Elders’ Judgement

With the Elder's voice echoing in her ears, Eris stood frozen in the center of the Ancient Hall, her heart pounding in her chest.

"You have awoken the power of the Elders, and for that, you shall pay."

Her mind raced. "What did I do? I was just goofing around with a crystal I found in a chest! I never thought it would… this!" she wondered, looking nervously at the three imposing figures now standing in front of her. Each wore flowing robes of deep, glittering purple-black, their faces lost in shadow, but their silver eyes cutting straight through her.

"Consequences?" You said next, she said, and it took me a second to hear the nervous laugh in Eris's voice. "What kind of consequences?"

A sound of a cloak whirring through the air, thin like a gust of wind, marked the first Elder to advance. His voice was steady but low, seasoned with centuries of authority.

"The crystal that you've awakened is no ordinary trinket. It is a key — a key that unlocks the gates to a power that is beyond your comprehension. No, you are not the first to search for it, but you will be the one who will know of its burden."

Eris's stomach turned. "A key? To what?" She thought to herself.

Leon's voice, always such a soothing presence in her mind, replied before the question left her lips. "I'm beginning to wonder about suggesting that we open that chest, but here we are. Just… stay calm. We'll figure this out."

"I didn't know, okay?" Eris stammered, a nervous laugh breaking free. "I just found it! I didn't ask for any of this!'

The second Elder, who had thus far remained silent, moved in a flow that sent chills down Eris' spine. When he raised one hand, wisps of magic traced around his fingers like a gossamer thread.

"You didn't ask for it but there you have it. The crystal speaks to the soul of those who are designed to use it, conscious or not. You must now face its trials, or you will face annihilation."

Eris's fingers dug into Leon as if to stop him. She wasn't sure if she was holding him for reassurance or because she needed something — anything — she could hang onto to keep from falling to pieces. "Trials? What kind of trials? Can't I just put the crystal back or whatever?" She stepped back a few feet carefully.

"It's not so simple," intoned the first Elder. "The crystal's magic has connected to you already. It cannot be undone. There is no escape now except to prove your worthiness."

"What did I get myself into?" Eris hoped, but she had a sick feeling that this was just the start. "What kind of trial? And what will happen to me if I fail?"

Just as the Elder opened his mouth to speak again, one of the Elders stepped out, his voice carrying a strange mix of amusement and seriousness

"Your trials will occur in the very dungeon you have unwittingly disturbed. You will descend ever deeper into its maze, and battle the elder beasts which protect its secrets, and the curse which dwells within. You may leave only to return with proof of your accomplishment."

There Will Be No Others, her mind ran strong with the message, an imprint Eris could feel in her soul. "Wait... back into the dungeon? That place almost killed me on the first go! The tingle of anticipation coursed through her body, and she caught sight of the now far-off gate that had delivered her into the hall. "I mean, yeah, I've got Leon now, but... that dungeon was no joke!"

The Elders' faces were still hidden, but Eris swore she could feel their eyes on her, devoured her every movement.

"Mortal… you will not be alone" the third Elder said with a hint of derision in his tone. "The dungeon will be your guide, but it will also be your test. It knows you, Eris Veldora. It knows your weaknesses. It will reveal to you, and thereby give you the chance to become stronger.

Eris swallowed thickly, forcing some semblance of calm. "I didn't sign up for this!" she thought once more, mentally pleading for a way out. "But... can I back out now? Is there a handbook for this, and if so, where do I find it?"

Leon's voice sliced through her rising panic, cool but direct. "We don't have much choice. But just know: Turas na gearan is not alone. You've got this, Eris. We've faced worse, right?"

Part of her wanted to argue, but nod as she did. Leon was right. They had made it this far. The odds were against them, sure, and the Elders were terrifying, yes, but she wouldn't let fear lead her. She'd gotten this far, and she wasn't about to back off.

"Fine," she said, choking down her fear. "I'll do it. But I hope you're not playing tricks on me, old man!" With a flourish she pointed toward the first Elder, confidence coming back as a coping method.

The first Elder smiled–at least she thought he smiled. His face was cloaked in shadow, but his manner was anything but menacing now.

"Very well, mortal. Prove yourself. The dungeon awaits."

In the blink of an eye, a glowing vortex of light and energy opened up in front of her. It wasn't the one she had come in through — this one was much bigger, more imposing. Eris paused for a breath as the Elders disappeared into the ethereal drape of shadow, and stepped toward the portal.

"Okay, Leon," Eris spoke, sounding probably not as confident as she was trying — her voice wavered a bit. "Let's go show these guys what we got."

"Stay alert. The dungeon is not going to play fair."

No sooner did she step through, and the world around her warped again, and she stood back in the cavernous entrance of the dungeon. But this time, things were different.

A shiver ran down Eris' spine. "I'm not really sure I'm ready for this," she muttered to herself.

"You'll be fine. We got this," Leon told her, his voice steady. "Just do your job. The Elders weren't joking when they said the dungeon would take us to the limit."

The first challenge presented itself in the form of a vast stone door. It was covered with runes that flickered faintly, and before it was an ancient pedestal, with a crystal-shaped indentation.

Eris looked at the pedestal for a moment and then sighed dramatically. "Seriously? Another crystal puzzle?" She hit her hand against her forehead. "How original."

"Hey, don't knock the classics," Leon teased, attempting to maintain a light tone. "Just figure it out."

After a few more moments of gazing at the indentation, Eris rifled through her bag. "Now, where did I hid that stupid crystal?" She whispered, rummaging through her things and eventually producing the Cursed Crystal.

A strange power pulsed through it, and it glowed faintly in her hand. She pressed it into the indentation, and for a moment, nothing happened.

Then the whole dungeon trembled as if the stone itself had limbs, and the door began to groan open.

"Here we go... Eris whispered; her heart began to pound again.