Chapter Sixteen Trials of the Red Temple

While Arlie and Company were getting ready for the Red Temple Trial. Hikaru was out on the town with Polca and Eren. They’d invited Kuon along but their hulking giant of a tank had declined the invitation, saying that he had business to attend to. This little diversion wasn’t all pleasure though, they were going to be ordering new armor as well. The whole party needed new armor after that last battle and his sword looked worse for the use as well. The blade had numerous nicks, dents, and scratches. In several places those Hellfiend claws had bit deep into the blade, he didn’t think a simple repair would do it. He had every expectation for the blacksmith to tell him he needed a new sword. On the plus side, that quest had been his biggest payday ever, the guild had paid him two hundred and fifty-nine gold coins for the quest. Even better, the Order of the Eagle Knight’s Order had left a favorable review of him and his party with the guild. All of them had received a promotion and an additional ten gold marks as a result. 

Given the newfound wealth, they all wanted to celebrate, it would certainly help lift their spirits after what happened. They’d visited the bar a few times since they got back, but now that the coins from the quest were in their pocket it was time to celebrate and buy replacement equipment. One of the downsides for high reward quests like this was that it took the guild longer to pay out their due reward. Of course, back on Earth the government was the same way, only worse.

None of that mattered to Hikaru as he followed the half-elf and the fox girl into a local tavern, one known more for its food than its drink. A young woman in a rather revealing ensemble of black and white clothing that was little more than underwear and a frilly hat greeted them. “Morning ladies, gentlemen grab a table and I’ll be with you in a blink.”

Polca took him to an available table, and Eren sat down next to him. With Polca taking the seat across from him. It was a rugged wooden table, stained from previous use and paired with surprisingly comfortable if worn wooden stools. The entire room had a rather rustic feel to it, with lots of hardwood and rugged furniture. On the one wall, the stuffed head of a local predator was prominently displayed frozen in a fierce visage as if it was roaring at the world.

They didn’t have much time to chat before the lightly dressed waitresses showed her pretty face. “Alright, folks, today’s house special is herb-seasoned Rifhi steaks pan-grilled and served with fresh mashed potatoes. We also have the usual stew and bread on offer, today’s meat is fresh rabbit.”

Polca gave the waitress a friendly smile, “I’ll take the house special.”

Eren said, “I’ll have the same.”

Hikaru shrugged, “Might as well, give me the special as well.”

The waitress grinned, “Three specials coming right up. Anything to drink? We just opened the tap on a new barrel.”

They quickly agreed to a drink, and then turned to chat. Hikaru couldn’t help but think about how different this was compared to Earth. Back on Earth, he’d get a menu with a dozen or more options to pick from. That wasn’t the case here, the Taverns usually only offered their usual staple and one or two alternatives along with a daily special. The selection was often better in larger towns like Arcs, but that wasn’t always the case. Taverns weren’t the same as the restaurants he was used to by any measure and they all served alcohol. Soda wasn’t even an option no matter where you looked, it just didn’t exist. He missed soda.

Polca spoke up, “Have you two been keeping track of hellspawn sightings?”

“A little,” replied Hikaru wincing.

She sighed, “Things seem to be getting worse, I haven’t heard of any other villages being taken but I doubt that gate at Streg was the only one.”

Eren frowned, “I hope you are wrong about that,” she shuddered, “Those fiends were living nightmares.”

“Don’t we all?”

Hikaru agreed with the sentiment, “Those things should go back to hell where they belong.”

Polca nodded, “And if they don’t we should make them. I’ve been hearing some rumors about hellspawn movements out west near Ukova. I was thinking once we get our gear in order, we should head out that way and look into it.”

Hikaru and Eren both groaned, “Really!? We just...”

“I know, I know, but those things were hurting children, and they killed almost every adult in Streg. We can’t ignore them!”

Hikaru sighed, “You should have been the summoned hero.”

Polca puffed up, “Thank you! But I know you care too.”

Hikaru wanted to deny it, but he couldn’t; the images of what those things had done in Streg kept visiting him in dreams. Slumping he replied, “I do, but if I had to deal with them ever again it would be a day too soon.”

Eren and Polca shared looks, then Eren said, “I agree with that.”

Just then the waitress arrived with their food. Hikaru thanked her and took a look at his plate. A prime cut of meat, seasoned with herbs and seared on both sides, then coated with a bit of sauce sat on the plate. Along with a generous helping of buttered mash and a serving of veggies, he couldn’t identify. She also placed a mug in front of each setting.

Hikaru took the mug and downed half of it in a moment. A warmth spread in his belly as his throat burned a bit, but he was looking for that bit of buzz.

The waitress giggled, “Careful! That stuff is on the strong side.”

“Good,” replied Hikaru, “We could use a nice buzz.”

“Enjoy your food then,” replied the waitress as she moved to care for other tables. Hikaru picked up the fork and went to try his food. The trio of them resumed their chat.

___________

Arlie pushed the doors of the temple open, the twins a step behind her as they headed into the courtyard. The temple courtyard featured a paved stone path leading to the main building, and neatly maintained gardens were located on either side. They were beautiful, filled with a colorful selection of exotic flowers and valuable herbs. It might be worth it to look through the gardens for anything that might be useful in a potion. Yet she didn’t bother, and started walking the path towards the main building instead. The twins briefly stopped to admire the flowers then hurried to follow.

The doors to the main building were a set of large double doors carved with divine symbols. A tapestry that represented the duality of the cycle, night and day, life and death. The Door on the left was painted black, while the door on the right was pure white. So perfectly white it was unnatural, while the symbols were etched in gold, making them stand out on both sides. Arlie didn’t look too closely at the symbols, she’d seen them all before so it wasn’t anything really new to her. Instead she pushed against the doors and they slid open easily, letting her into the atrium of the temple, where a large figure was waiting for them.

Not only was the beast large it was also regal, an armor of red and brown scales covered their body, the face was ridge with large angular eyes that gleamed in the light, a brilliant amber. Its limbs were thicker than logs and ended in long deadly-looking claws, a long tail curled lazily behind the creature. Her breath caught as she recognized it from the books. It was a dragon, more specifically it was an Earth Dragon. It may not have wings but it was just as deadly as any dragon. A shudder went down her spine, why did it have to be a dragon? Why couldn’t the guardian have been a bunny?

The guardian grinned a tooth grin, “Welcome challengers, I’ve been expecting you.”

She gulped, “You have?”

“Her majesty Aurora informed me you were coming and that you were ready to take the Trial of the Labyrinth.”

“Um, I see.”

The dragon gestured, “Sit, we have much to talk about, but first let me tell you the basics of the trial.” The Dragon paused as they settled into indicated chairs, and then continued, “The challenges you face here are intended to test your abilities in combat and your mind. It’s more than just a test of skill, you must adapt to the challenges you face and overcome them. That is why you are not allowed to take any of your possessions with you into the trial not even the clothes on your back. Now tell me have you been to the inn?”

Arlie nodded, “We have.”

“Wonderful, the trial takes place in a labyrinth. On each floor there is a safe zone that will allow you to visit the inn. While at the inn you will not be allowed to wear your clothes or leave your rented room. The staff will bring food to you, but for all intents and purposes it’s merely time to rest before you continue the trial.”

Thron blinked, “So we will be naked?”

“Only if you choose to be, I will be providing you with some very basic clothing. It has no enchantments, the cloth is thin and does little more than protect your modesty. Within the trial you may find better equipment, part of the test is to locate weapons and armor you can use. Keep in mind you are going to need that equipment. Monsters roam the maze, and it would not be wise to face them unprepared.”

Horon interjected, “And we go in basically naked and unarmed!?”

“Yes, but if you are worried about death, don’t. The labyrinth is protected by the divine, no death is permitted within the halls. If you ‘die’ in the labyrinth you merely return here, of course that does count as a failure so try not to ‘die.’”

Arlie sighed, “Of course that would be the case. Anything else I should know?”

___________________

Hikaru stepped through the door, Polca was close behind him and Eren a step behind her. The front of the shop had a number of manikins set up to display the tailor’s work. Including a few sets of armored mage robes. Sample work meant to show off the skills of the tailor, not ready-made stuff to wear right away. This world didn’t have the concept of ready-made work, something he’d not been prepared for.

The lady of the shop came out to greet them, “Polca! It’s nice to see you, need some repairs on your robe?”

Polca shook her head, “Afraid I’m in the market for a new one,” she replied as she produced her old set, “Our last quest did a number on our equipment.”

She glanced at Eren and Hikaru, “You two lose your armor as well?”

Hikaru nodded, “Hellfiends, the bastards are tough, tore my breastplate right open.”

Eren blushed, “Damn thing nearly stripped me naked, my armor was in tatters.”

“Right, I recall you like light armor, I can fix you up with something,” then she looked at Hikaru, “What about you, young man? What kind of armor do you usually use?”

“I have it with me,” he said, pulling out his armor from a bag. It was layered, the breastplate was solid or it had been before it was shattered, underneath that was mail that had been torn by the claws.

“Well, that’s quite the damage. Now remain still while I take your measurements. Then I’ll introduce you to my sister, she and her husband are blacksmiths, they can make you a nice set of replacement armor. I use her for anything I need in that area.”

Hikaru blinked, “Um, thank you?”

She smiled and led them into the back, “Alright you three, strip.”

Polca started undressing and Eren followed suit. Hikaru blinked then started taking his clothes off too. It seemed that they were undressing together. Yet before he knew it, they were entirely naked, all three of them.