Divinity's Trial

THE CORE OF CORRUPTION

Tur's journey to the Core of Elarion was unlike anything he had ever experienced. The dwarves, solemn and silent, led him deep beneath the earth through vast tunnels and winding passageways carved from stone. These ancient tunnels had been crafted millennia ago by dwarven hands, and every inch of their walls seemed to hum with the weight of history.

The air grew colder as they descended, and the light dimmed, casting the world in shades of deep blue and grey. Tur felt the temperature drop with each step, his breath visible in the faint glow of the runes that lined the walls. The runes flickered with life, pulsing faintly as if feeding off the energy of the Core, guiding them like distant stars in the dark depths.

Occasionally, they passed grand halls where massive forges, now silent, had once blazed with the heat of molten metal. The remnants of the dwarves' legendary craftsmanship could be seen in the colossal anvils, intricate tools, and half-forged weapons that lay abandoned in the dust. But the deeper they went, the more those symbols of creation gave way to a more primal energy—a force that felt alive, raw, and immense.

Tur could feel it—the heartbeat of Elarion itself.

As they neared the Core, the walls began to change. No longer smooth stone, they were now embedded with shimmering veins of gold, silver, and a strange mineral that seemed to pulse with an inner light. It was as though the very earth had come alive, its veins exposed to the surface, flowing with magic and energy so ancient it made Tur feel small.

**Dwarven Guide:**

*"We approach the Core. No one but the chosen may stand before it and leave unscathed."*

His voice echoed in the narrow passage, reverberating with the weight of both fear and reverence. The dwarves, though masters of the deep, seemed to hold even greater respect for the Core, as though they, too, were mere visitors in its presence.

As they came upon the final chamber, the narrow tunnels opened into a massive cavern. Tur stepped forward, eyes widening as he beheld the sight before him.

The Core of Elarion was a colossal, crystalline structure at the heart of the earth. It was suspended above the ground by some unseen force, pulsating with a blinding light that shifted between shades of white, blue, and gold. It was as though all the energy of the world—magic, life, and essence—was drawn to this singular point, converging in a swirling vortex that seemed to defy all understanding.

The Core radiated heat and light, but also something deeper—an energy so powerful it made the air around it shimmer and crackle. Standing before it, Tur could feel the overwhelming presence of the planet's consciousness, as though the very soul of Elarion was awake and aware, watching him.

The dwarves stepped back, giving him space, their eyes averted. This was not a place for them to linger. They had brought Tur to the threshold, but beyond this point, he would be on his own.

**Dwarven Elder:**

*"Focus your mind on the Core, but beware, mage. Many have tried and failed. It is not just a test of strength, but of soul. The Core does not tolerate weakness or deception."*

Tur nodded, knowing this moment could define everything. He approached the Core, his heart racing, Valnyr glowing faintly at his side. The pull of the Core was almost magnetic, and he could feel his own magic reacting to its presence. He placed himself directly in front of it, his eyes locked on the swirling light and power before him.

Taking a deep breath, Tur began to focus his will. He closed his eyes and let his mind reach out to the Core, attempting to connect with it, to feel its consciousness. The world around him began to fade as he sank deeper into concentration.