infinite dominion

Chapter 19: Trials of the Forgotten

Liam adjusted the Nightblade Cloak on his shoulders as he stepped deeper into the labyrinth. The fabric felt weightless yet sturdy, its dark material blending seamlessly with the dim surroundings. The faint sound of his footsteps echoed through the narrow passageways, mixing with the ambient whispers that had grown louder since his last encounter.

The Sanctum of Echoes was unlike anything Liam had experienced before. Each step forward seemed to pull him into a realm where reality twisted, and time lost its meaning.

The Forgotten Path

After another hour of navigating the labyrinth, Liam arrived at a grand archway covered in glowing runes. Unlike the previous corridors, this one radiated an oppressive aura that made him hesitate. The runes shimmered faintly, as if alive, and the whispers grew louder, forming fragmented words that danced at the edge of comprehension.

[System Notification: You have discovered the Forgotten Path.]

• Warning: Only the worthy may proceed. Those who fail will face annihilation.

Liam took a deep breath, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. There was no turning back now. With careful steps, he crossed the threshold.

The corridor beyond the archway was unlike the twisting labyrinth. Instead, it was a straight path leading to a massive chamber. The walls were lined with ancient statues, each one depicting a different figure—warriors, mages, and rogues, their features worn by time. At the far end of the chamber stood a towering set of doors, their surface engraved with intricate symbols.

As Liam approached, a deep voice resonated through the chamber, stopping him in his tracks.

"Traveler, you stand before the Trials of the Forgotten. Only those who prove their worth may pass beyond these doors. Do you accept the challenge?"

The voice echoed with a gravity that left no room for hesitation. Liam nodded, speaking aloud.

"I accept."

[System Notification: Trials of the Forgotten Initiated!]

• Trial 1: The Trial of Wisdom

• Trial 2: The Trial of Resolve

• Trial 3: The Trial of Sacrifice

The moment Liam confirmed, the ground beneath him shifted. The statues along the walls glowed faintly, and the chamber transformed into a vast, circular arena.

Trial 1: The Trial of Wisdom

A shimmering figure appeared in the center of the arena, its form indistinct yet radiating an air of authority.

"To pass this trial," the figure intoned, "you must unravel the mysteries of the forgotten. Answer correctly, and you may proceed. Fail, and you will face the consequences."

Three floating orbs appeared before Liam, each one glowing with a different hue—red, blue, and green.

The figure began its question:

"In the land of shadows, where the sun does not rise, which light guides the lost?"

Liam frowned, his mind racing. The question seemed abstract, but he remembered snippets of lore from the game. The Sanctum of Echoes was said to be a place where the Crystal of Eternal Light guided lost souls.

"The blue orb," Liam said confidently, stepping forward to touch it.

The orb pulsed brightly, and the figure nodded. "You are correct. Proceed."

The other orbs vanished, and the arena shifted again.

Trial 2: The Trial of Resolve

The figure reappeared, its voice colder this time. "Strength is nothing without resolve. Prove that you can endure."

Suddenly, shadowy creatures emerged from the edges of the arena—small at first, but their numbers quickly grew. They advanced toward Liam in waves, their claws and fangs gleaming in the faint light.

Liam activated Blade Dance, spinning through the first wave of creatures with precision. His Primordial Insight highlighted their weak points, allowing him to dispatch them efficiently. But the creatures kept coming, their attacks growing more coordinated.

Sweat dripped down Liam's brow as he dodged, parried, and countered, his stamina rapidly depleting. He chugged a stamina potion, his movements becoming sharper as he fought through the endless onslaught.

Just as exhaustion began to take hold, the creatures halted, dissolving into wisps of shadow.

"You have proven your resolve," the figure said, its tone carrying a hint of approval. "One trial remains."

Trial 3: The Trial of Sacrifice

The arena shifted one final time, becoming a barren wasteland illuminated by a pale, ghostly light. The figure stood before Liam, now fully visible—a towering entity clad in ornate armor. Its gaze bore into him, and in its hands, it held a glowing crystal.

"To pass this trial," it said, "you must give up that which you hold most dear."

A panel appeared before Liam, listing several options:

• Inventory Slot (Random Item)

• Skill Points (x5)

• Gold (1 Diamond)

Liam's chest tightened. Losing any of these would be a significant setback. He glanced at the glowing crystal in the figure's hands, knowing it was the key to passing the trial.

After a moment's hesitation, Liam selected the Skill Points option.

The crystal pulsed, and Liam felt a sharp pang in his chest as the points were deducted.

[System Notification: Sacrifice Accepted. Skill Points -5.]

The figure nodded, extending the crystal toward him. "You have proven your wisdom, your resolve, and your willingness to sacrifice. You may proceed."

Liam accepted the crystal, its warmth spreading through his body. The arena dissolved around him, and he found himself standing before the towering doors once again. This time, they opened silently, revealing a staircase that descended into darkness.

A New Horizon

Before stepping forward, Liam checked his status panel.

Player Stats:

• Level: 22

• Experience: 25% to Level 23

• Attributes: 60 Free Points Available

• Skills:

• Shadowstrike (EX): Level 12

• Primordial Insight (EX): Level 10

• Blade Dance (A): Level 11

Despite the loss of skill points, the trials had given Liam something far more valuable—a deeper understanding of his own capabilities. As he descended the staircase, the whispers in the air faded, replaced by a deep, rhythmic hum.

The heart of the Sanctum of Echoes was closer than ever, and Liam's journey was far from over.