"Aegis of the Arctic Deity…" Orion said, his gaze fixed intently on the pair of golden-coloured eyes. "Can we proceed with the trial now?"
"Hahaha, very well," the ancient voice responded. In an instant, the black and white threads within the stream of water above them glowed intensely before the water abruptly collapsed, submerging them within it.
Orion felt his hand being tightly gripped and immediately looked down to see Princess Crystalia holding onto his hand.
They were all submerged in the water as the mysterious strings of white and black threads began to revolve around them, growing even brighter.
They had to snap their eyes shut to avoid being blinded by the intense light.
Orion suddenly felt a gentle breeze ruffle his hair, prompting his eyes to snap open. Before him stood a colossal stone gate, 40 feet tall and 86 feet wide, adorned with a transparent ripple that allowed one to see through to the other side. What lay beyond and around was a dry and barren land, littered with the bones and ash of long-forgotten skeletons.
At a distance, he could make out the plains and highlands, obstructed by towering swords of blinding light, some of them rivalling mountains in size.
A surge of awe and dread welled up within Orion's heart as he gazed upwards at the sky. His body stiffened as he took in the astounding sight before him.
Baduum! Orion felt his heart skip a beat as he beheld the sight of several winged figures, each clad in strange armour, their attention riveted to the colossal square stone door.
He gradually shifted his gaze to the oddly preserved, gigantic severed head with a protruding horn at its centre. Its wide eyes were open as it hung in the sky, surrounded by mutilated bodies. Its gaze seemed to capture the moments before its death.
However, he barely had time to process the gruesome scene before he sensed a firm tug on his hand. Turning his head to the side, he gazed at the figure holding his arm, and his eyes widened in astonishment.
"Orion, you look different," Princess Crystalia remarked, her disbelief mirrored in her expression.
Orion cast a perplexed gaze at his transformed self. Just as he was about to comment on his altered appearance, a familiar ancient voice thundered within their ears.
"Listen closely, you treacherous race! To defeat a god, one must possess the powers of a god. In Naka's boundless mercy and benevolence, you have been given not only a chance for redemption but also the opportunity to acquire the power that will provide you with a solid foundation once you secure your freedom from this mountain."
"You are faced with two possible outcomes: survive the trial, obtain a 'Divine blood,' and earn your redemption, or fail, forfeit your last opportunity for salvation, and face death!"
As the ancient dignified voice faded, Orion felt it resound in his ears once more. "Although I commend your bravery, human, the treacherous race you've chosen to support is not deserving of your aid. I am willing to grant you another chance for your own freedom, should you have changed your mind."
A wry smile crept onto Orion's lips as he remained silent.
"Very well, I shall be watching, human. Should you fail, may your demise be swift," came the Aegis of the Arctic Deity's response before it abruptly vanished.
Shaking off the distracting thoughts that were seeping into his mind, Orion turned his gaze to Crystalia's transformed body.
She still possessed her fair complexion, but her appearance had dramatically altered. Her height seemed to have increased slightly, and she was now adorned in radiant full-plated armour.
Her silken-coloured hair locs not only gleamed more brilliantly but appeared smooth, flowing, and extended almost halfway down her back. Orion couldn't help but notice the two smooth, lengthy feathery wings emerging from her back.
However, one of these wings was noticeably shorter than the other, resembling the winged figures in the vicinity.
Suddenly, a booming voice reverberated through the air, assaulting their ears. They turned to witness another white-haired winged figure hurtling towards them, who then enveloped them both in a tight embrace.
"Flintor, is that you?" Princess Crystalia asked, regarding the tall, white-haired figure who embraced her with suspicion.
"Yes, it's me, Princess," Flintor replied as he released them. He was nearly on the brink of a breakdown, struggling to comprehend the inexplicable transformation they had all undergone.
Nevertheless, he gestured toward the other one hundred and twenty-one individuals who had participated in the trial but now appeared utterly transformed.
Observing that every single one of them had undergone a profound change in appearance, Orion swiftly grasped the gravity of their situation.
A world strewn with lifeless forms, both on the ground and in the heavens.
Orion took a deep breath to calm himself before a trumpet blared from the sky above, producing a deafening sound that surprisingly didn't harm or discomfort him.
As the trumpet's echoes subsided, the ground beneath them began to tremble and vibrate. This unexpected phenomenon not only drew Orion's attention but also fascinated the others who were experiencing the outside world beyond the mountain for the first time.
Orion's eyes widened as he beheld what was approaching.
"EVERYONE, FLY UP INTO THE SKY IMMEDIATELY!" he roared at the top of his lungs, and with a firm grip on Princess Crystalia, he shot up into the sky.
The rest quickly followed suit, propelled by their thoughts alone, despite having never experienced flight before.
As they ascended, they gazed down and witnessed numerous thick, green figures of various sizes racing wildly toward the massive stone gate.
However, just as they were on the verge of entering the imposing square gate, they abruptly halted in their tracks.
"What is happening?" Princess Crystalia asked, observing the green figures, which numbered more than a thousand, if not more, coming to a sudden stop before the huge stone gate.
Orion didn't immediately respond.
He could feel his heart rate quicken as the ripples on the colossal stone gate intensified, and a figure stepped out, revealing itself.