After seeing Guinevere off, Lancelot and Gawain immediately made their way toward one of the continent’s central regions.

During the journey with, Guinevier they had heard from a few caravans that, there there was a strange phenomenon occurring all over the continent. The sky would darken, as thick clouds would appear. The land would tremble, and the winds would howl while storms would ravage the area. And at the end of each phenomenon, a temple would appear, exuding a strong might.

Courtesy of Lacelot’s ability [Tempest] ’s subskill [Fulgur Ruinam], making their way over to one, took little less than two days. And after two days, they now stood before one.

The temple had very little people around it, and as a result of the intangible might, it exuded. All beasts made sure to keep a safe distance. Whereas only certain individuals of some strength dared to approach or even enter it.

Regardless, sizing up the temple before them, the duo began their ascent. As they made their way up a flight of stairs, Lancelot and Gawain felt a suppressive pressure pressing down on them with each step they took. Though it was difficult, the duo shrugged it off as they ascended until the pressure wore off as passed a set of columns that held up the temple.

Before them was bluish light beaming through the pillared alley, which made an eerie contrast with the white halo beaming from the set of golden double doors at the center of the temple. Oddly, the doors weren’t attached to anything but were simply floating off the ground, exuding a powerful presence. The fragrance of incense was heavy, and the sound of chimes could occasionally be heard echoing throughout the temple.

Exchanging glances with each other, both Lancelot and Gawain began to make their way forward until they stood two meters away from the doors when a figure made off blue particles of light appeared.

It was a well-aged man in a comfortable toga with a wreath atop his head. Looking at Lancelot and Gawain, he smiled. “Hello, young heroes, welcome to the Temple of Champions. I am Hi’asfuk, guardian of this temple. I must ask, are you here to partake in the Trial of Champions or perhaps simply here out of curiosity?

Hearing this, Gawain and Lancelot exchanged glances once more, as Lancelot spoke up. “Trail of Champions?”

Hi’asfuk nodded. “Behind these golden doors lays a unique trial for every individual that can make it up those stairs. And for those who pass the trial, they will be personally taken up as an adherent by one of my lords. And before you ask, being taken as an adherent by one of my lords is extremely beneficial. Not only will they pass on their knowledge to you, but they will also enhance your strength.”

Hearing this, Lancelot’s eyes squinted. “That sounds pretty shady.”

Caught off guard by Lancelot’s response, Hi’asfuk’s body shook. “How so?”

“You basically just said, do a trail, pass, become some unknowns person’s adherent, and you gain knowledge and power. Sound pretty similar to a dark merchant offering children candy,” replied Lancelot.

“OH. My apologies then, allow me to properly explain then. These trials are for my lords to finds suitable candidates, specifically those on the Hero’s path, to pass on their knowledge in some cases, some of their power. Due to the changes coming to the Realm, my lords very much need their candidates to keeps the inhabitant of Pandora safe from those of Spira and Daemonium. However, due to an event in the past, they are all gravely weakened and need to recover.”

Pausing to make sure Lancelot and Gawain were following, Hi’asfuk continued. “As you may or may not know yet, all who follow the Hero’s path have admirers. The more admirers look up to a Hero, the more of an energy they generate, known as faith power. And it this power that my lords need to recover. Though this power is useful for you also, it is only when you have reached a certain level of power. And when you’ve reached that level that faith power can no longer be transferred to anyone. However, since it’s useless for you to know, in exchange for becoming an Adherent of one my lords, they will, in turn, aid you in your growth until your faith power can become your own. You can view it as a win, win situation. Accelerated growth in exchange for something you don’t need for now.”

Speaking up to this point, Hi’asfuk stopped and waited for Gawain’s and Lancelot’s response.

This time it was Gawain who spoke up. “Can the Adherent-ship be canceled at any time?”

Hi’asfuk nodded. “Indeed, it can, it just take you thinking about it to do so.”

Exchanging glances once more, the duo shrugged. ‘We have nothing to lose here.’

Seeing their reactions, Hi’asfuk confirmed. “So, do you wish to partake in the trial?”

Lancelot and Gawain nodded.

“Alright, one at a time, please.”

…

…

Standing on a war-torn battlefield, Lancelot looked up to the thundering and lighting skies as countless armored soldiers descended in a barrage of lightning.

As they landed, their eyes flashed yellow a yellow light as they focused on Lancelot.

Seeing this, Lancelot smirked. “Alright, let’s get this show on the road.”

“Tempest!”

…

…

Elsewhere in another pocket dimension. Gawain stood silently on a frozen battlefield as countless ice soldiers began to rise from the frozen ground.

And as they rose, their eyes flashed a blue light as they focussed on the lone Gawain.

Seeing this, Gawain’s expression remained as nonchalant as ever as he spoke in a soft voice.

“Bīng Jùrén!”

As these words left, Gawain’s mouth, a burst of icy energy, began to erupt from his body slowly rising and condensing.

As the energy condensed, a bearded thirty-meter tall ice giant in icy-blue beast skin clothes appeared, gripping a giant sword blue sword.

Kneeling behind, Gawain he spoke. “Your orders, my lord?”

“Wipe them out.”

“As you’ve ordered, I Grimrr shall fulfill.”

And with that, Grimrr stood and readied his giant gladius. “Come fools! To your demise!”

CRACK!

Shattering the froze land beneath him, Grimrr leaped into the air, raising his gladius over his head.

CRCH!! BOOOM!

The charging frost army was blown across the frozen wasteland, as Grimrr descended, leaving only a sparse few straggling at the fringes.

Off in the distance, on the altar, a young man stood with his eyes open wide. ‘What the actual fuck?... I now see why the Realm prohibits the killing of a large group of people in an instant. This…this…sigh… Guess it, my turn now.’

And with that, the young man disappeared from his position.

Sensing something fast approaching. Gawain called out. “Grimrr, above.”

BANG!

A large gladius and blue greatsword suddenly collided, sending buffets of frozen air into the surroundings.

WHOOSH!

Sent flying into the air, the young man in blue armor, created a beautiful arc before crashing into the ground. With a thought running through his head, ‘What the-“

However, before the young man could finish his thought or even stand up, a rush of air suddenly blew past him. As a grinning, Grimrr appeared in his sights, gripping his gladius in a downward arc.

BOOM!

Following a flash of blue light, a large blue crystal sudden appeared enveloping the young man. With gritted teeth, the young man stood up, releasing a large amount of energy, causing Grimrr’s sword to be blasted away.

“Alright, if that’s how you want to play, I will play.”

…

…

On Lancelot’s side of things, after activating Tempest, a large pillar of lightning shot off into the sky.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

This caused the overhanging clouds to shake, as arcs of lighting snake through them.

While the arcs of lightning danced overhead, Lancelot gripped his spear, and in a flash, began to weave and tear through the oncoming arming.

However, his movements were a bit strange, almost as he was marking certain areas of the battlefield.

Regardless, after a few minutes, he appeared at the rear of the charging army with a grin plastered on his face.

“Descend!”

ZIIIIPP!! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Countless lightning strikes began to descend on the army, striking every position Lancelot had one been.

Eventually, the entire army was turned to ash.

Off in the distance, standing on top of an altar, the young woman watched this scene with a hint of amusement, before disappearing from her position. ‘This should be entertaining.’

.

.

[Tibit 1: Fulgur Ruinam is Latin for Lightning Descent, and it’s the skill Lancelot used to arrive at the Dungeon of the Twelve.]

[Tibit 2: Bīng jùrén is Chinese for Ice Giant.]