18 Shadow Trials

Azrail went wide eyed. He was expecting something crazy but he hadn't expected this. He looked over at Ryouma with a piercing gaze. Ryouma went pale as Azrail's aura began surrounding and suffocating Ryouma. He was scared stiff as this immense pressure weighed down heavily on him. Arata shouted at Azrail.

"Father! You can not ignore my request. He knows nothing of this. This is my decision. I have chosen."

Azrail released the pressure and stared at his son and pain was seen in his eyes.

"Son, are you sure about this?"

Arata looked up at his father and nodded.

"I am. I believe in his abilities, I'm certain we can overcome the Trials. Also.."

Arata paused as he looked over at Ryouma.

"He has a special capacity and has control of the Fire Element. I believe it is close to what you mentioned when I was younger."

Azrail looked shocked and stared again at Ryouma. Shadows rose up from around him and he instantly appeared before Ryouma, he moved so quickly no one had seen him move. He placed his hand on a shocked Ryouma's shoulder. He circulated his power through Ryouma's meridians and went wide eyed.

"He has a truly strange capacity but a powerful foundation. And there is a powerful aura here that even I can't identify."

Arata was shocked. He remembered the oppressive aura in Ryouma's body, but he was certain that his Father would know what it was. Azrail stroked his chin in thought.

"It does feel familiar though. It may just work."

He turned to Arata who was still on his knee. He didn't want his son to do this so soon but knew that he wouldn't be able to stop him in this. Nor was it appropriate with so many people witnessing. He sighed. He then turned to Ryouma with a fierce gaze.

"Are you sure you want to join our Clan and serve my son? You will be subjected to extreme pain and you may even have your life taken away if the two of you fail. However, if you pass, you will grow to become a force to truly be reckoned with. Your cultivation will be backed by the Sato Clan and your future will be limitless as long as you follow my son."

Ryouma's eyes lit up with excitement and resolution. Although the thought of death scared him as he was just an eleven year old boy, he trusted Arata and truly wanted to become stronger and serve him if he could. He didn't know much about etiquette so he just bowed like Arata on one knee.

"I wish to join the Sato Clan."

Azrail looked down approvingly. The old man, however, walked over shaking his head disapprovingly.

"This one is even worse than when Hyosuke came. My Lord, shall we move to the Shadow Chambers for the trials?"

The look on Azrail's face changed to a serious one.

"Prepare the Trials. Arata, you have 5 minutes to prepare and explain to Ryouma what is going to happen and then you will join us in the Shadow Chamber."

At this Azrail walked away with the old man and a few servants in tow, leaving Arata, Ryouma, Akari, Oishi and Hyosuke in the room. Once they had left, Hyosuke walked over to Arata who had now stood up.

"You're truly your Father's son. Completely mental. Are you sure about this?"

Arata chuckled and scratched his head.

"Not really, I think we can pass, ya know?"

Akari snapped a look at Arata.

"You think? But your Father just said you could die? And you think you can pass?"

Oishi sighed.

"Seriously, aren't you a little too casual for the future head of the Sato Clan?"

Arata walked over to Ryouma, completely ignoring everyone.

"We don't have long, so I need to prepare you for the trial. Are you truly willing to serve me? This is your final chance to just walk away"

Ryouma stood up and looked at Arata seriously.

"I am."

Arata sighed.

"Very well. Listen up, we don't have much time. We are going to participate in the Shadow Trials. We will be tested on our teamwork, power and, most importantly, our will. You in particular will be tested to see if you are worthy or not."

Ryouma nodded.

"So how will this test work? Do we fight a bunch of monsters?"

Arata looked slightly hesitant as he looked at the eager Ryouma.

"We are going to enter the Shadow Realm and be subjected to pain, torture and battle."

Oishi, Ryouma and Akari gasped. Each of the Element's had a specific frequency and wavelength that enabled them to operate. Those who had an affinity to that Element were able to draw out it's power and make it their own. This power coalesced and was created through a powerful source known as Realm's. These were the Essence of all Elements.

Legend's speak of the creators of magic having reached a level where they became one with their respective Element's Realm's. They had reached a pinnacle of power where they became the source themselves. The Realm's were where Pure Energy flowed freely. However, humans naturally wouldn't be able to withstand such a pure Energy and would be instantly killed if they tried to enter.

Akari spoke up, going over these points in worry.

"You're going to enter the Shadow Realm? That's impossible! And it's pure Dark Energy you will be stepping into, you will die instantly!"

Hyosuke cut in.

"Not when it is done properly and you can protect yourself from the oncoming Dark energy. However, it isn't that pleasant either. Although with our methods you won't die, you won't survive either if you don't take precautions."

Arata nodded, still looking at Ryouma.

"The Realm will do all it can to bring out the darkness in our hearts. Darkness is within all of us and it is an Element that can corrupt and destroy those who use it, but if you can overcome your fear, your weakness and all the ugliness within oneself, you can achieve greater levels of power. The Darkness will do all it can to lead you down wrong paths, you just need to stay true to what you believe in your heart and walk in the direction you believe to be right. In doing this, the Darkness will go from being a foe to a weapon. Your heart and your instincts will be key. Understood?"

Ryouma was confused by what Arata was saying. But he was an intelligent young boy and took everything he said to heart and went over them in his mind. He knew that it would be vital to him passing or Arata wouldn't tell him this. He nodded his head in response. Hyosuke shook his head at the two boys.

"You're both crazy. We should get moving, come."

Hyosuke walked off in the same direction that Azrail had gone. Ryouma and Arata nodded and followed suit. Oishi and Akari looked at each other worriedly before following the group. They came to a circular room with a black orb in the center of the room. Azrail and the old man stood inside. They were standing on either side of a strange pattern on the wall. Hyosuke led Akari and Oishi to the side beside the old man while Arata took Ryouma to stand beside the orb.

The old man looked over at Arata and Ryouma.

"Young Master Arata Sato. Young Ryouma. Are you ready to commence the Shadow Trials?"

Arata and Ryouma both nodded. The old man gestured towards the orb. Arata led Ryouma and they both placed their hands on the shiny black orb. Arata began to channel his energy in the orb, seeing him do this Ryouma followed suit. Their energy swirled inside the orb. The orb shined brightly and enveloped the two boys in a dark energy. The symbols on the wall began to light up and what looked like a black hole began to form between the old man and Azrail. Azrail looked at the growing black hole.

"The Shadow Realm has accepted you and has granted you permission to enter. You have an hour to retrieve a Black Crystal and bring it back. May the Shadows guide you."

Hyosuke and the old man bowed.

"May the Shadows guide you."

Arata looked at Ryouma and nodded. They walked over to the black hole and walked into it. The black hole and the two boys instantly vanished.

The room had gone back to normal now. Oishi and Akari went wide eyed in shock. Azrail sighed. Pain was visible on his face as he whispered quietly.

"Come back alive, son."

Arata and Ryouma were in complete darkness. They couldn't see a single thing. Ryouma called out to Arata.

"Master Arata!"

"No need to shout. I'm right here."

Ryouma moved his hand in the direction of Arata's voice and found what felt like his shoulder. Arata activated the Sixth Sempiternal Art: Shadow Awareness. He was now able to see through the darkness and since the Sacred Art was based on the Shadow Realm, things around him were extremely clear.

He looked around and saw that their surroundings were moving. They were in a vast open place, everything seemed distant yet extremely close at the same time. Shadows and Dark Spirits could be seen moving around everywhere. They were floating in the air and a black and purplish aura seemed to be covering them both, protecting them. Arata took a deep breath and could feel that the dark energy that was around them would move them forward if he wished it to.

This was the Shadow Realm.

Even though this was his first time here, he knew enough about it to not be completely scared and shocked by his surroundings. He placed his hand on Ryouma's eyes.

"I'm going to transfer some energy to you to help you see. Do not be shocked or scared by what you see. Stay calm. Understood?"

Ryouma nodded. Arata sent some energy into Ryouma's eyes, creating a temporary version of the Shadow Awareness ability, similar to what Azrail did to Arata all those years ago.

"It should last for the hour, but it may hurt a little for a while, you will just need to get used to it."

Arata removed his hand and Ryouma blinked, his eyes hurt a little but then he was stunned at the view around him. There were creatures in the far distance and strange dark shadows moving around. There was what looked like black and purple mountains. This was a truly ominous place. Arata shook Ryouma out of his shock.

"Welcome to the Shadow Realm. Now we need to find that crystal, ya know. Let's go."