Elysia put on a smile as she held one hand out at me, but her eyes were dead serious.

"Ohhhh, what a plot twist!" Ace cackled, her own eyes glinting with a flippant glee. "Looks like things are getting interesting."

"What the hell..." Null muttered, staring at Elysia in disbelief. "You know, when I said this was boring. I wasn't expecting this."

Forest Willow nodded in agreement, narrowing her eyes as she gripped her bow tightly.

I crawled to my feet, still dazed by the sudden impact.

My shock began to sink into fury, and then faded into confusion. "Wh... what are you talking about, Elysia?"

Ace snickered, leaning against her scepter. "Man, this is priceless. I couldn't make this up if I tried."

"Look, Lux," Elysia started as she crossed her arms. "We need to be pragmatic here. You know that, don't you?"

"But... we just..."

"I was weighing the odds, and I can't afford to lose in a gamble like this. Not with everyone's expectations riding on my back."

"But we..." I bit my lip, shaking my head as I closed my fists. "I trusted you, Elysia."

Her eyes turned glassy, and she stepped toward me, holding out her hands as she tried to placate me. "Listen, this is just a game, remember? If you really want to unlock the gate..."

I immediately recoiled, glaring at her as I set my jaw. "So what's the deal here? You're on their side now?"

"Eh, sort of," Ace chirped, smirking as she looked between us. "Why don't you take a look at the instructions?"

Aurora caught me as I stumbled for a second, and helped me steady myself. "Are you okay, Lux? Does it still hurt?"

"It's not important." I turned toward the plaque. "I have no clue what's going on anymore."

But hopefully I would find out soon.

Null whistled as he came to stand beside me, shaking his head. "What a mess..."

"Oof, looks like we're starting to see the cracks," Ace tittered. "Oh my!"

"Then you'll be glad to hear there's a fix," Elysia continued, ignoring the stage magician.

She sighed, trying to close the distance between us again. I glared at her warily, backing up to match her step.

"That hurt me a lot to do," Elysia looked away. "But I think I did figure out the trick here. And I don't think I can really keep up the facade I put up any longer. I... I want you guys to take the lead for this puzzle, Lux. It's a test of our critical thinking skills, and I want you guys to get something out of this."

I blinked, tilting my head as I studied her expression.

She was speaking earnestly, and there was no sarcasm or cruel malice in her voice.

"Okay... what's the deal with all this then, Elysia?" I muttered, trying to shake off the last vestiges of shock and surprise. "Can you please explain what's going on here?"

"To be straightforward - if you guys can't come to an alternate solution, we'll play this out as per the instructions. Which means that we'll have to fight you."

I frowned, "Ugh. I thought we were supposed to be friends! You're not making any sense here."

"We are," Elysia asserted, her tone softening. "But I... I think really highly of you, Lux. It hasn't been long, and I don't want to come off as a weirdo, but I would love to see you to kick some serious butt. It's really counterproductive for me to just mow everything over for you while we're in training."

She let out a huff as she glanced at her hand, studying her fingernails. "So sorry about that. I really just needed to emphasize that I was willing to carry it through, that's all. Please don't hate me for this. It's an exercise at the end of the day, and we're all practicing to be heroes."

My rage evaporated, replaced by a touch of empathy and understanding. "I... I guess I can understand that."

Aurora seemed to agree as she let out a relieved sigh. "Yeah. Still, I don't exactly want to fight Elysia."

"Neither do I wish to fight you. But you'll have to work it out amongst yourselves, as I made my choice. That's all there is to it," Elysia continued, her expression hardening as she eyed the others.

Welp... what a mess.

I frowned, turning back toward the plaque. Then I leaned over, studying the instructions as I squinted my eyes.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

The Trial of Alignment: The Rite of Keys

Esteemed students, you now stand before the Gate of Ascension, where the paths of valor and fate intertwine. In your possession are two sacred keys, each bound to the path its bearers have walked. This gate stands as a test of resolve for those who have walked different roads to reach this point.

The Triangular Key of Will belongs to those who rose from the ashes of calamity, who stood against the tide when all seemed lost. With no map to follow save their hearts, they weathered the storm of chaos and terror, guided and balanced only by their love and courage. They who fought to protect the world and innocents from its darkest night, their strength born in moments of despair. They who learned not from books, but from blood and fire, carry this key—a symbol of trials overcome in the face of certain death.

The Circular Key of Wisdom belongs to those who found their way through the halls of mercy, whose journey was fraught with endless trial and tribulation. They who saw the worst of man and found the best, who forgave the unforgivable, and those who found light in their hearts. They who never gave up, who were always true to their values, carry this key—a symbol of redemption, purity, and hope for the world to yet come. They are the scholars of discipline, walking a road shaped and balanced by careful, even-keeled design. To them, the key offers the promise of actualization, earned through persistence and diligence.

The Square Key of Order is the central anchor that keeps these worlds from colliding—a necessary foundation for its order. Only through the harmony of balance can either the Circle or the Triangle fulfill its purpose. Yet only one path may open the path forward: the path of chaotic will or the path of measured wisdom. To slot one without balance is to guarantee failure.

To open the Gate of Ascension, two keys may be presented, but only one can complete the alignment with the Square. Once an alignment has been made, the remaining slot will sealed. Upon the passage of seven seconds, the decision will be finalized.

For the rightful path lies between opposing forces, and in the end, only one shall proceed.

Choose your way carefully, for once a key is turned, the Gate shall unlock, and the chosen path shall prevail.

Beware, however, that this decision is not without consequence. The world you leave behind in your wake will shape the future to come.

For only those bound by the key they turn will ascend. The other, left stranded in our midst, may find their journey halted.

Yet, both may try to fit their key, but balance must be maintained—one key must be forsaken to align the paths.

Where the Circle guides with preparation and wisdom, and the Triangle battles through chaos and resolve.

One must yield to the other for balance, lest the Gate deny you both.

I frowned, stroking my chin as I followed the words with my eyes.

"So, maybe we need to find a way to merge the two paths into one?" Aurora asked, tilting her head as she looked over the plaque.

"Hmm, perhaps..." I replied, trying to digest the information.

But no matter how I read it, it seemed to be telling us to either give up or fight it out over the gate.

I shook my head, taking a step back.

Forest Willow gulped, scratching the back of her neck. "Umm, so we really can't just come to an agreement and try to go around this obstacle? Skip it? Maybe as a group?"

Ace laughed, raising her hands. "Hey, don't ask me. I'm just here for the ride. I'm not against any of you guys at all, by the way. But rules are rules, right? Good luck!"

She waved with a wink as Elysia joined her, watching our reactions intently.

"Let's walk through the problem out loud then," Aurora suggested, smiling gently. "Maybe we'll find a way out?"

Elysia raised a brow as she crossed her arms, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Go ahead. I think this will be interesting."

"Well," Null started, mimicking Elysia and crossing his own arms. "Our side has the Triangle of Will. That is, assuming they aren't trying to mislead us. The progress of all the emergency contractees lean on getting it into its slot first."

"And of course," Ace smirked. "I possess the Circle of Wisdom. And the same applies to us."

"The Circle, the Square, and the Triangle. Only one can align with the balance. There's definitely a trick to this," I agreed, narrowing my eyes at the gate. "Do you guys think the other teams are facing these kinds of challenges too?"

"No idea," Null shrugged, his eyes flickering as he pulled out the triangle-shaped key and turning it in his hand. "Still, we should have the heart to go on and solve the problem."

Forest Willow awkwardly smiled, walking between us side. "Yeah. Any ideas?"

I furrowed my brow, staring at the configuration of the puzzle.

The Square was dead center, and there was a slot for a circle on the left and a triangle on the right on altars roughly seven or eight meters away from the square. The Square key was significantly larger than the other two, and it had a strange fractaling spiral pattern in the center.

I glanced at the key holders, each of them looking at their respective keys with equal frustration.

"Hey, I think I got an idea," Aurora suddenly spoke up, her eyes lighting up. "What if we..."

She trailed off, looking at me expectantly.

"Yes?" I asked, raising a brow.

"What if we just... I don't know, tried slotting both keys at the same time? What if they fit together and complete the alignment that way?"

Forest Willow shook her head. "That was the first thing we tried, but the second key literally flew out of Ace's hands and fell into the ground when she tried to slot it with us. That's what led to us fighting it out."

"Ah, that's a pity," Aurora replied, her face falling.

I frowned, pacing as I chewed my lip in frustration.

Null grumbled, "It's a shame that we can't just merge the two keys together or something. Man, that stupid square key is a frigging eyesore."

The square key...

I stopped in my tracks, my eyes widening in realization.

And then it hit me.

I didn't know if I had the answer...

But it was worth a shot.