The Primordial Gate

The dense jungle sprawled endlessly before Aelion and Thalos, a labyrinth of towering trees and thick vines that twisted into the sky like serpents. The air was heavy, thick with the scent of earth, wet leaves, and something ancient, as if the very land beneath their feet had been waiting for centuries. The moment they stepped deeper into the jungle, the sounds of wildlife filled their ears—exotic creatures calling to one another in a language unknown, the rustling of unseen animals moving through the thick underbrush.

"Feels like we've stepped into a living maze," Thalos muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of Moonsteel, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "And I get the distinct feeling we're not alone."

Aelion's eyes narrowed as he focused on the path ahead, the thrum of energy deep within him resonating with the jungle's strange pulse. He could feel the presence of magic here—ancient and primal. It wasn't like the refined energy he had trained with in his Small World, nor like the flow of Qi he had learned to control. This was something raw, untamed. The magic of the jungle had a mind of its own.

"We're not alone," Aelion said softly, his gaze sweeping over the darkening shadows of the jungle. "But we're not being watched by something ordinary."

Thalos grunted in agreement, glancing over his shoulder. "Great. First, the endless void beasts, and now this."

Aelion's attention was pulled back to the path ahead. The Keeper's words echoed in his mind. The trials here are but the first of many. To unlock the knowledge you seek, you must prove yourself worthy.

The trial had begun.

The jungle seemed to respond to their movements, the trees creaking and swaying as though aware of their presence. And then, without warning, the ground beneath them trembled. A deep rumble, like the roar of something immense, reverberated through the earth.

Thalos's hand went to his sword hilt, his eyes scanning the dense underbrush for movement. "Do we wait for it to come to us, or do we—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a massive shape burst from the foliage ahead. A great creature, its body like that of a massive lizard, but with scales that shimmered in shades of jade and gold. Its eyes were glowing orbs of green fire, and its claws scraped against the earth with a sound like thunder.

Aelion didn't hesitate. His body moved instinctively, the energy inside him flowing with a grace that had become second nature. The creature lunged, its jaws wide, sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light.

"Thalos, cover me!" Aelion shouted, his voice sharp.

Thalos was already in motion, his sword flashing in a wide arc as he rushed forward to meet the creature's charge. With a powerful strike, the sword met the lizard's scales, creating a burst of sparks as it cut into its tough hide. The creature screeched in fury, twisting its body to retaliate. Thalos barely managed to leap back in time, narrowly avoiding the creature's snapping jaws.

Aelion, meanwhile, had his own battle to fight. He drew Starshard, the blade pulsing with radiant light. He focused, drawing on the energy deep within him—the Tide of Infinity—that strange power he had felt since the first moment he stepped beyond his world. The blade hummed in response, and Aelion's movements became a blur of fluidity.

The creature turned toward him, its massive tail swinging with deadly intent. Aelion ducked beneath the tail, his feet light as he used the momentum to propel himself into the air. In that moment, he became one with the energy around him, his body a conduit for the power that surged within him.

With a flash of light, he thrust Starshard forward, the blade slicing through the creature's armored hide. The creature howled, staggered by the strike, but it wasn't defeated. Its body shimmered, almost as if it was regenerating, the wound slowly closing with a strange, ethereal glow.

"Damn thing's got some kind of healing magic," Thalos grunted, parrying the creature's massive claws with his sword. "You've got to do better than that!"

Aelion nodded, his focus sharpening. The creature's regenerative abilities weren't just a simple trick—they were an extension of the jungle's ancient magic. To defeat it, he would need to understand its connection to this world's power.

Focus, he thought, centering himself. The Tide of Infinity pulsed within him, responding to his call. He felt the energy of the jungle begin to resonate with his own, as though the land itself were acknowledging his presence.

The creature roared again, its glowing eyes locking onto Aelion as it lunged for him. But this time, Aelion was ready. He stepped forward, meeting the creature head-on with a strike of his own. Starshard crackled with energy, the blade glowing brighter as it sliced through the creature's magical defenses. The jungle's energy, once chaotic and unpredictable, now flowed with purpose, guiding Aelion's attack.

The creature let out a final, desperate screech before crumbling to the ground, its body dissolving into shimmering dust that mixed with the jungle air.

Breathing heavily, Aelion lowered his blade, his heart still racing from the intensity of the battle. The jungle fell silent once more, the only sound the distant rustling of leaves.

"That was close," Thalos said, sheathing his sword as he walked over to Aelion. "But we survived."

Aelion nodded, his eyes still scanning the jungle. The trial had tested him in ways he hadn't anticipated. But there was no time to dwell on it.

"We've only just begun," Aelion said, his voice steady. "The Keeper said the trial would test our resolve. This was only the first test."

Thalos raised an eyebrow. "You mean there's more?"

"Much more," Aelion replied, his gaze hardening. "But we're here for a reason. And whatever comes next, we'll face it together."

The jungle around them seemed to breathe, the atmosphere thick with the presence of magic. Aelion could feel it again—the pull of the Tide of Infinity, drawing him forward. The jungle was alive, but it was also a test. A test to see if they could overcome the trials that lay ahead.

As Aelion and Thalos continued their journey deeper into the jungle, they knew that the world itself would challenge them in ways they could not yet imagine. But they were ready. Whatever the jungle had in store, they would face it, step by step, until the truth of the endless worlds was revealed.