The First Trial: The Woodland Beast

Elyse awoke with a start. Sweating heavily, he hurriedly got up from his bed and checked to see if the door in his room was still locked. Gazing at the mirror inside his room, a set of blue eyes and blonde hair looked back at him, he was still Elyse. It had been a few days since he was cured of Wood fever thanks to his friend Alea. He should get her something to show his gratitude. With an idea in mind, Elyse prepared his rucksack and discarded his royal robes, putting on his peasant clothes and a hooded cloak. Within a few seconds of getting dressed, he felt a tingling sensation in his body, his transformation had been undone. He was now back to his original appearance, he's back to being Lyrus.

Lyrus surveyed his surroundings before leaving. While it is still so early in the morning, he can't risk anyone seeing a peasant coming out of the room of the prince of Crusdea. Seeing that the coast was clear, the peasant started walking towards the castle gates. He still can't believe just how foolish he was. While he originally planned just to keep the potion, his discovery of the royal armor of Crusdea changed everything.

He remembered returning to the birch tree in the First mountain where he buried the armor and the chest filled with gold and gems, and thinking that maybe, just maybe, these could help turn his life around. That coupled with the rumor Freid told him about the four princes and the possible engagement of Auria, gave him the idea of pretending as the prince of Crusdea in order to marry the beautiful princess of Threanas.

It was a stupid idea. Maybe nobody would wonder if the prince of Crusdea suddenly disappeared. Maybe he should be contented and just go back to his life as a peasant while there is still time. Maybe he was just being selfish, wanting to have a better life and to marry Auria, the person he had adored for a long time. After all, she herself seemed not too keen on the idea of marrying any of the princes. Lyrus felt the vial Edrana gave him bounced back and forth within his rucksack as he walked, its contents almost used up. He needed her advice and to know why she gave him the potion.

"Pssst! Here! Lyrus!" shouted Freid as he appeared from behind a pillar near the castle gates. Lyrus quickly approached his bestfriend. Freid had been helping him ever since he decided to pose as the prince of Crusdea. It was also Freid who pointed out how stupid his plan was, but he didn't listen, which he was now starting to regret.

"There you are. I was worried that you overslept since you're still recovering from Wood fever. Anyway, a good morning to you, my dear friend," said Freid, grinning as he pat Lyrus on the back.

"Now, I only have a few minutes before my commander wakes up. So, here's the thing, the trial would be held tomorrow," said Freid in a hushed town, raising his hand to cut off Lyrus whose mouth was hanging wide open upon hearing the news.

"I heard from my commander that the princes would be ask to hunt, I don't know what but you better prepare your blade if you want to pass the trial," said Freid as he escorted Lyrus out of the castle. "Now go! The guards for the morning shift would be here any minute. Good luck tomorrow!"

Lyrus uttered a quick thanks before running outside the castle and towards the streets of Noir. He felt a knot form in his stomach. Hunt? He barely survived the squire test against Barthos the bear, and the training that followed was simply brutal, and the king expects him to hunt? Stopping at an alley, Lyrus pulled down the hood of his cloak and uttered a sigh as he watched the sun slowly rise. Today will surely be a long day.

"Hey, you ok?" asked Alea to Lyrus as the two sat on a wooden bench near a shop eating some bread, their training for the day finished.

"Ye-yes. I just don't feel so well today." replied Lyrus, tucking inside his rucksack his half-eaten bread. Alea looked at him with concern, her chestnut colored eyes full of worry.

"It's not the Wood Fever. I just…something came up and I might not be around the whole day tomorrow for training," said Lyrus with a faint smile, trying to reassure his friend. Not around, yes, and if he's unfortunate, he might not be around Noir after the trial tomorrow.

"Oh, is that so? Well, the truth is…I also have some errands tomorrow and might not be able to attend training too. So don't worry about it," replied Alea, smiling back at Lyrus. Lyrus can't help but feel a bit hot on the face while looking back at his fellow squire. Errands? Is Alea leaving town? However, Lyrus' musing was interrupted when Alea asked him to accompany her to Karos. Arriving at the blacksmith's workshop, the two were greeted by the sight of tons and tons of crates containing swords and shields.

Lyrus bumped into one of the crates, its contents clanging, and Karos noticed the two. "Hm? What brings the two of you here?" asked the blacksmith as he arranges the crates littering his workshop.

"I just want to ask you if you can forge me a blade," replied Alea. Come to think of it, Lyrus had never seen Alea carry a blade or even a dagger. Lyrus also realized that except during the time his father let him hold his sword, he himself have never held, moreover, used a sword before. The idea of his lack of experience in wielding a blade reminded the peasant about the upcoming hunt and the fact that it would be the first time he would be using a real sword. He was snapped out of his trance by the loud clanging of metal as he saw Alea rummaging through the crates. Remembering his promise to himself, he quickly pulled aside Karos, much to the latter's surprise.

"Hey, Karos, do you think you can make me a simple bracelet for a girl? It need not be made out of any fancy metal, but I would appreciate it if it would have an ornament or engraving," said Lyrus as he handed ten gold coins to Karos. The blacksmith's eyes widened upon seeing the gold coins.

"Where did you get this kind of money lad? More importantly, who is this lady that you're planning to give the bracelet. You know, us in the North believes that a bracelet serves as a bond between two persons," said Karos, grinning impishly behind his beard which made Lyrus even more uncomfortable.

"Never mind that. Can you do it? I'll get the bracelet by tomorrow," inquired Lyrus, looking to check if Alea was still busy looking for a sword.

"Of course! It will be the finest bracelet in Noir!" Karos declared proudly, making Lyrus hush the blacksmith by tugging on the latter's beard.

Having found an arming sword for both of them, the two was about to leave Karos' workshop when Lyrus spot something that caught his eye. Hanged by the wooden wall of the workshop was a pair of red dusty gauntlets which seemed to have some scales attached to it. Seeing him gazing at the gauntlets, Karos walked towards the two, taking off the gauntlets from where they hang so that they can examine it closer.

"My father calls them Dragon Gauntlets. He forged them from the scales of a dead dragon his family slayed in our homeland. I was planning on polishing them in case the need arises." Karos then started to scrub the gauntlets, exposing the gleaming scales beneath the thick layer of dust. Karos' father, a dragonslayer? Lyrus can't help but feel in awe at the thought. Dragons are very hard to kill. Only a very skilled individual or a dragonslayer can slay a dragon.

"The need arises? What do you mean?" asked Alea who was clearly alarmed by the thought.

"Haven't you heard? The province of Burne, the one near Fehl was being terrorized by a dragon. The king has already started sending more knights to help slay the dragon. Hence, the large number of shields and swords I was making," replied Karos, who seemed to be focused on scrubbing the gauntlets.

"What? Why can't he just send the Dragonslayer? Threanas has a Dragonslayer! I even saw the spe—"but Alea didn't finish her sentence upon seeing the quizzical looks of Lyrus and Karos. Threanas has a Dragonslayer? Lyrus was surprised at the revelation, he didn't know that the kingdom had one since it takes a lot of years just to forge a Dragonslayer. Further, it was agreed by the kingdoms of Elderone that no more Dragonslayers would be made lest provoke the dragons into another great war. But how did Alea know this?

"If indeed Threanas has a Dragonslayer then the king better send that to Burne before the dragon decides to attack the nearby provinces. A lot of people have suffered already," said Karos with a grim tone. Alea can only bow her head in embarrassment. She almost let her true identity slip. But what is more humiliating is the fact that her father, the king chose to keep silent on the matter, prioritizing her upcoming marriage over anything else. An awkward silence hung over the three for a few seconds before Lyrus and Alea decided to bid the blacksmith goodbye.

It was a few hours past noon when Lyrus and Alea went on their separate ways. Anxious of the upcoming trial, Lyrus forgot to visit Edrana, instead going to his hut and spending the remainder of the day training his swordplay, using the wooden sticks his father left him. He trained until the blisters in his hands bled once more. Fortunately, the potion removes any injury from his body when he transforms and that there's still some left of the balm the old woman gave him. The exhaustion and anxiousness he had felt throughout the day lingered well into the night, making Lyrus fell asleep quickly, dreaming of hunting Wulforses, to Barthos the bear, and even a dragon.

"What the…what is that thing?" Frecia uttered in disbelief as the five princes stood before the Woodland Beast. That's not the Woodland Beast, that can't be it. Elyse bit his lip as the four studied the creature before them. He saw the creature once when he was a child when his father brought him to explore the Nieblahim Forest. While the Woodland Beast does not look like any other animal or creature found in Elderone, there was no way that the behemoth before them was the same beast. In fact, even the forest itself seemed different, like it had a disease of some sort. Looking around, Elyse didn't remember seeing this much decay within the heart of the forest.

Elyse gazed at the creature before him. While it has the rocky appearance and the mushrooms of the Woodland Beast, long black tendrils slithered from the cracks on the stones on its body, with two clumps of said tendrils forming a giant hornlike structure on the creature's head.

"This creature should be a fine specimen for my magic," said Althas. The sorcerer prince held out his stone staff and started chanting words, words that Elyse didn't like one bit. However, before Althas could even finish his enchantment, something exploded infront of them, emitting a purple smoke, forcing them to scatter, and waking the behemoth before them.

The Woodland Beast roared loudly as if the vial that had just been thrown infront of it had hit it. Surveying his surroundings, Elyse saw Lophen carrying numerous vials under his left arm and charging towards the creature. The thief prince threw the various shaped flasks one after the other, dodging the creature's attacks all the while.

"Let's see how well you would fare against my poisons," shouted Lophen with glee. Elyse and the others retreated farther towards the trees while covering their noses, trying not to get a whiff of the deadly smoke as it spread.

As for Lophen, the prince had started stabbing the Woodland Beast on various parts of its body upon seeing it wobbling due to the effects of the poisons. For awhile the prince's strategy seemed to work, however, the gas dissipated, and the beast began to regain its strength. With one strong swipe from its arm, Lophen was sent flying to a nearby tree, hitting his shoulder in the process.

Elyse continued to watch as the beast stood up once more on its hind legs, as if the poisons didn't even affect it. He was about to make his move when a slew of arrows hit the creature's back, it was Frecia. The prince of Brenn Loria was firing three arrows at a time, the tips being barbed and razor sharp, the perfect kind for weakening and bleeding out prey. Elyse can't help but admire the prince's aim as none of the arrows hit the stony parts of the beast. The beast on the other hand, charged at its attacker, using its head as a battering ram. Fortunately, Frecia was able to dodge just in time.

However, before Frecia can nock a new set of arrows, lightning struck the beast, quickly filling the air with burnt smoke and flesh. The behemoth tried to stand up but was struck once more. Althas stepped out from behind a tree, continuing to mutter words and as he did so, lightning repeatedly struck the creature. Elyse can't help but pity the thing, whether it was indeed the Woodland Beast or not, it was clear that the creature before him was in pain.

Looking around as both Frecia and Althas continued to attack it, Elyse saw Asche, the dragon prince, sitting on one of the branches of an oak tree, looking bored. It was as if the prince did not find the sight before him amusing. A bit further from where the prince sat, a glittering crystal orb floated. Elyse immediately recognized it as the one used by Threanas' mages in spying and communicating with each other which only meant that the whole castle was watching.

"This is wrong. Why are you doing this?!" shouted Auria as she sat on her throne while her father watched on the large mirror the scene unfolding before them. She wanted to cover her ears as the pained howling of the creature echoed within the throne room as both Frecia and Althas continue their barrage.

"Silence. This is a test of their combat ability and the ability to handle any kind of situation. The person you marry should be strong and capable of defending himself," answered Deanor as he gazed intently on the large mirror.

"Your Majesty is right my princess, the prince you will marry must be able to strike fear into the hearts of his enemies," added Grenwald while he fidgeted with his fingers, anxiously waiting for the outcome of the trial.

Auria can only grasp Silvia's hand as she held back her tears. She cannot cry. She cannot let her father see that he has power over her. She felt a stabbing pain on her chest everytime an arrow or a bolt of lightning struck the creature. Auria restrained herself from dashing out of the castle just to rescue the Woodland Beast.

Having had enough, Auria decided to rescue the beast, not caring anymore whatever happens afterwards. However, before she can stand up, a loud roar came from the mirror.

Elyse covered his ears as the Woodland Beast bellowed loudly, sending Frecia and Althas tumbling on their backs. He watched in horror as the black tendrils covering the creature's body slithered and grew longer, and once more the beast stood up as if nothing happened.

"It…healed itself" Althas muttered in shock while Frecia scrambled to nock a new set of arrows. Turning its head towards them, the beast quickly uprooted a young sapling and before the two princes could even react, swung the tree at them, sending them flying into the air. The two hit the ground so hard that Elyse was sure he heard some bones being broken. It was over for the two as the creature lumbered towards them, still holding the sapling, clearly intending to kill them.

"This is it! Playtime's over! Time to finish this!" shouted Asche as he flew and changed into a majestic dragon. It was the second time Elyse saw a dragon but he still can't help but be in awe. The dragon prince's scales are of a deep red color, almost like that of blood. Four long big white horns protruded from his head while smaller ones surrounded his face and covered various parts of his body and tail. The prince's giant leathery red wings flapped as he circled his prey, his golden snake-like eyes looking for an opening. The Woodland Beast looked up at its new foe and once more gave a deafening roar and for a moment, black smoke seemed to have emanated from its body.

Asche roared loudly before he set the beast on fire. Unlike an ordinary flame, dragon fire burns more brightly and more intense. Elye stood frozen as he watched the creature bellowed in pain once more. However, the beast this time dropped down on its side after a few seconds, and immediately became silent. Elyse's eyes widened. Is it dead? Did Asche manage to slay it? Looking up, Elyse saw Asche preparing to finish the creature as the dragon took in air. Returning his gaze to the fallen behemoth, Elyse saw its eyes, it did not contain the same ferocity it had before. Remembering what Alea told him of her encounter with the beast and without a second to lose, Elyse ran towards the creature.

"Stop!" Elyse's shout was heard across the throne room. Auria looked and saw the prince of Crusdea dashing towards the beast as Asche let loose another stream of bright orange fire. White light suddenly filled the mirror, making Auria and the others cover their eyes. When the light faded, all that can be seen is the knight prince standing infront of the beast while Asche laid a few meters away from the two, unconscious and in his human form.

"Stop!" Elyse shouted as he ran. Stopping infront of the beast, Elyse looked up to see the blazing inferno just a few meters from them. He quickly raised his shield to cover himself as he prepared for the worst. The worst, however, didn't happen. Warm bright light suddenly appeared from behind him, surrounding him completely and making him close his eyes. When the light faded, Elyse was surprised to see himself unharmed and Asche lying unconscious on the ground. Gazing around, he saw the Woodland Beast still behind him, its breathing heavy.

Auria's eyes widened as she saw the prince of knights unsheathe his sword and bend down towards the creature. She wasn't able to control herself any longer as tears started falling down from her eyes. However, Elyse, with one swipe of his sword cut off the large black like horns on the beast's head, proceeding to rub the Woodland Beast's head, just like what she did.

As if the horns were the source of its pain, the Woodland Beast immediately stood up after Elyse cut off its horns, startling him. The long black tendrils from earlier have started to shrink, making the creature before him appear more like the Woodland Beast he knew. Elyse smiled upon seeing the creature slowly recovering. He then stood up and spoke to the crystal ball.

"The trial is finished! I'm letting go of the beast and returning to the castle! Send some of your servants to tend to the other princes!" Elyse shouted. Auria can't help but feel a bit of awe for the prince. He just stopped a dragon's flame and commanded her father like it was nothing. Turning to her father, Auria saw rage on his face, however, she also saw what seems to be fear. But what could just her father fear about Elyse?

"Grenwald! Send some knights and mages to Nieblahim to tend to the other princes!" King Deanor roared with such force that Grenwald jumped a bit from his place. Auria can't help but smile a little at the sight of her father's advisor scurrying like a rat towards the doors of the throne room.

"Silvia, prepare a banquet for tonight to celebrate the end of the first trial," commanded King Deanor, his voice returning to its normal tone.

Locking the door behind him, Elyse quickly discarded his armor and propped himself on his bed. While the excitement of the day had not yet left him, he found himself exhausted from the fact that he almost died a few hours ago. He examined the vial Edrana gave him, its contents almost gone. He needed to wake up early and get more of the potion. Closing his eyes, the events of the day continued to play inside his mind, and he can't help but feel sad at his helplessness. He wasn't able to do anything. Had it not been for that mysterious light, he would have died. With such thoughts in his mind, Elyse drifted to sleep.

A banquet was held later that night to honor the end of the first trial. Word of Elyse's victory quickly spread throughout Noir. However, with the other princes still recovering, only the royals from the neighboring provinces attended the feast. Auria for her part, was forced by her father to show up on the celebration. She did not dare defy her father, seeing that the latter was in a terrible mood already. Going to the room of Elyse to invite him to join the festivity, Auria found the prince's quarters locked. With no response to her knocks, Auria left, pondering on what could be going inside the mind of the mysterious prince at that very moment.

A loud howl echoed somewhere deep within the forest of Nieblahim. The Woodland Beast was in pain, the black tendrils around its body have started to sprout again. Blood poured from its head as the tendrils, now bigger, forced its way out, forming into a horn once more. However, a mysterious figure covered in light itself approached the creature. The being gently touched the tip of the beast's head and within a few seconds, all the black tendrils that covered its body turned to smoke and vanish, and its wounds started to heal. As if on cue, the trees surrounding the Woodland Beast also began to grow, the decay leaving each one. The figure looked at its surroundings and as if satisfied with its work, walked away from the creature which has now started to sleep soundly.