Eldoria: The Awakening

Chapter VI (continuation)

There, sitting cross-legged on the opposite bed, the boy looked as though he was meditating, completely at ease. Lucian recognized him as the same boy he'd seen by the tree the one who had stopped him from getting into trouble with the prince. His expression was unreadable, calm, and almost distant, lost in his own world.

Lucian sat up, still feeling the weight of the previous trial but wanting to at least show his gratitude.

"Hey... thanks for stopping me," he began. "I could've been disqualified if it weren't for you."

The boy's eyes opened for a brief moment, just enough to nod before he returned to his meditation.

Lucian waited, unsure of what to say next. "So, I didn't get your name," he ventured, hoping to start a conversation. The boy remained silent, as though he hadn't heard the question at all.

An awkward silence settled over the room, thick and uncomfortable.

"My name is Lucian," he said, trying again.

Still nothing. The boy continued meditating, his face impassive.

Lucian shifted uncomfortably, glancing around the room before attempting to break the silence once more. "So, you don't look fatigued at all. How was the trial for you?"

Just as he was about to ask another question, the boy's calm voice broke the silence. Without opening his eyes, he said, "I acknowledge the fact that you're trying to fill this awkward silence with questions. But I'm busy here. I'd appreciate it if you'd stop."

Lucian froze, slightly taken aback, before leaning back against his bed, unsure if he should be annoyed or amused. One thing was certain-his new roommate was going to be a challenge.

Lucian lies on his bed and attempts to go back to sleep he is still very tired

As he is about to drift into much-needed sleep

A thunderous explosion shattered the quiet of the room.

BOOM

His eyes snapped open, heart racing as the walls seemed to tremble. His roommate, the boy he'd seen meditating earlier, was already up, alert and standing by the window.

"What was that?"

Lucian muttered, pushing himself out of bed, the fatigue in his body suddenly replaced by a surge of adrenaline.

They rushed to the window, but a thick cloud of dust obscured their view. The ground outside rumbled like a beast waking from a long slumber. As the dust began to clear, a monstrous shape emerged

A massive stone golem, towering over the buildings, its eyes glowing with eerie red light, and its every step shaking the earth.

Before Lucian could even process the danger, a booming voice filled the air, loud and commanding. The voice of the trial announcer.

"Contestants, your next trial begins now. You are up against a deadly force, one that can-and will-kill you if you're not careful. Listen well: there are weapons hidden around the area. But they are concealed in places you would not expect. Find them. The weapon you choose will be the only one you can use for the entirety of the Awakening. Choose wisely, and act swiftly, or you won't survive."

Lucian felt his stomach drop. No weapons and now they were facing a colossal stone golem that could crush them like insects. The boy beside him, as always, showed no reaction beyond a simple frown. He seemed unfazed.

Lucian said, half to himself. "What are we supposed to do? Fight that thing with our fists?"

The boy didn't answer, already heading for the door with calm determination. Lucian followed him, adrenaline pumping through his veins as they made their way out of the dorms and into the courtyard, where chaos was already unfolding.