The First Trial

[Lumin's Tribal Square]

A burning path scorched in cinders and ashes laid beneath me...

I am currently experiencing hell and pain below my feet as I traverse this man-made burning trail the tribesmen and elders have created.

They called it the 1st Trial. We are tasked to walk with our barefoot and bare the excruciating pain that this lump of cinders may give.

I think this is a way for them to test our will.

The strongest will can bare the odds above his shoulders!

The strongest will shall make a difference!

"The one who wants to wear the title must bear its weight!"

This is what that Wagu Atubang loudly proclaimed when he started these trial, after the commotion of that auspicious clouds that appeared at the sky gradually faded.

I had a lot of doubts but because of that strange place and Miguel, even if I am still in a half-believed state, I have to believe somehow.

"Through this trial, you will know if you can bear its weight!"

"Those who shall surrender and profess that they can't take it shall be eliminated from this Trials!"

"Proud Warriors of Tribes! Take your rightful path! Examine your conscience! Can you bear the weight of this title?"

These are the words that have repeatedly rung in my head while I strengthen my weakening spirits from traversing this path of ash and fire.

From the start, many have already surrendered.

The path had a trail ranging from the Lumin tribe's Tribal Square up to the forest that is located near that wooden sculpture, coated in metallic ores. From which that mysterious old man used to trick us.

I don't have that much knowledge of this place.

I am unfamiliar with Lumin or this place called Saon.

But at least I knew that my will is strong! I will have my revenge!

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...

Under the blazing sun and the scorched molten path beneath their feet, one by one each warrior fell.

Daon is a tropical place, usually having a climate that is warm to hot and moist year-round. This includes rainforests with lush vegetation.

But just after the auspicious clouds vanished, the sun produced its hottest blaze, putting everyone in heat. It is as if the Gods are watching and have taken the initiative to add fun in their tiny games.

Then while Argus bared the heat, a burly figure in front of him appeared!

Bagno, the tribe's most favored warrior! Due to his many merits especially during hunts and expeditions people have favored him.

Bagno is definitely taller than Argus, comparing Bagno's physique to Argus is like comparing a knife and a sword. That's how simply tall Bagno was compared to Argus.

Argus saw Bagno limping under the heat, when suddenly a kid eating a banana who are at the sidelines watching the trials, tossed his food.

"Don't overtake Bagno! Get Lost you filthy lipin!"

And Argus got his face gobsmacked, abruptly tossed with a banana peel.

Who wouldn't be surprised?

"What?! You mad liiipiiin?!" The kid yelped with his incomplete words.

"Com hir en porpit da trial! bleeeh" Struggling to form coherent words, the kid also made some funny faces at the poor Argus.

Well, Argus did not know if he should be angry or laugh instead, but he is definitely annoyed!

"This brat!" Of course, Argus got annoyed. He is still a kid after all.

But in this world's standards, Argus is already eligible as a young adult.

Males during the age of conquest are expected to mature and perform their duties as a young adult. So, sometimes these feelings of irritableness and easily succumbing to impulse was still untamed.

Not really having the chance to ripen or mature over time.

"Nye Nye Nye nye nye!" And the kid kept harassing the poor Argus.

Until Argus gave in and actually made his rebuttal.

"Stinky Brat! I bet you pooped again somewhere!"

"This... Waaah" And with that remark, the kid ran away sniffling his own nose.

Argus smirked and murmured to himself: "Hmph. that kid..." as he went briskly advancing forward.

That small scuffle he made with the kid actually relieved him from the pain at his foot and It did not take long before he had overtaken Bagno.

And Bagno noticing that Argus is fast approaching, made a sick move in an attempt to halt him.

"Phwaat!"—Argus screamed. Bagno, who is at his front sneakily jabbed him with his elbow...

"You cheat! How dare you!" And Argus replied with a forceful nudge at Bagno's feet, he stepped on them and Bagno's toes especially his flesh was deeply buried at the scorched cinders with the molten trail.

"Arrghh!" Bagno couldn't help but yelp!

And an inappropriate scene is witnessed by the cheering crowd surrounding them.

Two, top bare naked men are strangling each other, that when you look at it you will see that they are almost hugging each other.

The kid who ran around after Argus rebutted him with an insult of his own, suddenly got his eyes widened. He can't help but scratch his head over this display.

Argus who is being strangled could not free himself under the powerful arms of this Bagno.

"Heck! I'm just quietly doing my part. This is not even a race!" Argus screamed.

But he was ignored.

Well, It's understandable... Since only sixty of them were left from the almost hundred tribesmen who came to join the trial.

"Who are you? You're just an Alipin! Let me go first!"

"No! I'll be the one to proceed first!"

And a small battle came about.

Bagno swung his arms towards Argus's temple at lightning pace.

One punch, followed by another!

Using his advantage of having a small stature, Argus dodged Bagno's rapid attacks effortlessly. Snickering, Bagno attempted to strike Argus again with a kick. Argus ducked and dodged the kick, effortlessly as well.

However, as nimble as he was, Argus tripped because of the scorching trail underneath his feet.

Argus hastily made a frontflip just before his face struck the ground. With his two hands firmly planted at the molten floor while ignoring the burning pain in his hands, his legs arched into a swing aiming to hit Bagno's jawline.

BAM!!!!

Argus's foot struck Bagno's jawline squarely.

Bagno kneaded his jaws, spat an ounce of blood, and cracked them a little. Although he was silent, it was apparent that Bagno was enraged.

The enraged Bagno then made a furious counter. This time, he was the only assailant.

Argus could only defend himself by throwing his forearms like a defensive stone bulge to block Bagno's vicious attacks.

But Bagno slipped to his side, slapping his defenses as if swatting a fly, driving Argus' elbow away.

Argus, powerless with the gap in height, leaped high so he could reach Bagno's head and kicked him! Another good blow has arrived! He landed a hit the second time around!

Bagno rolled, sidways, on the scorched floor, dazed from the impact of Argus's kick.

Third of a second once those contacts were made, and Bagno was on his feet, watching Argus as he prepares to rush towards him.

The muscules in Bagno's arms bulged as he rose from his feet. He tries to push Argus away but before his hands reached Argus, under the expectant crowd of people he was surprised to see a fast blurry figure of Argus's fist that has greeted him instead.

Bagno could not stop Argus' onslaught! He is as nimble as a monkey!

Some of the onlookers rolled their eyes. "Did we saw it wrong?" They all questioned.

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Being humiliated in front of a large crowd made Bagno embarrassed, and so, he pretended to be dazed as his hands formed a fist.

Unexpectedly, Argus who became complacent and reckless with his attacks came unprepared, he instantly got his wrists caught. He was driven over to Bagno's chest as Bagno strangled him with his arms, then Bagno prepares to kick him with his knees...

Argus's sight became blurry as he was hit by that kick!

A few gaps in seconds when he came to his senses. Only to find out that he is now being toyed like a kid as Bagno tightly grabbed Argus's wrist, tossing him everywhere at the molten ground, filled with cinders.

Like a helpless chicken, Argus yelped, the fiery cinders made contact with his bare flesh while he is being tossed around as if his weight amounted to nothing. Bagno continued to flip and flung around the poor Argus as he slammed Argus's body into the floor.

Then, finally...

His bare back has hit the ground and Bagno came on top of him raising his arms as he prepares to hit Argus on his forehead with his two crumpled fists!

A hard block of fists came pummeling him down.

Argus felt himself being dizzy, he is gradually losing his consciousness...