The Lost Trial

Alger had been wandering deep within the labyrinth for what felt like an eternity, each step seemed to take him further into an unknown abyss, and his anxiety grew with every passing moment. The mist in the air was suffocating, and each breath felt like an unbearable pressure. It seemed there was no end to this place, with every corner and turn distorted in strange and eerie ways. Every time he thought he was near an exit, the scene in front of him would suddenly shift, deepening the confusion.

He began to feel increasingly uneasy. The constantly changing images were not just external illusions but reflections of his inner turmoil. Whenever he tried to calm himself and focus on finding the way out, vague hallucinations would surge to the surface. The call of the wolf nature was like an irresistible summons. The intense power of his bloodline stirred restlessly within him, as though urging him to unleash his hidden wildness. Each time this call came, it suffocated him, yet he could not completely ignore the presence of this force. It was like a ferocious beast roaring in his heart, trying to break through the constraints of his reason.

Alger knew that if he succumbed to the dominance of the wolf nature, he would receive a direct surge of power, breaking through his current predicament. But he also understood that doing so would cause him to lose all human reason and descend into a bloodthirsty beast.

Thus, in every moment of struggle, he was overwhelmed with immense pain. Reason and wildness clashed within him, pulling at his nerves. This tug-of-war pushed him to the brink of collapse. His steps became erratic, and the voices in his mind grew louder.

"Let go of everything, submit to the wolf nature, and you will break free from all these shackles," a voice whispered in his ear, its tone full of temptation.

"Don't give up your reason; you are human, not a beast," another voice responded, firm and calm.

Alger stopped, trying to clear his thoughts, but all he could feel was an overwhelming fatigue. His consciousness blurred, and the mist around him thickened, as though the world was collapsing before him. Every second of hesitation seemed to pull him further away from his true self.

Then he suddenly remembered a teaching he had once heard during his training: "True strength comes from inner balance." At the time, he hadn't understood the full meaning of these words, but now, facing the chaos and struggle within himself, he finally grasped their true meaning. Strength didn't solely rely on powerful bloodlines or external guidance, but came from inner conviction and clarity. He needed to find himself again, to rediscover the resolute and clear self he once was, amidst the fog.

He gathered himself, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and began to force himself to rid his mind of all the scattered thoughts, focusing only on the current dilemma. Every small path he chose was a decision for his future, and each tiny decision would alter the trajectory of his life.

However, this self-assurance didn't immediately bring any relief. The labyrinth's transformations sped up, and some hallucinations began to appear that he had never seen before. Suddenly, the space ahead began to twist, revealing an endless, bottomless black hole. Alger instinctively stepped back, only to find that he couldn't move, as if held in place by some invisible force.

"This is your inner demon, Alger," a familiar voice came from deep within the shadows. Alger spun around, seeing a blurry figure that looked strangely like him. In fact, it seemed to be the demon of his own inner self. The figure's eyes were as deep as the sea, carrying an oppressive aura. Those eyes seemed to see through every fear, every insecurity within him.

"Do you think you can escape your bloodline?" the figure's voice was low and cold, laced with a mocking smile. "Your fate is destined to be trapped in this. You are nothing but my reflection, doomed to lose yourself in this endless confusion."

Alger's eyes widened in shock, and his heart shook violently. He realized that the figure before him was not someone else, but his own inner fear, his terror of the power, his fear of the wolf nature. His fear of this power had already penetrated to the core of his being, becoming a part of him that he couldn't sever.

"You are me, Alger," the figure smirked coldly. "You can never escape your inner darkness. You are simply afraid of this power, afraid that it will consume you and destroy everything you hold dear."

A great turmoil rose within Alger's heart. He didn't know how to respond or how to face this issue. His steps became unsteady, and doubts about himself began to emerge. The confusion and self-doubt nearly choked him. Just as he felt he was about to be swallowed by this figure, he suddenly remembered the vow he had once made—no matter the challenges or trials he faced, he would keep moving forward, finding his own path.

"I am not you," Alger finally found the courage to speak, his voice weak but unwavering. "I acknowledge my fear, but I will no longer run from it. I will not let you control me."

Suddenly, everything in the labyrinth froze. The shadowy figure began to dissipate, as though his resolute belief had become the only weapon against the darkness. As the figure faded, the labyrinth's scenery began to clear, and a definite exit appeared before him.

Alger understood that this was not a true "exit" but a breakthrough within himself. He had overcome the fear within him, defeated the darkness that sought to consume him. Though the trial was not over, he had taken the first step toward his true awakening.

He took a deep breath and continued down the path. With every step, Alger grew more determined. The fog in his heart began to dissipate, and he could see his true goal and future direction more clearly.