The Trial of Illusion

The sandy terrain that was in front of Mari was slowly being eaten up by fog. She didn't spend much time taking in the scenery because the fatigue that Mari had built up from earlier had started to eat away at her. She was on the verge of a manic episode and only wanted to rest her body for a moment.

Although these internal problems were coming from left and right to attack Mari, she had begun to wonder about her other half.

"I wonder if you have to go through something so cruel too. If it was you and they hung the gate of my life in your eyes, then there was probably no stopping you." Mari thought.

Just as she predicted, Kai was the prophet candidate and had already succeeded in various trials to attain the most favorable impression of the goddess of the undead. So much so that the goddess as blessed him favorably and even took a particular liking to him.

Unfortunately this was something that Mari didn't know about yet. She had to deal with what's in front of her right now and not fail. Mari was scared beyond reason that failure today would lead to the death of not only herself but her beloved husband Kai.

"Okay, so tell me what is my trial here?" Asked Mari.

She had originally lost the breath in her lungs and had bent down to hold on to her knees. As she took the opportunity to take this trial head on she looked up and found the will to continue to take one step forward.

"If it's not step forward I can do this. I just have to do this one moment at a time." She thought.

The woman who had the self proclaimed strongest will of the country had tried to gather strength from trying to close the gap of weakness her fatigue brought her.

At this moment the desert terrain was gone in the same black fog that swallowed up the marble structure.

In front of Mari was a complete new scene. The sounds of water crashing against the shore was something she first noticed.

"Don't fall asleep, huh?" Mari said.

The lush sounds were harmonious and more relaxing than that of sand hitting your ears and banging like a drum.

In front of Mari was a large wooden cabin along the lake. The cabin was four stories high and had a separate building on the side. It was the shape of a tower. Just behind the cabin and tower was the shoreline. The water was gently brushing the border. The grass and trees were well taken care of. The trees were bearing fruits and the grass was long and lush. The grass and trees would follow the breeze of the wind and waved in an out of worldly manner.

"This is more than what a dream can be. It's so beautiful." Thought Mari.

"Mari the general candidate, you must discover the source of the plague and save the remaining villagers in the surrounding area." Vola said.

Vola had gathered the dark energy that was surrounding Mari and manifested herself.

Vola was wearing a thin white dress and a burgundy coat. She appeared to be enjoying the calm scenery and decided to entertain herself. Vola had short brown hair and yellow piercing eyes. Her skin was smooth and pearlescent. She seemed to have a remarkably contrasting beauty in why she wore and what she looked like.

"You're here?" Asked Mari.

"Yes and no. I am both physically and mentally here because of my connecting with you, but I also maintain a small portion of myself to communicate with the other candidates. Your husband is one of these candidates." Said Vola

"Is he okay?" Asked Mari.

"I can't share any information about other candidates with you. I am here to enjoy the scenery and inform you of the trial ahead of you." Said Vola.

"You already told me about the trial. Is there anything else?" Asked Mari.

"No. Your trial has begun. The longer you worry about extra details the longer this trial will be for you. If I must remind you, once you close your eyes to sleep you will die." Said Vola.

"So I have to discover some sort of plague and save the remainder of the villagers?" Asked Mari.

"Yes. You may ask me for any sort of information throughout this illusion and I will answer you to the best of my knowledge. Any questions beyond the illusion are out of your reach. If you do happen to pass this trial then you may ask me up to three questions. This will of course only be the case if you pass and receive the blessing of the goddess." Responded Vola.

"Okay. No resting, no questions besides whatever lays inside the illusion. Got it. Let's start with finding the village and getting some leads. Can you direct me to the village please?" Asked Mari.

"Yes. If you travel on the opposite side of this lake you will arrive at the village known as Junto." Said Vola.

Vola pointed towards the cabin and beyond the shoreline. Where her finger pointed was the opposite side of the lake and countless trees. There was barely people visible. What was seen was four women gathering berries and putting them inside the basket they carried alongside their left arm.

"Who are they?" Asked Mari.

"Those are the inhabitants of the village, they are the berry pickers trying to gather fruit for a feast."

"So you're saying that a plague is in that village but they're also throwing a feast?" Asked Mari.

"General candidate, I suggest that you take the chance to go say hello. Those ladies are about to find themselves in a dangerous situation. Please save them on my behalf." Said Vola.

Vola had remained calm and didn't stress her tone, but there was something strange in her request. She asked Mari to do something on her behalf. It was a simple request, but Mari was largely inconvenienced as she can't draw her sword.