NOVEL NEXT Chapter 235: Dao
Lyrisa nodded slowly, a shadow of worry flickering briefly across her face. "You're right. She truly is terrifying."
Damien caught the flicker of anxiety in her expression and gently flicked her forehead, drawing a startled glance from her. "Don't worry," he reassured her lightly, his voice confident and warm. "I'm pretty scary too, remember?"
She chuckled softly, her eyes warming with affection and amusement. "Indeed you are," she conceded playfully, leaning closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "Get me the inheritance, Damien, and I'll reward you thoroughly tonight."
Damien laughed softly, his eyes dancing mischievously. "Consider me highly motivated."
Together, they stood comfortably side by side, watching as other survivors slowly trickled into the grassland through identical shimmering portals. Faces emerged tense and exhausted, their numbers far fewer than when the trials began.
An uneasy silence settled over the grassland, whispers of uncertainty and murmurs of disbelief rippling quietly among the gathered warriors.
Finally, after nearly an hour of waiting, the ominous voice echoed across the endless plain again. "The second trial will begin in five minutes."
Lyrisa's head snapped around sharply, genuine shock evident in her widened eyes. Her gaze flicked frantically through the assembled warriors, panic creeping into her voice. "What?! None of my house members survived the first round?"
Similar cries of dismay erupted from several other house groups. The number of survivors was shockingly low, of the original three hundred warriors who had boldly entered the inheritance site, fewer than a hundred now remained, clustered nervously and warily in the sunlit field.
Damien's eyes narrowed sharply as he spotted Vathrian standing comfortably amid the survivors, though noticeably only one of his original hooded protectors remained.
Yet gathered closely around him were warriors from House number Four, Five, and Six, their posture suggesting a newly forged alliance. Damien's expression hardened slightly, wary anticipation tightening his muscles.
Vathrian turned deliberately toward them, a slow, malicious smile curling his lips as he approached casually, his entourage following obediently behind. "Lyrisa, Damien," he greeted smoothly, his voice dripping with practiced charm and menace. "I'm pleased to see you both managed to survive."
"Likewise," Lyrisa replied coolly, eyes hardening with suspicion. "Though I see you've needed to gather new friends."
He smiled calmly, though his eyes flashed briefly with irritation. "Survival in such circumstances demands pragmatism. Surely you can appreciate that."
Damien folded his arms casually, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "What do you want, Vathrian?"
Vathrian's expression grew colder, his smile fading slowly into a dangerous, calculating stare. "I'm offering you an opportunity. Join us willingly. Help us secure JerAxle's inheritance. It would be unwise to refuse."
Lyrisa scoffed softly, disbelief clear in her voice. "And if we refuse?"
The corners of Vathrian's lips curled into a cruel, predatory grin. "Then you die here, forgotten and unremembered, your bones lost in this endless field."
Damien's eyes narrowed, his muscles coiling subtly, readiness radiating clearly from him. "That's quite a threat, Vathrian. Are you sure you have the strength to follow through?"
Vathrian's gaze flickered briefly with anger, his voice becoming icy and sharp. "Look around you, outsider. You're outnumbered and isolated. How long do you truly think you'll last against four houses combined?"
A tense silence hung heavily between them, charged with restrained hostility. Damien met Vathrian's gaze calmly, unwavering and resolute. "Longer than you'd expect."
Lyrisa stepped closer to Damien, her scimitars gleaming dangerously at her sides. Her expression remained cool, composed, and unyielding. "You underestimate us severely if you think we'll be intimidated by empty threats."
Vathrian's remaining protector moved slightly, his hood shifting to reveal eyes glowing faintly with malice and magic, ready to unleash devastating spells at a mere command.
Yet before the confrontation could escalate further, a distant chime echoed gently across the endless grassland, signaling the imminent start of the second trial.
Vathrian hesitated briefly, his eyes narrowing dangerously at Damien and Lyrisa. "This isn't over," he promised coldly, turning sharply to regroup with his newfound allies.
Damien watched him go quietly, muscles gradually relaxing. Beside him, Lyrisa exhaled softly, tension easing slowly from her posture. "This second trial might be even tougher than we imagined," she murmured quietly, worry evident in her voice.
Damien smiled gently, reaching out to squeeze her hand reassuringly. "We've faced tougher odds and survived," he reminded her lightly. "Besides, didn't you promise a reward tonight?"
She laughed softly, her worry melting slowly into a playful smile. "Indeed I did. You're relentless, Damien."
He grinned warmly, eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm motivated, remember?"
Their brief levity restored confidence and resolve, and they turned their attention once more toward the distant chime still echoing gently across the sunlit plain.
"Second Trial begins now," the ominous voice announced suddenly, resonating clearly and powerfully through the grassland.
The ground beneath their feet shifted abruptly, the vibrant grassland fading rapidly into a vast, shadow-filled labyrinth, walls stretching infinitely upward into a dark, starless sky.
Damien tensed instinctively, senses alert and focused. Lyrisa drew her scimitars smoothly, blades humming faintly, ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.
"Be careful," she murmured quietly, eyes sharp with caution. "The second trial won't offer any mercy."
Damien nodded firmly, determination blazing fiercely in his eyes. "Then we'll meet it head-on," he replied confidently, stepping boldly forward into the shadowy maze.
Together, Damien and Lyrisa moved cautiously through the twisting passages, senses sharp, alert for danger or traps lurking within the darkness. Each corridor felt oppressive, shadows pressing closely around them, the silence heavy and deafening.
Yet as they ventured deeper, Damien felt an instinctive confidence growing steadily within him. His bond with Lyrisa strengthened them both, their combined strength and unwavering trust offering reassurance and courage amidst uncertainty.
As they rounded another corner, Damien felt a powerful surge of energy ahead, dark and menacing, warning of imminent danger.
Directly ahead stood the heart of the trial: a glowing altar, floating a few feet above the smooth marble floor.
It pulsed softly, its core radiating a warm golden light, while countless Dao runes spiraled slowly around it in perfect harmony.