As they descended the stairway, the air grew thick with anticipation as they didn't know what to expect, Vin used God's Eye to observe the walls on the way down, and he was surprised as well as fascinated by what he saw.
There were intricate patterns on the walls that seem to pulsate with otherworldly power as well as a very deep aura, and now Vin was sure what that aura was, it was Dragon might, one of the most terrifying abilities of the Dragon race.
Dragon might was an ability used by the dragon race to intimate other races lower than them, and even as they descended he could sense Mara shivering in fear as they went lower.
The only reason he was able to negate the effects was because his bloodline didn't loose out to the the dragon race at all, one could even say that he was a little bit superior to some of them because he was a Hell Phoenix.
But because of this dragon might, Vin thought about what Malak had said about one of their members having an ability.
Abilities were only harnessed or acquired by those with superior bloodlines. Like Vin, asides from his Sword technique and skills, as well as the Nine Chronicles of Hell, every other things he used were called abilities, his bloodline abilities including the ones he got from God's Eye.
But when he heard that one of the subordinates of the Dark Disciple was able to use an ability he was truly surprised, he would loved to learn more information about it but, the situation at that time didn't allow for questions.
As they reached the bottom of the stairway, the chamber's grandeur took their breath away. The walls, ceiling, and floor were adorned with intricate patterns, pulsating with the same otherworldly power and dragon might that Vin had sensed earlier.
Mara's eyes widened, her fear momentarily replaced by awe. "This is... incredible."
Zara's ears perked up, her senses on high alert.
Vin's gaze swept the chamber, his God's Eye absorbing every detail. "The dragon pearl should be here somewhere."
Suddenly, a low rumble echoed through the chamber, and the patterns on the walls flared, bathing them in an intense, golden light.
The air vibrated with anticipation, and Vin's instincts screamed warning. "Get ready!"
A colossal shadow of a dragon, emerged from the shadows, its eyes blazing with fierce energy.
Mara gasped. "Is that...?"
Vin nodded. "The Dragon's true form."
The Dragon shadow spoke in a voice that shook the chamber. "Who dares disturb the resting place of the dragon pearl?"
Vin stepped forward, his presence unwavering. "I am Vin, and I've come to claim the pearl."
Tharros's gaze locked onto Vin, its energy piercing. "You possess the bloodline of the Hell Phoenix. Impressive, but are you worthy of the pearl?"
Vin's eyes flashed with determination. "I'll prove my worth.". Vin could feel the power coursing through the entire chamber, making his own bloodline stir with excitement.
Tharros's statue nodded. "Then face the trials of the ancient dragons. Prove your strength, wisdom, and courage."
The chamber transformed, revealing three portals. Each portal pulsed with a different energy: fiery, illusionary, and ethereal.
Mara's voice laced with concern. "What do we do?"
Vin's gaze swept the portals. "We face our trials. Alone."
Zara growled softly, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Zara took the fiery portal, Mara the illusionary one, and Vin the ethereal.
As they stepped through their respective portals, the chamber sealed behind them, and the trials began.
***
Unbeknownst to them, Nelly's Seeker's Eye orb flickered, tracking the progress of some flickering dark globes. "My lord, the rest of the servants have returned with some of the geniuses within this region."
Midwak's grating voice responded. "Excellent. The Apostles will await them at the exit. Prepare the Dark Binding ritual. I didn't think this place would have so many harvest, it was good I came to this place, the eerily avoided Evil Ghost swamp"
The darkness surrounding Midwak churned, as if the very shadows themselves were coalescing into instruments of darkness.
****
Zara stood before the fiery portal, its intense heat radiating towards her like a palpable force. The air shimmered with waves of warmth, and the sound of crackling flames echoed through the chamber. She took a deep breath, her feral instincts on high alert, as if sensing the primal challenge ahead.
As she stepped through the portal, the chamber sealed behind her, and the trial began. The ground beneath her paws transformed into rough, black stone, scorched by the relentless flames. The walls and ceiling disappeared, replaced by an endless expanse of fire.
_The Trial of Courage: Inferno's Furnace_
A voice, like thunder, boomed through the cavern, shaking the very foundations of the trial. "Zara, beast of the wild, prove your courage in the face of unyielding flames. Face your fears, and claim the Ember of Courage."
The trial's objective became clear: reach the heart of the inferno and claim the Ember. But the path ahead was treacherous, winding through waves of fire that threatened to consume her.
Zara's eyes adjusted to the intense light, and she spotted the path, a narrow thread of dark stone weaving through the flames. She charged forward, her paws barely touching the scorching ground. The heat was unbearable, but her feral instincts drove her forward.
As she navigated the treacherous path, waves of fire engulfed her, testing her resolve. Flames licked at her fur, singeing the tips, but Zara pressed on. Her paws left scorch marks on the stone, a testament to her unyielding determination.
Suddenly, the ground gave way beneath her, and Zara found herself hurtling through a tunnel of flames. The air rushed past her ears, a deafening roar that threatened to consume her. She twisted and turned, avoiding flames that seemed to reach out and snatch her.
The tunnel spat her out into a vast, flame-filled chamber. The ceiling lost in darkness, the walls a labyrinth of burning stone. A sea of fire stretched before her, with no visible means of crossing.
Zara's instincts screamed warning, but she stood firm. With a mighty roar, she launched herself into the flames.
Claws outstretched, she began to swim through the fire, her fur ablaze. The pain was intense, but Zara's feral heart drove her forward. She drew upon the primal energies of the wild, channeling them into her body.
As she swam, the flames began to part, revealing a hidden path. Zara followed, her paws leaving trails of ember in the stone.
The path led her to a massive, flame-wreathed beast, its eyes blazing with fury. The creature's claws raked the air, and its jaws snapped with deadly precision.
Zara's instincts recognized the beast as a guardian, a trial by combat. With a snarl, she launched herself at the beast.
Claws clashed, and flames danced around them as they battled. Zara's agility and quick reflexes allowed her to dodge the beast's attacks, but its flames threatened to consume her.
Recalling Vin's teachings, Zara focused her energy and unleashed a burst of speed, striking the beast with precision. Her claws raked across its scales, leaving glowing marks.
The beast stumbled, its flames faltering. Zara seized the opportunity, pinning the beast to the ground.
As the flames died down, the beast transformed into a majestic, flame-crested lion. It regarded Zara with respect.
"You have proven your courage, Zara. You have faced the inferno and emerged unbroken. Claim the Ember of Courage."
The lion vanished, revealing a glowing, crystal orb. Zara approached, and as she touched the orb, the Ember of Courage infused her with its energy.
When Zara had finished fusing with the ember she was surprised at the rewards she got from it which would be quite helpful in her endeavors
The ember had increased her resistance to fire-based attacks enhanced her senses in intense heat environments and even granted her the ability to summon a protective flame beasts to do her biden.
But that wasn't all as it also seemed to have unlocked her inate Feral Instinct: Inferno's Fury which temporarily increases her speed and strength in combat.
It also unlocked her Primal Sense: Flame Sight which enhances her vision in smoke-filled or dark environments.
Zara emerged from the trial, her fur singed but her spirit unbroken. The fiery portal sealed behind her, and she decided to wait for Vin and Mara in the central chamber since she had apparently arrived before them.
Not wanting to waste any time waiting in vain, she decided not to waste any opportunity as she layed down and focused on the glowing ember within her.
She meditated on the new abilities she had just gained and the ones she had unlocked from her bloodline, as she wanted to master them quickly.
She was well aware that, there would be terrifying enemies that they would have to face soon, and she wanted to be strong enough to aid Vin in his battles.
She had vowed within her that she would never be a borden to him, and she had to work hard if she wanted to fulfill that wish.
****************