Three weeks had passed since Nyvian, Jaguar, and Alana had first come together as a group in the dense, ancient forest. During that time, the trials had proven to be as relentless as they were dangerous. Each day had brought new challenges, from brutal battles with wild beasts to tense skirmishes with other examinees. Nyvian, now six years old, had celebrated his birthday quietly, surrounded by his two companions- his first birthday spent not in the safety of a home but in the harsh, unforgiving wilds of the forest. Yet, in these three weeks, something remarkable had happened. The three of them had fought, bled, and survived together, and in doing so, they had begun to forge bonds that went beyond mere necessity. Nyvian, once wary of trusting anyone, found himself starting to consider Jaguar and Alana as friends. They were different from anyone he had known before-Jaguar with his fierce strength and unyielding determination, and Alana with her calm wisdom and mysterious aura. But despite the camaraderie growing between them, Nyvian couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was off, especially with Alana. There was something about her-something just beyond his understanding-that made him uneasy.
The three of them had fallen into routine of sorts, hunting for food, training, and defending themselves against the myriad dangers the forest held. The beasts they encountered were terrifying in their ferocity- creatures with claws as sharp as blades, fangs that dripped venom, and eyes that glowed with primal hunger. The skirmishes with other groups were less frequent but no less dangerous, each one a contest of skill and willpower as they fought to claim territory or resources.
It was during one of these hunts that the most terrifying encounter of the trials so far would take place.
The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor as Nyvian, Jaguar, and Alana moved silently through the underbrush. They had ventured farther from their base than usual, tracking a herd of deer-like creatures that had been spotted near the edge of their territory. It was the perfect opportunity to secure enough meat to last them several days, and Jaguar was keen to make the most of it.
Nyvian, however, was distracted. His thoughts kept drifting back to the nagging feeling he had about Alana. She had proven herself time and again to be a valuable ally, using her knowledge and powers to guide them through difficult situations. But there were moments when Nyvian would catch her looking at him with an intensity that made his skin prickle, as if she were studying him-assessing him. It was during these moments that the unease would settle in his chest like a heavy stone, but he always pushed it aside, not wanting to mistrust someone who had saved his life on more than one occasion. Jaguar, oblivious to Nyvian's inner turmoil, moved with the silent grace of a predator, his eyes locked on the trail of the herd they were tracking. Alana followed close behind, her steps light and barely disturbing the leaves underfoot. Nyvian took up the rear, his senses on high alert, scanning the forest for any sign of danger. It was then that they heard it-a low, guttural roar that rumbled through the air like distant thunder. The sound made the hairs on the back of Nyvian's neck stand on end. He exchanged a glance with Jaguar, who had frozen in place, his eyes narrowing as he tried to determine the source of the sound. Another roar followed, this one louder and more distinct. It was coming from just beyond the ridge ahead of them, where the forest dipped into a small valley. The three of them moved cautiously toward the edge of the ridge, peering down into the valley below.
What they saw made Nyvian's heart leap into his throat.
In the center of the valley, a massive beast towered over a group of children who were desperately trying to fend it off. The creature was unlike anything Nyvian had ever seen-standing at least six meters tall, with the body of a lion, the wings and scales of a dragon, and the savage maw of a wolf. Its six legs dug into the earth, each one ending in massive claws that could tear through flesh and bone with ease. Its eyes burned with a malevolent intelligence, and its roars shook the very ground beneath it.
The children-there must have been at least fifty of them-were fighting valiantly, using whatever weapons they clear that they were outmatched. The creature was relentless, swiping its massive claws through their ranks, sending bodies flying with each blow. Blood stained the earth, and the air was filled with the sounds of screams and roars.
Nyvian watched in horror as one of the children was snatched up by the beast's jaws, his screams cut short as the creature bit down, silencing him forever. Another child was caught by one of the beast's claws, his leg ripped clean off as he fell to the ground, writhing in agony.
"We have to help them!" Nyvian said, his voice tight with urgency. He took a step forward, but strong hand grabbed his arm, pulling him back. "Are you insane?" Jaguar hissed, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You'll get yourself killed!"
"But they're dying!" Nyvian protested, his heart pounding in his chest. "If we can distract the beast, maybe they can escape!"
"It's suicidal, Nyvian," Jaguar said, his grip on Nyvian's arm tightening. "We're not strong enough to take on something like that. We'd just end up dead along with them."
Nyvian's frustration boiled over, and he yanked his arm free, turning to face Jaguar. "So we just leave them to die? Is that what you're saying?"
Jaguar's jaw clenched, and for a moment, it looked like he might explode in anger. But before he could respond, Alana stepped between them, her expression calm but firm. "Both of you, stop,' she said, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. She looked at Nyvian, her eyes filled with a mix of compassion and resolve. "Nyvian, understand why you want to help them. It's the right thing to do, and it speaks to your character. But in this case, Jaguar is right. That beast... it's beyond anything we've faced before. If we rush in, we'll only end up dead, and that won't help anyone."
Nyvian's anger began to ebb as he listened to Alana's words. She was right, of course. The beast was far too powerful for them to take on, especially with just the three of them. But that didn't make it any easier to stand by and do nothing.
Alana placed a hand on Nyvian's shoulder, her touch gentle but grounding. "We need to be smart about this. We're not abandoning them -we just have to accept that there are some battles we can't win. Not yet, anyway."
Nyvian took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. The anger and frustration still churned in his gut, but he knew Alana was right. He gave a reluctant nod, and Alana smiled softly before turning back to the valley. "Let's get out of here," she said. "We don't want to draw its attention."
Silently, they began to retreat, moving carefully to avoid making any noise that might alert the beast to their presence. Nyvian couldn't help but glance back at the valley, his heart heavy with guilt as he saw the chaos below. But he knew that staying would only have resulted in more death.
The days that followed were tense, and Nyvian found himself training harder than ever before. The encounter with the beast had shaken him to his core. He had seen death before-many times, in fact-but there was something about that creature, something about the sheer hopelessness of the battle, that had struck a nerve.
He couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that had overwhelmed him in that moment. The knowledge that he had been powerless to save those children gnawed at him like a festering wound. It wasn't just about being strong enough to fight-it was about being prepared for whatever this world might throw at him. And if he couldn't be the one to save others, then what good was all his power?
So Nyvian threw himself into his training with a renewed sense of purpose. Every morning, he would rise before dawn and practice with his powers, honing his control over the earth and his ability to manipulate the elements around him. Jaguar would often join him, the two of them pushing each other to their limits, their rivalry driving them both to improve.
Alana, for her part, continued to guide them, offering advice and assistance where she could. But Nyvian couldn't
ignore the growing sense of unease he felt around her. There were moments when she seemed almost too knowledgeable, as if she knew what was coming before it happened. And while she was always calm and collected, there were times when her eyes would flash with an intensity that made Nyvian wonder if she was hiding something.
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One morning, as Nyvian was out gathering firewood, he noticed
something strange. There was a faint, almost imperceptible energy in the air -Something that tugged at the edges of his awareness, like a whisper just out of reach. Intrigued, Nyvian followed the sensation, his steps leading him deeper into the forest, away from their base.
The forest grew denser as he walked, the trees towering above him, their branches weaving together to form a canopy that blocked out the sun. The air grew cooler, and the silence around him became almost oppressive. The faint energy continued to pull at Nyvian’s senses, urging him forward through the thick underbrush and over tangled roots.
As he ventured deeper, the forest took on an eerie quality. The trees seemed to lean in closer, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. Shadows danced at the edges of his vision, and every now and then, he thought he caught glimpses of movement—small, darting shapes that disappeared as soon as he tried to focus on them.
Despite the unsettling atmosphere, Nyvian pressed on, driven by a strange compulsion he couldn’t quite explain. It was as if something—or someone—was calling to him, beckoning him to continue. And although a part of him was wary, another part was intrigued, curious to see where this path would lead.
After what felt like hours, Nyvian came to a clearing. The trees parted, revealing a small, secluded cave nestled against the base of a steep, rocky hill. The entrance was dark and foreboding, a gaping maw that seemed to swallow the light around it. But what caught Nyvian’s attention was the faint glow emanating from within, a soft, pulsating light that beckoned him closer.
Nyvian hesitated at the entrance, a shiver of apprehension running down his spine. The energy he had been following was stronger here, more concentrated. It felt ancient, powerful, and… dangerous. But Nyvian’s curiosity got the better of him. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and stepped inside.
The air within the cave was cool and damp, carrying the scent of earth and stone. The walls were lined with strange, glowing symbols, their light casting eerie patterns across the rough-hewn stone. Nyvian recognized some of the symbols from the teachings his mother had given him—ancient runes of power and protection, meant to ward off evil and keep intruders at bay. But there were others that he didn’t recognize, symbols that seemed to pulse with a dark, malevolent energy.
The cave narrowed as Nyvian ventured deeper, the passage twisting and turning like a labyrinth. He followed the glow, his footsteps echoing in the stillness. The deeper he went, the stronger the energy became, until it felt as though the very air was vibrating with power.
Finally, the passage opened up into a vast chamber, a great hall carved out of the living rock. Nyvian’s breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight before him. The walls of the chamber were adorned with murals, each one more intricate and detailed than the last. They depicted scenes of creation and destruction, of gods and monsters, of worlds being born and dying in an endless cycle of birth and decay.
At the center of the chamber was a massive stone altar, its surface engraved with more of the glowing symbols. The light emanated from the altar, casting an ethereal glow that bathed the entire chamber in an otherworldly radiance.
Nyvian approached the altar cautiously, his eyes drawn to the murals that lined the walls. The first mural depicted a great being—a figure of immense power and majesty, its form shrouded in swirling clouds of cosmic energy. The being held its hands out, and from its fingertips flowed streams of light, forming galaxies, stars, and entire universes. The figure’s face was serene, almost benevolent, as it breathed life into the void.
But as Nyvian moved to the next mural, the tone of the images changed. The great being’s expression darkened, its eyes narrowing as it looked upon the worlds it had created. The streams of light became torrents of energy, and the universes began to unravel, their stars flickering out one by one. The being’s form twisted and distorted, its hands closing into fists as it began to consume the very creations it had birthed. The once serene face was now twisted in a malevolent grin, its eyes burning with an insatiable hunger.
The final mural was the most disturbing of all. The great being stood amidst a wasteland of death and destruction, its body drenched in blood and gore. The universes it had devoured lay in ruins at its feet, the bodies of countless beings—gods and mortals alike—strewn about like broken dolls. The being’s grin had widened, its teeth sharp and jagged, as it reveled in the carnage it had wrought.
Nyvian’s stomach churned as he stared at the murals, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. There was something deeply unsettling about the images, something that resonated with a part of him that he didn’t fully understand. The being in the murals… it felt familiar, as if he had seen it before, or dreamed about it.
His powers began to stir, a faint, tingling sensation that spread through his body. The earth beneath his feet trembled slightly, and the symbols on the altar began to glow brighter, their light pulsating in time with his heartbeat. It was as if his powers were reacting to something in the chamber, trying to warn him of a danger he couldn’t see.
Nyvian’s breath came in short, shallow gasps as the energy within him surged, threatening to overwhelm him. He clenched his fists, trying to regain control, but the feeling of unease only grew stronger. The images on the murals seemed to come to life, the figures twisting and writhing as if trying to escape the confines of the stone.
A low, droning hum filled the chamber, growing louder and more intense with each passing moment. Nyvian’s head throbbed with the sound, his vision blurring as the world around him began to spin. He staggered back, his heart pounding in his chest as a wave of nausea washed over him.
And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the energy subsided. The hum faded, the symbols on the altar dimmed, and the murals returned to their lifeless state. Nyvian stood frozen in place, his body trembling with a mix of fear and confusion. What had just happened? What was this place?
The sense of unease lingered, gnawing at the edges of his consciousness. He needed to leave—now. Without another glance at the altar or the murals, Nyvian turned and fled the chamber, his footsteps echoing through the passage as he made his way back to the surface.
The cool air of the forest hit him like a wave as he emerged from the cave, his chest heaving with the effort of his escape. He paused for a moment to catch his breath, his heart still racing from the encounter in the chamber. But even as he stood there, the sense of unease refused to leave him. It clung to him like a shadow, a constant reminder of the strange and terrifying things he had witnessed.
Nyvian began the trek back to their base, his mind racing with thoughts of what he had seen. The great being in the murals… what was it? And why did it feel so familiar? Was it a warning, a glimpse of something that was yet to come? Or was it something else entirely—something connected to the powers within him?
He shook his head, trying to banish the thoughts from his mind. He couldn’t afford to dwell on it now. There were more immediate concerns to deal with, like the beast they had encountered in the valley. But even as he tried to push the images from his mind, they lingered, haunting him with their vivid details.
---
When Nyvian returned to their base, Jaguar and Alana were waiting for him. Jaguar was sharpening his blade, his eyes focused on the task at hand, while Alana was tending to the fire, the flames casting a warm glow across her serene face. They both looked up as Nyvian approached, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.
“Where have you been?” Jaguar asked, his tone more curious than accusatory.
“Just… exploring,” Nyvian replied, trying to keep his voice steady. “I found something… strange.”
“Strange?” Alana repeated, her eyes narrowing slightly. “What did you find?”
Nyvian hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. The murals, the strange energy, the overwhelming sense of dread—how could he explain any of that without sounding like he was losing his mind? But there was something about Alana’s gaze that made him want to confide in her, despite the nagging feeling of distrust.
“It was an old cave,” Nyvian said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “There were… murals. They showed something… something powerful, creating and then destroying entire universes. It was terrifying.”
Jaguar raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “Murals? In a cave? Are you sure it wasn’t just your imagination?”
Nyvian shook his head. “No, it was real. And there was something else… I felt this energy, like my powers were reacting to it. It was as if the place was trying to warn me about something.”
Alana’s expression remained unreadable as she listened to Nyvian’s account. When he finished, she placed a gentle hand on his arm, her touch as calming as always.
“You did the right thing by coming back,” she said softly. “But I think it’s best if we stay away from that place. There are forces in this world that even we don’t fully understand, and it’s not always wise to seek them out.”
Nyvian nodded, though the unease still gnawed at him. Alana’s words made sense, but they did little to dispel the fear that had taken root in his heart. The images from the murals continued to swirl in his mind.
___________
Back in the Cave
As Nyvian hurried away from the cave, the shadows in the great hall began to stir. The once still and silent chamber seemed to come alive, as if reacting to the boy's presence and sudden departure. The murals on the walls flickered for a moment, their images seeming to shift and ripple as if they were aware of being observed.
From the deepest recesses of the shadows, two figures emerged. Cloaked in darkness, their forms were indistinct, almost blending into the gloom that filled the chamber. Only their eyes, glowing faintly with an unnatural light, could be seen clearly—piercing through the darkness with a cold, calculating gaze.
The first figure, taller and more imposing, stepped forward, its eyes narrowing as it surveyed the now-empty chamber. "Are you sure about this?" the figure asked, its voice a low, gravelly murmur that echoed softly off the stone walls. There was a hint of doubt in its tone, an uncertainty that seemed to clash with the figure's otherwise authoritative presence.
The second figure, shorter and slightly hunched, remained in the shadows, its eyes fixed on the altar at the center of the hall. "No," it replied, its voice softer, more measured. "But what choice do we have?" It paused, as if considering its next words carefully. "There have been… unforeseen changes. The Conclave of the Eternal has been more active as of late. Their movements are becoming increasingly erratic, unpredictable. We cannot afford to ignore these signs."
The first figure let out a soft growl of frustration. "I don'
Who are these new figures?
