Lorien tightened the blindfold over his eyes, exhaling deeply as he steadied his breathing. This was his fourth trial, and unlike the others, this one required him to fully trust his instincts and hone his senses. He stood at the center of the dim training hall, where whispers of shifting air and the creak of leather armor betrayed the movements of his opponents. “Begin,” Aurikhan commanded, his voice deep and unyielding. The air vibrated as the foot soldiers charged. Lorien’s grip on his blade was firm, his body fluid as he moved with precision. He sidestepped one attacker, deflecting the blow with ease, his blade cutting through the chaos. The clatter of armor hitting the ground marked another victory. Even as arrows whistled through the air, Lorien twisted and ducked, his every move deliberate. His sword found its mark again and again, each strike echoing like a drumbeat of triumph. When the last soldier fell, Lorien tore off the blindfold, chest heaving. He turned to see Aurikhan observing him from the shadows, his expression inscrutable. Then, with the slightest nod, Aurikhan conveyed his silent approval. A warmth surged within Lorien—a fire kindled by pride and accomplishment. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about proving to himself that he could rise to any challenge. Later, after refreshing himself, Lorien approached Aurikhan for his next trial. The older man’s piercing gaze rested on him as he spoke. “Your task is simple. Retrieve the cup within one minute,” he said, placing a blindfold in Lorien’s hand. “But you’ll face enemies along the way.” Lorien fastened the blindfold once more and positioned himself at the starting point. “One minute,” he reminded himself as the timer beeped. He surged forward, but the sudden impact with an unforgiving wall sent him staggering backward. Disoriented, he paused, letting his other senses guide him. The faint clink of steel alerted him to incoming enemies. Twenty foot soldiers descended on him. Lorien’s blade became a whirlwind of steel as he fought them off, his focus razor-sharp. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, drowning out the timer’s relentless countdown. When the final beep echoed through the hall, he froze. He had failed. Disappointment settled over him like a heavy cloak. How could he face Aurikhan, knowing he hadn’t lived up to expectations? Yet, he refused to give up. Again and again, he attempted the trial, each failure chipping away at his resolve. After countless attempts, he finally approached Aurikhan, ready to admit defeat. “I can’t do it,” Lorien confessed, his voice heavy with frustration and fatigue. To his astonishment, Aurikhan smiled—a rare and unexpected expression. “You’ve passed,” the older man said. Lorien blinked, confusion etched across his face. “But I didn’t reach the cup. I failed.” Aurikhan’s smile widened slightly. “It was impossible to reach the cup,” he explained. “The maze moved, and there were millions of foot soldiers ready to replace those you defeated. The point was never to succeed but to understand failure—to face it, accept it, and keep moving forward.” Realization dawned on Lorien. This trial wasn’t about winning; it was about resilience. For the first time, he saw his failure not as a weakness but as a lesson. He nodded slowly, determination hardening his features. He would carry this wisdom forward, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. When he was walking he saw someone capture Aurikhan and run and so Lorien ran after him he jumped and pinned him to the ground, eyes glinting he raised his sword but instead of crashing it down he kept him pinned and made him free Aurikhan. He told the man to leave and never come back but Aurikhan said stay. Aurikhan told him this was a test for empathy and as usual he passed. As he slept he had a nightmare showing Link dying but then he saw Link get back up and he said “I am alive in the darkest realm I will support you on the way but don’t come to this horrid place,”. When he woke up he was led toward a pathway where he met Aurikhan. Aurikhan told him “this was the path which many have gone in but haven’t come out, I have gone through this pathway and I am confident you will succeed”. When Lorien went inside the hedge grew behind it. He whispered “This is it, it's now or never”. As he walked he met a strange man as he walked toward him his mind got intruded. It was the memory where Link died but even before the fight started he escaped and when he finally opened his eyes he couldn’t see the man. Hesitantly, he walked forward.
From now on there are parts because the chapters are too long
