Chapter 12: Trials of the Warriors
The Path to Strength
With the threat of Aurora Yoichi looming, the warriors, gods, and celestial lords began their training under the guidance of the Primordial Beings. Each warrior had to face their own trials—not just of power, but of their past.
The True Gods did not simply teach new techniques. They unlocked what was already hidden within the warriors.
Infinity God stood before his disciples. "Power without understanding is meaningless. Before you can grow stronger, you must understand yourselves."
And so, the warriors' true tests began.
---
Vaelion's Trial: The Curse of the Abyss
Vaelion, once the ruler of the Abyssal Lords, was forced to confront his past. He had once betrayed the gods, seeking power in the shadows. But when the Abyss turned against him, he was left broken, wandering the void.
Now, he stood before the Abyssal Spirit, the entity that had cursed him.
"You cannot change what you are," the spirit whispered. "You will always be darkness."
Vaelion clenched his fists. "I am not bound by my past."
To move forward, he had to master the Forbidden Abyssal Form, the final stage of his shadow powers—one that threatened to consume him. If he failed, he would be lost forever.
---
Lord Moon's Trial: The Silent Betrayal
In the endless halls of the Celestial Spire, Lord Moon faced an illusion from his past. He saw his former self, standing beside Lord Sun and Godstar before the great war.
"You were meant to protect the balance," the illusion of Godstar said. "Yet you chose revenge."
Lord Moon had always believed in justice, but in his pursuit of vengeance against the fallen gods, he had sacrificed too much. Now, his trial was to fight himself—his own hatred, his own regrets.
If he could not overcome his past, he would never unlock the Lunar Eclipse Form, the true power of his bloodline.
---
Galaxy God's Trial: The Weight of the Cosmos
Galaxy God stood alone in the Abyssal Rift, surrounded by collapsing stars. The True Gods had given him a single challenge: hold the weight of an entire dying galaxy.
His hands trembled as the sheer force crushed his body. His past self had always relied on raw strength, but this was something beyond strength—it was the responsibility of a god.
He gritted his teeth. "I will not fail."
If he could withstand this burden, he would awaken the Celestial Armament, a divine weapon forged from the heart of a dying universe.
---
The Clock is Ticking
As the warriors fought their inner demons, Aurora Yoichi remained unseen, watching from the shadows of existence. He knew they were preparing.
And he was allowing it.
"Let them believe they have a chance," he murmured. "It will make their downfall even sweeter."
The war was coming. But first, the warriors had to conquer themselves.
To be continued in Chapter 13…