5 Trial of Virtue

Orion stood in front of a peculiar yellow-eyed Wraith.

Its height was frightening. In a quadruped stance, the beast was at least four meters tall, if not more.

It had the head of a deer with two black antlers. Its entire body was covered in a leafy onyx and red hair, including limbs and claws.

Its head was low on the ground, staring at the pendant in Orion's right hand.

'Agh, I've been caught.'

Orion blinked as if he suddenly gained consciousness about his surroundings.

He was inside a cathedral.

Looking up, Orion could see the pointed arches and ribbed vaults painted with a strange art he couldn't understand.

Between the walls, there were stained glass windows with figures of four beings, each of a different color.

Not only that, but the building's interior was immense.

Tall columns and piers supporting the arches and vaults created a main nave — where Orion was currently — and several aisles with one sculpture each.

And on the opposite wall to the entrance, a beautiful altar was built. That's where the pendant was once located.

However… Orion didn't know why he had it in his hand.

But that information was irrelevant since he had a monstrous Wraith staring at him.

'Spades Wraiths rely more on their power, but this… this is a Diamonds Wraith.'

He took a deep breath,

'Diamonds are the smartest. Lying and deceiving one is an impossible task. However, they are understanding as well. I may have tried to steal this, but I can escape safely.'

Orion tightened his grip on the pendant, the cold metal cooling his palm. The Diamond Wraith lifted its head, locking its yellow eyes on him.

The boy moved his shoulders back and tried to relax. The stained glass created a surreal glow soothing to the eye.

He felt his blood turning colder — a refreshing clarity taking hold of his thoughts. His brain felt enhanced. Every detail of the church was blasted in full detail towards Orion.

Every smell, dent, rough texture, or light.

Without breaking eye contact, Orion spoke with careful words in a deep voice,

"I did not come here with ill intentions. This pendant, to be honest, I do not remember how it ended up in my hand. As ridiculous as the excuse may sound. I do not want trouble. 

I want to leave peacefully."

At the slowest and clearest pace he could muster, Orion spoke the words. 

However, the Wraith remained silent, its gaze unwavering. Orion's mind raced. He knew that he was inside a Trial. He had clearly heard the Vow Wraith's announcement of where he was going. 

And, being honest…

He was expecting another fight.

But this situation threw all his plans overboard. What he could do now was try to negotiate his way out.

The Wraith let out a long exhale. Orion frowned at this, but he somehow understood what he meant, as if it was talking.

Or rather, something else understood them.

It was the same sensation as in the Trial of Spades. 

There, his body felt foreign, granting him better agility and precision. 

This time, it was as if there were two minds instead of one. 

One was clearly his own, but the other… it worked strangely.

He could sense the thoughts it had but couldn't read or see them. The decisions it made didn't fit with Orion's mindset.

However, it was working alongside him.

And that mind understood the words and told him what to say, which Orion quickly did,

"I did not mean to steal something so valuable from you. In fact, I should not be here at all. I am deeply sorry for my actions. I will return this pendant now."

As he said that, Orion slowly raised the hand with the pendant. The Wraith moved its body and head to the floor and growled at him.

Orion stopped mid-air, not wanting to enrage the Wraith.

After some seconds, it calmed down and raised its head, and Orion finished the action — letting the Wraith see how he put the pendant back in place.

Right in the small altar, which had been created just for it.

Nonetheless, the Wraith lowered its head again and exhaled. The second mind understood the words, to which Orion said,

"I know. My ignorance does not absolve my actions. I understand that consequences will fall upon me."

Orion licked his lips, feeling his throat sore from speaking so formally. He wasn't used to talking in the first place.

Two years alone in the Wraith Realm… Anyone could go insane. But he didn't. In fact, he felt more comfortable than ever. Perhaps it was his brain's way to tell him he had gone crazy.

Orion took a deep breath,

"If you wish to punish me, I beg you, spare my life… but take anything else."

The Diamonds Wraith remained silent and took a step forward. Orion mustered all of his courage to keep still in place. The Wraith kept on walking and stopped right in front of Orion.

The boy looked at the deer, who slowly reached with one hand, gently resting it on the boy's shoulder. Then it pushed down.

Orion was forced to kneel.

The strength that the Wraith had used was minimal in its sight, but for Orion, it was as if a god was putting all of its will upon him.

Kneeling, the Wraith took one hand.

And bit a finger off.

'Agh! Fuck!'

Orion gritted his teeth and did not shout.

Then, another finger.

And another.

Sharp stings of pain clouded Orion's mind.

It wasn't long until his left hand was left without any. Then it was his right hand. Orion lost all ten fingers in less than fifteen seconds. That was the punishment for a thief, as one without fingers could not commit their evil deeds. 

However, that wasn't enough.

Orion looked at the Wraith.

The Wraith stared at the pendant.

It felt like the punishment was not enough. After all, it was sparing the boy's life. And so, it demanded the price for it.

'Ah, this is going to hurt.'

He held Orion by the neck.

Grabbing his right arm, the Wraith tore it off effortlessly. In return, the boy shut his mouth closed and gave a muffled scream.

Then, it was the left arm's turn. Orion could barely resist the urge to scream, but he didn't want to.

What had he done to deserve the privilege of screaming? He had to feel this pain. After all, he was the one who proposed it. Screaming was selfish.

In this situation, Orion used that card once. Using it another time was a luxury he could not afford.

'Endure it! You made this happen!'

Blood flowed from his wounds.

Armless, Orion looked up at the Wraith, who was bringing two claws close to his eyes.

'Huh… everything turned dark.'

With no warning, it pushed them deep enough to completely destroy them but not enough to hit the brain. Orion was plunged into an eternal darkness.

A darkness he couldn't guide himself into.

He didn't have any arms, after all.

He couldn't feel his surroundings. He was completely and utterly lost in an ever-lasting punishment. 

It may have saved his life, but in return, he had been crippled.

In the eyes of the Wraith, he was still alive. It stayed true to Orion's selfish request.

But for Orion, this was worse than dying. Maybe he shouldn't have asked for forgiveness. Perhaps he should have avoided this place.

You couldn't afford to think highly of yourself in the Wraith Realm. You couldn't bite more than you could chew.

'This is… not as bad as I thought. It's relaxing. I feel like my worries are gone. The pain doesn't matter. I… why am I feeling this way?'

And out of nowhere, something embraced him.

Soft skin and hands hugged him and pulled his mutilated body close to it. It wasn't the Wraith, but rather a petite form. A being that wept.

A girl was weeping,

"Please. Save me…" 

After a moment, the crying stopped.

… 

Orion's sight returned.

He was in the cathedral, but another one. He knew exactly where he had returned. After all, something was holding him by the arms.

The topless ceiling and the fog, the columns coated in gold and diamonds. Orion recognized it.

He was back in the throne room.

Looking up, Orion saw the yellow female stepping back, lowering her bow. He felt like his head was open, cold wind seeping into his brain.

"Your mind is identical to mine as well. For now, there are no issues whatsoever."

The female spoke with a deep voice. The Vow Wraith's voice.

"Who are you…"

Orion's rough and broken voice echoed, but no one answered.

Silence reigned for an instant before someone approached him.

The pink girl approached him with a little jump — playful as a kid. She grabbed the boy by the chin and spoke something unknown to him.

He heard the voice again,

"Trial of Hearts."