Chapter 266 - Trial of the Heart

Sorry I left you on a big cliff :D Hope you like the chapter!

Owalyn’s power descended upon Hump as an all-encompassing pressure, and he pressed back. He forced his eyes upward to meet her penetrating gaze. Shock, confusion, fear—it all ran through him at the sight of the might displayed before him. And he was enamoured by the sheer scale of the force. Essence danced in front of his eyes like he was gazing into the very heart of the world.

Yet despite its scale, Hump did not retreat from it. Rather, this grand power called to him. He sensed it on his fingertips like an electrical charge against his skin, offering itself to him. Thought left him. He reached for it and a jolt of power and excitement shot through him. His soul responded, flooding his channels with essence. Heat exploded through him as his blood boiled and the core of his being ignited, expanding to meet the force before him. No, it was dragged from him. His soul was drawn out until the entirety of himself was brought to bear before Owalyn.

The world lost its colour; all except for the green and silver of Owalyn’s essence. Her power embraced him, smothering every fibre of his being and filling him with a warmth he’d never felt. The warmth of a mother’s hug. Of a home. This was what it meant to accept her offer. He would not just be her Chosen, but he would join the ranks of her children. He would belong to Drakalyn just as it would belong to him.

Essence danced before him in twisting streaks and lances of light, prickling at his manifested soul, asking for acceptance. It would be so easy. Staring out beyond it and into the grey and colourless void surrounding him, he saw the life he could have. A place where he was belonged, where he and Nishari would be protected and even venerated. A place where he could perhaps even be together with Celaine.

Everything seemed so perfect. He stretched his hand forward and saw the gleam of light caught in his fist—the light of his soul. His Brilliance. All he had to do was give it to Owalyn and he would have everything he’d ever wanted. Wealth, comfort, power.

***

Celaine breathed out a deep sigh as Lady Owalyn’s essence swept out from where she stood atop the roots of the Great Tree. It erupted from her in green ribbons of green and silver light, spreading through the air like spiralling vines. She was radiant and fierce all at once, yet Celaine felt no fear. Her spirit was uplifted, the weariness of days away from home washed away, until she fell into the warm embrace of Owalyn. All around her, she sensed the spirits of her people joining together to become one with the Mother.

She almost lost herself to the blissful feeling, when her eyes found Hump and Nisha. She could hardly make out their features through the brightness of Owalyn’s essence, but Hump was on one knee while Nisha sat at his side, both entranced by the goddess. When Keeper Yunillia spoke with her about the trial, Celaine had been unsure how Hump would react to such an offer.

Looking at him now, she still was. The idea that he could become one of her people never crossed her mind when she brought him here. He was an outsider, and that could never change no matter how many trials he passed. Now, however, that was no longer the case, and she was not sure how she felt about that.

There was a splash of purple light around Hump, disappearing into the power around him like a ripple in an ocean. He’d manifested his soul. Her heart raced, the bliss of being in Owalyn’s presence leaving her. Instead, she was suddenly feeling nervous.

Hump reached with his hand, his Brilliance gripped in his fist. She had never seen it—in fact, she thought that wizards could not withdraw it, yet there it was. Hump’s being contained within a hand and extended toward Owalyn.

Something felt wrong. She felt it in her stomach but couldn’t understand where the fear came from. This was the Mother. The being she trusted in above all else.

Surely this is a good thing, she told herself.

But that nagging feeling of wrongness stuck in her mind. Being Chosen by Owalyn was a great honour, but she couldn’t imagine Hump amongst their ranks. It was not his lack of talent or aptitude, but the years of work he’d spent developing himself. He’d come so far alone, to accept someone else’s power felt wrong.

Whatever she thought, it did not matter. The decision was Hump’s and his alone. This was his trial. Though that thought sparked a new idea. She sensed the Hunter mixed in with the warmth of Owalyn’s power. Her deadly intent that even gods knew to fear.

Right now, Celaine couldn’t help but wonder what it was for.

When Hump pulled back his hand, Celaine let out a breath she didn’t realise she was holding. She was surprised at the sheer relief that rushed through her.

“What’s he doing?” Vamir said, stunned.

Other remarks spilled out from the crowd as all amongst them watched on in shock, unable to understand what he was thinking.

Celaine didn’t know the answer, all she knew was that this felt right.

***

Hump jerked back his hand. Something was wrong. The feeling snuck up on him just as he was about to give himself to Owalyn and accept her offer like a whisper in his mind.

Don’t rush into this, it was the old man’s voice. Think, Hump. Your mind is your greatest weapon. Ignore the distractions around you and focus. Think!

Hump felt as if he’d woken from a daze. He stared into the well of power before him with wide eyes, a feeling of familiarity coming over him. He’d been here before. The dungeon essence, the gorger, and his warlock side had lured him in with the promise of power. It would be so easy to take it—to easy. There were no shortcuts to power. There were no gains without sacrifice. Where it was offered, there was always a price.

A sly smile touched Owalyn’s lips. “You are hesitant.” She spoke quieter now, as if it was just the two of them in a small room.

Hump swallowed. He tried to think—to remain logical—but his mind was stunned by the might on display before him. His soul was manifested, but he felt drained, his own essence lost to the intent of Owalyn. It flooded his senses, overstimulating his connection to magic and leaving him unable to control it. He forced himself to breathe, trying to collect himself. He wasn’t even sure why he was second guessing himself. She was offering him the power he had always been envious of. A home.

“Humphrey?” she probed.

“This is just…” Hump paused. “It’s so unexpected. I’m an outsider. A wizard. I am no Chosen.”

“You are bonded. You are dragon blooded. In many ways, it is only fitting that you become one of my Chosen too. It is a simple decision. Will you accept my offer, or will you not?”

Hump frowned. Of course, it was a simple decision. He gazed into the erupting power before him, enjoying the feeling of it against his soul. She was offering him a part of this. The decision couldn’t be more simple, yet he hesitated.

Why?

Pressure built. Distantly, he felt the eyes of everyone watching. He heard their disconcerted whispers and shouts of encouragement, though the sound was distorted, as if they were speaking through a wall. He knew Celaine was out there, Vamir, Ado, Leif—people he’d fought alongside and who had come to trust him. To decline now felt like a betrayal.

Hump licked his lips, thinking. He didn’t know why he was hesitating. This was what he’d always desired. The power he’d craved each and every time he’d witnessed a god pillar; each time he’d seen a Chosen receive their next blessing. He needed this.

I used to want this, he realised.

He had wanted an easy path once and the safety net that came with it, but now… now he was just starting to grasp his own power and realising his potential as a wizard. He remembered what Owalyn had said when they’d first spoken. It was the answer he’d been looking for. The gods were once mortals, but they had found their path and followed it.

Is that the test? Hump wondered. Does she want me to decline and stick with the path I am walking?

Hump met Owalyn’s eye. She stared back at him with deadly precision, giving nothing away. It was the gaze of the supreme huntress. While he did not know what she hunted for, he knew his journey was elsewhere.

A part of him still hungered for what he’d never had. The promise of an easy life was tempting even if it would mean accepting his place in Drakalyn, but he did not want that now. The road was his home, and power was not the only thing that mattered.

He wanted answers. Not just the secrets of his spellbook, but the secrets of the world and the magic that brought life to it. That was what his path meant to him. That was what it meant to be a wizard.

Hump withdrew his hand entirely, the grey of the world becoming less dull as his Brilliance drew closer. A little more of his mind returned to him. This was a trick. A test. Owalyn sought to know whether he would take the easy path, or if he would have the strength to remain steadfast on his own. That was where he would find true power.

His mind was made up.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” he said, “and I certainly mean no offence, but I must decline your offer. You told me how important it is to follow one’s path to the end. I intend to do just that.”

“That is your decision?” Owalyn asked, her voice void of emotion though Hump couldn’t help the spark of fear within him.

He swallowed, still not believing what he was saying. A god had gifted him her blessing, yet he didn’t want it. “It is.”

“Very well.”

All at once, the world of essence before him condensed, withdrawing into Owalyn’s body. The world was back to normal in the blink of an eye. Hump withdrew his soul, yet to his eyes, it seemed to have lost its lustre.

“Is that it?” Hump asked. “This was a test, wasn’t it? Did I pass?”

She glared at him, a smile he couldn’t read touching her lips. “You rejected my invitation to be one of my Chosen. I must say, there are few in this world that would turn down a blessing.”

“I… It was an honour to be asked,” Hump stammered. “But I have already progressed so far on my journey, it would be a waste to toss that aside now.”

“Ah, but there is still so much further to go,” she said. “You still lack the strength to protect Nishari, but you have the potential. It burns in your soul with a fierceness that could take your far and is part of my reason for extending this offer, I only hope it is not snuffed out too soon.”

Hump frowned at that. “You wanted me to accept your blessing?”

She tilted her head, her expression becoming confused. “Of course. I offered you a place amongst my keepers. Those were no empty words. You and Nishari would have done well with me.”

“But I thought it was a test. Was I not supposed to decline it?”

“Who am I to judge your decision? For that, only time shall answer. More importantly was the reasoning behind your answer. Though, whether right or wrong, there are consequences for any choice. You have your wish. You have completed my trials. You an Nishari are free to go as you please, but you shall never be of Drakalyn.”

And with that, Owalyn’s power vanished. Her form faded from the world in a glittering array of stars until Hump was alone at the base of the Great Tree. Despite everything, he felt a sense of loss at her words. He had passed by a fork in the road, and there was no turning back.

Discussion exploded behind him. Questions were hurled at him.

“This is a disgrace! An insult to everything we stand for!”

“Why would you decline?”

These were not questions from strangers, but from people Hump had fought side by side. He glanced at the elders nearby, noting the return of Ashera’s anger, and Elder Rena’s disappointment. He turned to face the gathered crowd, finding hurt, angry, and confused faces staring back—Leif, Kelec, Eva, Ado, Vamir—people he respected and cared for. By rejecting this offer, he was rejecting these people too.

“Enough!” Yunillia called over the crowd. “Wizard Humphrey has every right to decline Owalyn’s blessing. Let us not forget the aid he has given. He may not be one of us, but he is a friend.”

Somehow the silence that followed was worse. One could have heard a pin drop it was so quiet. Not a single one of the hunters met Hump’s eye. When he spotted Celaine with Vamir, she gave him a reassuring smile.

“Those without further business here, please leave,” Yunillia continued. Her eyes fell on him. “Wizard Humphrey and I have much to speak on.”

Brilliant. They are certainly not happy with me. Hump sighed. What am I going to do now?