At the start gong, the 24-hour timer expires, triggering a slight vibration similar to a notification.
Zi Xuan, the sect leader, emerges from his chambers, dressed in his ceremonial robes, looking calm and determined.
At his side, Jun Hie stands ready to accompany them in this sacred undertaking, although it is Shoi-Ming who has been given the honor of being selected for the grand finale. Even so - he wears a cheerful expression.
The disciples set off, following their leaders to the top of the mountain.
Never in his life has he been so stressed, even for exams. He should have taken a fan to ventilate himself, he feels sick. Not because he's climbing the mountain, obviously his body seems to be used to it, but... he just wants to run away.
Yes, him, not Shoi-Ming, but him.
It's too soon, too soon, too soon!
What can he change? He can't change a thing! He has no ability whatsoever; it would take a miracle not to make a fool of himself!
During the journey, Zi Xuan starts talking:
"Did you had time to get ready yesterday?"
He's done for. What's going to happen next? Is he going to get kicked out of the job he doesn't deserve? If he wasn't in his right mind, he'd have said "Serves him right!", but now he can only pray that all goes well.
He can already hear behind him some of the disciples' comments and mockery of him. His fist clenches. He wants so badly to pick one up and throw it off the cliff.
Hey, who knows, maybe they'll finally be impressed that he doesn't let them walk all over him.
Nah, sorry OOC crap! This guy has no determination, no loyalty; the only thing that matters to him is survival....
"Yes shixiong, I'll do my best to honor you."
When he heard another disciple laugh and another mutter: "I bet he will!" he couldn't help but turn around and glare at them.
[ OOC! OOC! Shoi-Ming doesn't pay attention to what people think of him, please don't behave like this, final warning! ]
Fuck, he must just shut up?!! How frustrating! And so he clenched his teeth and continued on his way, trying to remain as neutral as possible despite his anger.
Even a glare in their direction isn't enough to silence them; on the contrary, it seems to encourage them to persist in their unpleasant behavior.
Zi Xuan, however, remains unmoved by these provocations. His benevolent, confident gaze settles on Shoi-Ming, a comforting smile on his lips.
"Pay no attention to them, Shoi-Ming. Their judgment is of no importance. What matters is your determination and devotion to our sect. I believe in you, shidi."
His heart becomes both heavier and lighter at the same time hearing him. To have someone's hopes and not be able to reach them, it's hard. Well, he shouldn't feel this way, it's all his character's fault, he's the one who doesn't deliver when the sect leader expects so much of him.
Nobody ever expected anything from him either, not his parents, not his teachers, not even his RPG partners.
He's the opposite of that guy; he's never had any luck at dice. He has the right stats, but misses his rolls, even the GM felt a little sorry for him. As for intelligence... aaah, he doesn't shine in that department, which is why he's always used his looks to intimidate and command respect.
He hates this dream.
He feels... so powerless. And Zi Xuan's reliance on him makes his stomach turn.
Jun Hie, the traitor, in turn approaches Shoi-Ming, noticing his pale complexion and preoccupied expression.
"Hey, you look really pale today. Is everything okay? You seem a little... tense."
This friend's voice is full of sincere curiosity, but there's something in his eyes that arouses suspicion.
After all, can one sincerely trust a friend who intends to betray their sect? Without waiting for an answer from him, Jun Hie continues to walk alongside Shoi-Ming, observing his behavior with particular attention, as if trying to unravel a mystery.
Shoi-Ming glanced at him and instantly dismissed his doubts. Not in front of him. This man is clever, and he knows it.
He exploited every weakness in their group of adventurers; he looks friendly, but he's worse than Shoi-Ming. Because he's a worm, he's just ridiculous and pitiful, whereas Jun Hie is gifted and stronger than he looks. He should be the sect leader's right-hand man.
"I just didn't sleep well, but everything's fine. And how are you? Are your disciples' training going well?"
"I'm fine, thanks for asking. My disciples are progressing at a satisfactory pace. They still have a lot to learn, but their determination is commendable. It's a time of growth for all of us. "
His reply, imbued with a false sense of camaraderie, seemed to glide over them like water over a duck's feathers. Jun Hie doesn't hurry any further, his attention already shifting to the horizon, to the mountain peak that becomes clearer and clearer as they advance.
"Not having any disciples gives you a lot of free time, doesn't it?"
How can Shoi-Ming think this traitor is his friend? This implication that he has nothing to do with his time and yet remains useless - yes, that's how he understood his words and it enrages him.
Only Zi Xuan is on his side.
How sad.
He still feels sorry for his own character, he shouldn't. That's what he deserves. That's all he deserves. Mockery, sarcasm, disdain. Nevertheless, once you're in his shoes, you can't help but feel a little pity for this man, disgusting though he may be. He's not one of the rotten ones.
When nobody believes in us, we have to prove them wrong! So why didn't he do it? And if he's given up, why is he still the sect leader's right-hand man - he knows he's an impostor, doesn't he have a minimum of consideration for his leader to know when to throw in the towel? Is he that greedy to have this kind of undeserved prestige?
If he were him, he'd be annoyed to have all his passes when he didn't get them through hard work, but only through luck. Yes, luck is a stat, but frankly, it's unfair to those who work hard, isn't it? He can't always count on it.
Finally, after a journey fraught with underlying tension and introspective reflection, the procession reaches its goal. The mountaintop rises proudly under a clear sky, welcoming the disciples to a clearing prepared for the ceremony. Ornate altars and floating sect banners frame the sacred space.
Zi Xuan steps forward, his aura of undisputed leadership enveloping the assembly in palpable solemnity. The disciples line up in silence, their earlier taunts and mockery fading before the importance of the moment. Even the most cynical among them can't help but feel the weight of history and spirituality that permeates this place.
"We are here today to celebrate and reinforce our commitment to the path we have chosen," declares Zi Xuan in a voice imbued with gravity and faith. "May every action we take during this ceremony remind us of our dedication to the Ethereal Clouds Sect and its teachings. May our hearts be pure, our minds sharp, and our loyalty to the sect and its founders unwavering."
His gaze sweeps over the assembly, pausing for a moment on Shoi-Ming, offering an ounce of silent encouragement before directing everyone's attention to the main altar where the ceremony will officially begin.
[ Beginning of tutorial quest: "Five Dragons Purification Ceremony." Please join Zi Xuan to begin the trial. ]
Swallowing, he observes the scene as if he were an NPC, a mere observer.
In the end, that's what he'd like to be. How could someone like Shoi-Ming be more than that? Yet the screen in front of him is here to remind him that he has a part to play. This is an important scene, and even if he's only got a minor role, he has to be strong.
He is not. But at least, he can try to behave with dignity and use what he's learned in his spare time.
So, he takes a deep breath and looks perfectly resolute and decisive as he steps forward to join Zi Xuan.
Zi Xuan begins the ritual, his hands drawing symbols in the air, his voice reciting incantations that seem to vibrate the very soul of the mountain. The disciples - including Shoi-Ming - must follow his movements with close attention, reproducing the gestures with a precision and devotion that transcends their past differences and rivalries.
"Every gesture you make, every word you repeat, strengthens your link with the energies that surround us," explains Zi Xuan. "Today, we invoke the Five Dragons, guardians of wisdom and strength, to purify our souls and ward off evil."
The wind begins to blow harder around them, as if nature itself were answering the sect leader's call. The disciples, including Shoi-Ming who stands as close as possible to his shixiong, feel a new energy wash over them, a mixture of hope, strength and clarity.
It's a revelation: despite their doubts and fears, they are part of something greater, a whole that transcends them and gives them purpose.
The ceremony reaches its climax when Zi Xuan raises his arms to the sky, and an ethereal light in the shape of a celestial dragon descends from the firmament to envelop the altar.
"This ceremony mark the beginning of a new chapter for each and every one of you," he concludes. "Always remember the importance of loyalty, determination and faith in our path. These are what will guide us through the trials and tribulations to come."
As the disciples bow to celebrate the end of the ritual, some exchange glances of mutual understanding, others meditate further on the experience they have just undergone.
Just as the divine light begins to fade, a violent tremor shakes the ground beneath the disciples' feet. The serenity that had bathed the mountain top is suddenly replaced by a heavy, threatening atmosphere.
From the very heart of the altar, a dark light bursts forth, shattering the veil of tranquility that had surrounded the ceremony. Tormented spirits and demonic energy burst forth, invading the sacred space and transforming the clearing into a battlefield.
Zi Xuan - his face marked by surprise and urgency - raises his voice to be heard above the growing chaos:
"This was not planned! A flaw in our ritual? No, it comes from outside. A sect must have failed in its task. Prepare for battle!"
The GM's voice echoes.
[ Ethereal Clouds Mountain Peak: Safe Zone ⇾ Zone PVE ]