CHAPTER TWO: WRAITH VALLEY (1)

 The temple of wisdom, being a receptacle of immense ancient power and influence, has its boundaries occupying up to twenty-five percent land mass of the entire city. The space holds various sectors which include their private military and academic institutions, among many others. One of the countless buildings here is the Main Assembly Hall where public addressing takes place, and currently, it is filled with the only camera crews allowed from the various high-tier media outlets.

“In an era of technology and democracy, Igineri is a first-world country thriving at the top of the game. It is a powerful nation that had begun a rapid rise since the great Watcher shared his wisdom throughout the planet with great love and patience, while also showing the unfathomable manifestation he possessed from unraveling the mysteries of the first constellation he comprehended. We are the roots and glue that continue to hold up other countries of the Ayika Continent. Without the aid we provide every year, the Solar United Nations would crumble beneath enemies’ hunger. Of course, we have the God of Scriptures to thank for all that, but as you all know, the current stable hold we’ve maintained since the celestial’s ascension had been the results of endless efforts put in by the past Holy Star Symbols and their warriors who all came from Stell city. As Igineri is the powerhouse of S.U.N, Stell City is the powerhouse to…………”

 All twenty finalists, in a monotonous black uniform, are lined in a 5 by 4 cell formation before the wide stage upon which six middle-aged men and women in exquisitely designed robes continue to give the brief lecture. With this being their first appearance in public, none of them dared show a lack of social etiquette; down to their standing posture as the flashes and shutter sounds of cameras went off on them, along with others broadcasting their faces.

“When will these old farts end this?”A robust male finalist sucked gentle air between his teeth, earning a glance of annoyance from the shorter lady beside him.

“I dare you to be just a bit louder.”

The man playfully tapped a finger on the back of her hand. “What, Cassandra? I can’t be the only one who finds this utterly boring, right?”

The lady rolled her pair of Ivy's eyes. "This is part of the ceremony, Ricky. It will soon be over so calm down."

The man grunted in understanding before the sight of short titanium-colored curls of hair on a lean boy a column before him crushed his boredom. “Hey, Sad boy! I can’t believe you’re really going through with this. You should know by now the Accordance trial location is no place for the weak-minded.”

“Leave me alone, Ricky.” The lean boy with smooth amber skin angles his head to glare Alice-colored eyes at him.

A sneer flashed through Ricky’s face and he slightly leaned forward. “Fool. Just know if your periodic neuroticism causes us more trouble during the trial, I’m coming for your head.”

“Give it a rest, Ricky; we could all do with a bit of shutting up from you.” Another male finalist, quite as robust as Ricky, whispered from behind him with a bored look. This earned snickers of mockery from the other finalists who overheard him.

“Nice one, Chad.” Cassandra quickly hid a snicker with a light cough.

Ricky could only brood in silence at the humiliation. Arguing with Chad right now would only get him in trouble.

“Alright. I would apologize for the unnecessary lecture, except it's been part of this ceremony for more than a couple of myriennia now." A middle-aged man with a chocolate skin tone on the podium walked forward with a beaming smile as the gigantic screen behind turned on to reveal six other faces of middle-aged men and women in similarly designed robes. "With all twelve Pillars of the temple of wisdom here, somewhat, I present to you this generation Holy Star Symbol and my daughter, Priestess Eshya Luan." A beaming smile of pride spread beneath the man's beard as he moved aside.

The cameras were fully focused, hopeful they might get some display of divine gift.

 Specks of blue light appeared one after the other on the stage before moving around in beautiful bright arcs that had everyone mesmerized as they rapidly converged on the spot the father had moved away from. A blinding white light at the point of convergence has everyone briefly shielding their eyes away, turning back to find a young lady with a Fawn skin tone sheening off the natural light striking through the transparent glass ceiling of the large hall. On her oval-shaped face is a pair of big eyes containing bright blue irises, a small nose, and heart-shaped lips. The leather royal blue tube dress is beautifully matched with a golden off-shoulder sheer fabric that runs through a diamond-encrusted black belt and out into a parted flow down to her knees while her feet are hidden within Ankle boots matching her dress in color. The tight curls of her bright blonde hair are let down her back, reaching mid-thigh.

When you've spent years living with the most powerful celestial's energy coursing through every cell in your body, in addition to being raised in extreme wealth and being treated to nothing but the best, this is the optimal result any one of these onlookers could hope for. None of the past rare videos or images did acceptable justice to this priestess' beauty. She was simply too stunning.

"Thank you for the wonderful introduction, father." The priestess gave an appreciative nod to the still-beaming man before turning her full attention to the finalists. "I would like to personally congratulate all twenty of you for making it this far, coming out on top out of the one thousand and ninety-three you started with; this is no small feat. I hope you'll receive my sincere thanks for your perseverance. Let it be clear to all those witnessing you today the level of nonrefundable sacrifice you've offered in the name of this cause." Her gentle smile then slowly turned neutral, her words coming out in soft but sturdy waves. "Alas, the gate to your warriors belongs to the supreme watcher alone, and he has decided to put Wraith Valley as the grounds for your final trial. Those who pass the Accordance trial will be star-touched and will officially cross to my side to become Holy Warriors of the wisdom temple while those who fail will be presented the option of either moving on with their lives or they receive an honorary invitation into a branch of the military." Her somewhat glowing blue eyes calmly scanned the finalists' faces. "It would be sinful of me to not warn you there might be casualties during this trial. The affected could end up either crippled physically and emotionally, or worse, dead. As this generation's Holy Star Symbol, I'm hereby granting a moment of Honorary Relinquish. Guaranteed, any who choose to leave this moment would be doing so with their honor unaffected.”

Stark silence washed through the entire room, even the media crews were lost in the moment. The finalists could only look around at one another. This was a great act of benevolence the priestess was extending to them, but who in their right mind would want to leave? Everyone who made it this far had developed an admirably high level of courage that would not waver today of all day.

Ricky turns a wicked smile directly at the curly-haired boy. "Do you hear that, sad boy? The priestess must have smelled your stench of pessimism."

“Star crash, Ricky! Lay off Bava for a second, will you.” Cassandra jabbed her elbow into the large boy’s ribs.

A minute of looking at each other and it was clear - none of the finalists was leaving, not now. They all simply returned to their position and regained their posture once again. The instructors who enlisted them were sure to be filled with great pride.

A proud laced smile spread across Priestess Eshya's lips and she slowly descended the stage to come face to face with the rightmost finalist on the first row. “Joshua Paints, good luck on your trial.” She placed out a palm and the astounded man accepted the handshake. She moved to the next person. “Rose Eros, good luck on your trial.” She moved to the next person. “Eva Adams, good luck on your trial.”

Everyone present in that hall, every citizen and netizen watching the live feed could only feel their hearts waver in gratitude at the sight of this lady. At that moment, it made so much sense why the God of Scriptures chose her.

 Following her brief interaction with the finalist, she returned to the stage and the twelve pillars proceeded to pray for them all.

An hour later, the media crews rushed out as both the priestess and finalists left the hall premises to find two private jets waiting to take them. The one for the priestess had fifteen security guards boarding the jet with her while the finalists were led to the other aircraft by a flight attendant. Ten minutes later, they take off due west of the vast city.

           

 [Wraith Valley

- West of Stell City.]

 Etanai was earnestly praying for a sweet death at this point. He realized he'd been fading in and out of consciousness. It had started when he woke up to find the Zeal-leacher that attacked was on the floor croaking its lungs out, human-like hands tightened around its neck as it thrashed about. He had looked down at his hands to find its torn-out tongue in his tight grasp, completely green liquid stained. He couldn't believe he had done it. Was his desire to return to his most precious person that powerful? He found out too late that the noise the leacher was making was a cry for its siblings. He ran, fell, and fought over and over again till he realized the sun had been up for a while. He was sure his face was thoroughly scarred with those hooked tubes the creatures kept digging into his face.

He was certain he’d killed at least three of them. He even recalled finding his fingers deep in a Zeal-leacher’s eyes. Right now, he hid behind a small pile of dry bones, belonging to humans no doubt, literally drenched in his own blood and sweat. He picked up on the fact that the leachers were struggling more and more to find him. These creatures were tough but he’d managed to strike them down in their most vulnerable state. His scent was all mixed with their siblings now.

He was in survival mode and he refused to wonder where exactly the adrenaline was coming from in his thoroughly battered body. His desperate eyes were scanning his environment for a possible exit when a guttural croak near him had him racing in the opposite direction – he'd been spotted once again.

                 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 The group of men and women could only stare at the pit-like entrance to Wraith Valley with some level of trepidation; this was it. Priestess Eshya conversed with the security guards before they left.

“Everyone, on your knees.”

The finalists looked to each other before going down on their knees; they didn’t have to understand her intention to obey.

Priestess Eshya closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and began whispering in an almost imperceptible tongue. A bath of pleasant warmth washed over them before she allowed them back on their feet. "I have granted you just enough blessing to decrease your chances of dying while not technically breaking the temple's oath with the Goddess of Retribution."

The finalists showed a variety of relief. Their priestess was doing her best to make sure they came out of this alive. They slightly tilted their heads forward one after the other in a show of gratitude.

“Remember, do not go after any Zeal-leacher that’s not gunning for you. They are much more powerful than they’ll show you today, so ensure to keep it that way.” She gave them a warm smile. “The Star-Trail Accordance Trial has officially begun. Good luck.”

They turn around, most of them now undaunted, and run straight into the valley's boundary

     

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It was quiet the minute they began their way down the entrance slope.

“There must be an energy disruption blocking this place from the outside world.”

“Look! Corpses. Let’s avoid becoming that.”

“Shut up, you’re ruining my concentration.”

“Hey! What part of our training encourages useless noise in enemy territory?”

 Everyone was a bit on edge, their earlier mental state of gallance wavering at the eeriness this place exuded. Once at the bottom of the valley, they began separating into smaller groups; this test had to be taken individually.

Chad, Ricky, and Sandra had ended up taking a direction together with two other finalists, treading along with full focus sensing out their surroundings.

“Watch out!” Cassandra suddenly called out.