The mist thickened as Rukhar followed the armored human deeper into the Eldran Forest. Every step was cautious, each shadow a potential threat. His mind raced, wondering why this stranger had spared him, why he was still alive—and what tests awaited him.
"You have spirit," the human finally said, breaking the heavy silence. "But spirit alone will not keep you alive here."
Rukhar swallowed hard. "Then… what must I do?"
The man didn't answer immediately. He stopped by an ancient tree, its bark gnarled and twisted like the face of a sleeping giant.
"The Eldran Woods do not forgive weakness," he said. "You will face three trials. Only those who endure all three may claim the knowledge hidden here."
Rukhar's heart leapt. Trials? Knowledge? This was exactly the chance he had been waiting for—to prove himself, to rise above the mockery of his clan.
The first trial began without warning. From the shadows, shapes moved—creatures unlike any Rukhar had seen, with eyes like coals and limbs that twisted unnaturally. They lunged at him, silent and relentless.
Instinct took over. Rukhar ducked and dodged, rolling under the branches, using the stones and roots around him as weapons.
He remembered the spinning stone trick he had just performed and hurled it with deadly precision. The creatures recoiled, startled, but more pressed forward.
Sweat dripped down his forehead, but Rukhar's mind remained sharp. Every movement, every thought, had to be faster than his opponent's. The creatures advanced, snapping jaws and claws at the goblin, but he danced through the chaos, a blur of green and red in the mist.
Finally, with a daring leap and a clever twist of his hands, he sent the last creature crashing into the roots of the ancient trees. Silence returned to the forest, save for the echo of his own heartbeat.
The armored human stepped forward. "Not bad," he said, voice calm but approving. "Many goblins would have perished on the first challenge."
Rukhar panted, lowering himself to the ground. "I… I will not fail," he said, determination burning in his chest.
The human nodded. "This is only the beginning. The second trial will test your mind, not your strength. Remember this: courage can open doors, but only wisdom will guide you through them."
Rukhar's eyes narrowed. A mental challenge? If the first trial tested his body, the next would test his very soul. And yet… he felt a thrill he had never known before. For the first time, he truly felt alive.
From the shadows, a faint glow appeared—a hint of the challenges yet to come. And Rukhar knew that once he stepped forward, there would be no turning back.