The Trial

In an ancient underground stronghold, hidden beneath ruins long forgotten by time. The location is likely a secret sanctuary or testing ground for Aegis Latens, a place where only those deemed worthy may enter. The stone corridor is dimly lit by torches lining its walls, casting long, flickering shadows that obscure the figure speaking to Larz. The air is thick with the weight of history, a place where whispers of the past still linger.

Beyond the chamber where Larz stands, there is a passage known as the Path of Echoes, shrouded in darkness and mystery. This path is a sacred trial ground where seekers face remnants of those who came before them—visions, echoes, and the burdens of knowledge lost to time. It is a place where many have entered but few have emerged, a test not just of strength but of resolve and understanding.

The wind howled through the desolate valley as Larz stepped forward, his boots sinking into the damp earth. The journey had been long, but now, before him, stood the entrance to a forgotten ruin—one that held the key to awakening Aegis Latens.

He clenched his fist, feeling the weight of his duty pressing upon his shoulders. Luden had entrusted him with a secret even the other disciples were never meant to know. The Gate to the Overworld was a fracture in reality itself, a passage that led to forces beyond human comprehension. It was a mistake to believe it could be sealed forever. The blood-stained letter was proof that something—or someone—was already breaking through.

And so, to prepare for Doomsday, Larz had to find them.

The Trial Begins

The ruins bore the sigil of the House, an emblem only a disciple of Luden could recognize. As Larz traced his fingers over the markings, the ground trembled, and the stone gate groaned open. A voice, deep and ancient, echoed from within.

"Only those who prove their resolve may pass."

Without hesitation, Larz stepped inside. Darkness swallowed him whole.

Then, the trial began.

The First Trial: The Mirror of Self

A faint glow revealed a towering mirror before him, its surface rippling like water. As Larz approached, his reflection twisted into something else—himself, but not quite. It was an embodiment of his doubts, his failures, his fears.

The reflection spoke.

"You believe yourself worthy to carry Luden's will? You, who let him disappear without a trace? You, who failed to protect the world he entrusted to you?"

Larz felt a pang of guilt. He had spent years searching for answers, yet he had none. Was it truly his fault? Could he have done more?

But then, he remembered Luden's final lesson.

"Own your life."

With a deep breath, Larz met the reflection's gaze and declared, "I do not know if I am worthy. But I will not falter. I will walk this path, even if I must carve it through my own doubts."

The mirror shattered, and the path forward opened.

The Second Trial: The Weight of Time

Larz entered a grand chamber where a massive hourglass stood at its center, sand trickling slowly downward. The voice returned.

"To carry Luden's will, you must bear the weight of time itself."

The moment Larz stepped forward, the world around him blurred. Visions flooded his mind—memories of the past, glimpses of possible futures. He saw the disciples of Luden, scattered across the world, unaware of the coming storm. He saw cities burning, the sky painted red with blood. He saw himself, alone at the end of time.

Pain lanced through his head. The weight of knowledge was unbearable.

"No one will stand up for you if you do not stand up for yourself."

Gritting his teeth, Larz steadied himself. He could not let the burden break him. Time was not his enemy—it was a guide. He had fifty years before Doomsday. Fifty years to change fate.

The hourglass stopped. The sand within it crystallized into a path forward.

The Final Trial: The Keeper of Secrets

At the heart of the ruins, a figure awaited. Clad in tattered robes, eyes hidden beneath a hood, the Keeper of Secrets stood unmoving. Before them was an ancient chest, its lock marked with Luden's sigil.

The Keeper spoke.

"Aegis Latens was hidden to protect them from the world—and the world from them. To find them, you must make a choice."

The chest could only be opened with a sacrifice. Larz knew this was the moment of truth. Aegis Latens had disappeared not because they were lost, but because they chose to be. If he sought them, he had to prove he was willing to bear the consequences.

He unsheathed his blade and, without hesitation, cut across his palm. Blood dripped onto the sigil.

The chest creaked open. Inside, a single parchment lay untouched by time.

A map—the first clue to finding Aegis Latens.

Larz exhaled, his resolve stronger than ever. The trials were over. His journey had only just begun.