Test your gate 2

"Ahhh!"

Leo screamed like a little girl the moment the hand came out from the ground. He looked at the others and noticed that their expressions were still the same.

"This is supposed to happen?"

Lucius smirked while Kiva cautioned Leo to remain calm.

The glow in the Chief's eyes slowly went out as the person in the ground forced his way out through the crack. Leo watched in awe as he experienced his first magical encounter. The being had the upper body of a human and his lower body the same as the ground, having no legs. It looked like it was connected to the ground with eyes that shone as bright as the sun and markings similar to that on the ring all over its body.

"Is that thing human?"

"That is what we call a gate point. It is located at several locations on this planet and it is used to test or confirm the gate of anyone that just appeared here. And no, it's not human."

Kiva's explanation was brief and covered any further questions that Leo could ask about it. Except one.

"Is it dangerous?"

The Chief assured him that it was safe to approach and inspect it. It didn't pose any threat to humans. Leo went closer and was stunned at how lifelike the upper body was. After he had had his fill of the astonishing gate point, he turned to the Chief.

"What did you do with your gate just now?"

"It's a condition necessary to summon the gate point. Activate your gate and call it out." The Chief said this while carefully looking around wearily.

"That's all? Isn't that too easy. That means that anyone capable of activating their gate can call out the gate point at any time."

Lucius and the other two soldiers began laughing. The Chief gave them a glare in order to silence them, before answering Leo.

"Well, anyone can summon it, but you'll soon realize why that isn't a good idea."

Leo took a big gulp and declared that he was ready for the test.

"Excellent." The Chief closed his eyes in order to activate his gate again.

[SILENCE FIELD]

His voice was now completely like that of an otherworldly being. It was loud, eerie and deep and it resounded throughout the field.

Leo was amazed.

"What…what did you just do?"]

"I just created a sound barrier using my magic." The Chief spoke as the glow left his eyes.

"What do you mean by that. I mean, I understand what a sound barrier is, but …"

He looked around the field.

"There is no barrier around here."

The Chief asked Leo to step into the jungle and watch them. He obliged and walked towards the tree that separated the field from the bushes. When the Chief confirmed that Leo was out of the barrier, he signaled Lucius with a nod. Leo was watching as Lucius closed his eyes and opened them almost immediately to reveal that he had activated his gate. He stepped away from everyone, clenched his right fist, and punched the ground. The punch shattered the ground on impact and caused debris to fly away.

Leo was speechless and did not realize that his mouth was open. He had no idea that Lucius was that strong. It was then that he realized that he didn't hear the sounds of the punch or the debris that landed around the field.

"So this is the power of the Chief's magic."

He walked back into the field and complemented the Chief on the power of his magic and inquired as to why he used it.

"It's to keep what happens here from attracting any animals that could disturb your test."

The Chief explained to Leo how the test worked. The one who wishes to know his gate has to walk up to the gate point, state his or her name and the gate point would set up a trial that would force the gate to activate. During the trial, the gate point would peer into your gate and reveal its type to you.

"That doesn't seem so bad."

Everyone there looked a bit upset including Lucius. Then Kiva corrected him.

"It is not as easy as you think. The trial is always a battle with a deadly animal that can force your gate open, and we cannot intervene in the trial until the analysis of your gate is complete."

"Wait, what are you saying? Leo inquired with a distressed voice."

"I have to fight alone? What type of animal would it summon?"

Lucius stepped up.

"It'll summon the most common animal found in its immediate vicinity."

Leo's eyes widened.

"You mean to tell me that I have to face another Laoshe!"

Leo began panicking at the thought of facing another Laoshe. Kiva walked up to him and placed her hand on his back.

"Don't worry Leo, all you have to do is avoid it for as long as you can and if we feel that you are in real danger, we'll jump right in and save you."

This gave Leo some breathing space and he calmed down. Only for Lucius to tell him about how the difficulty of the test increases each time he takes it.

"So you better pass it now or forget it."

Leo really didn't like Lucius and he knew that Lucius felt the same way.

Leo then remembered how he had already faced the weakest type of Laoshes and his gate still didn't activate. He called the Chief's attention to relay his worries.

"That wouldn't be an issue here, this field has properties that allow one to tap into his gate more easily. You'll instantly feel more powerful the moment you sense danger."

Leo took a deep breath and reminded himself of Kiva's words. He approached the gate point, his skin pale and his hands shaking.

"My…My name is Leo Rivera."

The gate point bent its head to get a look at Leo and he looked back at it.

{Hello, Leo Rivera. The test will now commence.}

It spoke with the fluency of a normal human and this surprised Leo.

The earth that formed the gate point's lower body and connected it to the ground began gliding towards the edge of the field leaving only Leo at the center.

{Get ready. Stay alive until your gate is determined.}

The gate point raised his hands and let out a loud screech. Almost instantly, the bushes and trees began to rustle in the distance and the birds flew away as if something was approaching.

"Here it comes." Leo said while taking a fighting stance.

Just then, from the jungle, an Omega Laoshe jumped out and into the field. It glanced at the gate point and then at Leo before baring its teeth.

{Begin}