As 13-year-old Kline Snowden and 14-year-old Emery Snowden face their most dangerous challenge yet; the Trial by Darkness, they encounter an unwelcome guest waiting for them in the depths of the cave system.
Chapters/Sections
- Beginning of The Trial
- The Escape Plan
- Lurking in the Darkness
- Escape
- Order to Kill
- Survive!
- Surrounded
- Backup
- True Essence
- Elite Soldiers
Beginning of The Trial
Heavy rain droplets crash down onto the marshy soil like tiny cannonballs. The freezing-cold water soaks deep into every layer of clothing, sending shivers down to the bone. Kline and Emery take one last look at each other, nodding to show that they’re ready to face what’s coming, before having their blindfolds tied.
“Hey pops, are the blindfolds really necessary?” Emery asks his father.
“The trial would serve no purpose if you memorized your way out, the blindfolds are ABSOLUTELY necessary! And Emery… how many times do I have to tell you to address me as Master Conrad! Being my son does NOT excuse informality!”
“Roger that, master.” Emery snarks.
As the two blindfolded cousins are led towards the entrance of the dark cave, they both get hit with a sudden feeling of unease, as if their gut was telling them not to enter. There’s an ominous draft coming from within the cave.
“Remember our training, Emery, this won’t be any different.” Kline notes in a calm voice.
“I know, I know, this won’t be any different.” Emery responds in a slightly shaky tone, steeling his resolve as they enter the cave.
Royal Wizard Conrad Snowden leads his son Emery into the cave, guiding him by the rope tied around his wrists. Emery’s younger cousin Kline Snowden; the prodigious son of the current Emperor of the Lumare Empire, is in turn led into the cave by a man named Thurio, a top warrior from Conrad’s Elite Squad.
“Click” – Conrad powers on his flarestone torch, lighting up the cave in a bright shimmering yellow light. These torches, powered by the magical potential stored inside a flarestone cell, can last being powered on for nearly a week straight. The drawback is the price, costing on average as much as your average house.
After what felt like two hours of navigating through the tight mist-sprayed stone passages, they come to a full stop.
“This is where we leave you, wait here at least half an hour before beginning your escape.” Conrad commands the cousins.
Emery and Kline are put down onto the cold rocky floor, still blindfolded and tied at the wrists, it begins…
“If you make it out alive by dawn, you will be promoted to Elite Soldiers of the First Legion… Good luck…” Conrad says adamantly, glancing at the two shivering cousins with stern eyes full of ice-cold pity.
Conrad and Thurio begin making their way out of the area, the last light of the flarestone waning as they go further and further away. Ultimately, Emery and Kline are left in complete darkness, a noticeable difference even considering their blindfolds.
The World Stones 