TTH's Trials FINALE: Trial of the Future

The boy was only able to stare at the stone statue in anguish, unable to formulate any words at the sight of Prez immortalized in white marble. Instead, he just looked down and held his hands close to his chest, the girl that he loved now gone. He stayed there, motionless, unable to move, until finally, he noticed something that caught his eye.

I looked ahead a little bit, and saw an album of sorts, laying neatly on the ground, bounded by the ribbon that Prez had worn during our "Date". I cautiously reached out to it, and gently placed my hand on it, feeling the soft leather. I slowly dragged it toward me, and on the cover, it said, "Sweet Memories."

I unwrapped the ribbon and set it down gently next to me, before opening the album, my heart hammering. I almost had a heart attack when I saw the contents, and gingerly picked up one of the items, a phone.

I unlocked it and scrolled through its contents, trying to find out its owner before I stumbled upon a diary app. I opened it, and inside was a new entry, having been written only a couple hours ago.

"Hello there. This will probably be my last entry, considering the state of my love life now. There were a lot of things I wanted to say to Hiro, but I could never pluck up the courage to talk to him about it. I really wish that we both had more time, but it seems that our love together was never meant to be, huh? How cruel could that be?

"Well, I don't regret loving him, even if it meant my heart was broken. Honestly, when I heard his answer, I didn't really know what to feel. I was so happy, yet so sad at the same time. So many conflicting emotions I had in myself, and yet, while I'm writing this while Hiro is off to buy us our supplies, I can safely say I feel overwhelming joy that the boy I fell in love with also loved me back.

"I have so many questions for him that I wanted to ask him? His favorite things, his likes and dislikes, trivial stuff that wouldn't have mattered in the long run. And then there were the harder questions, like how he said he had a promise to fulfill, and he couldn't be together with me. Honestly, what type of promise is that meant to be? Is he trying to be a priest or something?

"And also, I wanted to ask him for help about somethings about me as well. If it was him, I think I could fulfill the goal I had in mind when I came here. But, it seems I wasn't able to in the end, but I'm happy I was able to at least fall in love, especially with a wonderful guy like him. He seems kinda of rough when you first talk to him, but I have a feeling that he has his own shares of problems, just like me. In a perfect world, we could've helped each other out, painfully growing together side by side, and at the end of our high school career, we would get married in college, and live happily ever after.

"Ah crap, I was getting ahead of myself. But, it's nice to think about. Of course, I do have to wonder what his actual name his though. Well, he doesn't know mine either, but I get that we would've told each other that quickly, using it only when we're alone.

"I can't help myself getting giddy over all this. Oh, if he saw me now, he would most definitely flick me on the forehead, the big meanie. Wait, I think I see him coming over the hill. Oh shoot, I have to hurry up and finish writing this!

"Now, even though we're spending the rest of tonight together, I wish it was more than that, but beggars can't be choosers as the saying goes. Well, I'm make sure to put this in the memories of my youth, and keep it with me forever, even after I'm long gone from this place. In the end, I don't really know what I wanted to write here, but I feel satisfied writing what I'm feeling here now. Oh, one more thing! Even though he'll never read this, thank you Hiro, for being able to fall in love with a girl like me! I'll never forget it, even when you forget about me, and I have to return to the place I belong! Oh crap, he's here! Signing off, Prez."

I started to shake as I reached the end of the entry, my emotions about to burst forth from within, only one more event needed to tip them over. I put the phone down and looked down at the open album, and the event needed was reached.

"What is this?" I pulled out a photo of Prez and I in the cafe we were at earlier, and it was perfectly timed to both of us feeding each other at the same time. I turned the page, and similar picture of us together were throughout the entire album, from our time at karaoke and skating, to the movie theaters, even when I gave her my answer, along with other small instances of us goofing around.

I flipped to the back, and on the final pages were the fireworks show that we had set off, all of them beautifully taken. And the last picture, was of Prez, smiling at me as the sun radiated behind her, the last instance of her presence before the Trial was over.

I saw water drop onto the laminated covers, and once I realized I was crying, the tears wouldn't stop. I started to wail out into the room, sobbing like a baby. There was also a note, that read:

"Never forget the memories of today. Because, just as you'll always be in my heart, I'll be in yours. So, don't cry, thinking that we're apart. Smile, because we'll always be together!"

I knelt down, unable to sit up straight anymore, and continued to cry.

"You, you! Like I could smile just because you told me too! How is one supposed to smile at a situation like this, when you're like this!?" I was the only one left with these memories, and Prez would never remember them. So how can she say that, in her heart of hearts, she would never forget?

"If I don't remember, then help me remember!" I heard her voice in my head, and the tears started to come out even faster, the pain of the memories starting to hurt.

"Promise me that you will, okay?"

I gulped down my sobs and looked back up at the marble statue of Prez. "Alright, I promise. Even if it's impossible, I'll do my best. Since you're my first love." My tears kept on coming, but I felt a relief roll through me, as if Prez was holding me tight.

"Thank you."

And those words solidified my resolve, as I put everything back into the album, and wrapped the ribbon back around it. I took a shaky breath and wiped my tears away, before finally looking around the spacious room I was in.

It was in a similar layout to the last one, with the only difference being a wide range of statues, littered throughout the room, all in various poses. Some were in pairs, and others alone, but all of them had a similar expression of sadness on their faces, and all of them were of black marble. The only white marbled statue I saw was of Prez.

It was an awful sight to behold, and it made me want to crawl deep inside myself and never come back out. Otherwise, the room was basically in darkness, with only two lights on around. The first one was above the door, which had a green light above it. The other was a single beam of light hitting Prez's statue, illuminating her beauty.

I gritted my teeth. What type of place was this? I could feel the anger welling up from within as I made my way toward the door. The person who made these Trials, what type of sick bastard could come up with something as sickening as this? If everybody else's experiences were similar to mine, then the thing they were forced to see when they came out was the grotesque face of the one they had spent time with, warped with sadness, and blanketed in darkness.

It really pisses me off. Making someone go through something like this, what the hell was the point of it all!? So they could cut all ties with their current present? That's complete and utter bullshit! I balled up my hands, as I started to walk faster towards the door.

"I won't allow it. I refuse to let my life be controlled by some sick bastard who wants to break me down! I'll live the way I want to, and nobody's going to stop me!"

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Everyone in the research room was shocked beyond belief. After hearing Hiro's answer to the Trial, it had said he had passed, but it had been hours since then, and still no sign of him anywhere.

"Is he alright?" Hebe asked, tugging on Astraea's sleeve.

"I don't know what just happened. His answer was... unique to say the least. Never before have I heard the audacity of such a statement. Why would he take such a gamble?" Astraea looked down at Hebe, who looked confused. "I don't know. Maybe he met a special condition that no one has fulfilled before, or maybe it has to do with his answer."

"Could be outside interference," Mars muttered. He had his arms crossed, and he seemed to be annoyed. "Whatever the case, the brat has some balls, I'll give him that. He probably knew the correct answer but refused to accept it. Honestly, I can't say any of us here would've done the same."

"Master has returned."

Everyone's eyes shot towards the now open door, and sure enough, out came Hiro, holding a book bound by a ribbon, clutching it tightly to his chest. He glared at the onlookers, before speaking, his rage emanating from his voice.

"I don't give a damn anymore! What type of people are you, forcing others to go through this sick shit!?"

Silence from the onlookers.

"Do you want to know what's in that room!? Statues, all of them carved in black marble, their faces grotesque and warped with sadness. Imagine seeing that after you passed the Trial."

Everyone looked at each other, stunned. But he wasn't finished yet.

"And yet even so, she was the only smiling at the end damnit! The only one carved in white marble, the only goddamn one! But you know what, I'm done playing these games. This next Trial, the Trial of the Future, I'm going to beat it. I've come too far not too. So, don't worry about me quitting. Fat chance of that happening."

All the onlookers relaxed a little bit, everyone except Anna, who was watching her friend being tormented by his feelings.

"But, if you think for one second that you're going to make me into what you want, you've got another thing coming!"

Having finished his rant, he gently set the book down onto the table, before facing towards the final door.

"Now, I'm really curious on what he wen' through in there," Deimos said, chuckling.

"Is this path that he's taking? I too wonder what changes he's undergone from spending all that time in there." Astraea agreed, her facial expression a delicate balance of emotions.

And they all waited as he finally undertook the hardest Trial, the Trial of the Future.

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Having put my book on the table for safekeeping, I turned towards the last door, which had a red light above it. Well, let's just get this over with already.

I walked towards the door, and without any hesitation, opened it and walked in. Inside, the room was small, with a single chair and table positioned in the center. The walls were a stark white, and on the table was a single button. As I walked towards the table, the door closed behind me.

"Seize the Uncertain Future"

And the button glowed to life. Not letting the Trial's voice get to me, I stopped once I got to the table, and pushed the button.

And in front of me, a question was displayed in front of me, a yes or no question at that. I quickly read the question, before letting out a small laugh.

"Is this it?" I read the question again, before starting laugh at the sheer simplicity of this Trial. This was the hardest Trial? After everything I went through, this was it!?

"How can I not laugh at this!?" I said, slowly containing my laughter before smiling. Well, I don't have to think about this at all.

"No."

"Success."

And the Trial of the Future was completed in 30 seconds flat.

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"Director, you're back from your mission!?"

"Yes, I came back as soon as I heard that there was a Hero candidate taking the Trials. Of course, I finished my tasks beforehand."

"As expected of our Director!"

The hooded man nodded at the soldier before starting to walk down the hallway towards his destination.

"Isn't that him!?"

"Whoa, it really is him! The legend himself, our Director has returned!" All of the nearby soldiers immediately fell in formation and saluted their superior.

"Welcome back sir!" The all yelled out. The hooded man simply waved his hand.

"At ease, at ease. Do any of you know how the Trials is going?"

"Yes sir! He just entered the Trial of the Future sir!" The soldier that had spoken to him first had responded, and the hooded man nodded.

"Good, let's just hope he doesn't take to long." He motioned for the soldier behind him to follow him, and he proceeded onward.

"So, do you think he'll be the one?"

"I don't know sir. He took an entire day to finish the Trial of the Past, and they say he looked pretty gruesome afterwards. He also finished the Trial of the Present a while ago, but just recently came out."

"Hmm, how intriguing." They reached the end of the hallway, and the hooded man waved his hand, and the door opened. He then continued to walk.

"Where are the Seated?"

"The four that are here are watching the Trials right now sir."

"Alright, tell them to come here then. It'll probably be a while before candidate finishes."

"Yes sir, right away." and the soldier following him left, leaving the hooded man alone in the room.

"Ah, it's been quite some time since I've been back." He ripped off his hood and started to walk towards the final chair at the end of the hall.

"Let's hope we found our guy." He took out the sword strapped to his back and sat down in the 13th chair. He then slammed the sword down into the ground, the blade sliding smoothly into the pedestal until it stopped.

"After all, what resistance would we be without our precious 'Hero'?"

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I walked out the Trial room and felt relieved. It was finally over, over at last. Although, I have to wonder if something's supposed to happen. It feels kind of anticlimactic.

"Did you give up so soon?"

I scowled and turned toward the one way window. "I passed dumbasses, now what? Is something supposed to happen?"

"Oh please, as if you could pass that fast. The fastest person who's ever taken that Trial took 12 hours, and you're saying you-!" He suddenly stopped talking as I heard someone's voice tell him something.

"Oh, I guess you did pass. Job well done." It took them a few seconds to process it.

"WAIT!? YOU PASSED!?"

"I literally just told you that. Now come on, do I get cool powers or something? Spill the beans already!"

And suddenly the door to the room opened up, and out came the four Seated and Anna.

"Master, congrats on being the next Time Traveling Hero."

"Yep, no sweat." Yeah, I know. That was clearly a lie. "How long did it take anyway?"

"A day and a half Master."

"That long!? Ah, I guess I should've expected that." I scratched the back of my head before shooting Anna a grin. "But I kept my promise, didn't I?"

She nodded. "Affirmative, good job Master Hiro."

"But seriously, is something meant to happen?"

I turned to the quiet four who were staring at the three green lights behind me.

"He really did it Astraea."

"Yes, I know Mars."

The two oldest were the most shocked, while Hebe and Deimos just looked at me.

"Good job you. I didn't think you were going to make it you know," Hebe said in her childish tone of voice.

"Keke, can't wait to work with yah!" Deimos cackled, his braided blue hair swaying back and forth.

"Thanks and all, but seriously, is that it? No awakening or anything like that?"

"Hello? Oh good, everybody is here. Oh no, did the candidate fail the Trial?" Great, a new person. It was a soldier, and he seemed to look disappointed.

"Nope, I passed. Is no one going to answer my question!?"

"He passed!? Oh great, well the Director is back, so if you could all follow me please."

"Wait just a second here!"

Everybody finally snapped out of their excitement, and all their eyes laid on me.

"What's wrong? We have to celebrate of course! We've never been this long without a Hero before, so this is a special occasion!"

"I don't give a damn!"

Now they looked shocked, as I raised my hand up.

"I could care less about a damn celebration! All I want to do is go home with Anna and eat my sister's delicious home cooked meals!"

"HUH!?" Everyone's mouth dropped at my words, except for Anna.

"As expected of Master, always doing what he wants."

"So, tell this Director guy or whatever that I'm leaving, and that he'll have to wait in order to meet me."

"But-!"

"Nope! I'm pretty sure I outrank you anyway, so you have to listen to me!"

"But the Director-!"

"Did he say he wanted to meet me yet?"

"Well, no. But-!"

"Then that settles it. I'm going home. Come on Anna, I'm tired of this damn place anyway." I grabbed my precious album and maneuvered my way around all of them.

Yep, and that's how my Trials ended, in a very Hiro-esque fashion if I do say so myself.

Part 1/3 of ARC 2: Trials: Completed