Chapter 65: Into the Depths
The spiral staircase seemed endless, each step drawing Xiao Tian, Yue'er, and Lian'er deeper into the heart of the Mistveil Caverns. The air grew colder with every passing moment, and the faint glow of the shard was the only light to guide their way. The rhythmic sound of their footsteps echoed off the damp stone walls, creating a haunting melody that filled the silence.
Yue'er clutched the shard tightly, its warmth providing some comfort against the chill. "This place feels... ancient. Like it's been here long before any of us were born."
Lian'er glanced over her shoulder, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. "Ancient or not, it's dangerous. Keep your guard up. I don't trust this silence."
Xiao Tian, leading the way, nodded. His sword was drawn, the faint glint of its blade reflecting the shard's light. "The Keeper's trials aren't meant to be easy. We've passed the first test, but the real challenge is still ahead."
---
As they reached the bottom of the staircase, the trio found themselves in another vast chamber. This one was different from the first—its walls were lined with intricate carvings that seemed to tell a story. The carvings depicted battles between light and shadow, heroes wielding powerful shards, and a great void consuming entire worlds.
Yue'er approached one of the carvings, her fingers tracing the outlines. "These must be the Keeper's records. They show the history of the shards and their connection to the Void."
Lian'er crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "Interesting, but not exactly helpful right now. What's the point of showing us this?"
Before Yue'er could respond, the shard in her hand pulsed, and the carvings began to glow faintly. The light spread across the walls, illuminating more of the story. At the center of the chamber, a circular platform rose from the ground, its surface engraved with runes similar to those on the door from the first trial.
Xiao Tian stepped onto the platform, his gaze steady. "This is the next trial."
The moment he spoke, the runes lit up, and the voice from before echoed through the chamber.
"The Trial of Will. To proceed, you must face your deepest fears and emerge unbroken. Only those with unshakable resolve may continue."
---
The light from the platform enveloped the trio, and the world around them dissolved into darkness. For a moment, there was nothing—no sound, no light, only an oppressive void.
Then, one by one, the darkness began to take shape, forming visions that surrounded them.
Xiao Tian found himself standing in a burning village, the flames consuming everything in sight. The screams of the villagers echoed in his ears, and in the midst of the chaos, he saw a figure—a younger version of himself, helpless and terrified.
"You couldn't save them," a voice whispered, cold and cruel. "You were too weak, too afraid. And now, you're destined to repeat your failure."
Xiao Tian clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "I've grown stronger since then. I won't let the past define me."
---
Yue'er's vision was different. She stood in an empty field, the sky above her dark and stormy. Around her were the faces of those she had lost, their expressions filled with accusation and sorrow.
"You couldn't protect us," they said, their voices overlapping in a haunting chorus. "You're unworthy of the shard's power."
Tears welled up in Yue'er's eyes, but she refused to look away. "I made mistakes, but I've learned from them. I'll honor your memory by continuing to fight."
---
Lian'er faced her own nightmare—a battlefield littered with the bodies of her comrades. She stood alone, her daggers dripping with blood.
"You only care about yourself," a voice hissed. "You use others and discard them when they're no longer useful. That's why you're always alone."
Lian'er laughed bitterly, her grip on her daggers tightening. "Maybe I was like that once, but not anymore. I have people I care about now, and I won't let them down."
---
The visions continued, each one testing their resolve and forcing them to confront their deepest fears. But despite the pain and doubt, the trio held firm, their determination unyielding.
As the darkness began to fade, they found themselves back in the chamber, the platform's light shining brightly beneath their feet.
The voice returned, its tone filled with approval. "You have faced your fears and proven your resolve. The Trial of Will is complete."
---
Exhausted but victorious, the trio stepped off the platform. Yue'er leaned against Xiao Tian, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "That was... harder than I expected."
Lian'er wiped sweat from her brow, her usual confidence replaced by a somber expression. "It wasn't just a test of strength. It was a test of who we are."
Xiao Tian placed a reassuring hand on Yue'er's shoulder, his gaze steady. "We passed because we didn't give in. No matter what the Keeper throws at us, we'll face it together."
The shard pulsed in Yue'er's hand, its light stronger than ever. The chamber's walls began to shift, revealing another passageway that led deeper into the caverns.
With renewed determination, the trio pressed on, ready to face whatever trials awaited them next.
[End of Chapter 65]