Chapter 90: The Trials of Akanon!

Chapter 90: The Trials of Akanon

The group emerged from the dense woods into an open clearing, bathed in an otherworldly light. Before them, hovering above the ground, was the Temple of Akanon—its walls glittering like diamonds, crafted from an ore that shimmered even in the moonless night. The temple floated midair, defying the laws of nature, casting an ethereal glow across the clearing that made it as bright as day.

A murmur of awe rippled through the group as they gazed upon the ancient structure. Above the temple's entrance, bold letters etched into the stone glistened: Welcome to the Temple of Akanon.

But the beauty of the temple was deceptive. Beneath the surface lay an ancient, lethal power. Tessa felt a chill crawl up her spine as she sensed the danger ahead. The moon goddess whispered in her mind, warning of trials beyond her power to control.

They approached cautiously, Ikehara limping in the rear, his eyes darting nervously. He knew what was coming, though he dared not reveal the full truth of what the temple held. Six trials. Six deadly ordeals.

As the group stood at the entrance, a deep, ominous voice echoed in their minds, shaking the very ground beneath them.

"Only those worthy may leave this temple. To proceed, you must face the Trials of Akanon. Six ordeals await. For every challenge, sacrifices will be made."

Tessa gripped her fists tightly. She looked at the people around her, faces filled with apprehension, and for the first time, a gnawing sense of helplessness crept into her heart. She had the strength to protect them, but this—this was something else. These trials were woven into the very fabric of the temple's magic.

The First Ordeal – The Golden Eyes

The group stood in stunned silence as they stared up at the glowing temple, floating ominously above them. "Welcome to the Temple of Akanon" was etched into the ore, its gleaming letters reflecting the moonlight, making the entire area glow brighter than day. But something about it felt cold, like the brightness of a flame that burns too hot to touch.

Tessa felt an unease settling deep within her. She glanced at the others—her main team, the ones she'd come to trust, and the rest of the group. Their faces were a mix of awe and anxiety. She knew they were in for something dangerous, but not even her heightened senses could predict what lay ahead.

Ikehara's limp was more pronounced now as he trudged behind them, his eyes darting between the group and the temple. His earlier desperation had simmered down into quiet resolve. He knew better than to challenge Tessa's authority after his humiliating plea for forgiveness. But deep down, he still had plans of his own.

Without warning, the temple gates slowly creaked open, inviting them in with a low, eerie hum. They exchanged glances but entered with caution, their steps echoing against the cold stone floor.

Tessa's heart tightened as she led them inside. The interior was even more otherworldly, bathed in golden light, though no visible source could be found. At the center of the room stood a massive stone pillar. Upon it rested a single golden eye, staring down at them, unmoving, yet filled with an ominous presence.

"This doesn't feel right," Adrian muttered, his voice low.

As if hearing him, the pillar rumbled to life. The golden eye opened wider, and a disembodied voice filled the chamber, echoing through the walls, "The first trial begins."

Everyone froze.

The ground beneath them shifted, pulling them into a tight circle. The walls of the room fell away, leaving nothing but a bottomless pit surrounding them. The eye blinked once, and golden ropes of light shot from it, binding everyone's arms to their sides. Panic rippled through the group.

"What is this?" Nymff gasped, struggling against the light, but the more she fought, the tighter it bound.

"We need to stay calm," Tessa said firmly. "This is only the beginning. No one panic."

The voice returned, "This is the Trial of the Golden Eyes. Only those with untainted hearts can pass. Stare into the eye, and if your intentions are pure, you will be freed."

At first, no one moved.

Ecdy was the first to step forward. His eyes locked on the golden eye. Seconds ticked by, and the ropes around him loosened, releasing him. A collective sigh of relief passed through the group. One by one, others stepped forward, each freed from the golden binds after staring into the eye.

But as the trial continued, something dark began to unfold.

A scream pierced the air. One of the group, a young woman, jerked as her ropes glowed brighter and brighter, turning a dangerous red. Before anyone could react, the light around her exploded, and she vanished into nothing but dust. Gasps of horror spread as another man attempted to break free, but met the same fate.

"This can't be real," Nymff whispered, tears welling in her eyes as more of their companions were consumed by the light. Four people, gone in mere moments.

Tessa stood frozen. She knew she could stop this—she had the power, the strength—but this trial wasn't one of force. It was designed to prey on weaknesses of spirit, of will. The pain of each loss tore at her, knowing she couldn't intervene, couldn't save them in time.

One final figure, trembling and sweating, stepped forward. His gaze was shaky as it met the golden eye, but before the ropes could burn him alive, the trial ended. The binds around the survivors vanished, and the golden eye closed.

Ikehara let out a breath of relief, having survived purely by luck.

Tessa, however, was haunted. She turned to the rest of the group, her fists clenched. "We move forward," she said, her voice quiet but firm. The others could see the weight of loss on her face. It wasn't just guilt—she had felt every death as though it had been her own failure.

They were down by three; Forty-four individuals had entered the temple; now, only Forty-one remained.

As they stepped forward into the next room, Tessa could feel the weight of what was still to come. This was only the first ordeal.

The real horrors were just beginning.