Lykaon

Chapter 6: The Way of the Sun

POV: Justin Piras

The midday sunlight shone through the mosaic ceiling, casting a brightly colored painting on the floor before me. The Temple of the Sun was a massive circular building with a vaulted ceiling and murals covered the entirety of the walls. Upon them was depicted the birth and history of the Sun Singer order; the hate, the defeats, the victories, the rising, the betrayals. The story ended at the head of the room. The final scene depicted a lone, faceless Sun Singer standing atop a mountain. He looked toward the sky with one arm raised above his head, in it he held the Sword of Apollo. Above him was the Golden Sun of Eternity which had guided him to his greatest triumph against the darkness. I had only ever heard of these great paintings and the legends which inspired them, for today was the first day I had ever set foot within the temple.

The sense of awe I had was overwhelming, I had to remind myself to breath regularly. Never before had I felt such worry; worry that I would fail the final test. I had no idea what to expect, it was forbidden for any member to speak of the final trial. The temple was empty other than myself and the three elders who sat at the head of the room. I took a deep breath and began to walk toward the center of the golden floor. I knelt as soon as I reached it and bowed my head, "I am here for the final trial, masters," My words echoed around the massive temple.

The center elder spoke first, "We know why you have come, Justin Piras. Now stand and face us." Her voice was calm yet I could feel the power reverberate in her words.

I slowly stood and raised my head to look at them. The one on the left was a man who wore heavy golden army with intricate designs carved all over it. The one on the right was also a man but instead he wore a white cape with a hood that concealed his eyes. The final member was a woman who sat in the middle, she wore a long, draping golden robe with white symbols of the sun upon it and her eyes appeared to glow with white fire.

"What must I do?" I managed to choke through my wonder. I had never seen such evident strength. I could feel the burning inside me for power such as theirs. One day I would sit up there and be known as a champion of Sheol, I knew it deep down.

This time the man wearing golden armor spoke, "First you must show us you that you are capable of withstanding enemies of the light." He stood from the wooden chair in which he had been sitting, "I am Aeal, The Paladin. The first part is simple-" Aeal began to walk toward me, his heavy steps resounding off the floor, "If you can survive my attack, you move on to the next test. You may use any power which you have learned but be warned, few have ever passed this trial. If you wish to turn and walk out those doors then do so now because there's no turning back once you begin."

My throat felt dry and for a brief moment I considered retreating. This was Aeal, The Paladin, stories of him were told throughout the kingdom. It was said that he had slain thousands of demons when everyone else had fled. His physical strength was unmatched but what I truly feared was his aura. Even then I could sense it and it was overwhelming powerful. I've trained for this moment for years, I can't run now. "I accept this challenge."

Aeal bowed his head, "So be it." He reached out his right hand with an open palm. At first I was not sure why but suddenly something began to appear in a glow where he held his hand. In a matter of seconds it had formed into a gargantuan golden mace. I stared in reverence at the weapon for I knew it had once been wielded by the god named Sol. It's legacy was legendary and only a worthy warrior could carry it, "Ah, you recognize my weapon. Pray that it is not the last thing you ever see."

With those words he suddenly swung the mace toward my head. I barely escaped my trance in time to dodge the potentially fatal blow but Aeal did not relent. Without hesitation he again swung at me, this time aiming for my legs. I jumped and dove to the side but this time I struck back. First I would see just how strong he truly was. Quickly I moved behind him and threw a punch at an exposed part of his back. I had expected him to grunt in pain or lurch forward but neither of those happened. Before I knew it he whipped around, grabbed me by the throat and threw my body to the ground as if I weighed nothing, "Your physical strength will not serve you here, boy," he taunted me.