Trial of the Guardian

The **Trial of the Guardian** is an event in Hetaveyond 4: The Mist Beckons. It is featured in the episode Infernal Liberation, and is based on the side quest *Robin's Blade* from Aveyond 4: Shadow of the Mist.

## Major Characters

* Mikkel Anderson
* Ludovic Brant
* Lucas Reynard
* Alphix

## Summary

At his workshop, Ludi forges the sword billet Team Mythic Beasts retrieved from the Wind Pavilion into a promising prototype for Mikel, who was absolutely astonished by the craft. Ludi tells him that he must partake in a trial in order to complete the sword, to which Mikel quickly accepts. As the two leave the workshop, Luke receives a bottle of purple, sleep-inducing gas from Arthur and silently follows Mikel, who Ludi guided to an empty hut just near the workshop. Confused, Mikel asks Ludi where the examiner had gone, who merely tells him to wait as he accepted the trial quicker than expected. Suddenly, Luke smashes the bottle of gas, which startled Mikel. As the boy draws his sword, Luke apologizes for interrupting the two while explaining to Mikel that the examiner does not belong in the Mortal Realm. Ludi confirms his statement and advises Mikel to breathe in the gas, to which the boy agrees. All three pass out as the gas fills the room, later to be carried back to the workshop by the rest of Team Mythic Beasts as the gas dissipates.

Ludi and Mikel later awaken in the Dream Realm, where the Lord of Dreams, Alphix, awaits. Alphix introduces himself as the examiner of the Trial of the Guardian, much to Mikel's glee. The Lord of Dreams tells Mikel that he and Ludi will work together to confront a horde of monsters, but warns the boy that this trial would be significantly harder than the previous ones. Mikel assures that Ludi that he'll pass the trial in the name his beautiful new sword and their friendship. After Mikel and Ludi got into position, Alphix commences the Trial of the Guardian, sending in the monsters.

At first, Ludi and Mikel made easy work of the swarming monsters. However, the number of enemies on trial grounds soon overwhelmed the two, sending both into their Bestial Drives. However, Ludi's energy-consuming Dragon Rush soon exhausts him, making Mikel realize the point of the trial: protecting his allies. As the leader of the monsters arrive, Mikel confronts it alone, buying time for Ludi to recover. The two then defeat the final opponent, ending the Trial of the Guardian. Despite his satisfaction, Alphix could not announce the results as the effects of the gas had worn off. Saying farewell to the two, Alphix watches the dream selves of Mikel and Ludi fade as they wake up in the Mortal Realm.

Ludi and Mikel find themselves back in the workshop, where Arthur complains about how their weight made him struggle to carry them. Ludi apologizes, while Mikel ignores Arthur and approaches an unconscious Luke, asking if he passed the Trial of the Guardian. Half-conscious, Luke weakly whispers the words "touch the blade". Ludi hands over the prototype to Mikel, whose soul resonates with it. As he grabs onto the prototype's handle, he allows his spiritual energy to flow through his new blade, changing the blade into a stellar, battle-ready weapon. Mikel raises it in the air, screaming Ludi's catchphrase: "I can feel the power". Luke later wakes up, congratulating him for passing his brother's special trial. He then asks Mikel to do the honors and name his new weapon. After careful consideration, Mikel decides to name his sword "Blade of the Lunar Guardian". Luke compliments the name choice, telling Mikel that it screams his name.