Chapter 23

Wait, that's it? What? Just chug a gem at its core, and we won? If we do this from the start, we didn't have to go through all this trouble. I slumped to the floor before laughing my ass off. Seeing me laugh, my companions laugh along with me. Duncan shrug his shoulder, "Well, look at the bright sight, we won, weren't we?"

"Yes, Duncan, we won." I heaved a sigh of relief. "I should've done that sooner. It would make our life a lot easier." Davida lips curled into a smile, "You should've had."

"Yeah, you should've had," Diane smirks. Duncan just laughed at our antics. "Right, we need to get moving", Duncan reminded; he extended his hand at me, "Sure." I stand up, grabbing his hand.

===

We guide our squads through the door where we fought the Guardian Golem as a voice resounded in the room, "Congratulations for finishing the Test of Knowledge. You have proven that you had the smarts and wits. Transporting you back to the hub".White light enveloped our party, sending us back to the previous white room.

"We're back!" Diane cheerfully said. She laid her body down, completely surrendering herself to the white floor. Davida chuckled as she followed Diane. "That was tiring", Duncan chimed in; he slouched his body to the floor, sitting while using his greatsword as back support. "I'll say. That final boss was terrifying." I added, following Diane and Davida; I put my body down to the floor, "It was also stupid too. If only we knew about what that item does, we could've ended the boss easier."

"That was all your fault," Davida said sarcastically. "Yeah, yeah, shut up, will you." I annoyingly clicked my tongue. "Seriously though, if only we observed it all further, it would've been a different story", Diane added. "True", Duncan nodded, "In the end, though, we won with determination and teamwork."

"Congratulation for finishing the Test of Knowledge. Please stand by for the last and final test." We're interrupted by the usual robotic voice.

===

After we rested for a while, our energy was refilled but not entirely. "The final test will commence shortly. Prepare yourself" the tone of the voice changed. It alerted us about the incoming danger. We all stood up, preparing all that we can. Then, as the white light took us, a white silhouette emerged from the ground. "Let's see what they can do", it chuckled before burrowing itself to the ground.

When we opened our eyes, what greeted us was the unsightly sight of a dark and desolate world. "Welcome to the Demon Realm!" a dark silhouette emerged behind them, spreading its hand opened as if welcoming us. "Watch out!" I took out my weapon, as do my companions. The silhouette smirked, revealing its big white teeth at us, "Do try, I dare you!" the dark silhouette laughed, bending its back backwards.

I flinched at its crazy expression, and so does my companions. Fear began to creep up on us as the dark silhouette approached us slowly. "Welcome to the final test—the Test of Courage. Only those brave enough will survive while the rest perish. I have high hopes for you as the only one that came in these past 1000 years".

"1000 years?"

"Yes. For these past years, no one was worthy enough to be sent down here by the admin", the dark silhouette said sarcastically. Then, he added, "The Test of Courage was supposed to be the easiest one in the Hall of Trial, as heroes usually were born courageous. But, none of them was worthy to access this test. The admin judges you worthy, but I wonder…." It rubbed its illusionary chin as a sudden idea came out on him, "Maybe I'll test you on my own", it then waved its hand. "Come, I'll bring you to my dwelling," it said while its feet beginning to float from the ground. It clicked its finger, and he flew north, bringing us along with it.

===

We arrived at some kind of castle. It was black, like a cliché demon king castle from the anime. "Here we are" it flew down, landing us right in front of the black castle. "Find a way to get inside the castle", it ordered, "Good luck!" it disappeared suddenly, leaving us confused. "What the hell was that!?" I quipped. Duncan looked at the black castle, "That guy, he's strong", sweat trickled down his neck. "Even stronger than you when you're at your prime?" Diane asked, concerned. "Yes. Much stronger" Duncan nodded. "Unbelievable. The only people that are stronger than your prime can be counted by hand" Davida rubbed her chin.

I gawked in surprise. I looked at Duncan and co, "What!? Really!?" Diane chuckled, seeing my reactions, "Of course. He's one of the most promising and powerful experts in the continent", she exclaimed. My view of Duncan has risen a level, "Really?" I asked with a sparkle in my eyes. The old man rubbed his head, embarrassed; "It's no big deal. What matters is now. I'm only a 4th Grade Aura Master", so he says, but his face blushed. Diane chuckled, but Davida brought us to our senses, "How do we get into the castle?" It's all barren desert out here," she asked as she observed our surroundings.

"Yeah, this desert is eerie," I said. "What's with the black sky, I wonder? What could cause it to happen? Is it…. No, but…. Yeah, it might be possible….." I chuckled, seeing Davida back to her usual curious mode. Duncan shakes his head, "Sigh…. For now, how about we go closer to the gate?" So we went closer to the gate and found that the gate was tightly shut. But we did find a keyhole besides the gate. "A star-shaped keyhole?" Davida frowned, "A unique key?" she touched the keyhole with her finger.

"Hmm" I looked at the keyhole, and somehow I found it familiar. "This is…." I tried to get it in my head, but I can't remember where for some reason. "Do you know something?" Duncan approached me, tapping me by the shoulder. "I don't know. It looked familiar, but I can't seem to recall it where."

Duncan looked at me with interest as he said, "You're a young man with much experience, huh." Something inside me flinched, 'As expected from the man once regarded as one of the strongest, I thought. We then explored the castle, but the only thing we found was a couple of sheds and a few dried-up wells. We looked inside one of the sheds, and it closed itself on us. The dark atmosphere of the sheds, coupled with the claustrophobic space, made one spine's tingle.

"I don't like this", Diane said, worried. "Get close!" Duncan barked once he sensed something wasn't right. The four of us stood back to back, readying for anything that comes our way. Then, we heard a sound as the floor below us was opened. "Damn it, a trap door", I cursed as we fall down.