*Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly, curiosity flickering within him.* "Why didn't you judge me for when I told you, I am from Oakridge?" he asked, the tension in his voice palpable.
The boy shrugged nonchalantly, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "I don't judge people based on their past or history," he replied, sincerity ringing clear in his tone. "Everyone's got baggage; it's what they do with it that counts."
"Yeah," Lucas said slowly, surprised by his perspective.
"Exactly," the boy continued, leaning forward. "It's all about who we choose to be now—not what came before."
*Lucas took a breath, eager to know more about this intriguing boy.* "So who are you, anyway?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Name's Drew," the boy replied with a grin that lit up his face. "My ancestors were travelers who settled in Soquawon—a small town not too far from here." He seemed proud of his heritage, the stories of distant lands and adventures bubbling just beneath the surface.
Before Lucas could respond further, an old man approached them slowly, as he leaned heavily on a gnarled stick. His face was etched with deep wrinkles; eyes sparkling with wisdom and age. He paused before the two boys, studying them intently.
Drew stood up, his posture shifting into something more formal. Confused for a moment, Lucas quickly followed suit, rising to show respect for the elder.
The old man's gaze swept over them like a warm breeze before he pressed his stick against Drew's chest. "This one is an anomaly," he spoke with a deep, thunderous voice, each word carrying weight.
Turning to Lucas, the man's eyes sharpened, glinting with an unsettling intensity. "I can feel energy of three elemental powers from inside of him," he continued thoughtfully. "There's only a thin chance he could be an anomaly." The air around them seemed to hum at the revelation—Lucas felt both awe and trepidation swirling within him.
"What does that mean?" Lucas asked breathlessly, heart racing as curiosity mingled with unease. He glanced between Drew and the old man, eager yet apprehensive about what this could signify for his future.
The old man leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that seemed to weave through the air. "You see, young ones," he began, eyes glinting with ancient knowledge, "people don't possess only a single elemental power. They often hold multiple within them but can master only one—or perhaps a combined form of them."
He straightened up slightly and pointed his stick toward Lucas. "In your case, boy," he continued thoughtfully, "you possess three elements—well distributed among you. This could mean…" He paused for effect, allowing the weight of his words to settle like dust in sunlight. "…you might be an anomaly."
Lucas felt a shiver run down his spine, excitement mixed with fear as he processed this revelation. "Anomaly?" His mind raced with questions about what this meant for him and how it could change everything.
Drew glanced at Lucas with wide eyes filled with wonder and disbelief. "What does being an anomaly mean for him?" Drew asked the old man eagerly.
The old man chuckled, a warm sound that echoed through the arena like the gentle chime of distant bells. "If you manage to master a combined form of your elemental powers, then yes, Lucas—you will indeed be an anomaly," he said with a twinkle in his eye. With that cryptic promise hanging in the air, he turned and shuffled away, leaving Drew and Lucas buzzing with anticipation.
As they stood there processing the weighty implications of what had just been revealed, one of the trial examiners approached them—his stern demeanor contrasting sharply with their earlier excitement. He held a piece of paper tightly in his hands as if it contained both judgment and fate.
"Lucas," he called out sharply, drawing both boys' attention. The air thickened around them; all eyes seemed to shift toward this momentous encounter. "It's time for your next evaluation." His voice was gruff but authoritative as he handed over the paper filled with scribbles and annotations.
The examiner's gaze flickered between Lucas and Drew, a hint of approval in his eyes as he nodded toward the latter. "Drew can continue with his trials," he announced, leaving no room for argument. The weight of those words settled on Lucas like a heavy cloak as he felt himself being pulled into the shadows.
Following closely behind the examiner, they entered a dimly lit room where darkness seemed to cling to every corner. Flickering fire torches cast dancing shadows along the stone walls, their warm glow barely reaching into the depths beyond. A small candle flickered atop a table at its center, illuminating an enigmatic sphere that sat there—its surface glistening with an ethereal sheen that beckoned curiosity.
"What is this?" Lucas asked softly, stepping closer to inspect it more thoroughly. The air crackled around him—a strange energy emanated from the mysterious ball-like object, tugging at something deep within him.
The examiner turned back to face Lucas squarely; his expression was unreadable amidst the shifting light and shadow. "This is your trial," he replied cryptically. "To touch it is to confront your elemental essence."
As Lucas's fingers brushed against the surface of the sphere, an electric jolt surged through him—hot and cold, a cacophony of sensations that ignited every nerve ending. Instinctively, he yanked his hand back with a sharp intake of breath; his heart raced as confusion swirled within him.
The examiner watched intently, lips curling into a knowing smile. "I knew it," he said slowly, savoring the moment as if tasting fine wine. "Your elemental powers are indeed well distributed." The words hung in the air.
Lucas felt both excitement and worry rush through him. What did this mean for him? Was he truly on the brink of unlocking something monumental? He stole another glance at the sphere; its glow pulsed rhythmically now, almost beckoning to be touched again.
the instructors says it is fine and Lucas can join back today's trials , the instructor also tells Lucas that he will be in handicap since the trials do not stop for those placed in Hall Of Uncertainty , but his scores will be less harsh to compensate with the handicap
The examiner's expression softened slightly, a flicker of understanding breaking through his stern facade. "It's fine," he assured Lucas, gesturing toward the sphere to dismiss any lingering doubts. "You can join back in today's trials." His voice was steady and firm.
"However," the instructor continued, shifting his tone to something more serious, "you will be at a disadvantage. Those placed in the Hall of Uncertainty do not get reprieve; the trials continue on regardless." A heavy silence hung between them as those words sank into Lucas's consciousness like stones cast into still water.
"But don't worry," he added quickly, observing Lucas's reaction with a keen eye. "Your scores will reflect this handicap—less harshly assessed to compensate for your situation." There was an air of finality in his statement that ignited both apprehension and determination within Lucas.
Before Lucas could gather his thoughts or voice his gratitude, the examiner seemed to dissolve into thin air, leaving only an echo of authority behind. Heart pounding with adrenaline and confusion, he bolted from the dark room, urgency propelling him forward through twisting corridors that felt both familiar and foreign.
As he rounded a corner and emerged into a larger space filled with flickering torchlight, Lucas's gaze caught sight of a figure standing in the distance. A spark of recognition ignited within him as he closed in—Drew stood there, silhouetted against the glow like a beacon amidst uncertainty.
Lucas skidded to a halt, his breath coming in sharp bursts as panic fluttered in his chest. "Why are you just standing there?" he exclaimed, urgency lacing his voice. "We can't waste time! we'll be at a disadvantage!"
Drew met Lucas's frantic gaze with unwavering confidence, the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly. "I won't let you be at a disadvantage," he replied firmly, stepping forward with an air of determination that seemed to push back against the swirling uncertainty around them.
Drew grasped Lucas's hand, the warmth of his grip igniting an unexpected spark. For a brief moment, Lucas was taken aback—surprise etched across his features as he felt the strength in Drew's hold. But before he could fully process it, Drew spun him around with a playful energy.
The world blurred into streaks of color as Lucas twirled through the air, exhilaration mingling with confusion. "What are you doing?" he shouted amidst laughter, feeling weightless for just a heartbeat.
Then came the sudden release—a swift motion that hurled him forward like a projectile.
Before Lucas could even hit the ground, Drew's reflexes kicked in—he swooped down and caught him effortlessly on his back. The world shifted again as Drew surged forward, powerful legs propelling them both with incredible speed. Lucas felt the rush of wind against his face, a mix of exhilaration and disbelief coursing through him.
"Hang on!" Drew called out, as he navigated the winding path with ease. "We're not missing our chance! You've got this!"
With each stride, Lucas clung tightly to Drew's shoulders, heart racing not just from the physical thrill but also from an overwhelming sense of friendship building between them. They were racing against time now; every second mattered as they neared their destination—the trials awaited them like a tempest eager to unleash its fury.
*As they raced through the dimly lit corridors, a haunting sight met their eyes—bodies sprawled on the ground, faces twisted in agony and despair. The weight of suffering hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the trials that lay ahead. Lucas's heart sank at the sight; fear clawed at his insides.*
"Drew…," he murmured, dread creeping into his voice as he instinctively turned away from the harrowing scene.
With an understanding nod, Drew tightened his grip on Lucas's shoulders. *"We can't let this stop us,"* he urged softly but firmly. They both squeezed their eyes shut for a fleeting moment, blocking out not just the pain surrounding them but also focusing on each other—their bond solidifying with every heartbeat.
They pressed forward together, determination fueling their steps despite lingering echoes of despair behind them. Each footfall resonated with purpose as they sought to escape that dark reality and reach their own fate within these trials.
*With a flash of vibrant energy, the small portal unfurled before Lucas and Drew, its edges shimmering like liquid silver then turned into a blue ray. They stood in front of the portal kn confusion, hearts racing in sync with the pulsing light that beckoned them forward. It felt as if destiny had yanked them from one world to another—an unexpected reprieve from their previous trial.*
"did we just…?" Lucas's words hung in the air. The crowd loomed ahead, faces blurred by uncertainty yet alive with whispers and glances directed toward them.
Drew's eyes sparkled with mischief as he nudged Lucas playfully. *"Maybe they're finally recognizing our potential! This is it!"* He took a confident stride toward the gathering throng, eager to embrace whatever awaited them beyond this newfound threshold.
As they stepped away from the lingering shadows of doubt into this new arena filled with onlookers—some curious and others skeptical—the atmosphere thickened around them like fog rolling off an ocean shore.
The moment the portal shut behind them, chaos erupted. The crowd's voices rose in a storm of disbelief—shouts and protests cutting through the air. One voice rang out above the rest:
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME? MOST OF US AREN'T EVEN HALFWAY THROUGH AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THEY'VE ALREADY FINISHED?!"
Lucas's chest tightened as hostile glares burned into him. Frustration twisted the faces around him—eyes filled with envy and disbelief. He exchanged a glance with Drew, catching the brief flicker of doubt in his friend's usually confident expression.
The examiners remained stone-faced, arms crossed, unmoved by the uproar.
"It's not our issue for people's inability to catch up with stronger candidates,"one of them said coolly, his tone sharp and dismissive, offering no room for protest.
Drew's fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles white. "We can't let this get to us," he muttered, but the tension in his voice betrayed his own uncertainty. They had made it through the trial, but now they faced an entirely different battle—one against bitter resentment and doubt.