The journey to the Sun-Fire Temple was longer than expected, winding through the blistered sands and jagged cliffs that bordered the ancient ruins. Rylan squinted against the sunlight as his beast glided through the wind. Below, the golden dust of the desert swirled like dancing spirits.
It was James who had suggested they ride their beasts—a decision that saved hours. "They're not just for battle," he'd said, stroking the neck of his panther-like companion. "They're partners. They'd want to help."
Even Taiyo had nodded in silent agreement, his sun-scarred robes flapping in the hot breeze.
The Temple revealed itself as the sand parted, like it had waited centuries for them. It stood partially buried beneath the dunes—weathered obsidian walls scorched with ancient fire markings. Twin statues of lion-headed guardians flanked the entrance, their open maws aglow with quiet heat.
"They've been watching since the War of the Celestial Rift," Taiyo explained as they dismounted. "This temple belonged to my ancestors, the Sun-Fire Clan. Inside lie the Weapons of Enlightenment. But to wield them, you must earn them."
"How?" Rant asked, adjusting his scarf against the wind.
Taiyo turned. "Each of you will enter a chamber attuned to your elemental soul. Face your inner trial. Conquer the beast that guards the weapon. Only then will the final room open."
Silence fell as the friends exchanged glances. No turning back now.
The massive doors creaked open, revealing eight stone archways, each lit with a glow matching an element—storm-gray, fire-orange, icy-blue, and more. Without hesitation, they stepped toward their respective paths.
---
Rylan - The Lightning Chamber
The moment Rylan crossed the threshold, the world changed. The air shimmered with static, and thunder cracked overhead in a dark sky filled with turbulent clouds.
A narrow stone path floated in the void. Rylan walked forward cautiously. Lightning danced along the stones beneath his feet.
A voice whispered, "Will you strike with purpose, or be lost in rage?"
Suddenly, chains of lightning shot toward him. Instinct kicked in—Rylan rolled, dodged, parried with raw force from his palms. He focused, grounding the energy with each breath. Only when he calmed his mind did the path solidify.
At the end, a beast emerged—a colossal thunder-stag with antlers like jagged bolts. It roared, sparks erupting.
Rylan grinned. "Let's dance."
---
Blaze - The Fire Chamber
Blaze found himself on a path of molten rock. Rivers of lava flowed beside him, and fire rained from the skies. The heat was unbearable—but oddly invigorating.
A trial emerged—cross a bridge collapsing into flames while carrying a torch of eternal fire. If the torch went out, the trial would fail.
Sweat dripped down his brow as he leapt from stone to stone, shielding the flame with his own body. Pain flared—but he gritted his teeth. This was his fire to carry.
Reaching the end, a towering fire-drake rose. Blaze's fists ignited as he launched forward. "Come on, then!"
---
Frost - The Ice Chamber
Frost walked into silence. Snowflakes drifted in slow motion, and a frozen forest stretched endlessly. It wasn't the cold that tested him—but the stillness.
He came upon a frozen mirror. Inside it, he saw himself—not as he was, but as the scared child he'd been—abandoned, shivering, alone.
"You are not weakness," he told the image. "You're my beginning."
The mirror cracked.
Ice thundered behind him—a frostbear emerged, swiping with claws of crystal. Frost drew twin blades of frostlight and slid into combat, every move calculated, precise.
---
Rant - The Water Chamber
Rant stood on the surface of a lake, perfectly still. The chamber was vast, watery mists clinging to his skin.
The trial asked him to restore balance to a waterfall that had stopped flowing. He explored, adjusting pressure plates and redirecting channels using elemental manipulation. With each shift, his connection to water deepened—fluid, adaptive.
Then came the guardian: a serpentine leviathan made of living tide. Rant swirled water around his arms and whispered, "Let's flow together, then."
---
Joy - The Void Chamber
Darkness. Absolute.
Joy couldn't see. Couldn't hear. Couldn't feel.
Then… echoes. Of her doubts. Her fears. Her laughter.
A trail of shimmering orbs floated around her, each a memory. She reached toward them, drawing warmth from their glow. Slowly, the chamber responded—void gave way to inner light.
A shadowbeast, formless and vast, appeared.
She wielded not fear, but peace.
---
James - The Dark Chamber
James faced shadows that whispered his guilt, memories of harm, pain he'd caused.
"You're not worthy," they hissed.
He breathed deep. "I carry darkness, yes. But I do not walk in it alone."
With that, a dark wolf-beast lunged. James fought with silence and resolve, redirecting its attacks and using his shadow bonds to anchor his form.
---
Riley - The Light Chamber
Blinding light filled every inch of the chamber. Riley couldn't see a thing at first—but then realized: the trial was to trust her senses beyond sight.
A bridge appeared, but only when she stopped looking and started feeling.
At the final step, a radiant hawk descended. Riley drew her light energy into a bow of glowing force and released a calm, focused shot.
---
Grace - The Storm Chamber
Winds howled in a chamber filled with broken sky. Grace was lifted off her feet, fighting to stay grounded.
Her trial? Navigate a path of floating stones while wielding unstable storm energy without succumbing to chaos.
She balanced grace and fury, leaping through lightning clouds. At the final point, a storm serpent struck. Grace spun with wind-charged kicks, turning the storm into her ally.
---
One by one, they emerged from their chambers—bruised, sweat-drenched, but alive. The ground rumbled. The temple trembled.
Then, with a hiss of ancient pressure, two colossal doors groaned open.
A final chamber glowed with golden light.
Inside, the air was thick with energy. Eight pedestals rose, each holding a weapon etched with celestial markings.
Taiyo stood at the edge, watching them with quiet pride.
They approached.
Blaze's weapon—a massive battle axe pulsing with flame—ignited the moment he touched it. "Feels like it was forged for my hands," he said with awe.
Frost retrieved a sleek trident. "Freezing alloy," Taiyo noted. "Only you can hold it safely. One touch to bare skin from another… and they'll regret it."
Rant held up two sleek daggers. When he tossed one away experimentally, it shimmered back into his hand. "Enchanted returns," he said with a grin.
Joy's nunchucks shimmered with dark-purple alloy. She gave them a swing—her target dummy instantly sagged as its energy drained.
James examined his twin sickles, which pulsed with runes. Taiyo warned, "They hurt you, they hurt themselves. Be wise with them."
Grace took up a beautiful glaive, which whirled to form a wind barrier. "A dancing storm," she whispered.
Riley's bow shimmered as she pulled back—an arrow of pure light formed in her hand.
And Rylan…
He stepped to the final pedestal. There lay two katana, blades silver-blue, handles streaked with golden lightning. He picked them up, and the chamber pulsed.
When he clashed them together—CRACK!—a burst of lightning surged down the hall.
"Beautiful," he whispered.
Taiyo approached. "You've proven yourselves. The Weapons of Enlightenment are yours now."
"But we still have a battle to fight," said Riley.
Taiyo's expression darkened. "Yes. The seal on the Vessel is broken. And dark petals now corrupt him. But there is hope."
They stepped out of the temple together, weapons sheathed, eyes forward.
The sun dipped behind the dunes. The world was quiet—but only for now.
"We head for the Academy," Rylan said. "We stop the evil before it spreads."
No one hesitated.
For the first time, they stood not just as friend —but as warriors.