NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 23: A challenge has come
Chapter 23: A challenge has come
"You're a prime example of how the trial should be done," Athena said, looking at Noah with clear delight. "Thou hast awakened thy skills, stored everything else, and used one of the items here to gain another darkness-related power. It evolved thy bloodline and made thee stronger. We have not even finished this trial, yet thou hast gained so much. I am excited for thy future."
Noah scratched the back of his head under this shower of praise.
He never received many compliments, and his new confidence did not help him keep a straight face.
He grinned, and his beloveds chuckled at him.
He stood up, then lurched forward as he moved faster than he was used to.
He steadied himself and clenched his hands, sensing the passive effect of Darkness' Apex doubling his strength.
He would have liked an enemy to test this new power, but no one had ventured deeper into the forest.
Eleonora said Noah had slept for twelve hours and that it was now night.
She yawned, so Noah helped her lie down and covered her with a blanket, telling her to have sweet dreams.
"I shall dream of your new form. So cool," she giggled, rolling over and drifting off in her usual position, soothed by Noah stroking her hair.
Noah chuckled and turned to Athena.
"We'll need to fix our sleeping schedule."
"That comes only when thou gainst an innate ability to endure daylight," Athena said, smiling at his weakness.
"Ah, true," Noah replied, nodding.
—
"So there aren't any system windows outside the trials?" Noah asked.
He and Athena sat at the edge of their web camp, letting Eleonora sleep. She wore a bright smile, as if dreaming of something sweet.
Athena shook her head.
"They exist only here. We call them the trial's judgment, yet system is fine too. These system messages show your abilities, bloodline state, and more. People with dormant bloodlines see that power listed, and so on. The first trials often tailor to people's needs, so many things can happen. They are the best place to grow stronger. By the end, there is also a grand reward."
"A grand reward? I wonder what it might be," Noah said, looking up. "How do people get stronger outside the trials?"
"It depends on their world," Athena replied.
"In my realm, there was an Immortal Grail atop the Immortal Mountain. The Immortal Mountain's Wardens foretold people's futures and offered them a path. Those who accepted were sent on tasks. Upon success, they received a drop of immortal water from the Grail. I was born to be a war menace and was sent to quell disturbances in my world and beyond. I seized the Immortal Grail for myself, becoming truly immortal."
If Noah had not known the darker side of her story, he would have praised her achievements more.
He held her hand and pulled her closer.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up your past," he said.
"Thou needst not apologize. I may have spoken too much, yet thy concern warms me. Words matter little next to thy actions," Athena answered with a gentle smile.
They naturally ended up in an embrace.
Noah's passion, boosted by what he learned from Eleonora, left Athena breathless.
—
A few days went by peacefully.
The family of three had one of many dinners on the ground, each holding a pan over the bonfire. The raw meat sizzled, and they had no seasonings, so it was either raw or lightly cooked.
Noah also added eggs and vegetables, finding it enough.
Athena and Eleonora were of wild kin, so they did not complain.
"I wonder how the trash is doing," Eleonora said, chewing on meat.
"Of course you would be curious," Noah said.
"Don't tell me you're worried about them?" Eleonora asked.
"Just a little. I'm thinking about Bart and the others we fought with," Noah replied.
Athena joined in.
"They're clever enough to survive for a while. Anyone wise enough to let us lead would last through this trial."
"Such wise words, mama," Eleonora teased, earning a glare from Athena.
Eleonora raised her hands in apology. "Yes, I shall save that for our role-play."
"Do not call me mama in public, else I shall punish you," Athena warned.
"I am rather curious how you would punish me," Eleonora said.
Athena's cheeks reddened.
"Since thou art weak, I would steal Noah from thee. I would make up with him in front of thine eyes, never letting thee have a turn."
Eleonora pouted.
She had no comeback for this punishment, yet inwardly smirked at how she could tease Athena in the future.
Suddenly, Noah and Athena jerked their heads up, meeting each other's eyes.
Their familiars, the pack and Nocturne, detected enemies drawing near.
"Ghouls and black bears native to this forest are headed our way," Athena said, glancing at Eleonora, who could not sense them.
"What do we do?" Eleonora asked.
"I'll handle them alone," Noah said. "Athena, stay with Eleonora and our supplies. My fighting will destroy the web camp because I can't keep the webs stable from far away."
"Our precious memories, gone like that," Eleonora pretended to cry, then her ears twitched. "Wait, you want to use Darkness' Apex, right?"
Her golden eyes sparkled.
Noah nodded, making her eyes shine even brighter.
"I want to see how far I can push Darkness' Apex before the real challenge arrives," he said.
"No harm shall befall Eleonora," Athena vowed.
Noah smiled. "And none on you, either. I won't let them come close to both of you."
He rose and called Nocturne, which scurried onto his head, ready for the show.