The group stepped into the forest path, where the trees floated, their roots drifting in midair as if untethered from gravity.
A thick, blue mist clung to the ground, swirling around their feet. The air was eerily silent—too silent.
"It's like the whole forest is… holding its breath," Hana whispered.
"Or watching us," Rel muttered, clutching his shoulder.
As they pressed forward, the path began to split into twisting corridors formed by overgrown vines and strange glowing plants. Faint whispers echoed between the branches—unintelligible, yet undeniably present.
"Don't listen too closely," Shion warned. "They might not be just voices… but illusions."
Suddenly, the group came to a circular clearing. In the center stood a stone tablet etched with ancient glyphs. The moment Neen approached, the whispers grew louder.
Then, a riddle carved into the stone began to glow:
"To go beyond, a mind must see,
Through falsehood's veil and mystery.
One answer waits behind the light,
A path revealed when wrong is right."
A light orb rose from the ground and hovered above them, dividing into three floating doors that appeared in the air.
Each door showed a different scene:
A vision of their school.
A battlefield with a dying friend.
A mirror showing their current selves—except Neen was missing.
"It's a test," Neen said. "We have to choose the 'truth' among illusions."
The group debated.
"What if the school door leads back to safety?" Hana asked.
"That's probably the trap," Shion replied. "The mirror… it's missing you. That must mean you're the key."
Neen stared at the third door. Something about it felt real. Too real.
"Let's choose that one," he said firmly.
The group entered the third door—and instantly, the world bent and twisted. Colors melted, sounds reversed, and gravity pulsed like a heartbeat.
Then silence.
They reappeared in a vast open field with a floating platform ahead. On it stood an ancient pedestal with a glowing stone: one of the Four Sacred Relics—the Blue Peach.
But before they could step forward, a creature rose from the ground—a Guardian of the Trial, armored in vines and stone, faceless and silent.
"We passed the illusion," Shion said. "Now comes the real challenge."
Neen stepped forward, eyes calm behind his glasses.
"We're ready."