Chapter 11: The Hollow Woods Trial

The journey to the Hollow Woods was not easy.

The deeper they ventured, the more the trees twisted into unnatural shapes. The air grew heavy, thick with the scent of damp earth and something rotting. The sounds of the forest—the chirping of birds, the rustling of small creatures—vanished completely, leaving only the eerie silence of a place untouched by time.

Aiden moved cautiously, his ears flicking at every slight disturbance. Kael was tense, his tail low, his sharp eyes scanning the area for threats. Solara walked ahead, her golden flames flickering gently against the darkness, illuminating the path just enough to keep them from walking into unseen dangers.

"This place feels… wrong," Aiden muttered.

Kael snorted. "You're just noticing?"

Solara spoke without turning her head. "We are close. The energy here is ancient, disturbed only by those foolish enough to enter."

Aiden took a deep breath. "And we're those fools, I guess."

"If you truly seek strength, you must prove yourself here."

Aiden's claws dug into the dirt as he followed. He had asked for knowledge, for power—now he was walking straight into a place that might kill him.

The Entrance to the Ruins

The trees finally parted, revealing a massive stone archway covered in moss and strange glowing symbols. The structure was old—very old—its stones cracked but still standing, as if refusing to yield to time. Beyond it, a staircase led downward into pure darkness.

Kael sniffed the air and recoiled. "Something is down there."

Aiden's fur bristled. "What kind of something?"

Kael growled low. "Something that isn't alive."

Solara approached the entrance, inspecting the symbols carved into the archway. "This place was once a temple, long before the war that shattered Orvendir. It was built to test warriors chosen by the gods."

Aiden stepped closer, looking at the faded runes. "And what exactly is the test?"

Solara's golden eyes met his. "Survival."

Aiden inhaled sharply. "Figures."

Kael sighed dramatically. "I hate this plan already."

Solara ignored him and turned to Aiden. "This will be your trial alone."

Aiden's ears perked. "Wait, what?"

Kael stepped back immediately. "Oh, I love that part."

"The ruins will only recognize the one seeking power," Solara explained. "We cannot follow. The temple's magic will reject us."

Aiden hesitated. "So, I'm going in alone."

Kael grinned. "Good luck, pup."

Aiden rolled his eyes but turned back to the dark stairway. The air was colder here, pressing against his fur like unseen fingers.

He swallowed his fear and stepped forward.

The moment he crossed the archway—

The ground rumbled.

A barrier of shimmering blue energy erupted behind him, sealing off the entrance.

Aiden's heart pounded. There was no turning back now.

Descent into the Depths

The stairs stretched down forever. Each step echoed unnaturally, the sound swallowed by the darkness below.

Then, without warning—

The torches along the walls burst into blue flames.

Aiden flinched but kept moving. The walls were covered in more of those strange symbols, glowing faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat.

The deeper he went, the stronger the pressure in the air became. It felt like something was watching him.

Waiting.

Then he reached the bottom.

The staircase opened into a vast chamber, lined with stone pillars and statues of ancient warriors. At the center, a massive circular platform stood, inscribed with glowing runes.

Aiden stepped forward cautiously. The moment his paw touched the platform—

A voice echoed through the chamber.

"Prove yourself, Moonshadow."

The torches flickered violently.

The statues moved.

Trial of the Forgotten Warriors

The stone warriors' eyes glowed an eerie silver. Cracks formed along their bodies, and then, with the sound of grinding rock, they came to life.

Aiden leaped back just as one of them swung a massive stone sword, shattering the ground where he had stood.

I don't think I can outrun these things forever.

His heart pounded as he dodged another attack. He needed to fight—but how?

Then, as if in answer—

A familiar energy pulsed inside him.

The same power he had felt before.

Moonshadow.

Aiden's claws tingled. The torches dimmed, and the shadows in the chamber moved toward him, drawn by something unseen.

A warrior lunged. Aiden dodged to the side, and without thinking—

He slashed.

His claws cut through the air, leaving behind a trail of silver energy. The moment it struck the statue—

The stone cracked.

Aiden's eyes widened. I can hurt them.

Another warrior charged. This time, Aiden focused. He felt the energy surge through his body, wrapping around him like a cloak of darkness.

When the statue swung—

Aiden vanished.

The moment lasted only a heartbeat, but suddenly, he was behind his opponent. The warrior stumbled, confused.

Aiden's mind raced. Did I just—teleport? No, it felt more like… stepping through the shadows.

There was no time to analyze. He attacked, his claws glowing brighter. This time, when he struck, the energy pierced straight through the stone.

The warrior shattered into dust.

Aiden's breathing was ragged, but he felt it now—the knowledge of how to control this power.

The remaining warriors charged together.

Aiden closed his eyes and let instinct take over.

His body became weightless. The shadows bent to his will.

And then he moved like the night itself.

He weaved through the warriors like a specter, dodging their attacks effortlessly. Each strike of his claws sent another enemy crumbling to dust.

Then—

Silence.

The last statue collapsed.

Aiden stood in the center of the platform, panting.

Then, the voice spoke again.

"You have passed the first trial, Moonshadow. But knowledge alone will not make you strong. Seek the truth beyond the stars… and beware the hunger that watches."

The ground trembled. The torches died.

And then—

The world shifted.

Aiden's vision blurred, and suddenly, he was somewhere else.

Return to the Surface

Aiden gasped as he found himself outside the ruins, standing before Solara and Kael once more.

The barrier had vanished. The trial was over.

Solara studied him carefully. "You are… different."

Kael sniffed him. "Yeah, definitely creepier."

Aiden ignored them, his mind spinning. He could still feel the power flowing through him.

He had learned something new—something ancient. But with it came new questions.

What did that voice mean?

What is the truth beyond the stars?

And most importantly—

What is the hunger that watches?

The answers were out there. And Aiden would find them.

No matter what.