Chapter Four

**Trial of the Angel**

As Alex stood before the angel, Ezra Morningstar, in the secluded place she had taken him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. The angel's ethereal presence and radiant aura were both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

The necromancer had warned him, even offered him a chance to rest, but Alex's determination to face the trials head-on wouldn't waver. He knew that to gain the knowledge he sought, he had to confront his deepest fears, whatever they may be.

Ezra and Alex sat in two chairs facing each other, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. Her celestial eyes bore into his, searching for something beyond mere words.

"What is your biggest fear?" Ezra asked, her voice gentle yet probing.

Alex met her gaze with unwavering confidence. "Nothing," he replied, a touch of defiance in his tone. "I don't think I fear anything."

Ezra's expression shifted, her features contorting into a mix of disappointment and disgust. In an instant, she teleported him to a place he had long buried in the recesses of his mind—a time when he was just a child, his father's drunken rage and his mother's helplessness a haunting memory.

He watched as the scene unfolded before him, as his father's fists rained down on both him and his mother. It was the moment when his powers had first awakened, a moment of anger and desperation.

With a shout of rage, he had uttered words he could never forget: "Die!" And his father, in an instant, crumbled to ash.

His mother, terrified of her own son, had sent him away to an orphanage, fearing that the darkness within him would consume them all. It was a moment that had traumatized him to the core, a moment he had tried to forget.

As Ezra teleported them back to the present, Alex's face was streaked with tears. The memory had resurfaced, more vivid and painful than ever before. He had never truly confronted the darkness within himself, the fear that he was capable of such destruction.

Ezra asked again, her voice softer this time, "What is your greatest fear?"

With teary eyes and a running nose, Alex confessed, "I'm... I'm afraid of myself. I try to maintain a strong front on the outside, but inside, I'm broken. I've tried to hide it for so long."

Ezra's expression softened as she regarded him with newfound understanding. "Strength isn't always about being unbreakable, Tekashi," she said gently. "It's about enduring, even when you feel shattered."

She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture of compassion that took him by surprise. "You've carried a heavy burden for many years. That takes a kind of strength too."

Alex nodded, his tears beginning to subside. It was the first time he had opened up about his inner struggles, and it felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Ezra smiled, a warm and understanding smile. "I'm Ezra Morningstar," she introduced herself.

Alex, still sniffling, managed a weak grin. "Nice to meet you, Ezra. I'm Tekashi... Tekashi Hatake."

Ezra chuckled softly. "Well, Tekashi, you should know that appearances can be deceiving. I may look like a guy, but I assure you, I'm very much a girl."

Alex blinked in surprise, then laughed, breaking the tension that had hung in the air. "I couldn't really tell, to be honest. You look like a guy but talk like a girl."

Ezra rolled her eyes playfully. "Well, you'll find that I'm full of surprises."

As they continued to talk, Alex couldn't help but feel a newfound camaraderie with Ezra. She had seen his vulnerability and had accepted him despite it. It was a rare connection in a place filled with trials and challenges.

Meanwhile, the necromancer was in conversation with the Goblin and the lich, discussing their next mission. It was a simple yet dangerous task—to retrieve an ancient artifact from a cursed tomb deep within the Hidden Nexus. The tomb was said to be guarded by vengeful spirits and deadly traps, making the mission perilous but essential.

As they received their instructions, the Goblin and the lich exchanged determined glances. It was a mission that would test their cunning and arcane knowledge, and they were ready to face the dangers that lay ahead.

In the Hidden Nexus, each trial and mission brought them closer to their goals, and with newfound allies like Ezra, Alex was beginning to realize that he wasn't alone on this transformative journey. Together, they would confront the past, unravel the mysteries of the present, and forge a path toward redemption and enlightenment in this enigmatic realm.

After the meeting had concluded, the necromancer spotted Tekashi standing alone on the palace balcony, bathed in the silvery light of the moon. Approaching quietly, the necromancer joined him, and for a while, they shared a contemplative silence, the soft rustling of the wind and the distant echoes of the Hidden Nexus serving as their background.

Tekashi spoke of the challenges he had faced since arriving in this enigmatic realm—the trials, the haunting memories, and the newfound camaraderie with his fellow seekers. The necromancer listened intently, his dark hood concealing his expression, but his presence radiated understanding and empathy.

When their conversation finally came to an end, the necromancer placed a skeletal hand on Tekashi's shoulder and said, "Rest, young seeker. The challenges ahead are arduous, and you've carried burdens that would break even the strongest of souls. Take solace in the stillness of the night."

With those words, Tekashi retreated to his room. The silence that greeted him was almost overwhelming—a desolate, empty room that mirrored the depths of his thoughts. He approached the window, drawn to the moonlight pouring in. As he opened it, a soft breeze filled the room, carrying with it a sense of serenity.

He fell onto his bed, his mind consumed by the memories of that traumatic incident from his past. Why had Ezra brought it up again? The questions lingered as he sank into a deep slumber, his dreams haunted by the shadows of that fateful moment.

In his dream, he was once again a child, standing in the midst of chaos and violence. The memories played out before him, the shouts, the pain, and the overwhelming fear. It was a nightmare he had relived countless times.

Suddenly, he woke with a shout, drenched in cold sweat. But instead of the solitude he had expected, he found himself surrounded by the seven races, their laughter echoing in his ears. They mocked him mercilessly, their words a cruel reminder of his vulnerability.

Shame and anger surged within him. With a furious gesture, he expelled them from his room, his voice laced with frustration. They muttered about him being a "joy killer" as they left, but he didn't care. He needed solitude, a moment to collect his thoughts and regain his composure.

As the door closed behind them, he knew that the next challenge awaited—the trial of the Humans. It was a challenge that would test his ability to navigate the complexities of human nature, a test of empathy, manipulation, and understanding.

With a renewed determination and a burning desire to prove himself, Tekashi prepared for what lay ahead. The Hidden Nexus had shown him the darkest corners of his soul, but he was determined to emerge from each trial stronger and wiser, ready to face whatever challenges the enigmatic realm had in store.