I never thought I'd walk into a sacred religious institution while actively plotting to rob it. But hey, life's full of surprises when you get thrown in an upside down world with a purple sky by an unpaid phone bill and a system that is no of no help at all.
The sun hadn't fully risen yet. A faint mist lingered over the stone paths of Pinto Town and I was escorted by a quiet, young priest through the sanctuary courtyard. My boots crunched against gravel, every step echoing through towering marble arches etched with suns, flames, and radiant eyes that stared down like judgmental librarians.
The Sanctuary of Ra wasn't just a temple, it was a fortress disguised in holiness. Golden mosaics caught the dawn light, and I could practically feel the self importance radiating off every corner.
"Elder Kareth will see you shortly," the priest said, gesturing to a large carved door at the end of the hallway.
"Of course," I replied, trying to look humble instead of guilty.
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ]
Mission: Infiltrate the Sanctuary of Ra
Objective: Locate the Jewel of Ra
Reminder: Do not die.
"Thanks for the reminder," I muttered under my breath.
I inhaled deeply, smoothing out my robe and reminding myself to look like a man in search of faith, not a fraud hoping to loot divine gemstones.
The door creaked open. Incense hit me like a divine uppercut.
Sitting at a table covered in ancient scrolls and half eaten fruit was a man who looked like he'd wrestled God and won. His beard was gray, thick, and braided, his robe trimmed in golden thread, and his gaze was… piercing. Like he could see through my soul and my Google search history.
"So," he said, voice rough but calm. "You're the one who wishes to take the Trial of Light."
I bowed slightly, trying not to break character. "Yes, Elder. I… I've felt a calling."
He tilted his head. "A calling?"
I clenched my fists, tried to look tortured. "My soul's been… directionless. Ever since I arrived in Pinto, something has pulled at me. I saw the Sanctuary, and I just knew. I don't want to wander anymore. I want to serve."
[ SYSTEM: Lying detected. Bluff successful. +1 Charisma ]
God bless this system.
Kareth studied me, then stood slowly. "We don't accept just anyone. Devotion is not easily proven."
"I understand," I said, eyes downcast, as if I was contemplating my tragic past and not the logistics of spiritual identity theft.
"You will undergo a trial," he said, finally giving up. "It will test your mind, your soul, your will. If you pass, you will earn the robes of initiation. If you fail then that is no ones fault but your own, there is nothing we can do."
Gulp.
A strange glint passed through Kareth's eyes, as if he could see through me. "Follow me."
***
He led me deeper into the sanctuary, past some robed priests in mid prayer, past a garden where the sun hit a small golden obelisk just so, and past murals depicting something that looked eerily similar to the Jewel of Ra.
All the while, I kept my head down and my thoughts sharp.
So far, this world had been nothing but heatstroke, cults, hallucinations, and strangely suspicious UI messages. And now I was about to walk into a religious trial built for true believers.
We stopped at the entrance to a chamber sealed by a golden gate, guarded by two silent priests holding spears that looked ceremonial but sharp enough to ruin my entire week.
"This is the Antechamber of Sunfire," Kareth said. "You will meditate here for one hour while we prepare the trial."
"Just meditate?" I asked.
"For now."
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ]
Upcoming Trial: Sanctuary of Light
Location: Restricted
Warning: System interference minimized in holy zones.
That wasn't ominous at all.
Kareth left me alone in the chamber. I sat cross-legged on a cushion, trying to look serene while internally screaming.
I had no idea what kind of trial they were going to make me do, but I doubted it involved multiple choice questions or friendly icebreakers.
No, this was going to hurt. Physically? Emotionally? Spiritually?
Probably yes to all of the above.
***
I passed the time pretending to meditate. In reality, I was going over every possible outcome in my head:
1) The trial reveals my lies and I get burned by holy fire.
2) The trial is an actual combat gauntlet and I get stabbed by a priest cosplaying as God.
3) I somehow survive, find the jewel, and trigger the next emotional nightmare. Hooray.
Of course, I hop for outcome number three, i mean surely they wont have a lie detector or anything similar right? Right…?
Trying to calm myself down suddenly i stared to feel a weird pressure on my chest and my head fell heavy all of a sudden.
The Jewel of Ra. It was here. Calling to me.
Somehow, I just knew it.
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ]
Target Located: Jewel of Ra
Status: Dormant, Contained
Warning: Contact triggers Trial of Rage.
I swallowed hard. "Noted."
The door creaked open again.
Kareth stepped in, along with two other priests in robes stitched with blazing suns. "It is time."
I stood, tried to look confident and miserably failed.
Kareth placed a hand on my shoulder. "Many have walked into the Sunfire Trial. Few return unchanged."
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
We walked together toward the trial chamber. The halls grew darker. Warmer. Less like a temple and more like the inside of a furnace disguised as faith.
I caught a glimpse of it, a chamber carved into the very heart of the mountain beneath the sanctuary. Glowing runes spiraled across the floor, and at its center, encased was gold pedestal surrounded by hight walls covered in spikes.
Something tells me the jewel must be inside that, this is going to be harder than I thought.
The closer I got, the more I felt it. Not fear, not awe, just rage. Pure, elemental rage. Mine. The world's. The jewel's.
I stepped into the room, heartbeat quickening.
Kareth raised both arms.
"Let the Trial begin."