The rising sun painted the cliffs in gold as mist rolled off the trees in Verdant Fang Valley. Vishwa stood silently on a cliff ledge, the soft wind ruffling his short hair. His eyes scanned the camp far below—tents, trial instructors, and sect elders now gathered for the second half of the trial.
Joseph walked up behind him, mouth full of bread. "You do know this is just breakfast and not a war meeting, right?"
"I'm preparing," Vishwa said, arms crossed.
"You always prepare. I vibe," Joseph replied, plopping down next to him. "Worked so far."
"Barely. That root monster almost broke your ribs."
Joseph gave a short laugh. "And you scared it to death with those creepy shadow arms."
Vishwa didn't smile, but the edge of his mouth twitched. He appreciated Joseph's lightheartedness. It grounded him, especially now.
Today was the Sect Trial—the Guild Selection Challenge.
Only 12 participants had made it through the first part. Now, the three top sects would observe them in battle against each other in a live trial arena. The top-ranked guilds—including the number one guild, Cloud Dragon sect —would recruit based on strength, skill, and spirit.
And Vishwa wanted Cloud Dragon Guild. So did Joseph.
---
As the twelve youths were gathered on the platform carved into the mountain's edge, a hush fell. The elders stepped forward. Among them was a tall woman with short white hair and a cold, clear gaze. She wore a silver cloak with the Crescent Fang insignia—a curved blade glowing with windlight.
"That's her," Joseph whispered. "Master Fenya. Head of Cloud Dragon Guild."
Vishwa nodded.
Fenya stepped up. Her voice was calm, but powerful. "The final trial is simple. Twelve of you will enter the Mirror Arena, a floating platform that responds to your element. You will fight. You will adapt. You will survive."
She let the words linger before continuing. "We do not simply want warriors. We want hearts that do not break, minds that do not bend to fear, and bonds that will not snap under pressure."
Her eyes scanned each of them.
"You may enter with a partner. You may face others alone. But in the end, your choices will reveal who you truly are."
She lifted her hand.
"Begin."
---
The Mirror Arena shimmered into existence, hovering above a cliff lake. The platform reacted to each participant's elemental core. Where Vishwa stepped, shadows curled along the surface like ink. When Joseph landed, fire lit up beneath his feet like warm sun-glass.
"Whoa," Joseph said. "I feel like a video game character."
Vishwa chuckled. "Stay alert."
The arena began to shift—pillars rose, terrain formed—each section designed around the fighters' elements. Wind towers, fire vents, dark corridors, and water trenches emerged across the stage.
The battle began instantly.
Two lightning-element users charged at Joseph from the left. He grinned. "Wanna dance?"
"Go," Vishwa said, vanishing into the shadows.
Joseph blocked one of the strikes with his forearm, flames coating his skin. He whirled around and sent a fire-blast from his palm, driving one attacker back. The second one came fast, but Joseph ducked low and uppercutted with a flaming strike.
Meanwhile, Vishwa moved like a ghost through the dark maze. He sensed his opponent before he saw him—a tall boy with a glowing green core.
"Earth?" Vishwa muttered.
The boy raised stone armor around his arms and charged like a bulldozer. But Vishwa vanished again, reappearing behind him.
"Too slow."
He struck with a shadow chain, wrapping the boy's legs and pulling him to the ground.
Elsewhere, a wind user created a vortex, sending others flying—but was soon challenged by two water users working in tandem. The Mirror Arena was chaos, but also beautiful—like elements dancing.
As time passed, the remaining participants dwindled to six.
Vishwa, Joseph, the earth user he defeated (who had surrendered), and three others: a girl with crystal-based powers, a lightning boy, and a calm, tactical water user.
Fenya stood at the edge, arms folded, watching.
"They're strong," one elder said.
Fenya nodded. "But look at them. Two boys from a nameless village—working like veterans."
---
Vishwa regrouped with Joseph in the central arena. They stood back-to-back, scanning the field.
"We have to end this smart," Vishwa said.
"Plan?" Joseph asked.
"You distract lightning and crystal. I'll go after the water guy."
"Deal. Try not to be creepy."
Vishwa blinked. "What?"
"Shadowy arms and blank eyes, bro. Total creep vibes."
Joseph sprinted off before Vishwa could respond.
He barreled toward the crystal girl, dodging her sharp spikes with agile footwork. He baited her into attacking, then flipped over her strike and landed a fire-palm to her shoulder.
Meanwhile, the water boy caught Vishwa's movement. He tried to trap him in a bubble prison—but Vishwa's shadows split into multiple forms, surrounding the water user.
"That's cheating," the boy growled.
"It's creativity."
A clean strike to the gut knocked the wind out of the water boy. He fell back, signaling surrender.
Moments later, Joseph rolled away from the crystal girl's final blast and sent a fire beam to melt her last spike.
She raised her hand. "I yield!"
Only the lightning user remained.
He was strong—fast, unpredictable, and aggressive. Sparks danced on his fingertips like whipcords.
He faced Vishwa and Joseph. "One last round?"
Joseph stepped forward. "Let's go!"
The final battle was intense—sparks versus flame and shadow. Lightning darted through the arena. Joseph blocked what he could, returned fire with quick jabs, and Vishwa focused on timing—waiting, stalking.
Then—an opening.
Vishwa blinked behind the lightning boy, whispering, "Checkmate."
He grabbed him in a shadow bind, holding just long enough for Joseph to unleash a harmless, but flashy fire burst above his head.
The lightning boy froze, smiled, and stepped back.
"Well played."
---
Silence fell over the arena.
The elders stood. Fenya stepped forward.
"Vishwa. Joseph."
The boys looked up.
"You have passed both trials. Not just with power—but with understanding. With timing. With partnership. With spirit."
She extended her hand.
"Welcome to the Cloud Dragon Guild."
Joseph grinned so hard his ears twitched. "YES!"
Vishwa gave a soft smile. "Thank you."
---
That night, fireworks crackled over the valley as the chosen candidates celebrated. At the nearby inn, Hitami waited with arms crossed, pretending not to be impatient.
When the two walked in wearing Cloud Dragon cloaks, she jumped up. "I KNEW IT! I told the wind spirits you'd make it!"
Joseph flexed. "Guild boys in the house!"
Vishwa smiled and handed her a carved pin. "A gift."
She looked at it. A small silver feather with wind trails etched into the side.
"For you," Vishwa said. "So you'll have something from us when you take your trial in two years."
Hitami's eyes welled up, but she wiped them away quickly. "Just wait. I'll beat both of you."
"We're counting on it," Joseph said, ruffling her hair.
As the stars danced above and laughter filled the inn, the trio knew this was just the beginning.
The trials were done.
The real journey was about to begin.