MTLNOVEL Chapter 125: Chapter 124: Trials of the Aetherials
Chapter 124: Trials of the Aetherials
The Weight of Expectation
The team stood at the threshold of the second trial, their breaths visible in the icy air of the chamber. The glow of the ancient runes cast distorted shadows along the walls, and the faint hum of the Aetherial Mana Core resonated through the stone like a heartbeat. Jack's team had passed the Trial of Strength, but the unease on their faces was unmistakable.
Astraeus, the golden humanoid figure and custodian of the ruins, floated beside the Core. Its voice broke the silence, rich with authority but laced with a hint of intrigue. "Your resolve has carried you through the first test, but the next trial will measure something far more volatile: your minds. Do you possess the clarity to wield what lies beyond, or will ambition blind you to the truth?"
Private Kara Lin, standing near the edge of the group, shifted nervously. "What does that mean?" she whispered to Sergeant Jorin, who shook his head grimly.
Jack's tone was steady, his gaze fixed on Astraeus. "You've been testing us since we arrived. Why do you care if we're worthy? If this knowledge is so dangerous, why not destroy it?"
Astraeus turned its glowing eyes to Jack. "Destruction would solve nothing. This sanctuary was built as a refuge, a last hope to guide those who came after. But the wrong hands could doom the fragile balance that remains. That is why the trials exist—to separate those who seek power for themselves from those who seek it for others."
Eryndra stepped forward, her expression contemplative. "And how will you judge us?"
The golden figure paused, then gestured to the next chamber. "The Trial of Clarity will reveal what lies hidden within your hearts. You will face your greatest doubts, your deepest fears, and your truest selves. Only then can the Core trust you."
The Trial of Clarity
The team entered the next chamber, a vast expanse that felt both infinite and confining. The floor was smooth and reflective, like a black mirror, and the walls were barely visible, as if swallowed by shadows. As soon as the last soldier stepped inside, the door behind them vanished.
"Stay together," Jack ordered, his voice cutting through the eerie silence. "This is meant to disorient us."
The reflective floor began to shimmer, and faint images started to appear beneath their feet. At first, they were indistinct—fleeting glimpses of faces, places, and events—but soon, the images became sharper, more personal. Each soldier froze as they saw something different below them: memories, regrets, failures.
Jack looked down and saw himself standing in a ruined battlefield, surrounded by the bodies of his soldiers. His reflection stared back at him, its expression cold and unyielding. "You think progress will save them," the reflection said, its voice matching Jack's own. "But it won't. You'll sacrifice them all in the name of victory, and for what? A broken kingdom?"
Jack clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "They knew the risks. We fight so others don't have to."
The reflection smirked. "Do you really believe that? Or is this just about proving you're better than the ones who abandoned you?"
Eryndra's Doubts
Nearby, Eryndra's reflection stared back at her, its silver eyes filled with disdain. "You've aligned yourself with humans, but they'll never see you as an equal. To them, you're just a convenient ally."
Eryndra's voice was calm but sharp. "You're wrong. Jack and his people have proven themselves."
The reflection laughed, the sound bitter. "And what happens when the war is over? When the Imperium doesn't need the elves anymore? Will they cast you aside like the others?"
Eryndra hesitated, her confidence faltering for a moment. "Jack isn't like that."
"And what if you're wrong?" the reflection pressed, stepping closer. "Would you still fight for them, knowing they might betray you?"
The Team Fractures
The other soldiers faced their own trials, each confronting fears of failure, loss, and inadequacy. Private Kara Lin collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face as the image of her family—long lost to the demons—appeared below her. Sergeant Jorin growled in frustration as his reflection taunted him with visions of his squad falling apart under his command.
"Get up, Lin!" Jorin barked, his voice shaking. "It's not real!"
But the illusions felt real. The chamber seemed alive, feeding on their doubts and amplifying their fears. The whispers grew louder, rising into a deafening roar.
Jack's voice cut through the chaos. "This is a test!" he shouted, stepping forward. His reflection mirrored him, but he ignored it. "They want us to break, to turn on each other. Don't give in!"
Eryndra's voice joined his. "Your fears are lies! We've come this far together—don't let them tear us apart now!"
Breaking the Illusions
Slowly, the team began to rally. Kara Lin forced herself to her feet, gripping her rifle tightly. Jorin stepped closer to his squad, his voice steady as he reassured them. Eryndra turned away from her reflection, focusing on the bonds they'd built with the Imperium.
Jack, still facing his reflection, spoke firmly. "You're wrong. This isn't about me—it's about all of us. We fight because we believe in something bigger than ourselves."
The reflection smirked, but the edges of its form began to blur. "We'll see," it said before vanishing.
As one, the illusions faded, and the whispers fell silent. The chamber grew still, the oppressive weight lifting. Astraeus appeared in the center of the room, its glowing form flickering faintly.
"You have passed the Trial of Clarity," it said, its voice carrying a note of approval. "Your doubts remain, but you have not let them consume you. That is the first step toward true understanding."
The Demon King's Retaliation
Far from the ruins, in the Abyssal Wastes, the Demon King stood atop a crumbling spire, his burning eyes fixed on a massive portal. Legions of demons swarmed below him, their growls and roars echoing across the desolate landscape.
One of his generals, Syvalis the Shadowmancer, approached cautiously. "The sanctuary has been breached, my lord. The mortals have awakened the relic."
The Demon King's lips curled into a snarl. "Then we will remind them why it was left untouched."
He raised a clawed hand, and the portal flared with energy. From its depths emerged a massive, winged creature—its body wreathed in flames and shadow. The ground trembled beneath its weight as it roared, the sound shaking the very air.
"Send the legion," the Demon King growled. "Burn the Imperium's hope to ash."
A Glimpse of What's Ahead
As Jack's team exited the chamber, they found themselves in another vast hall. At its center stood a towering crystalline structure, its surface radiating pure, untainted mana. Strange machinery surrounded it, glowing with the same golden light as Astraeus.
"This is the Core," Astraeus said, its tone reverent. "The heart of the Aetherial legacy. You are closer to unlocking its power, but one trial remains. The Trial of Unity will determine if your bonds are strong enough to withstand what is to come."
Jack glanced at Eryndra, who gave him a small nod. The road ahead was uncertain, but they had made it this far. There was no turning back now.
End of Chapter 124