The Saintess of Eldenveil
Iman proceeded towards the Sun Tower, drawn to it by the powers that ran through both the tower and Iman's own blood. His body was sweating. Part of the blame lay with the scorching heat of the Aeilenvail, a mesa gifted to the Ra by the high elves prior to their disappearance from the continent. Roughly translating to Eldenveil in the common tongue, the area is a hotbed of unsuppressed natural mana and energy, all flowing to and from the Obelisk.
Stunned by the brilliant architecture and the luminous environment around him, Iman slowly makes his way towards the Obelisk. He knew the world around him was fake, a mere illusion projected by the goddess, but the difference was nigh impossible to tell. He could feel the ground beneath him. Smell the city around him. Iman could even taste the food being sold at the various stands and stores within the city market. The world Iman knew was different. Here, everything shone so brightly, like a world made of pure starlight. What could his father possibly have done to ruin all of this?
As Iman approached the gates to the Obelisk, he realized that there were no guards anywhere to be found. He pondered as to how they could leave such an important building unguarded until he realized that, at this point in the Eastern Continent's history, the Ra was equivalent to a god. How could a mere mortal protect a god? It would be an insult to that god's power, and that power is what ran through Iman's own veins. He had known of his power for a while, but put into this context, he saw it with a whole new perspective.
He stared at the gate for a few minutes as if to simply admire its immense beauty. A massive 10-foot tall gate chiseled with depictions of the Sun God bestowing the power of light upon the first Ra lay before Iman. Once he pushed the gate open, he was continuously impressed. On the first floor of the 1000-floor Obelisk laid the Garden of Mars, the Emperor's personal garden. Crashing water was all that could be heard as four massive waterfalls were placed at every side of the tower. Iman continued to peruse the garden, admiring its size and beauty, until he was stopped by an old woman. Iman could tell at a glance that she was blind.
"What is it that you seek from the Garden of Mars, young man?" croaked the old lady.
"I seek the truth in the worlds that lay above this one, I am simply admiring the beauty of the garden, madam," Iman replied.
"Foolish boy, there is no truth above the garden. If one can make the Garden of Mars sing, then all is revealed. I see your past. I see your future. The truth lay not with the world above this floor, but with the Garden," the old lady grunted.
"I mean no offense, but are you not blind? How can you see these things?" inquired Iman.
"I am the Saintess of Eldenveil, she who sees all, she who knows all. I am the Herald of the Sun. Come, child. I shall show you what you desire. The man you seek is empty. He holds nothing of value; not anymore. You have come too late," the Saintess was persistent.
Iman saw no other option but to follow the Saintess. She led him through various chambers within the Garden until he reached a small puddle in the center of a dome.
The Saintess reached into her satchel and pulled out four rune stones and placed them around the dome. Using the rune stones, she used a short, but domineering spell.
"Nahkti, Maladi!" shouted the Saintess.
The room around the two of them began to rumble and shake violently. The water rose from the dome and began forming shapes. As Iman studied the figures and people that were being arranged in front of him, he began to realize what was happening. The water was telling him a story.
Suddenly, the Saintess's eyes began to glow and her voice began to deepen.
"There once was a king blessed with the power of the Sun. The man satisfied with his power devoted his life to the practice of peace. He refused to have any more war. So, using his great power, he ended wars on his continent. However, as he began consolidating more and more power, he found himself with an unquenchable thirst for strength. The man named himself Emperor under the Flaming Sun and immediately began to conquer more. As he explored for islands and tribes, the Emperor came across a peculiar landmass. Another continent. The discovery shocked the Emperor, and his first choice was the total subjugation of the continent. However, the continent was more prepared than the Emperor had anticipated. Angry with the slow progression of the war, the Emperor took to the battlefield himself but was met with a power that equaled his. As he slaughtered the new continent's troops, he found himself confronted by a child. The child held a crescent birthmark on her palm. She held the power of the moon. As the two clashed, the Emperor was seemingly pushed back. In the end, he never conquered an inch of the new continent. A familiar tale to most, but an unfamiliar ending to all," the Saintess spoke with a voice not her own.
"I see, the story of the first Ra. But, what is with the moon powers? Is that possible? The Sun God is the only god among the heavens, the rests are worldly gods and goddesses," Iman had missed the point.
"The girl and her powers are not important, for that is not your fate, for now, that is. You had overlooked the true answer you seek: corruption. Notice how your powers have not failed you yet, and how you feel as if you have infinite mana. Have you ever wondered why you feel that way? It is because the cost of using the Ra's power is the Ra's own sanity," the Saintess cried out.
"Corrupting, how? Is there something I can do to slow it? My powers are my dowry. My dowry is my claim to the throne. How can I stop it?" Iman needed to know.
"If only it were simple. Your fate is still very much in fluctuation, even I cannot fully predict what may happen from here on out," The Saintess's voice began to feel fainter, "It would appear that my time with you is limited. I am sorry you could not see your father, but at this stage of his decline, I am afraid there is not much left of him to meet. Go now, child. Remember, no power on this world comes without cost," The Saintess' voice faded out to nothing.
Iman awoke to the stone-cold chamber that he had first entered.
The Goddess' voice boomed in his head, again.
"You have found your answer. Congratulations, you have completed the first Trial of Ea, the Lesson. Now move onto the next Trial, the Duel,"
Iman gulped. A duel? He became nervous at first, which was soon supplanted by confidence and excitement.
Finally, a fight! Iman had been waiting to learn to truly fight, and this duel presented a chance to learn. A single thought lingered in his mind, however.
"No power comes without cost,"
He had relied on the strength of his blood for so long, Iman questioned whether he was even knowledgable enough on combat to even attempt the Duel. Then, he remembered one ice-cold swordswoman who would be more than enough to train him. Excitement once again ignited his veins. Iman grabbed his blade and exited the chamber.
As he received his congratulations, Iman approached Alaria.
"I'm weak. I'm very weak. I learned...something in that Trial. This power is not my own, and I cannot rely on it. Please teach me how to be strong," Iman spoke with intent and power.
Alaria simply stared at him for a few minutes before reaching into her bag. From her gear she pulled out two wooden swords. She tossed one to Iman.
"Hit me, as hard as you can, as fast as you can," she said.
Iman stood there, eyes opened as wide as watermelons in confusion.
"What?!"