I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD SAY THAT. NOW PREPARE FOR PAIN!|

Its fists launch into a flurry of strikes against Diana. She defends, shielding her upper torso. As Chem'ta intensifies its assault, Diana grapples with the escalating impact of each punch. Her will remains unyielding, but the sand beneath her concedes, causing her feet to sink. Spotting this weakness, Chem'ta targets her hip, sending Diana falling.

The glass doll looms over, launching an onslaught on her head and legs, and bruises erupt across her body. Desperate for escape, Diana reduces the friction on her back and drives her legs into the sand.

|HUH?! HEY, THAT WAS PRETTY SMART. GOOD JOB!|

Diana "Don't good job me! You asshole! I nearly died! Dammit, I should have selected the first option then I could crush your glass-looking ass into dust!"

|WOAH NOW. SOMEONE'S MAD. HEHEHEHE. TOO BAD BECAUSE WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED. LET'S TRY THIS ON!|

The construct's arms vibrate with an intensity similar to a fly's wings— revealing gaps between their internal sections. The contained liquids mingle and froth, causing the arms to radiate a heated, orange glow. Adopting a graceful wave, akin to a Hawaiian dancer, Chem'ta begins a fluent dance.

Diana "Hey, what the fuck are doing?! Are you mocking me or something?! Now is not the time to dance!"

|CALM DOWN. THAT IS WHAT YOU NEED. IT IS TO C.H.I.L.L. CHILL. WHAT ABOUT YOU JOIN ME?|

Diana "Okay, now you just remind me of a "certain" douchebag. Fine for once, I'll try to "chill". "

Approaching with caution, Diana is prepared for anything. As the dance intensifies, Chem'ta's head quakes and its arms aim for her eyes. Reacting swiftly, Diana shoots her right arm forward to shield her face.

But instead of anticipated punches, she meets whip-like lashes accompanied by unbearable heat, searing her arms as though they were skewered kebabs.

Diana "AAAAAAAAARGGGH! What was that?! YOU DICK! THAT FUCKING HURTS!"

|HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HOLY SHIT! YOU ARE THE DUMBEST PERSON I HAVE EVER MET! THROUGHOUT MY EONS EXISTING IN CONTEXTUAL SPACE, I HAVE NEVER MET ANYONE MORE STUPID THAN YOU. OH WAIT! THERE WAS THIS ONE GUY... ERR NEVERMIND. ANYWAY, READY FOR YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE?|

Diana "After all of this is done. Can I fucking kill you, you fucking glass dickhead?"

|HA! YOU CAN TRY LOL. ANYWAY, THINGS ARE GOING TO GET CRAZY!|

Hiss.

Diana observes holes materializing across Chem'ta's body and head, allowing the liquids and powders within to spill out and hover around the construct. The potent odor of the substances triggers a primal instinct in Diana, compelling her to flee. Fear driving her, Diana hurtles forward, drawing out her talisman and whispering an invocation. But her efforts appear futile as the chemicals combine, conjuring a towering column of ominous, dark smoke.

|HELLO, BIG DUMB GIRL! YOU THERE?! HUH, SHE'S UNCONSCIOUS. WELL TOO BAD... LOOKS LIKE WE GONNA WAIT FOR ANOTHER EON UNTIL WE FIND ANOTHER SUCCESSOR. LET'S DISPOSE OF THE BODY. I'M PRETTY SURE I'M IN RANGE. LET'S SEE... MAYBE FOUR OR FIVE NUCLEAR BOMBS WILL DO.|

Chem'ta ruptures its form, amalgamating its internal components into a vivid, viscous slurry. The blend surges, birthing an enormous, iridescent bubble. TICK!.... it detonates, forming a colossal pyramid that carves out a square crater in its aftermath.

Wait... Just beyond the crater's edge, a bamboo forest burns. Within the forest's heart, Diana rests unscathed. As time flows, she finally stirs from her slumber.

Diana "Woah! Th... That was a close one. Thanks, Photosythesa! I owe you one for this."

She steps out of the forest's protective cover, taking in the vast crater. Diana then surveys her surroundings.

Diana "Jesus, that bastard was crazier than I thought. Good thing I'm alive though."

|Seriously! You're alive! How?!|

A puny voice drifts from her feet. Looking down, she discovers a small glass ball, within which a blue spark hovers. Diana picks it up and begins to squeeze it.

|Ow ow ow! Stop! That hurts, you jerk bag!|

Diana "Ah! Not so tough now are ya?! Now beg for mercy! Give me a reward! NOW!!"

|Fine! The reward is me! I'll show you where the remaining pieces are and you can use one of my attacks against big brother.|

Diana "I don't your help- Wait, big brother? You guys are siblings?"

|Well, duh! Of course, but we can't tell you about our father. If we mention his name, he'll come here and destroy us all! Please, don't force me!|

Diana "Jesus, if this father of yours makes some as powerful as you scared. Then I won't do it, besides I already had enough trouble with you."

Tucking the ball into her pocket, she reenters the field, where she comes across a car-sized clock. Squeezing the large object into her inventory proves challenging, yet feasible. Venturing further, she encounters a colossal, muscular gold torso which she promptly stores in her inventory. As she does so, she notices clock numbers encircling its center, though the clock hands are absent. Deeper into her journey, she finds a pair of golden arms and legs, each adorned with three types of clock hands on their backside.

Diana retrieves the head and torso from her inventory, and as they gravitate toward each other, a massive homunculus takes form.

|WHO WOKE ME FROM MY SLUMBER? WAS IT YOU, MIGHTY WARRIOR OF LAW? UMMM... HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN?.... FAR TOO LONG... IT SEEMS AS THOUGH I REMEMBERED YOU DIFFERENTLY. BUT THAT SHOULDN'T MATTER! MY NAME IS PHYSISTOFIST, THE TIME WARDEN. NOW, PICK YOUR DESTINY. WILL YOU FACE THE CRUEL CURRENT OF TIME OR WILL YOU ACCEPT IT WITH OPEN ARMS?|

Diana "Wow, that's a mouthful. At least you're way more respectful than the last guy. I choose to accept your challenge!"

|HOW BRAVE VERY! HERE I COME!|

The space around the construct distorts, akin to ripples spreading on a quiet pond. Diana observes Physistofist moving at a glacial pace but.... within a microsecond, his fist connects with her nose, shattering it. Overcome with pain, as if a nerve at the back of her head had been severed, Diana crumples. Ripping two pieces from her tank top, she plugs her bleeding nose. She attempts to flee but falters, her timing askew. Lying on the ground, she waves her hand, noticing its unusual sluggishness.

Diana "Time-changing bullshit. Thank god! I chose to endure!"

|YES, IT WAS INDEED A WISE CHOICE. IF YOU WERE TO FIGHT ME... LET'S JUST SAY THAT WE WOULD BE HERE FOR YEARS. OR MAYBE A FEW SECONDS. ARE READY FOR MY NEXT ATTACK?|

Diana nods and pushes herself upright. The construct winds up his punch, the action seemingly ceaseless until its entire arm is awash with a yellow glow. As the punch is unleashed, so forceful it reshapes the surrounding desert landscape, Diana quakes. The devastating attack creates a gaping hole through her midriff, bringing Diana to her knees. Despite her fate, she meets the construct's gaze with unyielding determination before surrendering to death.

|THAT WAS MY LAST CHALLENGE AND YOU PASSED IT THOUGH AT THE COST OF YOUR LIFE. HOW ADMIRABLE? PERHAPS... YOUR TIME ISN'T UP JUST YET? I'LL GRANT YOU A SECOND CHANCE!|

His palm targets her body, conjuring millions of unique, ticking clocks encircling it. The clocks, each with distinct designs and ticking rates, precise to microseconds, miraculously mend the hole in her stomach, reigniting the life in her eyes. Diana gazes at him, then down at her mortal hands. For the first time, she allows herself to cry without resistance.

Diana "I-I-I... died... d-didn't I?! I AM SO FUCKING WEAK! HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FRIENDS LIKE THIS?!"

|ACKNOWLEDGE OF WEAKNESS AND THE DESIRE TO PROTECT. A VERY RARE TRAIT INDEED. ALTHOUGH THE TRIAL IS OVER, I MAY HAVE AN OFFER THAT MIGHT INTEREST YOU. WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAIN WITH ME?|

Diana "Wait... really. Are you sure? Is there a drawback?"

|THE ONLY COST IS TIME, MY DEAR. LOTS AND LOTS OF TIME. BUT DON'T WORRY. YOU WON'T NOTICE IT PASSING. WHAT DO YOU SAY?|

Lowering her head in gratitude, Diana accepts his offer.

In the ensuing three years, she and Physistofist rigorously train in the barren desert. The effect of their training transforms her muscles into formidable forms, her back now resembling a demonic dragon.

Diana gathers the remnants of her tank top, stowing them in her inventory. She takes one last look at the desert...

Diana "Thank you, master... for all these years. I feel like I can protect everyone now thanks to you."

|...|

Diana "Oh right. You're dead. I'm leaving now... This is goodbye."

A portal appears before her. A single tear streaks down her face as she steps away from the sandy plains.