Our heroes stood still for a moment, the air heavy with silence.
Each of them wondered what awaited them beyond these ancient walls.
"It brings back memories," murmured Yumé.
"You mean the Nexus trial?" asked Ikku.
"Yeah… the Pandemonium," replied Yumé with a faint smile.
"Let's stay alert," said Kenny. "We've probably stepped where no one has set foot for decades."
"You're right," added Carla.
Their journey resumed, and they were ready for whatever lay ahead.
They walked cautiously into the legendary temple's corridor, their footsteps echoing against the stone floor. The walls were covered in carved images, dimly lit by a soft, flickering glow that seeped through old cracks.
"What do you think these drawings mean?" Ikku asked, running his fingers along the wall.
"Probably something related to the jewel," Carla answered.
Before they could speak further, a sharp metallic noise echoed through the hall.
Dozens no, hundreds of small slits opened along the walls, each revealing a loaded arrow ready to fire.
The corridor stretched far ahead. There was no cover, no way to run.
"Damn it!" shouted Yumé. "What do we do?!"
"I can try to shield us with my chains," suggested Carla.
"There are too many!" said Ikku. "That won't work!"
"Use hardening!" yelled Kenny. "It's our only chance!"
Instantly, they coated their bodies in condensed spiritual energy, forming a protective armor.
A deafening storm of arrows filled the corridor, blocking their vision completely.
For a full minute, it was impossible to see anything beyond the blinding barrage.
Then, silence.
When the dust settled, none of them were hurt.
Their energy armor had held firm. The first trial was behind them.
"Looks like we're not exactly welcome," muttered Kenny.
"Of course not," replied Ikku. "We're after a sacred jewel."
"Then let's keep moving," said Carla.
"Agreed," nodded Yumé.
They pressed on, still wary.
At the end of the corridor, a vast chamber unfolded before them. In its center stood a massive stone tablet.
"What do you think it means?" Yumé asked.
"No idea," said Carla.
"Let's read what's written on it," suggested Ikku.
Kenny stepped closer and read aloud:
"Welcome to the Temple of Sormiou. This sanctuary was built to protect the Jewel of the End.
But a jewel is only an object an object that requires a master.
He who proves worthy of destruction shall become its owner.
The unworthy shall be annihilated."
"Not the friendliest message," muttered Yumé.
"At least we're in the right place," said Ikku.
Just then, a deep rumble echoed behind them.
A giant stone door slid open with a thunderous groan. Without hesitation, they stepped inside.
The new room was as large as the last, but this time, countless statues filled the space some of armored warriors, others of common men and women.
"What the hell is this place now?" asked Carla.
"I've got a bad feeling…" murmured Ikku.
The statues' eyes suddenly glowed.
"Get ready!" shouted Kenny, taking his stance.
In an instant, the statues lunged forward.
The battle began.
The four of them dodged and countered. Carla's chains shattered several statues; Yumé's hands flared with light as he blasted others apart. Ikku and Kenny smashed through their attackers with raw strength.
Moments later, all the statues were rubble.
"That was easier than I thought," said Kenny with a smirk.
But then, before their eyes, the shattered statues slowly began to reform.
"This just got worse," muttered Yumé.
The statues attacked again.
"Don't waste your energy!" shouted Ikku. "Use expansion read their movements and dodge until we figure this out!"
They spread their energy outward in a two-meter radius, sharpening their senses. The statues weren't fast, making it possible to evade their strikes easily.
"What's the plan, Ikku?" asked Kenny between dodges. "We can hold out for hours like this, but we'll run out of energy eventually!"
"There has to be something we're missing," Ikku replied. "Look around!"
Carla scanned the room and spotted something.
A statue of a small child, crouched in fear, unmoving.
"I found one that isn't attacking!" she shouted.
"Same here!" called Yumé.
"Then let's destroy them!" suggested Kenny. "Maybe that'll stop the rest!"
Ikku froze, thinking.
'Prove yourself worthy of destruction…' The words echoed in his mind. Then it hit him.
"Wait!" he yelled. "Don't destroy them! Pick them up and return them to the mother statues!"
"To which ones?" asked Yumé.
"There are only two female statues," said Ikku. "Those children must belong to them. Find which one matches!"
"The one I found has curly hair like that one," said Carla, pointing.
"And mine's straight-haired, like the other," added Yumé.
"Perfect! Go!"
They each took a child statue and approached the matching mother. As they drew near, the statues froze.
"Looks like it worked," said Yumé with relief.
But another statue suddenly leapt at him. He dodged instinctively.
"Guess not!" shouted Carla as she too came under attack.
"Why isn't it working?!" growled Ikku.
Kenny, calm as ever, analyzed the situation.
"They keep rebuilding and attacking no matter what… but they paused when the children were presented. Why?"
He kept thinking, dodging blow after blow. Then, by chance, Ikku was struck and hurled against a wall. He staggered to his feet, dazed, his expansion gone. Another statue raised its arm to strike him, but… its movement was slow, almost sluggish.
Ikku's eyes widened.
That's it… I get it now!
"Kenny!" he shouted.
"Yeah, I know!" Kenny replied instantly. "I'll take Yumé's child, you take Carla's!"
"Got it!"
"What's going on?!" asked Yumé, confused.
"Yumé, dissipate your energy completely," ordered Kenny.
"You too, Carla," said Ikku.
"Are you insane?!" yelled Yumé. "If we get hit unprotected, we're dead!"
"Trust us," said Ikku firmly.
Carla looked into his eyes, then smiled softly.
"All right. Yumé, do as they say."
"Tch… fine," Yumé sighed.
"We must be ready to die if we want to succeed," said Ikku quietly.
They released all their spiritual energy, their bodies now completely exposed.
Ikku and Kenny walked forward, each holding a child statue.
The two mother statues froze once more. This time, none of the others moved.
"What's happening?" asked Yumé.
"Watch," said Carla.
The mother statues extended their hands. Ikku and Kenny gently placed the children in their arms.
Immediately, all the other statues bowed their heads in gratitude, then aligned themselves in two rows forming a silent path.
At the end of that path, a door slowly opened.
Ikku bowed back respectfully.
"I'm completely lost," said Yumé, scratching his head. "Someone please explain."
"This is their territory," said Kenny.
"Their territory?"
"Yes," explained Ikku. "The statues reacted to our energy. To them, it was hostility. By dispelling it and returning their children, we proved we weren't enemies. Even though we could have destroyed them, we chose not to. We rejected destruction."
"Ah… I get it now," said Yumé. "But what if we had destroyed the children instead?"
"Then they would've kept attacking until we died," said Ikku simply.
"Terrifying…" Yumé muttered.
Ikku took a deep breath.
"Well, one trial down. The jewel must be close now. Let's move."
"Right!" they all answered in unison.
And so, their journey continued.
But the Temple of Sormiou still had many secrets left to reveal.