Chapter 11: Trial by Fire
Solara's voice rang out, calm but resolute. As she explained the stakes of the trial to Liora. "this is a simulation—if you pass, my powers will be yours to command. However, your control and understanding are still limited, so for certain aspects, you'll need to summon me directly. The rest, though, you can wield freely since we're linked by the staff." Liora nodded firmly, determination etched on her face.
"got it ma'am." Solara studied her for a moment before continuing, "be ready, I'll begin now."
"okay, I'm ready," Liora replied, steeling herself. But nothing could have prepared her for what came next.
Fifty meters away, a horifying scene unfolded: a small boy sprinted desperately, his tiny legs pumping as fast as they could, while behind him loomed a grotesque goblin wielding a nail-studded club.
Its jagged weapon gleamed menacingly under the pale light, each step it took heavy with malice. Liora froze, shock and confusion rooting her in place. She glanced back at Solara, silently pleading for guidance, but the phoenix's expression was unwavering.
"I'm not allowed to help you now, girl. You must figure this out yourself." Panic surged through Liora as the realization hit—she knew what needed to be done.
Killing the goblin should have been simple enough, yet the thought of harming any living being felt insurmountable to someone like her. "it's not target practice... even if it's a goblin..." she whispered frantically to herself.
Before she could act, the unthinkable happened—the goblin caught the boy, yanking him into the air with brutal force. With a sickening roar, it raised its spiked club high, then swung it down with devastating speed.
Blood and fragments sprayed across the field, painting the serene landscape with horror. The sound—a wet, crushing thud—echoed in Liora's ears as she screamed, "NOOOO!" her cry came too late. The damage was done.
Dropping to the ground in anguish, Liora sobbed uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face as anger and guilt consumed her. How could she let it happen? Why hadn't she acted sooner?.
The merciless cycle continued, each repetition more agonizing than the last. Before Liora's tears could even dry, the same horrifying scene replayed as if an unseen hand were cruelly pressing a reset button.