Chapter 19: The Hunt Through the Beastlands

Elias had thought the first layer of the Trial was difficult, but as he ventured deeper into the Beastlands, he realized just how wrong he was.

The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and rotting foliage. Every step he took seemed to echo through the dense trees, and the underbrush rustled with the movements of unseen creatures. He could feel eyes on him from every direction, watching, waiting for a moment of weakness.

The Beastlands were more than just a place-it was a living, breathing trap.

His journey through the floors had been long and grueling. At first, he encountered mutated creatures with monstrous limbs and terrifying jaws. They were fast, vicious, and relentless. Elias had to rely on everything he'd learned so far to survive. His magic, still relatively new to him, had become his best weapon. But it wasn't just magic that kept him alive-it was his ability to think on his feet, to outsmart the beasts that lurked in the shadows.

As he ventured through each floor, Elias began to notice a pattern: the deeper he went, the more dangerous the creatures became. He had faced giant serpents, clawed beasts, and even terrifying, mutated versions of ordinary animals -some that could blend into the environment so well that Elias only saw them when it was too late.

But it wasn't just the creatures that tested him. The Beastlands were a treacherous environment in their own right. The ground was uneven, covered in jagged rocks and thorn-covered vines that seemed to come alive, attempting to trip him or bind him in place. The trees towered above him, their gnarled branches twisting and snapping in the wind, hiding dangers in every crevice.

There was no escape from the relentless assault. And yet, Elias pressed on.

He had no choice but to push forward. Every time he faced an opponent, he grew stronger, absorbing their powers into his body. His magic adapted, becoming more potent with each victory. And though the monsters were formidable, it was clear that the true test of this layer was something much larger.

By the time Elias reached the 19th floor, he was battered and bruised. His clothes were torn, his skin scratched and bleeding in multiple places. His body ached from the constant battle, but there was no time to rest. He had to keep moving.

The creatures on this floor were different-larger, faster, and more intelligent. They hunted in packs, their eyes glinting with a predatory gleam as they circled him like wolves. Elias knew better than to let his guard down.

He fought with everything he had. Lightning crackled from his hands as he struck the first beast down, sending a surge of power through its body, watching as it crumpled to the ground. The others lunged, but Elias was ready. He dodged the first attack and countered with a burst of fire magic, burning one of the creatures to a crisp. The remaining beasts hesitated for a moment, sizing him up. They were intelligent, and they knew that they couldn't defeat him head-on.

The battle was not easy. Elias was forced to dodge, to weave through the attacks, using his magic and his wits to stay one step ahead. He knew he had to conserve his energy-he couldn't afford to waste it all in a fight that wasn't the final one.

As the last of the beasts fell, Elias took a moment to catch his breath. He had lost track of time, but he could feel that he was close. He could sense the presence of something massive, something powerful, deeper within the Beastlands. His heart pounded as he realized what that meant.

The Beastlord, Kaelis, was close.

But before he could press on, Elias found himself surrounded by a strange presence-something different from the beasts he had faced. He had no time to react before the ground beneath his feet shifted. The vines around him twisted, the trees groaned, and the air seemed to hum with a dark, foreboding energy.

The trial had only just begun.

Elias knew this was not just a physical test. The Beastlands were meant to break him, to push him to his limits, to see if he was truly worthy of facing the gods.

And in the distance, he could feel the eyes of Kaelis-the Beastlord-watching.

Elias set his jaw and tightened his grip on the magic that had become a part of him. He could feel his power growing, the surge of strength from the enemies he had absorbed.

But the real challenge was ahead.

And he would face it. Not just for revenge, but for the family he had lost.

The Beastlord would fall.