The wind gently swept over the recently restored ruins of the arena. Despite the apparent peace, an invisible tension lingered in the air. The Deity of Time, still standing at the center, watched the horizon with a concerned gaze.
Deity of Time (calm but grave):
— You no longer have the luxury of ignorance. The Void is on the move, and this world… will not survive without guidance.
Jason, now fully restored, slowly stood up, arms crossed.
Jason:
— Then tell us where to go. Tell us what to do. I refuse to fail again.
The deity made a slow gesture with her hand, drawing a symbol in the air. A circle of light appeared, revealing an ancient floating map marked with a single glowing point—a place lost between worlds.
Deity of Time:
— You must go to Ezéan, the Guardian of Awakening. He is one of the few who faced the Void… and returned alive. He lives in seclusion in the Northern mountains, where realities intertwine.
Léon, still weak, lowered his eyes.
Léon:
— Why me? Why now? I'm just a survivor...
The deity stepped closer, gently placing her hand on his shoulder.
Deity of Time (softly):
— You are more than a survivor, Léon. You are an anchor point between the forces of faith, memory… and the present. And you are not alone.
She turned to the guard, who had remained silent until now.
Deity of Time:
— You too, soldier. Your quiet bravery hides a just spirit. The three of you will form the first trinity of renewal.
A solemn silence settled. Then, with a reverent motion, the deity opened a portal of shimmering light, vibrating with temporal magic.
Deity of Time:
— The journey will not be easy. Ezéan tests all who approach him. He will make you doubt… everything. Even yourselves. But if you pass his trials… you will see what the Void fears most: an awakened heart.
Jason stared at the portal with determination.
Léon, hesitant, took a step forward.
And the guard… held his weapon tightly, in silence.
One by one, they stepped through the glowing threshold.
Toward the unknown.
Toward memory.
Toward Awakening.
When Léon, Jason, and the guard stepped through the portal, the world around them changed instantly.
They were no longer on Earth.
Here, there was no sky, no ground, no horizon. They floated in an expanse of pure energy. Spheres of light slowly orbited them, like sentient stars. Chants, like ancient prayers, echoed through the air though no one spoke.
In the distance, an island suspended in the void appeared, crowned by a massive tree whose branches stretched endlessly, as if they held up the entire universe.
Jason (in awe):
— This place... it's not just a sanctuary. It's a living consciousness.
Léon (whispering):
— It feels like... every stone is watching us.
When they finally set foot on the island, time seemed to slow. The ground was made of solid water, and each step sent ripples of light across the surface.
Suddenly, at the base of the tree, a figure appeared. Sitting cross-legged, surrounded by a halo of floating symbols. His eyes were closed, yet a bright light shone from beneath his lids.
He wore a long robe made of feathers and sand, and his voice echoed without his mouth moving.
Ezéan:
— You have crossed dimensions. Abandoned what you knew. Faced fear. And yet... this is only the beginning.
Léon knelt, overwhelmed by an unknown energy. Jason instinctively bowed his head. The guard placed a hand over his heart.
Ezéan (with sharp gentleness):
— One of you carries faith. Another, time. And the last, duty. But without awakening… all of it leads only to collapse.
Ezéan opened his eyes.
They were like two blue suns, and within their reflection, each of them saw their past, their failures… and their hopes.
Ezéan:
— I am the Guardian of what the soul conceals. Come forward. And prepare to be laid bare.
A current of energy surrounded them, slowly lifting them into the air.
Ezéan (solemnly):
— For no one can face the Void… without first facing themselves.
Ezéan held them suspended in this pure light, his intense gaze probing their souls with infinite depth.
"Before you can face the threat devouring this world, you must first face yourselves," he declared in a deep, calm voice.
He slowly opened the palms of his hands toward them, and a wave of energy engulfed them.
"Each of you will receive a trial, a challenge crafted to reveal your inner strength, your weaknesses, your fears... and your will."
He addressed Léon first.
"You, bearer of faith, must traverse the shadow of your doubts, and rediscover the light sleeping within you."
Then, he fixed Jason with his gaze.
"You, guardian of time, must accept what you have lost and understand what you can still save."
Finally, he looked at the soldier.
"You, loyal defender, will be confronted with the truth of your duty, and what it costs you."
The glowing spheres around them intensified, their bodies enveloped in a gentle warmth.
Then, each was separated, projected into a personal vision.
In this timeless space, hidden truths would erupt, and only those who emerged stronger could hope for victory against the darkness.