Chapter 6: The hidden trial

The morning air was cool as Helios woke up, feeling a bit more rested than before. He knew that today was another day of training, but something felt different. There was an air of mystery around the complex, as if something unusual was going to happen.

After getting ready, Helios headed to the training grounds. The other contestants were already there, gathered in small groups, talking quietly. Everyone seemed to sense that today's training would be different. Helios spotted Sylvi among the crowd and walked over to her.

"Good morning," he said, trying to sound cheerful, but his voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.

"Good morning, Helios," Sylvi replied, her green eyes scanning the area. "Something feels off today, doesn't it? I can't put my finger on it, but it's like there's something we're not being told."

Helios nodded in agreement. He had felt the same way since waking up. The instructor soon appeared, walking with purpose and a serious expression on his face. The crowd quieted down as he approached.

"Listen closely," the instructor began, his voice firm. "Today's training will be different from what you've experienced so far. This is a hidden trial—a test that is not announced beforehand and is meant to catch you off guard. You will face a challenge that will test your instincts, teamwork, and quick thinking. Remember, this trial is not just about strength. It's about using your mind and trusting your fellow contestants."

Helios felt a rush of adrenaline. A hidden trial meant that they would have to rely on everything they had learned so far, without any preparation. It was both exciting and terrifying.

The instructor continued, "You will be split into groups and sent into the training labyrinth. Inside, you will face various obstacles that you must overcome together. Only by working as a team will you be able to find the way out. The labyrinth is designed to confuse and challenge you, so stay alert."

Helios and Sylvi exchanged a look of determination. They both knew that this trial would push them to their limits, but they were ready to face it together.

The instructor started calling out names, forming groups. Helios was placed in a group with Sylvi, Kade, and a quiet, observant elf named Arion. They quickly gathered together, sharing a brief moment to discuss their approach.

"We need to stay calm and think clearly," Arion said, his voice calm and measured. "The labyrinth is designed to make us panic and lose our way. If we stick together and use our strengths, we can find the exit."

Kade nodded, his strong frame radiating confidence. "I'll take the lead and watch for any physical obstacles. Sylvi, you can use your speed to scout ahead when needed. Arion, you seem good at strategy, so help guide us. Helios, your Sun Qi is strong—use it to protect us if we face any dangers."

Helios agreed with the plan. It made sense to use each person's strengths to their advantage. They were soon led to the entrance of the labyrinth, a massive structure made of tall, stone walls that seemed to stretch on forever. The entrance was dark and foreboding, but Helios knew there was no turning back.

"Your trial begins now," the instructor announced as the doors to the labyrinth slowly creaked open. "Good luck."

The group entered the labyrinth, and the doors closed behind them with a heavy thud. Inside, it was dim, with only small shafts of light breaking through cracks in the walls. The air was cool, and the silence was unsettling. Helios could feel the tension in the air as they moved forward, each step echoing in the narrow passageways.

As they walked deeper into the labyrinth, the walls seemed to shift and change, making it difficult to keep track of where they had been. Helios quickly realized that this was part of the challenge—designed to disorient them and make them lose their way.

They encountered their first obstacle not long after entering. A large, spiked pit suddenly appeared in front of them, blocking their path. The pit was too wide to jump across, and the walls on either side were too smooth to climb.

Kade stepped forward, examining the pit. "We need to find a way to cross without falling. There might be a hidden mechanism or a way to bridge the gap."

Sylvi looked around quickly, her sharp eyes scanning the area. "There's something over there," she pointed to a small, barely visible lever embedded in the wall on the other side of the pit. "If we can reach it, it might help us."

Arion nodded thoughtfully. "Helios, can you use your Sun Qi to create a path or a way for us to reach that lever?"

Helios concentrated, focusing on his Sun Qi. He felt the warm energy flowing through him, and with a deep breath, he extended his hand toward the pit. A beam of light shot out from his palm, forming a narrow bridge of light across the pit. It wasn't solid, but it shimmered with energy, strong enough to support them if they moved carefully.

"Go, but be quick," Helios urged, feeling the strain of maintaining the bridge.

Sylvi, being the lightest and fastest, went first. She stepped onto the light bridge cautiously, her movements graceful and sure. The bridge held, and she quickly crossed to the other side, where she pulled the lever.

The walls on either side of the pit shifted, and a solid stone bridge slid into place, allowing the others to cross safely.

"Well done, Helios," Kade said, clapping him on the back as they continued down the labyrinth.

They moved quickly but cautiously, encountering more obstacles along the way. There were hidden traps, moving walls, and even sections where the floor would fall away, leaving them dangling over dark, empty voids. But each time, they worked together, combining their strengths to find solutions and move forward.

As they neared what felt like the center of the labyrinth, the challenges became more difficult. They were faced with a series of locked doors, each with a complex puzzle that had to be solved before they could proceed. The puzzles required careful thought and teamwork, as one mistake could trigger a trap or reset their progress.

Arion proved invaluable here, his sharp mind quickly deciphering the puzzles. He guided the others, who used their own skills to assist in solving each challenge. Helios used his Sun Qi to light up hidden symbols on the walls, while Sylvi's quick reflexes helped her avoid traps that were set to spring if they made a wrong move.

But the final challenge was the hardest. They reached a large chamber with a high ceiling, and in the center was a pedestal holding a small, glowing crystal—the key to unlocking the final door. The room, however, was filled with a maze of mirrors that reflected beams of sunlight. Each beam was like a laser, cutting through the air and blocking their path.

"We need to find a way to redirect the beams and reach the crystal without getting hurt," Kade said, shielding his eyes from the blinding light.

Helios looked at the mirrors, thinking hard. The beams of sunlight were powerful, like concentrated Sun Qi, and they couldn't just walk through them. But then he had an idea.

"If we can redirect the beams, we might be able to create a safe path," Helios suggested. "We just need to adjust the mirrors to reflect the light away from us."

Arion nodded in agreement. "Let's move the mirrors carefully. One wrong move, and the beams could come right at us."

Working together, they began to adjust the mirrors, shifting them slightly to change the direction of the beams. It was slow, careful work, as each movement had to be precise. Helios used his Sun Qi to amplify the light in certain areas, helping them see the exact angle needed to create a safe path.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they managed to create a narrow path through the maze of mirrors. The beams of light were redirected away from the center, and the crystal on the pedestal was now within reach.

Sylvi, being the fastest, was chosen to retrieve the crystal. She moved quickly and gracefully, avoiding the remaining beams and grabbing the crystal from the pedestal. As soon as she did, the beams of light disappeared, and the mirrors returned to their original positions.

With the crystal in hand, they hurried to the final door. Arion placed the crystal into a slot on the door, and it clicked open, revealing a passage that led outside the labyrinth.

The group stepped out into the sunlight, breathing a sigh of relief. They had made it through the hidden trial, using their skills and teamwork to overcome the challenges.

The instructor was waiting for them at the exit, a rare smile on his face. "Well done, all of you. You have passed the hidden trial. This was a test of your ability to think on your feet and work as a team. You've shown that you have what it takes to continue in the Solar Games."

Helios felt a surge of pride. They had faced the unknown and come out victorious. The training was far from over, but each challenge brought them closer to their goal.

As they walked back to the complex, Helios knew that the real Solar Games were still years away, but these trials were preparing them for the toughest battles ahead. And with each victory, he felt more confident that he would one day become the Sun Holder.