Darius wasn't interested in overanalyzing the methods and lore behind the Test of Fortitude, he continued with his daily life here, only that it was greatly marred by what one would expect, a lot of stigmas.
It started out mild, as the contents of the case had been viewed by many and they understood that it was still somewhat questionable. However, as time went on, it was as if something happened to the memory of the people, and they remembered the case very differently.
Their reactions towards him became ruder and more disgusting as he lived his life calmly, as if not spending day and night kneeling before the Silica Eashira, begging for forgiveness, was a grave sin.
Even members of his own family had begun to glare at him day after day, though they didn't dare say anything. Soon, Darius lost the favor of his best friend, the Crown Prince, as the rumors and public dissatisfaction had become too high, and associating with him could ruin his chances to the throne.
Darius made no fuss and understood. Soon, his father in this world, styled after his real father on Earth, bluntly told him that he was disqualified from inheriting the Stone Eashira's patriarch position.
This too, Darius took calmly and dealt with what he was given straightforwardly. He never lashed out, never complained, never showed dissatisfaction. Many people were confused and doubtful.
Was this an admission of guilt…? Or was there something more?
It was just too strange. Very few people could suffer such social degradation with a straight face and welcoming demeanor as if it wasn't them who was being mistreated.
Soon, Darius was even disowned from the Stone Family and cast to the streets. He, however, did not suffer much as he still had his magic. He simply created his own little shack somewhere obscure as he waited out the test.
However, the 'blows' didn't stop coming. It turned out that the Crown Prince had sent a marriage letter to Joan Silica, and they had accepted. Soon, she was wed to him, and the next year, the sultan passed away.
The Crown Prince became the new Sultan, with Joan the Sultana, meaning that even if Darius were to come forward with evidence of her lies now, nothing could ever come of it. His path to clearing his name had been closed off and despair should have set in.
Darius only replied with an 'oh' and continued spending this time creating more spells for the Material element. Towards the end of the Test of Mettle, he had been busy creating life and experimenting with souls, so he hadn't added much.
When done, he eventually left the territory and redid what he had done in the Test of Mettle, creating a territory using sand and endless precious resources. He was curious as to what would happen next and he wasn't disappointed.
The new Sultan sent him a friendly letter stating that he wished to enter a trade with Darius for his resources. After all, Darius was a powerful mage beyond any force his formerly best friend had, so taking military action against him was useless.
He even offered to pardon all of Darius' crimes, which made the fellow smile. He naturally agreed and entered a friendly relationship with the Sultan's territory, becoming their spiritual protector and provider of resources for expansion.
Joan, who had already given birth to a few children for the Crown Prince, was even forced to apologize for her lies after she had admitted the truth to her husband.
Of course, the apology had been behind closed doors, as the Sultan couldn't have his wife's reputation be publically soiled.
She had been young and foolish, but motherhood had tempered her wisdom and made her understand what to do for the sake of the land.
Darius accepted this and all was well. The Test of Fortitude soon came to an end, as it was pointless to continue. Darius had already achieved the requirement of never breaking down when faced with adversity and continuing on.
He awoke in the chamber of the Tower of Spirits once more, seeing that his incense had burned out. This time, aside from Gunner and himself, only one other person was already awake.
Darius was not surprised Gunner passed, because the Test of Mettle, Will, and Fortitude were extremely easy for him given his nature, especially the last one.
Knowing Gunner's nature and past, Darius believed that the half-giant might have experienced being ostracized by his tribe. He had probably gazed at everyone as if they were the biggest retards while they cussed him, not even bothering to acknowledge their words…
Darius noticed that Xela's batch opened their eyes with dazed expressions and began to file out of the chamber. Xela herself got up too at first, but her expression cleared before she had exited the room.
Suddenly, the entire tower shook, as if it was hit by something heavy. It caused Darius' trio plus the extra fellow who had passed the third test to gape with shock.
The shaking soon came to a halt despite Darius getting ready to teleport himself and his group out at the slightest sign of hostility. The other trial takers were still sacked from the chamber, yet the Elven Princess was left alone.
Rather, a chair popped up at the side of the chamber. Gazing at Darius for direction, he nodded. Xela then moved to sit down in the provided chair quietly, waiting for the results of the test.
The third person was stunned by this, as he too had come to the conclusion that those who failed would undergo a memory wipes, and he definitely did not want that to be him.
Seeing that the tower failed to wipe Darius' companion, made him gaze at the other two with wary hostility. Whoever they were, the tower didn't seem to dare erase their memory, even providing them with seats to wait on the side while the tests were ongoing.
This made him feel a sense of crisis like never before.
Darius and Gunner ignored him noticing that the incense in their burners had changed color once more. This time, it was a bright white color, like the robes of a priest.
It lit itself, a white color smoke wafting from within and covering the faces of each of the three, entering their nostrils and causing their minds to sink to the abyss.
