"Welcome to the trial of ascension," came a voice that sounded poised yet battle-worn. Based on the startled reactions around him, Jelani assumed everyone was receiving this telepathic message. "You've all been selected by my master to partake in this trial due to the ambition and tenacity you showed in your daily lives. Some of you may have noticed being watched for a while, and some of you may have been too busy in your occupations to notice, but regardless, you have piqued the master's interest."
Jelani didn't know whether to be flattered or afraid by the prospect of some powerful being seeing something in him and watching him from afar for who knows how long.
"I will give insight into the purpose you'll serve, what the trial entails, and what you each can stand to gain by completing it. I will only explain once, so listen carefully."
Jelani stood upright, preparing himself. He hoped they'd get clear instructions but was well aware that they might have to read between the lines.
"Time is something even my master is not afforded control over, so I will be brief," the knight continued. "The anomalies facing your world have been brought on by a powerful empire of mystics seeking domination over the realms. For eons, the crisis your species now faces has been used on many worlds to grow an imperial force with no control over its own destiny once assimilation begins. My master was from one such world that broke free. He's grown powerful over the centuries but can't operate everywhere, so he searches for those with ambition on worlds like yours to wield his power in fighting against a system built to control them."
The knight paused, and the crowd began to murmur. Jelani processed what he'd heard so far. "Not too far from a few speculative theories I'd heard online," he thought, "but getting it confirmed like this feels surreal. This whole time I've been waiting to awaken, and it turns out I may have dodged a bullet... a bigger one, at least."
Reason whistled for effect and then said with an exhausted and fake optimistic tone, "So some super powerful magical aliens are making us fight to the death with monsters and another developed species to build an enslaved super army from the winners. I mean... everybody guessed we were facing something more advanced than us, but I didn't really consider mystically powered cosmic slaves being on the table for us."
Jelani responded, "Not exactly how I imagined that conversation going, but it's really not that crazy of a concept. Subjugating other species seems to be a universal thing."
Tobi replied flatly, "I was leaning more towards the god council judgment theory, but this is just as terrible."
Reason looked confused. "Bruh, the what judgment plan?"
Suddenly, a wave of energy burst from around the spectral knight, full of emerald wind, gathering everyone's attention. The knight released the aura it had charged and let it dissipate before returning to a regular stance.
"In this trial, the goal is simple," the knight continued. "You must climb to the peak of the mountain within 24 hours. The trial will be in three phases, each centered on a concept that will give those quick to decipher it a hint on how to face the challenges and beasts that will obstruct your ascent. Death will be likely for those of you without the grit to make it to the top. You will remain unawakened through this trial but will be provided with tools to even the odds."
A strange sensation washed over Jelani, like a warm blast of energy spreading through his body. Suddenly, a scroll appeared in his vision:
Status
Name: Jelani Von (Unawakened)
Class: Unassigned
Rank: N/A
Source weapon: N/A
Ability: N/A
Status: Normal
"So this is what radiants see daily," Jelani thought. "Seems pretty straightforward. Nothing is available until I awaken."
"In your vision is the scroll system that will be available to you throughout your climb. In many ways it will be pivotal to your journey should you survive to make it back to your realm," the knight instructed. "Take a moment to familiarize yourselves with your status scroll and its menus. You can open and close the menu with focused thought, and navigate the screens with your mind or physical touch, whichever you prefer."
Jelani experimented with opening and closing the scroll, finding that a simple thought was enough to make it materialize or vanish. He noticed small arrows on the sides of the scroll and touched the right one, bringing up his stats screen.
Stats
Name: Jelani Von
Class: Unassigned
Rank: N/A
Strength: 2
Durability: 2
Speed: 2
Mind: 2
Source: 0
Stamina: 2
Total: 10 pts. Total to next rank: 490 pts
Jelani wasn't sure how he stacked up to the other contestants, but 2 in each category seemed pretty low. It could be the default stats of a regular person so he chose to lean into believing that theory. He could assume what each stat related to for the most part except mind and source. In what ways would putting stats into those categories change him? He could see the scroll of others around him but couldn't see what was displayed. He didn't want to ask and end up with a bruised ego.
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Regardless, he could feel hope burning in his core. He was actually viewing a stat screen and was just a tiny bit closer to realizing his ambitions.
Using his mind to navigate, Jelani explored the other screens. He found a locked skills page, an empty inventory, and a locked armory screen. As he cycled back to the main status screen, the knight spoke again.
"Certain features are not yet available to you, but those who prove themselves will gain access in time. There are other features you can toggle if you explore the peripheral edges of your vision while the scroll is open."
Jelani noticed a small radar-like symbol at the edge of his vision. Focusing on it, he found that it closed his status screen and slightly altered his perception, allowing him to see a highlighted name above each person's head and a kind of glow around each person he focused on. Most had a yellow glow, but Jelani had no idea what that meant. Internally, it felt like... danger? Maybe a threat level radar?
"It will be better for you to learn more by testing as you ascend the mountain," the knight said.
"Those who make it to the top will awaken untethered to the system that binds the awakened in your world. Instead, you will be using a system where your true potential is cultivated and growth is faster. The abilities granted on your world tend to be restricted by the system to serve linear roles, but you'll have more free reign to craft devastating techniques."
The knight's tone seemed to grow more serious as it continued, "It's important I make you all aware: There is a special class available for only one of you who proves worthy of the title my master can grant. The power in this class will allow the one who attains it to be a lone army once they've ranked enough. The first to prove themselves by reaching the summit will be chosen."
Jelani instantly knew he wanted to be the one to take that power for himself. He had a natural sense of competitiveness that came out more when facing greater odds, and being surrounded by a group of people who'd be as ambitious as him, each with their own reasons for being here, meant he would have to push himself beyond his limits.
With a counter-clockwise twist of its wrist, the knight materialized a simple blade in its spectral hand. The sudden appearance of the weapon caught everyone's full attention.
"Each of you can access a basic weapon that will aid in your ascension," the knight explained. "It is not a source weapon invigorated with power manifested from your psyche, but it will suffice for this trial."
The knight's gaze swept across the gathered individuals. "To summon it, you must focus on the thought of drawing a weapon from within yourself. When you've locked onto its essence, you will be able to draw it forth."
Jelani found these instructions frustratingly abstract. He would have appreciated clearer guidance, but he decided to give it a try anyway. Closing his eyes, he focused inward, searching for something that wasn't there before.
He thought back to the warm feeling that had spread through his core earlier and tried to trace it to its source. After a couple of minutes of fruitless concentration, he opened his eyes and glanced around. Others were still working on it too, their faces scrunched in concentration. Tobi and Reason had their eyes closed, deeply focused, so Jelani decided to try again.
This time, as he concentrated, he found himself drifting to a place that felt... full of himself. It was hard to describe, but it felt like a hole in his core where something was forming. The sensation was bizarre—a mental feeling that he knew didn't exist in reality, yet he could sense it clearly.
Without overthinking it, Jelani twisted his wrist counter-clockwise as he'd seen the knight do. To his amazement, a clean sword about the length of his arm materialized in his hand. The blade was silver, with small embellishments like foreign script etched into the flat sides he'd never seen before. When he raised it, the unnatural green moonlight caught the edge, causing it to glint ominously.
Many people close to Jelani didn't know this, but for the past couple of years, he'd been taking basic training classes with multiple weapons. He was only able to attend monthly sessions due to his crazy work schedule, but after a couple of years, he'd developed a decent foundation. He was no sword master by any stretch of the imagination, but he'd always been waiting for the day he'd awaken, believing it would give him a head start to be at least a little competent with a sword prior to entering his first vortex. He could only hope that would pay off today against whatever enemies might be lurking within this forest. And within their group.
The knight's voice cut through their conversation, echoing in their minds once more. "Now that you've all summoned your weapons and understand how the status scroll functions, we will begin the trial."
Suddenly, a gust of wind whipped through the clearing from all directions, causing clothes to billow wildly. The trees around them began to shift position, opening up multiple paths leading northward towards the mountain.
"There are many paths to the top," the knight announced, "but in the end, only one can attain the true boon that my master provides. The relationships you've formed will have their benefits when necessary, but it is important to know that true power can only be held by one."
As the knight spoke these final words, its form began to fade. A timer for 24 hours appeared in everyone's vision, which collapsed into a small clock icon in the periphery of their vision, a constant reminder of the challenge ahead.
With that, Jelani was left with a couple of choices. He hadn't had enough time to try to find special insight by having more conversations since he got caught up with Reason and Tobi. There were many paths to the top, and it would be dangerous. He could see if they would be down to take the trial on together, but against his better judgment, he wanted to chase the top spot for himself, which would mean moving quickly and alone. He looked up at the guys and could see similar deliberation likely happening in their minds, so Jelani decided to trust his gut even if it was wrong.
"I don't want any beef between us because y'all seem cool, but I want that top spot," Jelani said with resolve. "All my life, I've waited for the opportunity to have control of my destiny. I used to think before everything started that I'd get there with money, but in this new order, power will be the only way to carve up our own lane in this fucked-up world."
Tobi nodded, his expression serious. "I can respect that because I'm also chasing after that top spot. The success I want can be mine with real power. Looking around, I can tell we've all got some unique circumstances and skills that will give us a shot at ascension. It's not often you get a second chance, so I'm not going to waste it."
Reason joined in, his voice tinged with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "Y'all got my respect as well. I've been chasing true freedom but been stuck surviving without power. I got a kid on the way with a girl I love. I know it's crazy with the world ending, but I just want to be happy, man. Life has thrown this crazy-ass curveball our way, so I'm gonna give it all I got with this second chance to make that happen."
Jelani felt awkward now about the sudden vulnerability they all displayed and had a sinking feeling in his gut about what might happen to them in this trial. He boxed those emotions into a corner of his mind and focused on projecting more strength and confidence.
"Well, we know what we gotta do, and I hope that we can help each other when the opportunities arise, but overall, we are rivals," Jelani said, extending his hands to dap each of the men up. They both clasped his hands back, and they nodded to each other, a silent understanding passing between them.
Jelani turned and prepared to make his ascent. He opened up the timer with a thought, and it showed they had 23 hours and 55 minutes left on the clock. He moved forward, prepared to face whatever may come, the weight of his new weapon a constant reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.
As he took his first steps towards the mountain, Jelani couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and dread. The forest loomed before him, dark and foreboding, its twisted trees seeming to watch his every move. The green moon cast an eerie light over everything, making the shadows dance and writhe in ways that set Jelani's nerves on edge.
"Let's do this," he muttered to himself, gripping his sword tighter. "Time to see what I'm really made of."
With that, Jelani plunged into the forest, the first step of what he thought would be his journey to greatness and, he hoped, redemption. The trial had begun, and there was no turning back now.