After the results of Ezekiel’s initial trial, he was ushered to a resting room while the elders reported to the Guardian Spirits. He had also been given a fresh set of clothes. Ones that were appropriate for his station as a guest. As well as being properly made for the local climate and temperature. Though there were no enchantments that he could discern. He made a note to try and make some new ones, if he had the time and resources after his trial.
During this time, Ezekiel was given an explanation regarding the significance of his test. Apparently, never before had there been a result that resulted in no change in the water at all. Even the purest soul before his own was nowhere near as clear as his. It was a gentle blue color, indicating a similar set of beliefs that fell in line with the Ancient Glacier’s.
But even that person showed that they were still something of an individual. One with aspects to himself that would not be approved of by the Ancients. Ezekiel’s results showed that his soul was given the total approval of the Ancients. Though, they didn’t know how that could be, since that would require meeting an Ancient in order to get the approval.
Ezekiel wondered if it was because of his Void Element, but it was explained to him that there had been Void Mages in the past that had been tested. Rare as they were in these regions. So, the fact that Ezekiel, and Shine, were Void users didn’t mean anything in regard to the results that had been achieved.
For a moment, Ezekiel also thought that it might be because he was a reincarnate. Someone whose soul was from another world. But that couldn’t be the case either. If the test was determined by how closely a person’s soul aligned with the ideals and will of the Ancient Glacier, that meant that the pool didn’t test him based on his connections to the Ancient Void.
It was well known in the history of the world that the Ancients were all their own existences. Some of the landmarks were left behind by clashes between the Ancients in ages past, after all.
For the moment, Ezekiel decided to just drop the subject. There wasn’t any point in worrying about it right now. He still had one more trial to overcome. This one was one that would be a lot more intense than the previous one. His condition might’ve improved a little bit, but it was still nowhere near his best.
“Elder Welt, Hunter Luminance, Elder Rosen has summoned you.” The Tempest Huntress that had stood alongside the lead elder said as she entered the room. Ezekiel was somewhat put off by her inquisitive gaze. But apparently it was something that Welt had told him to get used to. His test was unprecedented.
As Ezekiel and Welt followed her out of the room, Ezekiel made sure that Shine’s hilt was securely stored in the supply pouch he had been given. He had a feeling that he was going to need both his hands for whatever came next.
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Entering into the council chambers once again, Ezekiel noticed that there was a somewhat solemn air amongst the elders. It seemed that something had happened when they had informed their Guardian Spirits. Whether it was something good or bad for Ezekiel, he couldn’t be certain. There was just too little he knew about the tribes of the Fjorya.
“So, what is the verdict of the Guardians? How will my patient be tested?” Welt asked after the doors to the room had been closed. The lead elder, Rosen, closed his eyes as his face became pinched in frustration. Ezekiel felt like that wasn’t a good sign.
“The Guardians have summoned him and his Spirit to their resting place. That is to be their trial.” Rosen said with a strong, yet weary tone. Welt’s face immediately took on the same pinched expression as Rosen.
“That is basically a death sentence.” Welt said in a forcefully neutral tone of voice. “Given his condition, he won’t be able to make it.”
“The Guardians have spoken. They have stated that a Void Mage of his caliber, alongside his Spirit, if the stories he has told are true, should be able to make the climb.” Rosen said. “They took into account the condition of their souls when they made this request.”
“His current condition is such that he can’t even use his mana properly. Let alone make a climb that only peak Adepts and above have ever made. Those that have elements that support them as well.” Welt said. His voice grew tired. “If he tries to make that climb. He won’t be able to survive.”
“The Guardians said that they awaited the surprise that this young man would bring. He does not need to set out right at this moment. But they expect him to climb come tomorrow morning.” Rosen further explained.
“Given that it is midafternoon right now, that gives him just over half a day to prepare and get some rest before he goes. He is not to be given any of our more valuable treasures for recovery, but you are permitted to help him in whatever other way you wish before tomorrow. That’s the best I can do for you.” Rosen sighed after saying this.
“Understood. I will get to work then. These old bones won’t be getting rest anytime soon it seems.” Welt said. “Come along young man. We need to get you as fixed up as possible.”
Knowing that Welt was a good man, who almost certainly wanted to see him succeed after the results of his first trial, Ezekiel moved to follow. Hoping that he would be able to recover, just a little bit more. If whatever he was going to have to climb was as dangerous as the old healer and the elder were implying it was.
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Unfortunately, other than some meditation and direct healing from Welt, there was little they could do in such a short time period. Ezekiel had, somehow, recovered quite a bit from his dip in the Glacial Pool left by the Ancient Glacier. But while he could somewhat channel his mana through his body by the end of the night, he still couldn’t perform any spells. Not without reinjuring himself.
Welt had strongly warned him that doing so would potentially cause him to lose consciousness from shock. If that happened during his trial, then he would die, no matter what.
Wary, but knowing that he had no choice, Ezekiel took the old healer’s words to heart. Readying himself to make do with what little he still had available to him. But as he was brought to the area of his trial, he understood why Welt and the other elders had so little faith that he would survive.
“Your trial is this; climb to the top of this peak, and speak to the Guardians of our tribe, directly.” Rosen said as he stood with the other Legendary elders of the Feather Peak tribe. Welt stood behind Ezekiel, giving him some last-minute healing. But everyone there knew that it was essentially pointless.
Looking up at the shear wall in front of him, Ezekiel couldn’t help but turn to the elders in confusion. The wall was pure ice. There were no handholds, no ledges, no outcroppings, or even jagged cracks with which he could force his hands into to grab hold.
He could also hear the wind howling from above, and the clouds were moving erratically. This showed that the weather grew more and more horrible as he got further up. There were even flashes of Lightning that seemed to be contained around this peak in particular.
Worse yet, he couldn’t even see how tall the wall actually was. He knew it had to be at least a hundred feet tall, but that was it. For all he knew, it could go on for as far as a kilometer. Something that wouldn’t be too difficult if he had his spells available, but since he didn’t that meant that it was going to be nearly impossible.
“Please note that you only have a day to complete this task. Failure to do so will mean that you will be brought to the boundary peaks and expelled from our mountain.” Rosen said, pulling Ezekiel from his thoughts regarding the trial. “During this time, you are not permitted to leave this area. Attempts to do so will result in failure. Similarly, no one outside of the guards will be permitted to return here once we leave. Doing so will also result in your failure.”
With those words spoken, Rosen turned to leave, bringing his two assistant Hunters along with him. Welt, knowing that he would also need to leave, turned away as well. Outside of some Adept Hunters that remained to watch over him, there was no one there to watch him make his attempts to climb.
Walking up to the ice wall, Ezekiel could feel a chill even through his incredibly warm and heavy clothing. Something that he realized was going to hinder him even further as he attempted to climb. Placing a hand on the ice, he realized that it was so cold that he was nearly sticking to it. If not for the damage he would certainly take, Ezekiel almost contemplated using that to help him climb.
Stepping away from the wall, he looked around him to see if there was anything that he could use to help himself. But there was nothing, just the impassive faces of the Hunters that were ordered to oversee his trial.
Stepping back even further, Ezekiel took a seat on the icy ground. Thinking about how he was going to do this. It was likely that he’d be climbing all day if this was something he managed to do. He wasn’t certain he had enough mana for this. Not alone, at least.
Pausing as that last thought crossed his mind. He realized that Rosen had specified that this was a trial for both himself and his Spirit. Similarly, he was to receive no help from the Hunters, not anyone else that had left the area. But Shine was still with him. They had never actually left him at any point.
Pulling Shine’s sheath from the small bag he was given, he saw that the pieces of Shine’s blade were also inside the pouch. The ones that were large enough to be picked up when he was found, at least. Looking over the sole contents of his bag, he realized that he could do this. But he wasn’t certain that he should. He had no idea what kind of condition Shine would be in if he started channeling his mana through their vessel. Especially as broken as it was.
Looking up at the frozen wall in front of him, and the clouds covering the peak above, Ezekiel realized that he had no choice. Not if he wanted the both of them to survive.
But as he looked into the distance, where the sun was still just barely peeking over the horizon, even at their elevated position, he knew that he had at least enough time to make as many preparations as possible. He wouldn’t be jumping into this without making sure he did everything he could to get out of this alive.
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Elsewhere, in a separate part of the Feather Peak from Ezekiel’s trial area, Rosen sat with Welt. Both were alone in the former’s home, sipping some warm tea as they thought about their guest’s trial. It was the first time in over a year that an outsider had faced the second trial. Most tended to fail the first one. Being greedy exploiters that simply wanted to take the mountain’s resources for themselves.
“So, do you think that he will survive?” Rosen asked after taking a large swig of his tea. He poured himself some more right afterwards. Doing the same for Welt as well.
“Logically, he will not. He is a first Step Adept with an injured soul. While he is doing better thanks to the Glacial Pool’s water, he simply doesn’t have enough mana to make the climb. Perhaps, if he was Step two, he would have had enough. But even then, there is no guarantee.” Welt said with a heavy sigh. “But the Guardians have always been fair in their trials. I do not know what they do, but it is certain that they know something that will help the boy succeed. Even if he himself does not know it. Not yet at least.”
“Do you think the trial is also a lesson, then? One that will help him move forward in life. To become stronger, and face the trials outside our mountain?” Rosen asked. It wasn’t quite unheard of. Such trials were usually held for those that received approval from the will of the Ancient Glacier when undergoing the pool’s trial.
One such trial had been undergone by a rough and jaded Tempest Hunter. Not long after he had thought he’d lost everything due to his family’s conflicts. It was a shame that said man’s badge of friendship had been broken, but the Guardians were apparently working to repair it.
One of their Hunters would be sent to return it to him in a couple of weeks. Accompanied by a team of their peers. It wouldn’t do to send them into a warzone without backup, after all. Even if their leader would be in the Legendary level.
“Why do you think Talon was willing to give him his badge? We ensured that he knew how valuable such a thing was. It is rare that they are given out, after all.” Rosen asked.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Welt just shrugged his shoulders. Not certain what their last guest could’ve been thinking.
“Perhaps it was the Void Spirit. Perhaps it was the Cult that is chasing the young man. Perhaps it was because Ezekiel was accompanying a member of Talon’s family. One that had been expelled like he was. There are many reasons as to why he might’ve given his badge over. But regardless of the reason, something Ezekiel did must’ve impressed him.” Welt said. “To be honest, I’m impressed by him, and I’ve only spoken to him for a day or so. The fact that his soul is that strong, at his age, is nothing short of incredible. It’d say that it’s at least as strong as mine. If not more so.”
Rosen nearly choked on his tea as he heard Welt’s words. Welt was the oldest, wisest, and most experienced person in the whole of the tribe. Not even Rosen thought that his soul had reached the level of strength that Welt’s had.
The fact that such a young man was considered to have a soul that strong was nothing short of a miracle. Most would’ve become twisted and corrupted after the amount of stress and near-death experiences needed to accelerate a soul’s growth like that.
Of course, none of them knew about the time that Ezekiel’s soul had spent journeying from Earth to here. So, it made sense that they believed his life must’ve been filled with stress and strife.
“What about his Spirit? While I didn’t explicitly say that he was to work with his spirit to climb, I implied it when I said the trial was for both of them.” Rosen said. “I know you would’ve noticed my wording.”
“Indeed. I ensured that his bag was filled with the pieces of his Spirit’s vessel. Given that Invera took the time to bring his broken supplies with him, when she brought him to our mountain, I figured that they would come in handy.” Welt explained. “But to use his Spirit in the condition that they’re both in. It will be dangerous. I don’t know how it would be helpful to them. For now, all we can do is trust in our Guardians.”
“Agreed. We shall have to trust our Guardians.” Rosen replied. Though his voice was much more solemn than Welt’s.
Just as the two were about to fall into a comfortable silence, a knock on the door interrupted them. Welcoming in whoever was there, they were surprised to see one of the Hunters that had been told to report to them should something happen during Ezekiel’s trial.
“What is it? Did the boy fail already?” Rosen asked, somewhat disappointed, as it had only been a couple of hours since Ezekiel’s trial had started.
“No, elder, I came to update you regarding his attempt. He began climbing not too long ago and has since surpassed the cloud line. This was just a few minutes ago, and I came here as fast as I could to report.” The Hunter said. Much to Welt and Rosen’s shock.
Leaning back into their chairs, Rosen let out a tired sigh, while Welt let out a brief laugh. He had been hoping that Ezekiel would give them a surprise. But he hadn’t thought it would be something as shocking as this. There was nothing that he knew that would allow such a thing to occur, but Welt took joy in the fact that there were still wonders in this world that he had yet to see.
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Roughly an hour ago, Ezekiel was still sitting down in the area where his trial was taking place. He had been slowly touching on his mana. Testing how it currently flowed through the spiritual channels that branched through his soul. It was incredibly tough at first, but as he focused on the areas of his soul that were more recovered than others, it became slightly easier.
Although it would still be impossible for him to actually cast spells at the moment, it was much more likely that he would now be able to climb by reinforcing his body. With that done, he now moved onto what he knew would be the hardest part. Fully integrating his connection to Shine with his mana.
Currently, his bond with Shine wasn’t exactly damaged, but the injuries to his and Shine’s souls were preventing them from accessing it as easily. Like a tunnel with roadblocks in front of it. The tunnel was just fine, but getting through it was difficult. Thus, he began the arduous process of clearing up the blocks as best he could, and finding ways around them if he couldn’t.
This helped him connect with Shine on a much higher level. To the point where their connection was nearly at the same strength that it was when they weren’t injured. Ezekiel was almost afraid of what their bond would be like when their souls were fully repaired. But for now, he considered it a boon.
Then, as he reached across the bond between himself and Shine, he examined the damage that had been done to them more closely. The amount was far less than Ezekiel’s but given that Shine’s soul was still much smaller than his own, it was still significant.
But as he looked into Shine’s soul, he realized something. Shine wasn’t able to, as it would strain their soul to use their magic, but perhaps Ezekiel could do something instead. So, as gently as he could, he focused on the reinforcement abilities of his Void mana. He didn’t just force it into Shine’s soul, however, and instead, he allowed it to slowly drift across their bond. Allowing them to absorb it as they could.
At first, nothing seemed to happen. But then, similarly to how Shine and Ezekiel could exchange mana to break through to a higher Step, when carefully meditating, Shine’s soul began to take in Ezekiel’s mana. As it did, the cracks and tears in their soul began to mend, ever so slightly.
This went on for a little while, until eventually the mana Ezekiel was releasing just stayed in their bond, not being absorbed any longer. Letting out the breath that he didn’t know he was holding; Ezekiel began gasping for air. The sweat that had accumulated on his body began to freeze, and the soreness that had faded came back much stronger than before.
At first, he was confused, as he looked down at Shine’s hilt. He didn’t think there was a reason that Shine could only absorb that much mana from him. But then he realized that it might’ve been Shine’s vessel that prevented them from absorbing more. So, taking out the pieces of the blade, he held the broken pieces together like patching puzzle pieces, and made another attempt.
It worked, and Ezekiel witnessed Shine’s soul slowly recover, at an even faster rate than his own. Reflecting this recovery, the pieces of the blade that Ezekiel held together started to join up. Finally, after half a dozen pieces were rejoined, Ezekiel heard something that nearly made him cry.
“Ezekiel... is that you?” Shine voice whispered through their bond. Ezekiel couldn’t help but let out a laugh at their question. Who else would be reaching through their bond.
“Yeah. It’s me. I’m sorry I got us into trouble again.” Ezekiel said. “Don’t talk just yet. Let me help you recover, just a little bit more.”
Shine did as they were told, and Ezekiel continued his work, eventually spending all his mana. But he felt proud, and powerful as he examined his work. Other than a few cracks and chips here and there, Shine’s vessel was completely restored. Their strength had mostly returned as well.
“What happened? Where are we, and what’s going on?” Shine finally asked once he sensed that Ezekiel’s mana had run out.
Ezekiel took the time to explain what had happened to them. Knowing that they deserved to have as much input on their current situation as Ezekiel did.
“I see... I don’t want us to do that again, okay? Instead, let's work on creating a storage device for purely Void mana. That way, we can figure something out that won’t rip us apart, okay?” Shine said after everything was said and done. “Also, I know we’ve both said this before, but no quarter for Cultists. Not anymore. If they’re your friends, then maybe we make an attempt to help. But otherwise, we kill them.”
For a moment, Ezekiel was shocked. Shine had always been against the Cult of Light, just as much as Ezekiel was, but this was fairly ruthless for them. But thinking back, Ezekiel knew that this was likely to happen sooner or later. The fact that it had taken this long, after everything they’d been through, was actually more surprising.
“You’re growing up.” Ezekiel said, somewhat sad that the innocent soul that he had seen be born was fading away. “Don’t go too far, okay? While the Cult can’t be forgiven, those that are forced to follow them might be. Alright?”
“...Alright...” Shine said, somewhat embarrassed as they realized what they had just said. “But I had almost forgotten how bad they were. The events from the Archipelago were a while ago. But to see the destruction that they’re willing to bring, not just the aftermath, but the process itself... Are they even human anymore?”
A part of Ezekiel didn’t want to continue this conversation. They had other things to be worrying about right now. But he knew that he needed to say something, or Shine would just start turning things over and over again in their head. Stressing out about it for longer and longer.
“Unfortunately, yes, they are.” He said. “Humans come in all shapes and sizes. That includes their minds, and their souls. The Cult will always believe that they are right, and if they win, then they will be. Not because they are actually right, but because there won’t be anyone to tell them they’re wrong. That’s what individuality gives us. The power to be right and wrong, and to learn from the mistakes we make. To grow into different people that are happy with who they are, and who they want to be.”
Ezekiel wasn’t sure that this was what Shine needed to hear. It was something that he felt was right, but not something that he thought made the most sense. He just knew that, like most conflicts, the driving force behind the Cult was a difference in opinions and beliefs when compared to other people.
Yes, people suffered at the Cult’s hands, but just as the Cult killed their people, they also killed the Cult’s people. It was simply the nature of conflict. Especially one where mere words were not enough to sway one party or the other. In this case, the Cult wouldn’t stop hunting Ezekiel until he was dead. If their goals were achieved, whatever they may ultimately be, then this was all but guaranteed.
“C’mon, we can focus on the Cult when we’re off this mountain, and after we get our names cleared in Harkem.” Ezekiel declared, pulling Shine from their contemplations. “For now, take a look at my memories, and see if you can help me out like I helped you. If you’re feeling up for it.”
Ezekiel felt Shine’s emotions go from confused contemplations to a strong determination. Sharing his memories with Shine, he felt his own soul slowly begin reinforcing itself. Smaller injuries slowly recovered, and he could feel the larger ones growing smaller as well.
He also noticed that his mana was coming back to him. The pool he had before now grew, ever so slightly. He wasn’t certain that he’d reach the next Step right this moment, but it would likely happen sooner than he expected.
Opening his eyes as he felt Shine’s mana run out, he felt much stronger than before. Not to the point where he could cast his spells freely, but to the point that he could reinforce himself without issues. Reaching out with his senses, he also noticed something else as he tried to see how tall the mountain was.
The Cavern mana and Tempest mana were incredibly abundant on this peak. Seeing the motes of mana floating around him, he got an idea that might be able to help them get to the top. Sending his plan to Shine, and receiving an agreement, they got to work. Climbing the sheer mountain face with confidence.
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At first, the climb wasn’t too horrible. It was cold, as Ezekiel carefully made small angular Void pane hooks that barely extended from his feet and left hand. They allowed him to stab into the otherwise totally smooth surface he held on to. Shine, being held in his right hand, was also stabbed into the wall. Though they were too focused on their own task to be concerned with that right now.
As they had begun to climb, Ezekiel and Shine had fully opened their bond. Doing this, it was as if their mana was directly mingling. This was something that Ezekiel had realized was happening as they had helped each other recover.
Seeing this, Ezekiel realized that they could both essentially use each other’s mana more freely when in such a state. So, upon seeing the abundant Cavern and Tempest mana, he got the idea to have Shine meditate, and refill their mana reserves, while Ezekiel spent his time climbing to the top.
Taking things slow, at first, Ezekiel was delighted to see that it had worked. Now, he could directly draw mana to reinforce himself, and his carefully constructed and maintained Void Panes. Something that would quickly see him spent if he had tried to do so on his own.
But with Shine absorbing and forming Void mana, with the abundant resources they had at their disposal, things were more or less smooth sailing.
At least until they crossed the cloud covering.
The moment that Ezekiel crossed the clouds that were a hundred feet above his starting point, he was nearly thrown from the wall from the sheer strength of the winds that were buffeting him. The ice on the wall had also grown stronger, and he had to expend more mana to maintain what footholds he could make. Lightning also flashed nearby. No longer simply surrounding the mountain, but directly striking the wall not too far from him.
The clouds were so dark that he couldn’t even see more than a couple of feet in front of him. It was as if the world had disappeared, and the only things that existed were darkness, wind, lightning, and the cold. But even as Ezekiel started to lose his senses, he continued to climb.
He did everything he could to focus solely on climbing. Knowing that, if he lost his concentration, it was likely that Shine would lose theirs. If that happened, he would quickly spend the remains of his mana, causing them to fall once he ran out.
Pushing forward, more and more, Ezekiel felt the ice break beneath his boots, and crack as Shine’s blade pierced the wall. He lost track of time, his mind becoming sharper and sharper as his focus became more and more refined. The soreness he felt in his body and soul started to fade away. Instead, there was a numbness as the connection between himself and Shine seemed to disappear.
As open as their bond was forced to be, it was as if the separation between them was fading away. For a moment, he thought that he could see the motes of mana around him. Swirling like a wind tunnel as the Tempest and Cavern were drawn into his soul. His mana pool was growing by leaps and bounds. In another moment, they felt themself holding their own vessel in hand. Stabbing it into the mountain face that they were climbing.
This went on for a little while longer. The minds and souls of the Mage and Spirit, growing closer than they ever had before. The mana around them flowing in faster and faster. A sense of nothingness overcame them. Then two sounds, like shattering glasses, broke them out of their trance.
CRACK!!!
Ezekiel fell forward onto a horizontal surface, stabbing Shine into hardened, reinforced, stone as he tried to hold himself up. Grasping his head in pain with one hand as his senses returned to him. He felt disorientated, but otherwise fine. Dizzy, but not sick to his stomach.
The aches and pains from before had faded. He felt his mana flowing more freely. More powerfully. He realized that his soul had seemingly recovered in full, and as he tentatively reached across his bond with Shine, he saw that their soul had recovered as well.
Before he could ask Shine if they were alright, and to try and figure out what the hell had happened, he caught sight of the view before him.
He was standing on a circular surface, roughly ten meters across, with five pillars spread equally apart along the edges. All around him were fluffy white clouds, lying just past the edges of the platform he was on. In the distance, he could see the sun just touching the horizon. But he couldn’t tell if it was setting or rising. There were no features he could see besides the clouds that could give him a sense of direction.
Looking up, he saw that there were five majestic looking birds, in five different colors. Blue, gray, black, gold, and violet. The Guardians of the Feather Peak were looking down on him directly. Four peak Legendary Spirits turned their gazes directly towards him, and he could feel the weight of their power.
He had reached the top and completed his climb. Though he didn’t know if he did it within the provided time limit. Now, he had to await their verdict.