Closed Alpha: a LitRPG fantasy adventure (Pixelate Book 2) by Xavier P. Hunter

Author:Xavier P. Hunter [Hunter, Xavier P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Magical Scrivener Press
Published: 2024-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

ON TRIAL

LESSER SPIRE CRYPTS

A few verbal directions were all the White Gobos provided. Apparently, they didn’t come down here. The lit torches stopped shortly after the entrance, and that seemed as far as the bravest among them dared to venture back down into the heart of their own homeland.

From each torch, the light carried far enough to make out the next. A long, carved stairway ran down the open cavern, twisting and winding. As they advanced, Connor snapped off Fire Burst after Fire Burst, keeping the way lit.

39

39

39

[You know how annoying that is?] Dizzy complained, shielding her eyes and wincing at each one Connor flared to life.

“We’re actively expecting trouble down here, and we don’t know what it’ll be. Don’t think there’s any sneaking up on an ancient trial, so I’d rather us both be able to see what’s coming.

She didn’t have an answer for that, and the cavern eventually led them to a small, impeccably masoned chamber. The open doorway through which they entered was the only one not shut and marked with a plaque.

[Well, at least the place comes with⁠—]

Connor guessed that she was able to say “instructions,” but the ghost that appeared caused her to break off without finishing the sentence.

“Be you welcome or be you damned, you have entered the Trial of Heroes.”

As soon as he said it, the minimap location shifted.

TRIAL OF HEROES

“Here, you shall face challenges to prove whether you are worthy of your station. Moreover, that you are worthy of advancing within it. Seek out the challenge that suits you each best, and face it.”

The ghost vanished.

Connor shrugged. “I guess these are solo class quests.”

[Do we accept the premise of the quest-giver? Nothing in MY Quest Journal says solo. Yours?]

QUEST JOURNAL

SLAY THE MOUNTAIN LORD FOR ELDER LOHDOH: 0/1

OBTAIN THE TREASURE OF WIT FROM THE TRIAL OF WIT: 0/1

Connor harrumphed. “Guess not.” He looked around, taking in the antechamber of this test. “And it looks like there are six trials. For six classes.”

A wicked look entered Dizzy’s eye. [Be a shame if anyone else stopping by found their trials already completed.]

“Real shame,” Connor agreed.

[We should pick one that sounds easy to try out. You know. Before risking our own.]

“Mock trials?”

[Exactly!]

They scanned the plaques. “How about this one,” Connor suggested. “Trial of Valor - Face your foe head on without fear.”

[How do we start it?]

“Let’s just go in and see.”

Connor shoved open the door and led the way inside.

TRIAL OF VALOR

They no longer appeared to be inside an underground cavern complex at all any longer. The two of them were now on a tournament ground. A long, dirt track, separated into two lanes by stanchions, formed a jousting competition. The lances arrayed along the walls, squires everywhere, cheering crowd, and the groom holding a horse for them by the reins made that fairly clear.

A new Quest Journal entry flared.

DEFEAT THE SILVER KNIGHT: 0/1

“You get that?”

[Yeah. Do we joust him, or what?]

“What are the rules here?” Connor asked the groom—make that squire—holding his horse.

The squire, liveried in blue and white, seemed all too happy to oblige.

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