Chapter 5: The Trials Begin
Morning arrived with a chills in the air, but Lila's energy was anything but cold. She was up before the sun, roaming around the room as she prepared for her big day. Zora, watching her from the corner of his eye, couldn't help but smile. "You've packed your water, right? And a snack?" he asked, already slipping into a protective tone. "Papa, stop worrying! I've got everything," Lila replied, tying her boots. She looked at him with a grin. "Now come on! I don't want to be late!"
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The guild was alive with activity when they arrived, a mix of aspiring adventurers and seasoned veterans crowding the space. The guildmaster, a burly man with a booming voice, stepped forward to address the gathered hopefuls.
"Welcome to your trials!" he began. "Today, you'll face three challenges: an obstacle race, a dummy fight, and finally, a mini-dungeon. These trials are designed to test your strength, skill, and wit. Succeed, and you'll earn the right to become an adventurer. Fail, and you can always try again...if you survive, that is." The gathered crowd murmured nervously, but Lila's excitement never wavered. "Good luck," Zora said quietly as she lined up with the others. "And stay safe." Lila grinned at him. "I'll be fine, Papa. Just watch!"
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The Obstacle Race
The first trial was an obstacle course in the guild's training grounds. It had tall walls to climb, deep pits to jump over, ropes to swing on, and even some traps scattered along the way. The goal was simple but tough: reach the finish line as fast as possible.
When the signal went off, Lila sprinted forward. She climbed the first wall quickly, pulling herself up with determination. There was a long rope to swing across a wide pit, and she hesitated for a moment, but then she grabbed the rope tightly and jumped. She swung across, landing a bit unsteady but safe. The narrow beam came next. Halfway across, she wobbled, her arms flailing, but she managed to balance herself and keep going. Zora watched quietly from the sidelines, his fingers crossed, his heart was pounding a bit. Then Lila crawled under a set of low, spiked bars and made it to the end, she stood up and wiped the sweat off her face, smiling proudly. She wasn't the fastest, but she didn't need to be. She finished the course without giving up, and that was what mattered.
The Dummy Fight
The second trial took place in a arena. The participants had to fight a moving dummy that acted like a real opponent. They could choose any weapon from the selection: wooden swords, spears, bows, and others. Lila picked up a wooden sword. She tested its weight in her hand, gripping it tightly. She was nervous, but she didn't let it show. When the dummy activated, it dashed toward her suddenly, and she gasped. Quickly, she dodged to the side, just barely avoiding the attack. She swung her sword, hitting the dummy's arm. It didn't stop, though, moving faster and coming at her from different angles. Lila stayed calm, remembering Zora's advice about staying focused. She ducked under a swing and jabbed at its side. Then, in a clever move, she used her foot to trip the dummy. It stumbled, giving her the opening to deliver a final strike to its head. The dummy stopped moving, signaling her win. Lila stood there, panting and holding the sword tightly. She glanced toward the stands, smiling and giving Zora a thumbs up, while Zora just couldn't seem to stop being worried.
The Mini-Dungeon
The final trial was the hardest of all: the mini-dungeon. Each participant had to go in alone and face whatever was inside. It was dark, quiet, and full of challenges.
When it was Lila's turn, she took a deep breath and stepped inside. The first thing she saw was a puzzle on a stone table. There were colored stones and matching symbols carved into the wall. She studied them for a moment, thinking hard. Lila hesitated for a split second, doubting if she could solve the puzzle. But then Zora's voice echoed in her mind: 'Trust your instincts.' She took a deep breath and focused, her confidence returning. Then she began moving the stones one by one, placing each in the right spot. When she finished, a small door opened, and she moved to the next room.
This part had traps everywhere. She saw pressure plates on the floor and noticed small holes in the walls where arrows might shoot out. Lila moved slowly, testing the floor with her foot before stepping. She crouched low, ducking under swinging blades that passed right over her head. At one point, she almost stepped on a pressure plate but caught herself just in time. Her heart was racing, but she kept moving forward.
The last challenge was a fight. A small, mechanical creature crawled out of a dark corner. Its metal claws clanged as it moved toward her. Lila raised her wooden sword, ready. The creature lunged, but she sidestepped and hit it on its side. It turned quickly, forcing her to dodge again. She swung her sword at its legs, trying to knock it off balance, but it jumped back. Finally, Lila spotted a glowing part on its chest. She figured it must be its weak spot. Waiting for the right moment, she let the creature charge at her again. This time, she dodged at the last second and swung her sword with all her strength, hitting the glowing spot dead-on. The creature froze, sparks flying from its chest, before falling to the ground.
When she came out of the dungeon, she was covered in dust, her hair a mess, and her face red from the effort. But she was smiling wide, proud of herself. Zora hurried over, a mix of relief and pride on his face, gave her a light pat on the back. "You did great," he said with a relaxed tone, as his worries finally cooling down a bit. Lila smiled at him, feeling more confident than ever. "I made it through all the trials, Papa! I'm one step closer to my dream!". Zora nodded. "You did well."
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As the day came to an end, the participants gathered back at the guild to await their results. The guildmaster stepped forward once again, a scroll in hand. "The verdicts will be announced tomorrow morning," he said. "Until then, rest well and prepare for what's to come." Lila turned to Zora, her eyes shining. "Do you think I did enough, Papa?" Zora smiled softly. "We'll find out tomorrow. But no matter what happens, I'm proud of you..."