The Trial Of Aries

Aelius stood at the edge of the volcanic pit, the heat licking at his skin like a living beast. The Trial of Aries wasn't just a test of strength—it was a test of willpower.

Lucian stood behind him, arms crossed. His face was unreadable, but his words were sharp.

"This is it, boy. Either you prove yourself here, or you burn. There is no in-between."

Aelius smirked, rolling his shoulders.

"When have I ever failed?"

Lucian didn't answer. He just nodded toward the flaming corridor ahead.

The ground cracked with molten veins, and massive stone pillars jutted from the lava below. A single path of unstable platforms led to a shrine at the center, where the Sigil of Aries waited—an ancient mark that would bind him to the Zodiac Order forever.

But getting there wouldn't be easy.

---

The second Aelius stepped forward, the world came alive.

Beasts of flame—twisted creatures formed from living fire—emerged from the lava, snarling and snapping at his approach. Their molten eyes burned with hunger.

Lucian's voice echoed behind him.

"Survive."

Aelius grinned.

"That's the plan."

The first beast lunged, its flaming jaws wide open. Aelius ducked low, rolling under its strike. Before it could turn, he slammed his fist into its core, his body absorbing the fire like he had been born in it.

The heat didn't burn him.

It fueled him.

The second beast pounced, but this time Aelius was ready. He leaped onto the unstable platforms, moving between the floating rocks as if the fire beneath didn't exist.

A blade of red energy formed in his hand—his own willpower forging a weapon from the flames.

One slash. Two. Three.

The creatures fell, but more kept coming.

And the real challenge was still ahead.

---

The Guardian of Aries

As he neared the center of the shrine, the ground trembled. A massive, armored figure rose from the lava—a beast made of blackened stone, with molten cracks running across its body.

Its eyes glowed with the fire of Aries.

Lucian's voice reached him again.

"This is your final opponent. Prove that you are worthy of the Zodiac's power."

The Guardian of Aries lifted a flaming greatsword, its size nearly twice that of Aelius. With a single swing, the entire platform shook.

But Aelius didn't flinch.

This was what he had trained for.

--

The Battle for the Sigil

Aelius charged.

The Guardian's blade came down with enough force to split the earth, but Aelius was already gone, leaping onto its arm, using its own power against it.

He ignited his fists, striking the molten cracks on its armor. The beast roared in pain, staggering backward.

It swung again—this time, Aelius didn't dodge.

He caught the blade.

Heat clashed with heat. Fire against fire.

The Guardian pushed down with overwhelming force. Any normal human would have been crushed.

But Aelius wasn't just human anymore.

With a roar, he channeled everything—his pain, his rage, his unbreakable will. His body exploded with flame, a crimson aura engulfing him.

One final strike.

He drove his fist into the Guardian's chest, straight into the Sigil of Aries embedded within it.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—

The Guardian shattered into embers, dissolving into the lava below.

Aelius landed on the final platform, his breathing heavy. But he didn't hesitate.

He stepped forward, placed his hand on the Sigil of Aries, and felt its power surge into him.

The trial was over.

And he had won.

--

The Birth of Aries

Lucian watched as the flames surrounded Aelius, embedding the Zodiac Mark into his very soul.

When the fire finally faded, Aelius stood taller. Stronger.

His eyes burned with the fire of a warrior reborn.

Lucian smirked.

"Welcome to the Zodiac Ruins, Aries."

And so, the legend began.

---

To Be Continued…