Clear and shallow waves lapped against the intricate tile set. Sparkling water filled the majority of the cavern-like room, which was as large as a grand stadium.

Opposite of the room’s entrance, the far wall was comprised of a wispy shroud of darkness that expanded along its entire length. In contrast to the shrouded wall, a lone island was positioned a short distance away from the main piece of land. On the island, were two totems, while a mysterious and swirling vortex stretched between the totems.

Scattered across the mainland, water, and island, were a multitude of trial takers. Some chatted with friends by the entrance, while others waded through the water as far as they could. Occasionally, some would even pass through the vortex, disappearing from the cavern.

A hulking man staggered ashore. Both winded and exhausted, he gulped down deep breaths of air as he rested his hands on his knees before a group of people.

“Talru, no matter how many times you try, you won’t be able to go beyond 25 steps.”

Rosa chided him as the group of friends smirked at their simple friend.

“It just doesn’t make sense! How can Meysi walk 30 steps into the water, but I can only walk 25? The 26th step is so incredibly heavy!”

Talru pointed at Meysi, who stood awkwardly at the side. She averted her eyes as to not attract additional attention.

“My idiot brother. Meysi is a genius, don’t compare yourself to a genius!”

Claude gave him heavy handed pats on the back.

“But I’m the stronger one-”

“No, you’re the weaker one.”

A snide voice interrupted before Talru could finish his sentence. The group of friends looked toward the speaker, immediately causing a wave of disgust to spread amongst them.

“You’re weaker, and everyone around you knows it. Look at ye’.”

Berel swaggered forward with a lazy finger digging in his nose. Following behind him were the same men as before, however this time a couple were missing.

“People call it spiritual water for a reason. Didn’t ye’ read the stele at the entrance?”

Despite his hatred for Berel, Talru wasn’t able to give a proper response. In perfect Talru fashion, the first thing he did after entering the Trial of Water was sprint as far as he could into the liquid. Initially, he had even returned in triumph after achieving his 25 arduous steps.

“N-No…”

Talru’s shoulders drooped lower as he took a step back.

“Can’t you leave us in peace? How did an overweight dog such as you even make it through the Trial of Heaven?”

Rosa saved Talru from further embarrassment as she retorted with a scowl. Berel shifted his eyes toward her with a shocked expression.

“Huh? Me?”

He pointed at himself with a sarcastic and dumb look. Before Rosa could respond with more insults, one of the men behind Berel laughed and spoke up.

“Don’t ya know? Leader Berel here is like a beautiful dandelion floatin’ on the spring breeze!”

The rest of the men laughed along with him. As if prompted by the attention, Berel then performed a feat that left Claude and the others both aghast and speechless.

With a graceful twist, Berel leaped high into the air and spun around like a ballerina. However, he didn’t stop there. As his feet met the tiled floor, he landed into a perfect splits with his legs stretched exactly horizontal. Berel folded his arms, resting them above his protruding belly. His mouth creased into an ugly grin.

“What do ya think, my lovely Rosa? I was even able to walk 34 steps into the water.”

Rosa recoiled back in disgust. A subconscious shiver crawled over her skin as she felt the man scan her body.

“So pigs really can fly…”

Meysi mumbled as she watched with a strange look. Berel stood up from his position and signaled to his men. Each of them drew their swords and shared confident sneers.

“What I want is simple. Rosa comes spend time with me and my boys, and the rest walk free. Or we kill all of you—except Rosa, of course.”

The group of friends grimaced as they postured defensively. Claude quickly looked around the massive cavern.

Beyond Berel’s group, he could make out the massive crowd of trial takers, each of them ignoring the group’s dilemma as they focused on proving themselves in the trial. Some roared in triumph, while their friends on shore cheered out loud. Others tried with all their might to make that one extra step through the water but were doomed to give up in dismay.

Realizing they would receive no help, Claude swiftly sought out the exit. The island that led to the Trial of Man was exactly 20 steps away. However, those 20 steps could potentially seal their fate. If what Berel said was true about walking 34 steps, then he could easily overtake their group and kill them as they struggled against the trial.

Claude and Rosa had already tested themselves, realizing just how impossible the trial was after taking a mere 15 steps. The two of them weren’t even able to make it to the island, let alone test themselves for anything greater.

The man eyed the other exit, which led outside the tomb.

“Eheh. It’s as you see mate. Either cross 20 steps through the water and enter the Trial of Man or try and make it to the exit that leads out of the tomb.”

Berel shrugged as he playfully weighed the sword in his hands.

“Enough of this.”

Meysi stepped forward with a solemn expression. At the same time, she procured a staff, which was then cloaked with a thin film of fire after a quiet mumble.

“Meysi?”

Claude glanced at his childhood friend in worry. Berel was a veteran C rank adventurer, and none of them knew his full capabilities. His previous display of agility only amplified Claude’s uncertainty toward the man.

“I refuse to believe I can’t stall them long enough for you and Rosa to escape!”

Meysi shouted and grit her teeth. A hearty chuckle was heard soon after as Talru beat his chest and walked beside her. Without a word, he withdrew a massive two-handed axe.

“You’re going to fight me?”

Berel made a savage grin. His men swished their swords through the air to warm up.

“Claude…Rosa, run!”

Meysi yelled and swiped her staff through the air.

“Fire arrows!”

Just as she called out her spell, a salvo of fiery projectiles shot out from her staff and rained down on Berel and his men. Talru launched his massive frame toward the closest opponent and swung his axe at the man’s chest.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

With little time to react, the man hastily held up his sword in a desperate attempt to block the blow. Unfortunately for him, the sword wasn’t enough to stop the axe’s descent as it blew past the flimsy steel and sunk deep into the man’s ribs.

Talru savagely kicked the man way, simultaneously prying his axe loose.

“Heh, who’s the weak one now?”

Before he could continue gloating, another man made a wild swing toward him.

“Talru!”

Claude shouted and bolted forward in desperation. He tackled his brother to the side just as the sword swiped through the air.

“Aah!”

A long and bloody gash was left on Claude’s back. Talru took on a stance and eyed his new opponent while Rosa ran toward her fiancé with tears in her eyes.

“Claude! Talru!”

She cried out just as Talru engaged once more.

“Tsk. I’ve changed my mind, I don’t want any of them to escape. Surround them and kill them.”

Berel commanded as he watched his dying henchman squirm on the ground. He wiped rubbed a spot on his shoulder that had been singed away by an earlier fire arrow.

“Circle of fire.”

Meysi’s eyes lit up with energy as a fiery ring sprouted from the ground in a radius around her group. The flames licked the air, reaching the height of Talru’s chest.

Talru staggered back as the ring of flames separated him from his opponent. The group collected back together toward the center of the ring.

“Why did you cast this? Now we can’t run or fight our way out.”

Talru towered over the petite girl, who merely scowled back.

“You dummy! Look at your brother! How can we possibly run away with Claude in this state?”

Meysi gestured toward Claude and Rosa. At this time, Rosa held her hand over Claude’s wound, and a pale light rained down over the gash. She bit her lip as she watched the bleeding come to a slow halt.

“This will take too long…”

She muttered under her breath. Talru let out a deep sigh as he realized the gravity of the situation.

“If only Sans and Elsie were here. Somehow I feel like they would know what to do.”

Talru’s random remark caused a wave of silence amongst the group. Each wore a downcast expression.

“It’s my fault. I should have prepared them more for the Trial of Heaven.”

Meysi quietly spoke up. Claude grunted in pain, but still managed to shake his head.

“It’s no one’s fault. Besides, there’s a chance they didn’t fail the trial. It took us hours to absorb the agility tonic that the trial rewarded us with. Maybe they’re still in the reward room.”

Claude sucked in a quick breath as he shifted his position on the floor. Seeing this, Rosa smacked him on the head angrily.

“Stop moving! You’re making it worse.”

“Heh, you should have seen what Talru did to the other guy. Fair trade, I guess.”

“Guys, my circle won’t hold up much longer. Do we fight or try to run.”

Meysi glanced at the circle of fire in worry. The flames were beginning to reveal gaps and holes in the wall, which would occasionally be filled with the ugly mug of one of their assailants.

“You guys should leave-“

“Shut up. We’re fighting.”

Before Claude could finish his sentence, Rosa smacked him on the head once more.

“Rosa’s right. We should fight, but it’s up to Meysi.”

Talru folded his arms and turned his gaze toward his short friend. Meysi mumbled to herself incoherently before giving an affirmative nod.

“We fight.”

Just as she said that, the circle of fire died away completely.

“Finally, your annoying magic trick is over. Anything else to say, lass?”

Berel and his men stepped forward. Behind them was a lone body lying face up in a pool of blood. The man appeared to be dead, but none of his former companions seemed to care in the slightest.

Before the group could respond to Berel, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Oh-ho, what do we have here?”

Talru’s eyes lit up as he pointed in a direction.

“It’s Elsie!”

The rest of the group smiled in a mixture of excitement and worry as they heard Elsie’s voice. Each of them was happy that Elsie had made it through the Trial of Heaven, but now they were worried that she might be in danger.

“It’s good that she made it…wait, where’s Sans?”

Meysi muttered as she looked around. However, no matter where she cast her eyes, the man’s familiar silhouette eluded her. She subconsciously frowned as her heart sank.

“You… girl. I remember you.”

Berel faced his new opponent.

“I still haven’t paid you back for ruining my moment in the forest. They say I’m an opportunist, or whatever. Well here be a hearty opportunity!”

He signaled to his men, but before they could move forward, a small hand was raised in a halting motion.

“Before you make a hasty decision, do you know about the secret defense system in this trial?”

Berel’s men paused and glanced at their leader with uncertainty.

“What nonsense are you spouting girl?”

Berel questioned her sarcastically before nodding to his men to continue.

“Your loss.”

Elsie shifted her weight and folded her arms across her chest. She turned her head dismissively as if the group of men were no longer worth talking to.

“Ugh. Tell me then. What secret ye be hiding?”

Berel’s men stopped once more in confusion. Why did the girl before them seem so confident?

“Oh! So you’re interested? I’ll tell you then.”

Elsie clapped her hands together and pulled out an old tome from thin air.

“Let’s see here… a verse of the passage… yes, this one.”

She cleared her throat as everyone watched her intently.

“Ahem. Alone, lost and confused, threatened by swine, crossed and amused. By hellfire they cook, and one by one they run.”

Elsie closed the book with a thump and stowed it away. She postured herself confidently, as if her words had held deep meaning.

“What… are you on about, girl? Whatever, kill her.”

Berel signaled to his men once more.

“I wouldn’t recommend it. Didn’t you hear me?”

Despite Elsie’s advice, one of them men swaggered forward, balancing his sword in his hand. He swiped it twice through the air, but just as he reached the halfway mark, something shocking happened.

Like a pillar of unholy shadows, a column of black fire swirled from below and consumed the man. Not even a shout or cry for help could escape his lips before his entire existence was removed without a trace.

Berel and his men watched the spectacle with open mouths. Their eyes scanned the floor for any signs of their former comrade, but not even ash remained.

“Well that’s one. It looks like the secret defense is working. Who is next?”

Elsie shrugged as she called out to the stupefied group of assailants.

“Run…! G-Get hostages! Go!”

Berel immediately dropped all pretenses and sprinted for his life. He sloshed through the shallow water, desperately running toward the Trial of Man, while the rest of his men rushed toward Claude and his group.

Pillars of fire consumed man after man as they watched their friends disappear one by one. Finally, the only remaining person was Berel, who had already closed half the distance to the Trial of Man.

“He’s getting away!”

Rosa shouted as she watched the man jiggle and strain with every step.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. Men like him are doomed to die fiery deaths no matter what.”

Elsie remarked from the side. At some unknown point, she had appeared next to the group of friends. Each of them watched Berel escape into the Trial of Man, resulting in a wave of relief.

“Who knew that this trial had such a terrifying defense formation?”

Rosa wondered out loud, while Meysi furrowed her brow in thought.

“I had never heard of such a defense…”

Meysi muttered as she sank into deep thought, retracing every passage that she had ever read about the Trial of Water.

“Oh, don’t think too much about it. It’s a secret defense for a reason. What will you guys do now that the disgusting man is no longer here?”

Elsie questioned the group, who all glanced at each other with tacit understanding. Claude gave a mirthless smile and responded.

“Meysi and Talru will continue into the Trial of Man when they are ready. Rosa and I will be waiting outside the tomb for them. I’ve never been much of a combatant or talented adventurer, plus I am injured. So, I’ll back out here.”

Talru stood tall after being reminded about the Trial of Man. He slammed his fist into his palm before exclaiming out loud.

“That’s right! I need to surpass Meysi’s 30 steps through the water. If I can’t do that, then I’m not a man! I refuse to enter the next trial without having taken more steps than her!”

Without another word, he immediately rushed into the water. His feet sloshed and kicked up a spray with his initial momentum. However, after just 10 steps, his body became more strained and forced. Every step beyond that point was magnitudes more difficult than the previous.

The group watched him from the shore with silly smiles. At the same time, Meysi crept closer to Elsie.

“Um, where is Sans?”

With glowing eyes, Elsie turned toward the demure girl. Due to her helmet, no one could see the playful smirk on her face.

“Oh? You’re interested in the whereabouts of my husband?”

“H-Husband? N-No, um… I was just worried that he may have failed the Trial of Heaven.”

Meysi stammered as her cheeks flushed. She looked away after realizing that her intent had been seen through. Elsie placed a consoling hand on her shoulder.

“Little girl, stay true to your heart. Don’t be swayed by a pretty face. I can sense a drive in you. 30 steps? You can do better than that.”

Elsie cocked her head to the side in a condescending motion. Meysi could faintly make out Elsie’s vibrant eyes within the full helm.

“Don’t you dare enter the next trial without walking at least 50 steps. And when you do make it to the Trial of Fire, and I know you will, search for a hill of smoldering grass. Don’t be afraid of what you see and climb to the top.”

Removing her hand, Elsie took a step back from the group. She announced to them with a clear voice.

“It’s been fun traveling with you all, but this is where we part.”

Elsie gave a slight bow before the group of friends. Even Talru, who had just returned to shore, was shocked at this display.

“You’re leaving so soon?”

Rosa spoke up from her position on the floor. The entire time, she never stopped healing the wound on Claude’s back.

“If fate determines us to cross paths, then we shall. However, at this time, I must forge a new constellation amongst the stars and find my own place in legend.”

With her final cryptic message, Elsie waved her hand and turned away without looking back.

“Goodbye Elsie! Thank you for everything!”

Rosa cried out from behind. Beside her, Meysi clenched her hands around her staff in determination. She then cast her eyes out toward the sparkling water, and without a word, stepped inside.