Volume 2 – Chapter 17
BOOOOM!
The massive stone gate slammed shut behind them.
The echo lingered through the mountain like the roar of an ancient beast.
Finn immediately ran back to the gate and pushed with all his strength.
Nothing.
He kicked it.
Nothing.
He looked at Kael.
“…A little help?”
Kael folded his arms.
“You think those chicken legs of yours are going to move a gate that’s probably older than the kingdom?”
“They’re not chicken legs.”
“They’re premium-quality chicken legs.”
Mira burst into laughter.
Even Alyra smiled.
Raimer shook his head.
“Can we save the argument until after we survive?”
“Fair enough,” Finn muttered.
The tunnel stretched endlessly before them.
Blue crystals embedded in the walls cast an eerie glow across the ancient passage.
Unlike Nocthollow, this place didn’t feel corrupted.
It felt… sacred.
Every few meters stood giant statues of armored warriors with their swords planted into the ground.
Each statue faced the center of the hallway, as if guarding something.
“Don’t touch anything,” Alyra warned.
Finn slowly lowered the hand he had already stretched toward one of the statues.
“I wasn’t going to.”
“You absolutely were.”
“…Maybe a little.”
Hours later…
The squad reached a massive circular chamber.
At its center stood a stone throne.
No king sat upon it.
Instead, an old sword was embedded in the floor before it.
The blade shimmered with a pale golden light.
Above the throne, ancient runes glowed to life.
Mira carefully translated them.
“Only those who stand united may claim the path ahead.”
Kael frowned.
“So… we just pull the sword?”
Finn rubbed his hands together.
“I volunteer!”
“…Rude.”
Ignoring them, Finn grabbed the sword’s handle.
Nothing happened.
He pulled harder.
His face turned bright red.
Still nothing.
“Need…”
“…a little…”
“…help…”
Kael sighed and walked over.
The two pulled together.
Nothing.
Raimer laughed.
“I thought you two were the strongest.”
“We’re warming up!” Kael protested.
Alyra stepped forward.
“Read the inscription again.”
Mira did.
“Only those who stand united…”
Raimer’s eyes widened.
“I don’t think it means physical strength.”
He placed one hand on the sword.
“Everyone.”
The others looked at him.
“Put your hands on it.”
One by one…
Kael.
Finn.
Mira.
Alyra.
The moment the five touched the sword together—
A brilliant golden light exploded through the chamber.
The throne room vanished.
Raimer opened his eyes.
He was standing in an endless white world.
His teammates were gone.
Only one man stood before him.
A knight in ancient white and gold armor.
His face was hidden behind a silver helmet.
“You are not the first.”
His voice echoed across the empty space.
“But perhaps…”
“…you will be the last.”
Raimer instinctively drew his sword.
“Who are you?”
His face was unfamiliar.
A scar crossed one eye, and his silver hair reached his shoulders.
“I was the First King.”
“The founder of this kingdom.”
Raimer froze.
“The… First King?”
The legendary ruler who lived centuries before his grandfather?
The king smiled faintly.
“This is only a fragment of my soul.”
“I remained to test those worthy enough to inherit our will.”
Raimer looked around.
“My friends—”
“Are facing their own trials.”
“If even one of you abandons the others…”
“The trial ends.”
“And all five shall perish.”
Suddenly, the white world shattered.
Raimer found himself standing on a battlefield.
His squad was surrounded by dozens of armored spirits.
Each spirit looked exactly like an ancient royal knight.
The First King’s voice echoed overhead.
“Strength is earned.”
“Trust is tested.”
“Leadership is proven.”
The ghostly knights slowly raised their weapons.
Raimer looked toward his friends.
No one hesitated.
Kael raised his shield.
Finn spun his daggers.
Mira nocked an arrow.
Alyra drew her sword.
Raimer smiled.
“We’ve passed every trial together.”
“We’ll pass this one too.”
The five formed their familiar battle formation.
The first ghost knight charged.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds…
An entire army rushed toward them.
The Trial of the First King…
Had begun.
End of Chapter 17