Nothing is Impossible

Atlas waved at all of them and they walked closer to him.

Jay glanced around, his expression uncertain. "That was weird. One second we were entering the trial, and now… are we outside it? Or is this still part of it?"

Atlas felt shocked. "You guys didn't go through the trial of will? I just got finished, and then you all appeared in front of me."

They all exchanged confused glances.

Lars frowned. "Then why are we here?" he asked, mirroring the group's confusion.

Atlas frowned, looking thoughtful. "I got a message saying that one has succeeded, so as promised all would run free. Maybe only one of us was supposed to do it, and it randomly chose me?"

That's what Atlas said, but he didn't believe it. That trial had been difficult, he wouldn't be surprised if all of them had gone through the trial, but because of emotional distress, it had gotten wiped from their memory. He had done it through sheer luck more than anything. If he had done the wrong thing at any of the different parts of the trial, then he didn't know what would have happened to them. He was sure it wouldn't have been good.

After a few more seconds of them trying to come up with conclusions, they eventually gave up, and they went to the next room through an obsidian door in the wall. Inside they found a Kobold, surrounded by 7 more of the altars they had seen in floor one. The ones that had the levers inside of them.

The kobold turned to them, its voice soft and discordant. "More intruders. The Mindhorn is busy. Leave him be."

Atlas quickly used Master Inspection.

Kobold Illusionist Clan Sorcerer.

Tier: 3 Level: 150 CP: 1.2

Description: An Illusionist who has perfected his skills, becoming the clans sorcerer. His name has been lost to time, but his illusions are very powerful and potent, causing him to be a dangerous foe to those who oppose him.

Highest Skill: Illusion Crafting (Z) Highest Spell: Pure Illusion (ZZ)

Endurance: Low

Constitution: Very Low

Strength: Very Low

Dexterity: Average

Wisdom: Very High Intelligence: Insanely High

Atlas grumbled to himself. More illusions. Could a guy get a break?

"Watch out! This guy is illusion based, so be careful in what actions you take! By the looks of it, it's pretty strong!" He yelled to his party before rushing to the Kobold, and slashing out with his scythe. The Kobold ducked, then split into four identical copies, each running in a different direction to confuse Atlas.

Atlas easily spotted the real one, and ran after it, causing its eyes to widen as it hurriedly used another illusion, making a fake wall in front of Atlas.

He didn't even slow down. The wall parted like fog, and with one clean swing, his scythe took the kobold's head.

There was silence.

Atlas turned back to his team, rubbing the back of his head. "So… I guess he wasn't as strong as I thought he was." He hadn't even had any form activated, just his basic form. Atlas was just the Kobolds worst nightmare, someone who was so overwhelmingly immune to illusion attacks.

Jay just laughed. "That was interesting to watch. You looked like a relentless killer."

Atlas smiled, trying not to show how much that hurt him inside. He liked being strong and having control over his own fate, but he didn't want to be seen as a merciless murderer.

He went over to each of the different altars. He used Strength Form to reveal all the levers hidden inside. He pulled all of them, and they all received a message.

8 of ? Levers found.

9 of ? Levers found.

10 of ? Levers found.

11 of ? Levers found.

12 of ? Levers found.

13 of ? Levers found.

14 of 14 Levers found.

All Levers on Floor One have been found.

All Levers on Floor Two have been found.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

All Levers have been found.

Choose an option. You may only choose one.

Option One: Choose a champion from among you to battle the Hidden Boss. If they die they will not die for good, but will lose multiple levels. Level loss depends on how close the battle is, with a closer fight having less levels lost and an instant loss will make you lose lots of levels.

Option Two: All members go to battle to fight the Hidden Boss, if you die, you're dead, permanently. Hidden boss is slightly stronger in this version.

Option Three: Choose a champion from among you to battle the upgraded hidden boss. Dying is permanent. If you want true power you must risk your life. If killed, another person may go after the Champion.

Option Four: Don't battle the Hidden Boss.

Vote for the option you want, ties will be randomized.

Atlas looked up at all of them. "I'm choosing option three, I want to test myself against someone that's not myself."

Lars looked at Atlas, sighing. "You're insane. You really are. But… you've proven yourself so far." He stared into Atlas's eyes. "I'll vote for you, even if I think your being suicidal."

One vote for Option Three.

Two votes for Option Three.

Lesli took a step back, frowning. "There's a fine line between courage and ego, Atlas," Lesli said quietly. "And I'm not sure which one you're walking."

Jay glares at Atlas, clenching his jaw. "This isn't about proving yourself. You're pulling us down with your selfish desires. You're turning it into something it's not." He shakes his head, stepping away from Atlas.

One vote for Option Two.

Dane says nothing for a moment before looking apologetically at Atlas. "Its not that I don't trust you, I believe you can do it. But I want to do this as a team, and I don't want as much risk involved." He steps next to Jay.

Two votes for Option Two.

"Death is just another transformation." Nex smirks softly. "I vote with the Reaper."

Three votes for Option Three.

Lesli still hadn't voted yet, and Jay looked angrily at her. "Lesli, don't tell me you're seriously buying into this madness!" Jay snapped.

Lesli looks at Atlas. "I don't want to be left behind like some side character. I want to be in the action."

Three votes for Option Two.

Tie. Rolling for tiebreaker.

Nex has been chosen. Her choice is the decision. Option Three chosen. Vote For Your Champion.

Dane shrugged. "Well if I lose, might as well prove I was being truthful. I vote Atlas."

One vote for Atlas Channing.

Lesli nodded. "There is no reason to fight more. I vote Atlas."

Lars agreed. "I vote Atlas as well."

Two votes for Atlas Channing.

Three votes for Atlas Channing.

Nex looked bored. "I already told you where I stand. I vote Atlas."

Four votes for Atlas Channing.

Atlas smiled. "I vote for myself."

Five votes for Atlas Channing.

Jay scowled. "I won't listen to you just because you managed to sway everyone else. I vote for myself."

One vote for Jay Smithfield.

The vote must be unanimous. Challenge initiated. Jay Smithfield versus Atlas Channing. Kill the opposer. You will not be able to truly die, so don't worry about killing a friend.

Atlas and Jay vanished, appearing in a white room much like the last part of the trial of will.

Begin.

Atlas activated Hyper Jump, vanishing and reappearing behind Jay in an instant. But Jay was ready — he ducked forward, spinning to counter.

He wasn't ready for the next three strikes. They carved into him, tearing his body apart like paper.

Jay died, and they vanished from the room

Duel Completed.

Atlas Channing has won the Duel, he is Appointed the Champion.

Step through the portal Champion, and face the Hidden Boss.

A portal appeared in front of Atlas and he stepped through without hesitation. He was more than ready for the fight against the Hidden Boss.

Just as Atlas was about to step fully into the portal, a hand yanked him back. He looked back and found Jay glaring at him with hate in his eyes.

"You think you're so much better than me don't you? Well, I've had it with your overconfident attitude Atlas. I'm going instead of you." Jay pushed past Atlas and jumped into the portal, and it closed with a popping noise, leaving empty air.

There was shocked silence as they all stared at where Jay had just been.

Atlas turned to them. "So… what do we do now?" He felt angry, incredibly angry at Jay, what he had done was stupid and went against what everyone else thought. I hope he dies. Atlas thought vehemently before realizing what he had just thought. No… he doesn't deserve to die just for doing what he thought was right. I can't judge him for that. No one deserves to die like this.

Lars looked at where Jay had vanished. "We wait. And hope."

They waited in silence, looking pensively to where Jay had gone through the portal.

After 15 minutes, there was a chiming noise, and the portal reappeared. They all inched closer, trying to get a view of Jay, only to find an… interesting notification appear.

Jay Smithfield has Fallen in battle. The Champion must take his place. Atlas Channing, step forward, or Perish.

The portal began humming ominously. Atlas looked back at them and smiled softly. "Wish me luck."

He stepped through, leaving his party, now missing two members. One would never return, and the other's Fate was undecided.