Chapter 5: The First Selection

The last Flame-born Guardian collapsed into embers, leaving only Veer and a few dozen other applicants standing amidst the smoky battlefield.

A tense silence filled the underground chamber. Some applicants clutched minor wounds, others panted from exertion.

Veer? He just cracked his knuckles.

"That was fun," he said. "What's next? Wrestling tigers?"

Someone groaned. "Please don't give them ideas."

High above, Guru Dhiran floated effortlessly in the air, his robes fluttering despite the lack of wind. His aged face showed mild amusement.

"Congratulations," the guru's voice echoed through the chamber. "You have passed the first trial."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the survivors.

"However," Dhiran continued, "that was merely a test of instinct and reflex. The true trials are yet to begin."

Veer felt his stomach drop.

Of course, it wasn't that easy.

With a snap of Dhiran's fingers, the battlefield shimmered and shifted, the walls vanishing into golden light.

The applicants suddenly found themselves standing on a massive stone platform—floating high above a lake of swirling silver mist.

The platform trembled beneath their feet.

"Trial two," Dhiran announced. "The Path of Vajra."

Stone steps appeared in midair, forming a spiraling bridge toward a floating temple in the distance.

But there was a catch.

Each step flickered, appearing and disappearing at random. Some glowed with golden runes, others turned black and crumbled into nothingness.

A path that could vanish beneath their feet at any moment.

Veer exhaled. "You know, I was joking about the whole 'wrestling tigers' thing."

The noble boy from before—now slightly singed—gave him a sour look. "I almost preferred the fire monsters."

Dhiran raised his hand. "The rules are simple. Reach the temple. Fall into the void? You fail."

One applicant snorted. "Pfft. It's just stepping on stones. How hard can it be?"

He confidently strode forward—only to step on a blackened stone.

The moment his foot touched it, the step vanished—and he plunged straight down.

A loud scream echoed as the mist below swallowed him whole.

A few gasps rippled through the crowd.

Dhiran chuckled. "Let that be a lesson. Only those with unwavering will may walk the Path of Vajra."

Veer rubbed his forehead. Great. Floating death stairs. My favorite.

Then, the real challenge began.

One by one, applicants took cautious steps onto the floating path. Some moved with the grace of trained warriors. Others hesitated, testing each step before daring to move forward.

Veer observed closely. The black stones disappear. The golden ones seem safe. But there's a delay…

Taking a deep breath, he leaped forward.

His foot landed on a golden step—solid.

Another leap. Safe.

Third step—Veer nearly stepped on a blackened stone but twisted his body at the last second.

"Whoo! Close one."

The noble boy behind him hesitated. "You're actually good at this?"

Veer smirked. "I've spent my whole life dodging trouble. This? This is just another Tuesday."

The noble scoffed—but followed Veer's movements.

Slowly, carefully, the surviving applicants made their way forward, the temple looming ever closer.

But then—

A golden step flickered.

Veer's eyes widened. Wait… that one was supposed to be safe!

Before he could react, someone screamed—another applicant plunging into the mist below.

Veer clenched his fists. The path isn't just testing balance. It's testing something else…

And he had a sinking feeling this trial was only getting started.