Episode 10: Trial of Darkness – Part 2

A giant beast appeared before Lidya, Lorenzo and Peter. It threatened to end their trial challenge. The beast identified itself as Gothrilar the Cursed.

Gothrilar – “Give up! You have neither the power nor the will to defeat me!”

Lidya – “Oh yeah? We’ll see about that!”

Lidya, headstrong and stubborn, charged forward. Gothrilar swiped with its massive hands but Lidya was swift enough to dodge and slide on the ground. She slashed that the hands with her twin axes causing Gothrilar to recoil. Then it unleashed power bursts of dark magic which Lidya repelled using light energy shields.

Gothrilar – “Your light is meaningless here, give up!”

Lidya – “If anything he is persistent, let’s go guys!”

Though her enthusiasm for such a challenge was high, she heard nothing from Lorenzo and Peter. When she looked at them they seemed frozen. The very color from their bodies fading away.

Lidya – “Hey! You two! Get a hold of yourselves!”

Gothrilar – “Pah! They know they must submit to me!”

Lidya – “You! I will bury you in the mountain from which you arose!”

Lidya moved around looking for openings. She was able to slash at Gothrilar’s legs. Although she was aware of the consequences she launched a few light beams, weakening Gothrilar. The beast countered by slamming its fists on the ground causing pillars of dark energy to blast through almost hitting Lidya. She needed the other’s help, but they had been slowly consumed by the darkness, as if the warp itself was claiming their bodies.

Lidya – “Snap out of it! I need your help! Lorenzo! Peter!”

Lorenzo – “It is hopeless Lidya, you should give in as well.”

Peter – “This is a fitting end for us, we die as warriors.”

Lidya – “Enough!”

Lidya gathered her energy and cast flames at their feet causing Lorenzo and Peter to recoil. The pain seemed to snap them out of the trance they were in. All the while Gothrilar continued his rampage against Lidya. His claws were descending upon her when an energy shield blocked the attack. Peter had cast the spell and was sustaining it. Using the opportunity, Lidya jumped away and imbued her twin axes with light energy. After seeing this, Peter used the same spell to empower Lorenzo’s ax. After this Lorenzo dashed to Lidya’s aid.

Lorenzo – “Mind if I join you?”

Lidya – “Be my guest!”

They both jumped away from another swipe. While Lidya and Lorenzo fought in close combat, Peter bombarded Gothrilar with both light and dark magic. Gothrilar was angered, but could barely react. His flailing was still dangerous.

Lidya – “Hey Lorenzo, how far can you throw your ax?”

Lorenzo – “Far enough!

Lidya sent her axes flying towards Gothrilar. They struck just below the shoulders. With a loud yell Lorenzo threw his ax with incredible force. It ended up embedded on Gothrilar’s chest. The beast was rather shocked, the blows weakened him. Then he noticed that Peter was deep in meditation. He was creating a powerful incantation that would banish Gothrilar. A rune circle had appeared beneath the beast and symbols floated around him. Lidya and Lorenzo followed up with flames around the beasts’ feet and a flash of light at his eyes. A great pillar of light emerged from the center of the rune circle. Gothrilar screamed and then slowly began to fade away. As he did the axes still stuck on his body fell to the ground. When the banishment spell subsided the area looked altered by all the energy. Peter started to use what dark energy he could to repair the damage and stabilize the Warp. After recovering their axes, Lidya and Lorenzo rejoined Peter. Lidya helped with the stabilization.

Lidya – “Phew! That was amazing. Well done Peter, and you too Lorenzo.”

Lorenzo – “Quite the fierce battle. For a second I doubted we would survive.”

Peter – “Together we had the upper hand, but it was Lidya’s will that pulled us through.”

Lidya – “All I had to do was light up a spark.”

Lorenzo – “Beneath our feet no less.”

As they stood in celebration of their victory the council village and the world portal materialized nearby. When they entered they saw six cloaked figures, it was the council members. They congratulated the three in completing the trial of darkness. The group proceeded to inform the council of what was happening in Entralia and the world portals. They mentioned that they already knew the world portal was disabled. A previous group of warriors was able to go through, but shortly after that, the portal deactivated. Lidya and Peter received the second part of the transmutation spell while Lorenzo declined to receive it. He felt it was not necessary.

The trial of darkness is now complete. No new warriors were found to join Lidya, Lorenzo and Peter for the defense of Entralia. Their next step is to take the trial of balance, known traditionally as the Ribashkan. One of the council members creates a portal that will lead them back to Entralia. Together once again, they venture forth.