THE TRIALS AND THE RETURN
The Grand Hall of Trials glimmered like a crucible of stars. Pillars of obsidian rose toward the ceiling, carved with runes that shimmered faintly with the breath of ancient power. In their reflection, the white marble floor seemed to ripple as spiritual energy surged through the air.
At the center of this sacred chamber stood three floating mirrors, each the height of a tower, their surfaces gleaming like living light. Every mirror led to a different trial—a realm of illusion and truth, created by the Noblesse Order to test not strength alone, but spirit.
Lei Shan entered in silence beside Kunal, the branch master of Dravania. His steps were soundless, yet the energy of the hall stirred faintly, as if acknowledging his presence. The other elders—robed Noblesse supervisors seated on ascending terraces—turned their eyes toward the pair. Some nodded in respect. Others whispered.
No one truly knew who Lei Shan was—only that this young man, quiet and detached, had completed his own trial in half the allotted time. His performance had left cracks in the mirror itself, a feat unseen in centuries.
Kunal's voice broke the low murmur.
"Begin the evaluations."
The runes carved along the mirrors' frames flared to life. One by one, the trials revealed themselves.
Aakash – The Trial of Endurance
In the first mirror, the image flickered—revealing Aakash standing upon scorched red earth. The sky burned above him, a constant storm of embers and molten rain. His tall frame was bare to the waist, muscles tense beneath the heat. In his hands, a colossal iron shield—"Aegis of the Earthflame"—pulsed with dim blue runes.
The trial had begun long ago. Around him surged beasts of magma, their roars like cracking stone. Each creature's strike hit with the force of thunder.
Kunal watched, arms crossed. "He's lasted fifteen minutes in that trial. That alone is above the standard."
A Noblesse elder beside him scribbled notes. "Shield stance... low form of Iron Wall Art. Primitive but stable."
"Stable?" another elder scoffed. "He's bleeding through his pores from heat pressure!"
But Lei Shan said nothing. His gaze narrowed as he watched Aakash raise his shield again. Each impact against it sent shockwaves through the field. Still—he did not yield.
Inside the mirror, Aakash gritted his teeth, sweat streaming down his jaw.
"Come on...come on then!"
He stamped his foot into the molten earth, summoning all his Qi into his shield.
"Art of the Unbroken Wall—First Form:Bastion Pulse!"
Blue sigils crawled across the metal, locking together in a lattice. When the next beast lunged, its flaming claws struck—and the energy rebounded, throwing it back in a burst of sparks.
The terrace erupted in murmurs.
"That's not a defensive art!He converted the rebound pressure into counterforce!"
"Crude,but ingenious..."
Lei Shan's eyes softened slightly. His voice was quiet—almost too quiet.
"Not bad.His body screams weakness, but his will holds stronger than iron. The seed of a guardian lies there."
At last, Aakash slammed his shield down with both hands. The runes flared—a dome of energy burst outward, scattering the beasts in every direction. Silence followed.
He collapsed to one knee,breath ragged, but the firestorm ceased.
The mirror dimmed. The first trial was complete.
Kunal exhaled softly. "One who shields others before himself... rare among candidates these days."
Mohit – The Trial of the Hundred Blades
The second mirror shimmered alive.
Here, the stage was stark—a circular arena suspended in void. Around Mohit floated a hundred blades of pure spirit steel. Their edges gleamed with moonlight.
A cold voice echoed:
"Face the Hundred Judges of Steel. Survive."
Before the words even faded, the blades moved—whirling down like a silver storm.
Mohit's stance shifted. His right hand grasped his short spear, his feet sliding in a half-circle.
"Come then."
The first blade struck—he spun, parried. A second came from behind—he ducked, spear flicking upward. Sparks erupted like lightning.
"Flowing Wind Form—Second Step:Serpent Spiral!"
He spun, his weapon tracing a wide arc. The rotation deflected three blades at once. His body moved with rhythm, not pattern—as if his instincts, not logic, guided each motion.
Elder Ren murmured, "He fights like a beast... instinctive, reactive. Dangerous style."
Kunal frowned. "A style that burns itself out fast."
Lei Shan shook his head slightly. "No. He's not losing control. He's adapting to chaos—the mark of a natural predator."
Mohit slid under a streak of blades, then thrust upward, shattering one midair. His Qi flared crimson, aura spiraling.
"Art of the Red Gale—Fourth Sequence:Blood Sweep!"
The ground cracked. Five blades fell shattered. But blood trickled down his cheek, his arms trembling. Still, his grin widened.
Finally, the remaining blades froze. Mohit stood at the center, chest heaving, eyes wild but alive.
The mirror dimmed.
The elders scribbled rapidly.
"Reaction time—superior."
"Combat potential—high."
"Temperament—volatile."
Kunal exhaled. "He'll either die young or become someone impossible to predict."
Lei Shan's lips curved faintly. "Chaos often births brilliance."
Priya – The Trial of the Heart
The last mirror flared with golden light, revealing a meadow that swayed under a gentle breeze.
At first glance, it was peaceful—until the flowers began to twist. Their petals turned to faces. Human faces—whispering, accusing, sobbing.
Priya stood alone among them, her hands clutching her staff.
"Priya... you failed us."
"You were never strong enough."
"Why do you even try?"
The voices came from every direction—from her past, her fears, her own self-doubt.
On the terrace, silence fell. Everyone knew what this was: The Trial of the Heart Mirror—the cruelest of all.
Kunal frowned. "Illusion-based. Mental collapse rate is eighty percent."
Lei Shan leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharp. "Let's see what you do... girl."
Inside the illusion, Priya's breathing trembled. She fell to her knees, tears burning trails down her cheeks. The voices grew louder, pressing into her skull.
But then... she stopped crying.
Her hand rose, gripping her staff tightly. A faint blue aura rippled from her chest.
She whispered—voice barely audible.
"I am not you.I am me."
She raised her staff high.
"Art of the Soul Bloom—First Petal:Serenity Pulse!"
Blue energy erupted from her like an ocean tide, washing across the meadow. The faces shattered one by one, their screams fading into the wind.
When silence fell, Priya stood alone again—weary, eyes still glistening, but standing tall.
On the terrace, an elder exhaled. "She resisted a full-scale heart trial... without external guidance."
Kunal's brows eased. "That kind of fortitude... rare."
Lei Shan smiled faintly, a glimmer of respect in his gaze.
"She bloomed through pain.That's how true spirit forms—not by strength, but by defiance."
The Stirring
As the mirrors faded, the hall erupted in low conversation—elders exchanging notes, assistants carrying energy crystals to record the results.
Kunal turned to Lei Shan. "They're raw, but promising. Especially those three."
Lei Shan didn't respond immediately. He stood motionless, gaze distant. Something cold rippled through his chest—a pulse, faint but powerful, like a heartbeat echoing from far away.
He pressed a hand to his ribs.
What is that...?
Suddenly, his breath hitched. A metallic taste filled his mouth—then warmth. He coughed once, quietly. A thin spray of blood splashed into his palm—but before it touched the ground, it shimmered into golden light and vanished.
No one noticed.
Lei Shan's brows furrowed.
This resonance... this call. It's ancient. Familiar.
He straightened, quietly excused himself, and stepped toward the exit.
The noise of the hall dimmed behind him, replaced by silence. Outside, night had fallen—the dark sky vast and unmoving. Somewhere beyond the clouds, something stirred.
Lei Shan paused at the threshold, his eyes narrowing.
It's coming back...
He took a breath and stepped into the night.
The Return of the Bead
Outside the W.N. building, the night was quiet and deep. The moon hung behind thin clouds, and the lanterns along the marble steps flickered softly, as if unsure whether to shine or bow to the stillness.
Lei Shan stood alone, the wind brushing through his hair. His gaze swept across the empty training grounds below, where hours earlier, crowds had cheered for the victors of the trials. Now, the space was silent, bathed in silver light.
But within his chest, the strange pull grew stronger—a rhythmic pulse that hummed in his bones, resonating with the flow of his Qi. It was not a feeling of pain, but of something ancient calling to him.
He whispered to himself,
"This energy... it's the same as when I faced the trial mirror. But now... it's calling me directly."
As he walked past the last archway of the Dravania branch, the world around him seemed to grow still. The wind died down, and the air thickened, heavy with unseen power.
High above, the night sky twisted.
Between two drifting clouds, a streak of golden light cut through the darkness. At first, it was no brighter than a candle flame, but as it drew closer, the stars around it dimmed, as though bowing to its presence.
Lei Shan's eyes sharpened.
"The Bead..."
The light moved like a living comet, weaving between constellations with purpose. When it reached the courtyard, its glow spread across the landscape. The shadows of the W.N. building bent away, and the distant mountain peaks shivered, reflecting faint golden lines of energy.
Lei Shan took a step forward.
As the bead descended, the air vibrated with a low, pure tone—a sound not heard by the ears, but felt deep in the spirit. It was the sound of Law itself.
The bead stopped just before him, floating at eye level. No larger than his fingertip, yet in that moment, it seemed to fill the entire world.
He exhaled slowly.
"So... you've returned."
The bead pulsed once, as if in reply.
Its golden light painted his face in a soft glow. Lei Shan raised his hand, paused for a heartbeat, and then extended his palm.
When his fingers closed around the bead—
WHOOM!
The world shattered.
The Vision of the Bead
Space folded inward, colors bled away, and Lei Shan found himself suspended in a void—a cosmic sea dotted with distant stars. He recognized this feeling; he had experienced it long ago, in a memory he could no longer fully recall.
Before him, the Golden Bead floated, now vast as a world, its pulses rippling through existence.
Then, the void trembled.
A sound like tearing silk filled the emptiness, followed by a surge of black flame. Space itself screamed as stars bent inward, crushed by an invisible force.
From a wound in the cosmos, a terrifying presence emerged—Demon Lord Zerathos.
His wings blotted out constellations, and his aura dripped with decay. His eyes burned with infernal light, and with every flicker of flame, galaxies twisted in agony. His laughter echoed across dimensions, hungry and triumphant.
Zerathos: "At last... Heaven's treasure! A Judgment Bead! With this, even the Laws will bow before me!"
Lei Shan watched silently, shielded by the bead's light. He felt the demon's pressure—a force that could crush worlds.
Zerathos stretched out a claw—each talon miles long—reaching for the bead.
And then, Lei Shan felt the change. The bead's calm radiance shifted into divine decree.
It pulsed once.
Time stopped. Stars froze. The void fell silent.
Then, a whisper—not of voice, but of Law—etched itself into existence.
Golden Bead (Law): "Unworthy. Your existence is a sham of eons."
Reality bent to obey.
Zerathos screamed as black fire devoured his own hand. He recoiled, clutching the molten remains of his flesh.
Lei Shan felt the pain echo through dimensions—the distortion of space, the collapse of realms under judgment.
Enraged, Zerathos roared,
"I am Zerathos, Sovereign of the Abyss! I have devoured celestials, slain gods, and bent realms to my will! You are but a fragment of gold—submit to ME!"
He lunged forward, tearing through dimensions, his flames sweeping across hundreds of stars.
"Abyssal Art: World-Devouring Flame!"
A wave of black fire surged toward the bead, consuming light and energy in its path.
But the bead pulsed again—brighter, sharper.
"Heavenly Law: Chains of the First Oath!"
Golden chains erupted from the light, weaving through the stars like rivers of destiny. They bound Zerathos's wings, his arms, his very soul. Each chain carried not just energy, but sentence.
Golden Bead (Law): "Your dominion ends."
The light struck him. His wings shattered. His screams folded universes in half.
Zerathos: "You think chains can hold me? I am entropy! I am the end of all things! Abyssal Art: Void-Shattering Cataclysm!"
Space itself began to unravel around them, black holes forming and dying in seconds as Zerathos poured his entire being into this final attack. The very fabric of reality screamed in protest.
The bead's glow intensified, pulsing with the rhythm of creation itself.
"Heavenly Law: Seal of Eternal Silence."
A pattern of light formed around Zerathos, etching itself into his very essence. His violent movements slowed, his terrifying aura dampened. The unraveling space around them began to stitch itself back together.
Zerathos: "No... this cannot be! I am eternal! I am—"
The bead pulsed one last time—final, absolute.
Golden Bead (Law): "Judgment is not asked. It is given."
Zerathos's form unraveled. His essence, his soul, his name—erased from existence. Not slain, not destroyed. Simply removed.
Silence returned.
The bead floated calmly, its glow softening. Its duty was done. There was no triumph, no cruelty—only Law.
Then, it turned and began its slow drift back toward the mortal world.
Reactions Across the Realms
As the battle raged, powerful beings across the realms felt the disturbance.
In the Upper Realm, where celestial beings dwelled, Jin Long, the Celestial Dragon Sovereign, opened his eyes. His golden scales shimmered as he spoke to his attendant, Lian, a serene woman with silver hair.
Jin Long: "The Judgment Bead has awakened. After ten thousand years... it moves again."
Lian:"Does this mean the General has returned?"
Jin Long:"Or the Law has chosen a new hand to wield it. We must watch closely."
Nearby, in a garden of crystallized starlight, Su Yin, the Dreamweaver Sage, paused her meditation. Her hair flowed like liquid moonlight, and her eyes held the wisdom of ages.
Su Yin: "The balance trembles. When Heaven's Judgment walks the realms again, either salvation or ruin follows."
Jin Long:"We shall prepare the Celestial Guard. The Demon Realm will not take this lightly."
In the Demon Realm, chaos erupted. Mo Xu, a cunning Demon Marquess with crimson eyes and a deceptive smile, watched from her shadowy citadel.
Mo Xu: "Zerathos... his name is being erased! What power is this?"
Her subordinate,Gao, trembled. "Should we intervene?"
Mo Xu:"No. This is a battle we cannot win. Let the fools who challenge Heaven's Law meet their end."
Deep in the abyssal trenches, Xue Long, the Blood Dragon Demon, stirred from his centuries-long slumber. His voice echoed through the volcanic chambers:
Xue Long: "The Judgment Bead returns... The old war begins anew. Gather the legions. The time to test Heaven's defenses approaches."
In the Space Realm, Kaelen, the Star-Forger, paused his work of cooling young suns. His molten eyes narrowed as he felt the ripple.
Kaelen: "The resonance of Judgment... I shall not interfere. This is a matter for the Architects of Law."
Near the nebulae of creation, Lin Xia, the Void Dancer, floated gracefully between asteroids. Her silvery robes billowed in the solar winds as she sensed the cosmic disturbance.
Lin Xia: "The music of the spheres has changed its tune. A new movement begins... and I must learn the steps."
In the Divine Realm, Xuan Feng, the Watcher of the Silver Citadel, observed from afar. His cultivation level was among the highest, and his silence was more terrifying than any whisper.
Xuan Feng: "The Balance shifts. The Bead returns to its master. The Age of Judgment begins anew."
At the edge of the Divine Realm, where time itself seemed to pause, Mei Ling, the Keeper of Forgotten Memories, looked up from her ancient tomes. Her eyes, old beyond measure, held a glimmer of recognition.
Mei Ling: "The General's signature... faint but unmistakable. He has returned, though he knows it not yet."
Even in the Mortal Realm, high-ranking Noblesse felt the disturbance. Those meditating in seclusion opened their eyes, their Qi turbulent, their spirits uneasy. For a moment, every soul sensed the same chill—the touch of something beyond their understanding.
In the frozen wastes of Kaelthar, Borin, the Mountain Heart Sage, felt the tremor through the very bones of the world.
Borin: "The earth itself remembers this vibration. The forgotten Last War approaches."
The Aftermath - Trials' End
Back in the Dravania branch, the three candidates stood before Kunal in the results hall. Aakash still bore scorch marks on his arms, Mohit's cuts had been bandaged, and Priya's eyes held a new depth of wisdom earned through overcoming her heart's trial.
Kunal addressed them, his voice echoing in the spacious chamber.
"You have passed the trials. But remember—this is only the beginning. The true test comes when you face real enemies, not illusions."
He looked at each of them in turn.
"Aakash—your defensive capabilities show remarkable potential. Mohit—your instinctive combat style is unrefined but effective. Priya—your mental fortitude may prove to be your greatest weapon."
Aakash bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Master Kunal. I will continue to improve."
Mohit grinned,wincing slightly as his cuts pulled. "When do we get to fight for real?"
Priya remained silent,her gaze thoughtful as she glanced toward the door where Lei Shan had exited.
Kunal noticed her look. "The one you're wondering about—Lei Shan—has been granted AA-Rank. He will likely be involved in your future training."
The three exchanged glances—a mixture of awe, curiosity, and competitive spirit. They could all feel it; their lives were about to change forever.
Environmental Resonance
As the golden bead had approached the mortal realm, its influence subtly altered the environment around Velkara.
In the forests surrounding the city, nocturnal animals paused in their activities, looking up at the sky with unusual stillness. The leaves on the trees shimmered with dew that caught the moonlight in golden hues.
In the W.N. barracks, several sleeping Noblesse recruits dreamed the same dream—of a golden light that promised protection and judgment. They would wake with a strange sense of peace and purpose, unaware of the cosmic event that had triggered their vision.
Even the weather patterns began to shift subtly. The air carried a fresh, clean scent—like the world after a thunderstorm, but without any rain having fallen.
Return to Reality
Lei Shan gasped as his senses snapped back to the present. The courtyard reformed around him, and the bead rested warmly in his palm, its light now gentle.
He exhaled deeply, wiping a thin sheen of sweat from his brow.
"So that's what you've been doing..."
He looked up at the night sky, now peaceful again. But far beyond, realms still trembled.
He closed his fingers around the bead.
"Judgment of Heaven... what are you truly?"
The bead pulsed once—softly, gently—as if replying,
I am Law. You are my witness.
Lei Shan's expression hardened. He turned and walked back toward the inner hall. The storm that had shaken creation had passed, yet no mortal would ever know.
Above him, the clouds drifted aside, and for a brief moment, the stars themselves seemed to bow.
The Master's Whisper
Back in his assigned quarters, Lei Shan sat cross-legged on the floor, the golden bead resting before him. Its light pulsed rhythmically, like a sleeping heart.
Then, a familiar voice echoed in his mind—the voice of his Master.
Master: "You have felt it. The bead has returned after fulfilling its purpose."
Lei Shan:"Yes, Master. I saw... everything."
Master:"Zerathos was but the beginning. The realms are stirring. The Legendry Forgetting Realm's gateway on Earth begins to weaken."
Lei Shan:"What must I do?"
Master:"Continue your path. Gain their trust. The International Clan will be key. And remember—the purple beads await their time. When chaos must answer to greater chaos."
Lei Shan:"I understand."
The presence faded, leaving Lei Shan alone with the glowing bead. As he meditated, he noticed something new—a faint silver thread of energy within the golden light, pulsing with a different rhythm.
A new connection... he thought. The bead has changed from its journey.
He didn't know what this meant, but he sensed that nothing would ever be the same again.
To be continue
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