The Inner Odyssey

Alden's vision slowly cleared.

He was standing inside a vast, golden space.

'Woah.'

He blinked in amazement.

Shifting his gaze, Alden discovered that he no longer had a body—an indistinct mist covered his frame.

His wonder increased.

'So, this is the inside of the Key?'

After he inserted his mana into the mystical object, it felt like the Key had dragged his mind into this golden space. The sensation was eerie and unnatural. Nonetheless, here he was, about to face his First Trial.

Whatever that was.

Alden silently mulled over the possibilities he could face.

Since it was a Trial of the Mind, there was only so much the Key could throw at him. The fact that Morrigan also said that he had to endure gave him a little hint.

'I hope it's not too painful.'

He already had two excruciating experiences under his belt - his ascension and the stone tablet.

Alden didn't want to add one more.

But, by the looks of it…

Alden sighed.

Reflexively shaking his head - or at least imitating the motion with his mind - Alden squinted.

There, on the horizon, he spied four massive gates. They were golden and three of them had thick, gargantuan chains surrounding them.

The furthest right one had a terrifying aura, while the furthest left seemed docile in contrast.

Alden's mind quickly connected the dots.

Those were no doubt the other Three Trials he would face… if he survived the first one.

His gaze roved to the first gate.

There, in all its enormous glory, it appeared unlocked…

Inviting him to come in.

Alden calmed his nerves and slowly walked - or floated - towards his target.

Soon, he reached it.

It was a lot bigger up close, completely dwarfing any structure he had ever seen. Numerous runes scattered across its surface.

Alden hastily looked away before the symbols could afflict him with any more pain.

A few moments later, he firmed his mind.

He was ready.

He had to be.

There was no alternative.

In the next second, Alden swiftly entered the gate.

***

As soon as he entered the First Trial, the world around him blurred.

It turned hazy and indistinct.

Alden's mind recoiled.

What was going on?

He groaned, his senses overwhelmed by the dizzying motion.

Luckily for him, it didn't last for long.

The world snapped into focus.

And as soon as it did, darkness enveloped Alden's vision like a thick smog.

A bitter expression formed on his face.

'Why is it always darkness?'

His lips twitched.

Then, he shook his head - or at least tried to. For some reason, there was strong resistance when he did.

'Strange.'

Alden tried to get a feel for his limbs, but the same sensation occurred. An instinctive sense of panic assaulted him.

However, he quickly clamped down on that, analysing everything logically and coldly. Alden tried to move his whole body this time, only to hear a rattling sound in response.

His features turned grim.

'I'm in a dark place and can't move. This has to be some sort of cell or dungeon.'

Alden quickly pieced together his situation.

He was… in shackles.

There was no doubt about that.

The only question was why?

What had he done to deserve such treatment?

Just then, a pinprick of light invaded the darkness.

He squinted.

Alden pushed aside his frustration at not being able to glean more about his predicament. The sound of an egress being opened resounded.

He held his breath.

More light streamed into the cell, muting the darkness.

Step.

Step.

The sound of approaching footsteps slammed into Alden's heart like an ominous death knell.

He unconsciously shivered.

In the dim light, he managed to make out a shadow heading towards his cell. Alden steeled himself, suppressing his fear and worry.

The shadow soon unlocked the door to his cell. Very quickly, their features came into view.

…Alden tried not to flinch as the man's piercing eyes swept over him.

They were full of mockery and disdain, as well as a little glee.

Alden found the latter to be the most strange.

He swallowed.

The man had thin lips, high cheekbones and a perpetually cruel face. The interrogator - Alden presumed him to be so based on the set of sharp instruments on his belt - sneered as their gazes met.

"Hello there, little lamb."

He cooed.

Another shiver racked Alden's spine.

The cruel man's grin widened.

He closed the door of the cell, before slowly pacing back and forth. It was as if this was a deliberate ploy to wind down the prisoner's nerves.

Alden gritted his teeth.

The sound of the interrogator's footsteps going to and fro threatened to drive him insane. Thankfully, after a while, the symphony of madness stopped.

But, what followed was even worse, for the cruel man removed a small dagger from his belt and slowly, carefully ran it along the length of his arm and dirty sleeve. Alden shuddered.

The interrogator wasn't applying any sort of real pressure, so the blade hadn't pierced his skin.

…Yet.

He knew that could change in a single moment.

And one, that was up to the cruel man's whims.

"I must admit, attempting to assassinate the Arch Governor was a bold move. I didn't think anyone would be so foolish as to try. But, you… you exceeded my expectations, little lamb."

The interrogator spoke in a slow, casual tone. It was as if he wanted to savour every moment of this.

Whatever 'this' was.

For all Alden knew, it could just be a simple interrogation - perhaps the interrogator was just a tad sadistic and liked to torture his victims just a little more than the average person. Or alternatively, this could just be a prelude to his execution. After all, the consequence of attempting to assassinate an individual in power was universal.

Gritting his teeth, Alden glared hatefully at the man. He didn't quite know why he did, but he supposed the interrogator just had a very glareable face.

"Ah, I like the fire in your eyes. I can't wait to snuff it out."

Acting like he hadn't just openly admitted his desire to harm Alden, the cruel man moved onto his left arm. He repeated the same manoeuvre, lightly pressing his blade onto Alden's skin.

Then, just when Alden thought the interrogator would stop, the cruel man suddenly moved. His speed was faster than anything Alden had ever seen.

Within an instant, the young man found a knife pressing into his throat. He felt a thin line of blood form from the wound.

Alden instinctively gulped, and the knife pressed closer.

"Now…"

The interrogator displayed a dark smile.

"Let's get started, shall we?"