Nora awoke to the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze and the distant chirping of songbirds. She stretched languidly on the soft bedroll, her mind still hazy with the remnants of dreams. The events of the trials replayed in her mind's eye—the heart-pounding challenges, the electrifying moment when her magic surged to new heights, and the profound connection she felt with Lukan as they faced each obstacle together. The emotional rollercoaster of the trials had left her both exhilarated and exhausted.

  The faint, melodic tinkling of pots and pans spread over the area, signaling that Lukan had already woken up and moved to the kitchen. The tantalizing aroma of spices and herbs wafted through the air, reaching even to the cabin where they slept.

  Nora got up slowly, breathing in the crisp morning air. The area surrounding the mystical arch was tranquil, the absolute opposite of what happened on the other side of the veil. A strange warmth spread through her limbs as Nora raised to her feet, like sunlight spilling into her veins. Her fingertips tingled faintly, and she could feel the hum of energy just beneath her skin, a reminder of the magic she had only recently awakened. It wasn't intrusive but alive, waiting for her command.

  As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Nora made her way to the kitchen where Lukan had already worked with practiced efficiency, his tail swaying in rhythm with a low hum. He plucked a handful of herbs from a hanging bundle, rolling the leaves between his fingers before tossing them into the pot with a flourish. The scent of rosemary and sage curled into the air, blending with the earthy aroma of simmering vegetables.

  "Good morning," Lukan greeted her with a warm smile, his green eyes crinkling at the corners. "I hope you slept well."

  Nora returned the smile, settling at the table. "Better than I have in a long time," she admitted, accepting a steaming mug of tea. "But it took some time for me to calm down. After all the tribulations of the previous day."

  "Hear me out," said Lukan. "What if we take a day off today?"

  Nora started to protest, but Lukan signed that he wanted to explain himself.

  "We obviously have plenty of food here," he said. "They even replenished our stocks yesterday. So, no one is pushing us to go through it as fast as possible."

  "But what about Sumi?" asked Nora. "She's probably losing her mind, not knowing why I disappeared."

  "That's a valid concern," said Lukan. "But if you fail a trial because you weren't ready and didn't focus well enough, that wouldn't help us to get back to her as soon as possible either. You've already got through four out of ten challenges. Let's slow down just a little bit."

  Nora sipped her tea, savoring the warmth and the subtle herbal flavor. Despite the initial reservations, Lukan's suggestion of a day off resonated with her. The trials had been intense, both physically and emotionally. Even more so emotionally. The previous day's dreamscape overturned something deep within her. Made her feel both vulnerable and strong. She couldn't deny the appeal of taking a moment to breathe, to process all that had happened. The vulnerability she felt was a stark reminder of her humanity in the face of the trials.

  "Alright," she conceded, meeting Lukan's gaze. "A day off it is. But just one day. I don't want to lose momentum."

  Trial 3: The Hall of Echoes

  That's how, only in the early morning of the fourth day of their trial, Nora and Lukan approached the grand arch once again. The once proud stone structure was now covered in thick vines, giving it an eerie appearance. The leaves rustled softly, almost as if whispering to each other. Soft whispers spread from behind the veil, both luring and discouraging them.

  Nora took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. "The main goal today is to test our theories about the skill pairings," she said. "The quest sort of confirms that, but we still have to figure out the details. I need to balance the skills again."

  Lukan raised an eyebrow, his ears twitching with curiosity. "So, what's the plan this time?"

  As they stepped through the doors, they were greeted by a vast hall filled with shifting shadows and flickering lights. The walls seemed to hum with an unseen energy, and the air was thick with the murmur of countless voices, each carrying a different emotion.

  Nora felt a tug at her heart, a strange mix of sadness, joy, anger, and fear swirling around her. She glanced at Lukan, who was looking around with a mixture of wonder and wariness.

  "This place feels...weird," Lukan said, his voice echoing slightly. "What do you think we need to do here?"

  Nora pondered for a moment, testing the sensations inhibited by the hall. "I think we need to influence these emotions and heal the life forms left behind," she said. "And I probably know which skill is suited for that."

  Lukan nodded, his eyes glinting with determination. "So, what should it be?"

  Nora's eyes narrowed in concentration as she reached out with her mind, grasping at the swirling emotions around her. She tapped into her Emotional Influence skill, feeling the hall respond to her touch. The voices grew louder, their emotions becoming more pronounced—fear, anger, sorrow.

  Lukan watched Nora intently, his eyes filled with curiosity and admiration for her power. "What do you feel?" he asked, voice hushed in awe. "Can you do anything about it?"

  Nora furrowed her brow, delving deeper into the sea of emotions. "There's so much pain here," she murmured, almost overwhelmed by the intensity. "We need to calm the emotions and heal the wounds."

  But she couldn't ignore the nagging fear that they would respond with anger. When she erroneously chose this skill last time, the beings that inhabited the dreamscape overwhelmed her and made her feel the worst fear and despair.

  "It wouldn't stop me," whispered Nora. "This time, I'm sure I'm choosing the right skill."

  Gathering her strength and focus, Nora began to weave her influence through the hall. She could feel the shadows shifting and dancing around her, responding to her magic. The light grew steadier and warmer as she calmed the angry whispers and soothed the sorrowful murmurs. Slowly but surely, a sense of peace settled over the hall, replacing the tumultuous emotions that had once dominated it.

  As they ventured deeper into the grand hall, a haunting sight met their eyes. Strange, plant-like figures stood before them, covered in sores and wounds. They swayed faintly, their limbs twisted and gnarled like ancient roots pulled from the ground. Their translucent bodies glowed faintly, revealing dark veins of decay spidering beneath the surface. A low, mournful creak echoed from them as they moved.

  A wave of emotions covered Nora… Pain…? Was it pain? How could these… plants... even feel any pain at all? Nora felt a hollow ache rise in her chest, a reflection of their suffering that pressed heavily on her heart.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Suddenly, as if a sixth sense revealed to Nora: these were echoes of past traumas and unresolved emotions, manifested in physical form. Nora couldn't tell why she was so sure about it, but with her whole being, she knew she needed more than just her influence to overcome the challenges ahead; she needed to heal these wounded beings and restore them to peace.

  "Lukan, we must help them," she said urgently, reaching out with her hands toward one of the figures. "Can you help me with your attention? Focus on something?"

  Lukan nodded, stepping closer with an eager determination. "Just tell me what I have to do."

  Nora placed her hands on one of the twisted figures and felt a wave of cold, aching pain radiate through her fingertips. But she pushed through it, closing her eyes and calling upon her powerful Healing skill to soothe and mend. A warm light glowed from her hands as she channeled her energy to heal.

  Lukan watched in awe as the injuries slowly faded away under Nora's touch.

  "Incredible," he whispered, his eyes wide with wonder. "How can I help?"

  Nora smiled gratefully at him, feeling his mere presence strengthening her own focus. "Just stay by my side. You being here helps me channel my power. It's all support I need at this moment."

  As they worked together, Lukan stayed close, his presence a steadying force. When Nora faltered, overwhelmed by the pain radiating from the figures, he placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip firm but gentle. She glanced at Lukan, her resolve bolstered by the quiet strength in his green eyes. Without a word, they moved in tandem, their unspoken connection guiding them through the challenge.

  It was so until they reached the very end, where they found an enormous mirror standing before them. Its ornately carved frame loomed over the whole chamber like a watchful guardian.

  However, as they approached, their reflections began to blur and distort, revealing the depths of their inner selves. Nora's image flickered between fierce determination and a raw vulnerability that she had never seen before. Those were aftershocks of her experiences during the second trial.

  For a brief moment, she was unsure if it was indeed her own image or a reflection of someone else entirely. The mirror's surface rippled like liquid silver, distorting their reflections into fractured mosaics. Nora's image flickered—one moment fierce and resolute, the next raw and exposed, her eyes glistening with unspoken fears. It was as though the mirror was peeling back the layers of her soul, laying bare every vulnerability and strength she carried within.

  Lukan came to stand by her side, his reflection showing a mix of curiosity and unwavering loyalty. "What do we do now?"

  Nora reached out tentatively, her fingers brushing against the cool surface of the mirror. "We need to find balance within ourselves and heal our wounds."

  With closed eyes, she focused on the storm raging inside her and the tangled mess of emotions that threatened to consume her. But with Lukan's presence beside her, his unwavering support grounding her, they channeled their powers together. Using Emotional Influence to calm their inner turmoil and Healing to mend their hearts.

  This time, the skills worked in tandem to help bring peace to others and within themselves.

  As Nora approached the mirror, she noticed that its surface shined and glimmered. As she watched, the reflections became more defined and harmonious. The once dimly lit hall now brightened and any lingering shadows dissipated, leaving behind a sense of peace. Ultimately, a familiar chime sounded, and a new opening appeared in the distance. The third trial was done.

  ***

  Nora and Lukan were once again standing near the shimmering arch, leaving one more trial behind. Despite the doubts and uncertainties that still lingered in their minds, they slowly grew accustomed to the bizarre routine of the challenges.

  Lukan's canine grin was infectious, his tail wagging with unbridled excitement. "We make a pretty good team, don't we?" he exclaimed.

  Nora couldn't help but smile, feeling a strong sense of camaraderie with her companion. "You bet we do," she replied confidently. "Now, I have no doubt that we'll be ready for whatever comes next. And you seem to be quite excited as well!"

  The comment made Lukan glance behind his back. "Ah, that…" he said. "I usually do a better job of concealing my emotions. But, as a matter of fact, yes, I am excited. We've done two-thirds of this trial, and I can almost smell you getting us a win soon!"

  "So, what do you think? Should we keep the schedule we agreed upon yesterday?" asked Nora. "Should we make breaks between the trials?"

  "That's for you to say, Nora," answered Lukan. "You are doing most of the lifting. I'm just a support guy."

  "Well, today's trial wasn't too taxing and exhausting," Nora said, deliberating. "But we don't know what happens next. Let's rest tomorrow."

  "Then rest it is!" said Lukan. "I saw some really nice stuff delivered to us recently. I should prepare a real feast for you!"

  "Awww!" exclaimed Nora. "You are spoiling me!"

  However, before moving to the kitchen to prepare their dinner, Nora reached for her stats to check the progress.

  ========== Updated Skills ==========

  Emotional Influence: 6.0% (+6.0%)

  Healing: 4.0% (+4.0%)

  Nora's brow furrowed as she stared at the numbers on the report. "A six percent increase instead of five? But why?" she questioned, her mind racing to find a logical explanation.

  Lukan, always quick to engage in intellectual banter with Nora, chimed in. "Did you notice any difference in using the skill?"

  "No, I can't say that I did," Nora replied, lost in thought. "Every trial is draining in one way or another. And demands my full concentration. But...there was something different about using Emotional Influence during these challenges."

  "What do you mean?" Lukan asked.

  "It was the only time since the beginning of the trials that I felt conflicted about using this skill on live beings without their consent," Nora admitted hesitantly. "We had no way to communicate with them, and that made it even harder for me to go through with it."

  "And the four percent," continued Lukan, "You mentioned that this Guardian was fixated on balancing everything. It would be only logical if he wanted to make you notice something, to take away the points to keep the total score even."

  "I hope we'll get some answers next time we talk to the Guardian," said Nora, heading to the cabins. "But the hopes are not too high—last time he was very circumvent about so many things…!"

  As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the kitchen, Nora and Lukan sat at the table, sipping steaming mugs of herbal tea. The air was thick with the comforting scent of freshly baked bread and simmering stew. They shared stories of their past lives, leaning in close as if they were conspirators in a secret plot.

  Lukan watched Nora with admiration as she recounted her experiences. "You seem to handle these trials so well," he remarked, his eyes studying her face.

  Nora chuckled softly, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "I don't know about that. Back home, I was just trying to get by. I was always buried in work, constantly fighting to prove myself in a field dominated by men. It wasn't easy."

  She paused, memories flooding back, and she took another sip of tea before continuing. "But I suppose it prepared me for this new journey," Nora continued.

  As she explained the gender dynamics in her world, Lukan's ears perked up and his brow furrowed in confusion. He couldn't imagine a society where men were considered superior just because of their gender.

  "Wait, what?" Lukan said. "Your world? You said you're from far away. Now you are telling me you are not from here at all?"

  "I thought you'd guess already," said Nora. "After I was so clueless on so many basic aspects of life here."

  "Well, I thought you lived in some secluded village or whatever," said Lukan. "But then, I can't say anything surprises me anymore. I just hope you'll tell me more about your world at some moment in the future. It's intriguing. Anyway, what you mean by that your work prepared you for these challenges. You said you didn't have magic!"

  Nora let out a heavy sigh and gazed up at the sky, lost in thought. "I didn't. Our whole worlds doesn't have any magic. But… It was tough being a woman in my field," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "Men held most of the power and made most of the decisions. It was like they automatically assumed they were better or more capable just because they were men."

  Lukan's ears perked up, and his tail stiffened as he processed what Nora had just said. His green eyes widened, filled with disbelief. "Wait, hold up," he said, his voice tinged with confusion. "Men are considered better just because they're men? What kind of backwards thinking is that?"

  Nora rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of years of frustration rise to the surface. "I know, right? It sounds ridiculous to me too, but… that's how it's been for centuries." She sighed, trying to find the words. "Where I'm from, it's not about who's better at what—it's about who's holding the power. And guess what? Men have been doing that for a long time."

  The corner of Lukan's mouth lifted in a genuine smile, creasing the edges of his crystal blue eyes. "Well, here," he gestured to their surroundings, "you're seen for more than just your physical appearance. Your strength, intelligence, and kindness are what make you truly extraordinary, Nora."

  Nora felt her cheeks flush with warmth at his words, and she couldn't help but smile back at him. "Thank you, Lukan. That means a lot coming from you."

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