Everything was just a huge jumbo that it was almost confusing, he felt like he was in a roller-coaster with no control whatsoever and he didn't like this feeling one bit, not being in control of his fate made him feel weak.
And all this was caused by this so called higher being whom the had no idea about, he didn't even know if the being was in the Tower right now, maybe at the highest floor.
Tharros why was within the Jade Abyss could sense Vin's inner turmoil and could even relate and understand it more thab him, after all he had faced the same situation as Vin, and that was why he was now in this state.
He had watched Vin move through the trials, he didn't interfere with them because he wanted to see he much the boy he had chosen would fare on his own. And he didn't disappoint him.
Vin had grown exponentially, and no matter what was thrown at him, he had faced it head on without faltering, there were times where Vin could have just escaped into the Jade Abyss, since it was a realm he had created, he could also enter it physically.
Although it might look impossible since the realm was technically hidden within him, but according to how Tharros had explained it, the core within him served more like a gate way and that the true realm was hidden within the void.
Vin didn't fully understand the concept, but he was told he would in the future, when he got stronger. And coming to this final thoughts Tharros decided to say something.
"Hey kid, I understand how you feel feel right now, but there's nothing you can do at the moment, if you truly want to be in total control of your fate, then there's only one thing that you can do, and that is to get stronger" Tharros then kept mute after saying his piece.
When Vin heard those words, another flame lit up within him as he nodded, the reason why he was fighting, why he had created his own force, family, was so he could control his fate, and he wasn't going to give up here.
"What rewards will be receiving from the Tower?." Vin asked. His gaze a little bit expectant as he stared at the glowing figure.
"This place is called the Abyssal Crusible where the best weapons can be forged, you can either request to forge a new weapon, or your current weapon can be upgraded." the glowing figure stated and paused for a bit.
"The flames within the forge can also be used to refine the body, and expel any impurities within, this would also help in laying the perfect foundation for future cultivation, beware that this would also serve as the trial of the 50th floor, every other thing would follow afterwards. You may proceed" and with that the glowing figure vanished.
Vin took a deep breath as he decided to go on with the trials, this would definitely be a good thing, a turning point for him.
As he stepped into the crucible, the ground trembled beneath his feet, and the air reverberated with the cacophony of a thousand hammer strikes. Flames erupted from the depths, forging a sea of fire that seemed to stretch on forever. The heat was palpable, a living entity that wrapped itself around Vin's body, testing his resolve.
The crucible's landscape unfolded like a twisted tapestry, with lava flows that carved paths through the burning rock and infernal creatures that stalked the shadows. Vin navigated this unforgiving terrain, his senses heightened as he avoided the deadly touch of the lava and the razor-sharp claws of the creatures.
His objective was clear: reach the heart of the crucible, where the Forge of Souls awaited. Within its fiery depths lay ancient secrets, forged in the very essence of the cosmos. The forge was said to temper souls, imbuing them with the strength and resilience needed to face the trials that lay ahead.
Vin's journey began, his feet carrying him through the burning landscape as if drawn by an unseen force. The heat intensified, the flames dancing around him like malevolent spirits. Yet he pressed onward, his resolve hardened by the trials he had faced and the wisdom he had gained.
Finally, after an eternity of walking through the fires, Vin approached the forge. A colossal structure, forged from the very rock of the underworld, it towered above him, its gates guarded by the Master Smith.
The Master Smith, a figure of imposing stature, stood with his arms crossed, his eyes burning with an inner fire. "Prove your worth," he declared, his voice like thunder in the crucible's depths. "Face the trials, and claim your place among the forged."
Vin accepted the challenge, his heart pounding in anticipation. Three trials lay before him, each designed to test his resolve, his strength, and his soul.
The first trial began, its objective clear: retrieve the Star of Eternity, a gemstone forged in the heart of the cosmos. The gemstone lay hidden within the crucible's depths, guarded by creatures of darkness and flames that seemed to consume all in their path.
Vin steeled himself, his determination burning brighter than the flames around him. He ventured into the unknown, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Vin descended into the depths of the crucible, the darkness swallowing him whole. Flames danced around him, casting eerie shadows on the walls. As he navigated the twisting tunnels, Vin encountered the first of the crucible's guardians: the Shadowborn.
Tall, imposing figures with bodies forged from the very darkness itself, the Shadowborn moved with an unnatural silence. Their eyes burned with an otherworldly energy.
Vin drew his sword, its blade shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow. The Shadowborn attacked, their darkness-infused blades clashing with Vin's.
The battle raged on, Vin's skills honed by the trials he had faced. He dodged and weaved, striking true with precision.
The Shadowborn fell, their darkness dissipating into the flames. Vin continued, the tunnels unfolding like a maze. He encountered the Lava Wraiths, creatures born from the crucible's flames.
Their bodies fluid and ever-changing, the Lava Wraiths attacked with waves of molten fire. Vin dodged and leapt, avoiding the deadly touch.
His sword sliced through the flames, striking true. The Lava Wraiths dissipated, their essence merging with the crucible's fires.
Vin pressed onward, the tunnels narrowing. The air grew hotter, the flames intensifying.
Finally, he reached the heart of the crucible: a chamber of burning rock, where the Star of Eternity shone like a beacon.
The gemstone pulsed with an inner light, its energy calling to Vin. He reached out, claiming the Star as his own.
Trial one: Success.
The Master Smith awaited Vin's return, his eyes burning with approval. "Well done," he said. "Two trials remain."
Vin steeled himself, ready to face the next challenge.
The Master Smith gestured to the second trial. "The Crucible's Forge," he declared. "There, you will face the Trial of Resilience."
Vin stepped into the forge, its heat intensifying. The air shimmered with an otherworldly energy.
A figure emerged from the flames: the Forge Guardian.
A behemoth of molten fire and steel, the guardian towered over Vin. Its body shifted and flowed like liquid.
"You must withstand the forge's fury," the Master Smith declared. "Endure the guardian's assault, and claim the Hammer of the Ancients."
The guardian attacked, its flames engulfing Vin. He stood firm, his resolve hardened by the trials. Wave after wave of fire crashed against him, yet Vin endured. His determination burned brighter than the flames.
The guardian's assault intensified, its body coalescing into a massive hammer. Vin raised his arms, bracing for impact. The hammer struck, its force shuddering through Vin's body. Yet he stood firm, unbroken.
The guardian dissipated, its flames dying. Vin claimed the Hammer of the Ancients.
Trial two: Success.
The Master Smith awaited Vin's return, his eyes burning with approval. "One trial remains," he said.
Vin steeled himself, ready to face the final challenge.
The third trial began: the Trial of Wisdom.
Vin entered a realm of illusions, where reality twisted and distorted. The path ahead vanished into a swirling tornado of unending colors.
A figure emerged from the shadows: an Enigmatic Sage that seemed to be filled with wisdom befitting of his age, the sage waved his hands and the tornado of colors inner began to distort and condensed until it formed into thousands of glowing Runes.
Vin was so shocked that his eyes almost seemed to pop out of its sockets, he observed the Runes and found out that each of them seemed to contain unimaginable mysteries within them.
He wanted to focus on comprehending each one of them, as he was sure it would definitely help him in improving and even evolving his core rune.
Ever since creating his core rune, the Celestial Authority within him, virtually all his attacks had to be casted through runic symbols, well all except his sword techniques.
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