Armaverse/Chapter 19

==Intro==
The Second Trial has begun. But, this is only the beginning. With each passing minute, they will find more clues...
==Description== 
===Part 1===
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I wake up feeling disoriented, feeling the sudden rush of cold air grab against my skin. My eyes then flutter open, and for a second, I struggle to remember where I am. I see Dylan beside me, wiping off the renmants of dust from the tears transport. 
Sarah: You okay?
Dylan: Yeah, I'm fine. Just feel a little dizzy.
With slow and careful movements, we slowly get up. The environment around us is a surprising contrast, compared to the vibrant nebula landscape we just left
Sarah: Woah, this is, different.
Dylan: Yeah, this looks like the opposite of where we just were.
After a quick survey of my surroundings, we appear to be in a snowy expanse, the ground below my feet blanketed in white, with the air filled with the sound of whirling snow.
Sarah: I just, I still have so many questions. What was that hooded figure? What were we doing in that limbo-like area? What does any of this even mean?
Dylan: I’m sure we’ll find out soon, Sarah. But right now, we need to focus on what’s in front of us.
I can tell that Dylan is just as curious as I am, but I think he’s trying to keep me from worrying too much. We take a moment to look around, the silence only broken by the faint howling of the wind. Suddenly, a burst of light catches our attention.
Sarah:[Hand up to her eyes]Ugh, my eyes. That is so bright! 
One by one, I notice streetlights flicker to life, illuminating a path through the snow. We bith exchange a surprised glance before heading towards the direction of the light. As we walk, we try to make sense of our situation.
Sarah: So, what do you think that hooded figure meant about the three shimmering stars? Do you think it has something to do with us?
Dylan: I mean it’s definitely possible. Everything we’ve encountered so far seems connected, like pieces of a puzzle. Maybe the stars are a part of this so called prophecy Xul Turon mentioned.
Sarah: That does make sense. But, why us though? Why are we the ones that are involved in this? I mean, we are just ordinary people.
Dylan: Honestly, I don’t know, Sarah. Maybe there is something special within us, something we haven’t discovered yet. Or maybe, it’s our connection to each other that makes us unique.
Sarah: Heh, that's a comforting thought. But it still feels like a lot of pressure. I mean, what if we fail? What if we can’t even complete the trials? Would that make us no longer part of the prophecy?
Dylan: Well we’ve come this far, Sarah. We’ve faced everything together and made it through. And you know what? We’ll do the same with these trials. We’ll find out what we need to do and we’ll do it. Together.
Sarah: [Blushing] Heh, I know. Thanks.
As we talked, we reach the last two streetlights, as sudden gust of wind kicks up a whirlwind of snow, momentarily blinding us. When the snow settles, a towering mountain stands before us, its height startling me for a second. At its base, a deteriorated chest catches our eye. 
Dylan: Hey look, a chest. Let’s see what’s inside. It could help us.
We approach the chest, its wooden frame worn and weathered. Carefully, we open it to reveal a collection of items. 
Sarah: Woah, this is a lot of stuff. Seems like we are going to have to climb this mountain.
I see a sturdy rope, that we can probably use to protect ourselfs and hold onto incase we fall. I also see some ice picks, we can probably use them to grip onto more vertical services.
Just as we gather the supplies, Xul Turon’s voice echoes around us, filling the air with a resonant tone.
Xul Turon: Welcome to your next trial, Sarah and Dylan. You must ascend the mountain, overcoming the obstacles you will encounter on the way. Be strong, be brave, and trust in your bond. The fate of the universe rests upon your shoulders. 
The voice of Xul Turon then fades, leaving us with the scarce tools we have. Actually, speaking of tools, I noticed for a bit that my backpack and stuff I had prior to these trials are gone. I brush it off, thinking I will probably just get it back after the trials are over.
Sarah: Well, here we go, Dylan. Ready for the next trial? 
Dylan: Ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s do this.
Sarah: Here we go...
===Part 2===
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We are standing at the base of the mountain, it's ominous height looming over us. I get gooosebumps for a second. We have to climb, that..?!
Our supplies from the chest are secure in our hands and pockets. Me and Dylan both exchange a glance.
Sarah: Well, here we go. You ready?
Dylan: Yes. Let's do this, and complete the second trial.
And just like that, we begin our ascent up the towering mountain, the cold breeze biting into our skin as we climb. The snow makings a crunching sound under our shoes with each step we take, and I can see snow sticking to my shoes like a magnet.
Dylan: Agh, be careful, Sarah. The ice is really slippery here.
Sarah: Yeah I know, I'm trying to keep my balance.
We move cautiously, using the ice picks to help secure ourselves as we go. The wind is howling all around us, throwing snow into our faces and making it hard to see. Every now and then, I glance at Dylan, drawing strength from his determined expression.
As we climb higher, the obstacles begin to become more challenging. The mountain is becoming more steeper. We encounter a section where the path is almost completely blocked by a massive boulder, caught between 2 massive crags. After looking around, I notice only way around it is to scale a narrow, icy ledge that grips to the side of the mountain.
Dylan: We’ll have to be really careful here, Sarah. One wrong move and...
Sarah: Yeah, I know. Keep going, I know we can do this.
We carefully make our way across the ledge, inch by inch. My heart is pounding in my chest as I focus on every step, making sure my footing is secure. Halfway across, my foot slips on a patch of ice, and I lose my balance.
Sarah: Oh no!
In a split second, I find myself dangling over the edge, the icy wind rushing past me. My heard is pounding as I am looking down, with the terrifyingly long drop lingering below me. My fingers are scrabbling for a hold, but there's nothing to grab onto. Just as I start to panic, I feel a strong hand grasp my wrist.
Dylan: I've got you, Sarah! Hold on!
With a grunt of effort, Dylan pulls me back up onto the ledge. I collapse against the mountain, breathing heavily.
Sarah: Thank you, Dylan. I... I thought I was done for.
Dylan: Your welcome. And we're in this together, remember? I won't let anything happen to you.
He said it again. I can't deny the bond that's been growing between us. It's more than just a partnership made just for this prophecy. There's a deep connection, a trust that goes beyond words.
We continue our climb, facing more obstacles as we go. At one point, we come across a frozen waterfall that blocks our path. The only way forward is to climb up the slick, icy surface.
Dylan: This is going to be tough. We need to find good handholds and take it slow. 
Sarah: Agreed. Maybe we can utilize those ice picks and grip onto the ice.
Dylan: That's perfect, Sarah.
So we use our ice picks to carve out small ridges in the frozen waterfall, slowly making our way up. The ice is slippery, and my muscles are aching from the effort, but we persevere. The cold seeps into my bones, and my fingers are starting to feel numb, but Dylan’s encouragement and sense of determination is keeping me going.
After what feels like an eternity, we finally reach the top of the frozen waterfall. Exhausted but relieved, we take a moment to catch our breath.
Sarah: [Panting] Almost.. there. Ugh, I'm exhausted.
Dylan: Just a little further, Sarah. We’re doing great.
As we push onward, the terrain eventually becomes less treacherous. It slowly becomes less steep, making it easier for us to climb. And then, we finally reach the summit. The familiar platform is waiting for us, a stark contrast to the icy expanse around it. I then feel my body collapse on the ground out of exhaustion. My muscles around my whole body ache, especially those near my limbs. My fingers also feel numb from the cold temperatures and the constant contact with ice and snow.
Sarah: [Exhausted] Ugh, that was, so much more, exhausting than I thought.
I struggle to get up. When I try to push myself up, I get sore. Dylan reaches out to help me up, my body feeling weak.
Dylan: Sarah, are you okay?
Sarah: Yeah, I just, I feel really weak all of a sudden. My legs and arms are aching from all that grabbing on that mountain.
Dylan: Oh, have you ate anything?
Sarah: Not since we boarded the Neon Express. I havent got a chance to take a break, I just immediently collapsed into sleep. 
Dylan: [Sympathetic] I'm sorry. But, look on the bright side. Maybe we might find some soon. We just finished the second trial, so maybe there might be a break before the third trial.
Sarah: Heh, thanks.
I grab Dylans hand and finally manage to get up. We take a moment to look around, mesmorized at the breathtaking view from the top of the mountain. The nebula sky stretches out above us, and the vast expanse of snow-covered mountains below seems to go on forever.
Sarah: [Still Exhausted] It's beautiful up here. Almost makes the climb worth it.
Dylan: Almost? I’d say it definitely does.
The familiar floating platform is floating infront of us, with the light it emits surrounding me. I am filled with relief as I take in the warmth around me, a stark contrast to the otherwise freezing cold.
We then step onto the platform, both of us feeling a sense of accomplishment as we have completed our second trial. As we stand on the platform, I can’t help but feel a renewed sense of determination for what lies ahead of us.
Sarah: We did it. We did it together.
Dylan: Yeah. It was tough, but we still did it. Although, it made you very exhausted.
Sarah: Yeah, but I think I'm fine. But I do know, whatever comes next, Dylan, I know we can handle it.
Dylan: Absolutely. We're stronger together.
With that, the platform begins to glow brighter, and a familiar warmth envelops us. 
And just like that, the platform begins to float away, with me and Dylan bracing ourselves for whatever comes next.
Category:Tales