He stepped out of the wondrous forest realm and began his journey toward the location Eve had mentioned, where the portal lay hidden.
His steps were cautious as he couldn't afford to be careless while wandering through the dangerous death realm.
As the days dragged on, Rio trod with caution, traveling through the ever-changing landscape that loomed with mysterious sights that could potentially threaten him.
With Eve by his side, He was able to avoid these hazards and continue on his journey. Finally, on the third day, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, the boy's destination loomed in sight.
A mesmerizing golden waterfall cascaded before him, its shimmering waters concealing the portal from the untrained eye.
Rio approached it, feeling a surge of thrill course through him. With a deep breath, he stepped into the portal, leaving the death realm's landscape behind.
As the boy stepped into the portal the world around him dissolved into a blinding white light, and he felt a moment of weightlessness before his feet touched solid ground.
His eyes adjusted to the bright light, and his expression flickered with surprise at the sight before him.
He stood in a vast garden, but everything was made of shimmering glass. The trees, the flowers, and even the grass seemed to be crafted from delicate glass filaments, casting an ethereal glow that illuminated the entire space.
Rio was awestruck by the enchanting allure of the Mirror Garden as if he had been whisked away to an ethereal realm. The mystical landscape was a magnificent feast for his senses, with its glittering glass flora and sparkling crystal vines.
The boy saw the Mirror Garden as a delicate side dish, a mere appetizer to enjoy after the main course of the harrowing depths of the Death realm, from which he had just emerged.
"Welcome to the Mirror Garden," Eve's voice came from behind him, and he turned to see her standing there, her eyes glued on him.
The elven girl had come out from the wondrous forest realm, her sense of urgency propelling her to do so as she knew the trial may start soon.
"This place is dazzling," Rio spoke, his voice filled with surprise.
"It's one of the most beautiful locations for the trial, but it's still below the wonderous forest realm," Eve said, her voice tinged with pride.
She then took Rio's hand and continued, "We must hold hands to ensure we stay together during the trial."
Rio nodded, knowing that the trial would be challenging. His fingers interlocked with Eve's as they both exchanged soft smiles.
As the duo walked through the Mirror Garden, Rio felt a sense of foreboding. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them, lurking in the shadows.
"Can you sense anything?" he asked via telepathy.
"Yes, the trial is going to begin soon, so be ready," Eve replied, her grip on his hand tightening.
Suddenly, a chorus of tinkling laughter echoed through the garden, and he looked around, trying to locate the source of the laughter, but saw nothing but the glass flowers swaying in the breeze.
The laughter grew louder, more frenzied, and Rio knew he couldn't leave this place since he was required to pass this trial sooner or later.
"Be careful, Partner," she said, her eyes sweeping the garden for any sign of upcoming sights.
The boy nodded, as he was already ready for what was about to come.
The laughter grew louder, more insistent, and Rio felt his grip on Eve's hand tighten. He didn't know that the trial would test him in ways he couldn't even imagine. However, He was stubborn to prove himself and conquer this trial no matter what was going to come his way.
The air around Rio crackled with tension as the atmosphere transformed without warning. An innumerable swarm of swords emerged from the shadows, their metallic surfaces gleaming ominously as they clinked and vibrated, creating an eerie, buzzing symphony.
With lethal intent, they soared through the air, their razor-sharp edges poised to deliver merciless torment.
As the swords hurtled towards him, they found their marks with agonizing precision, embedding themselves deep into Rio's flesh.
Their cold steel tore through muscle and bone, sending waves of pain radiating through his body, each sensation more excruciating than the last. Every new wound scorched his nerves, igniting a firestorm of agony that threatened to consume his very being.
Rio gritted his teeth, trying to suppress a scream of agony, but a muffled groan still escaped his lips. Blood seeped from his many injuries, pooling around him and painting the ground in shades of crimson.
As a particularly cruel sword plunged into his forehead, his strength faltered, and he collapsed to his knees, engulfed by the overwhelming tide of pain that sought to extinguish his very essence.
"Argh..."
Rio understood that this ordeal was merely the beginning, with more trials poised to test his resolve and fortitude.
Although Eve had assured him that these were illusions, the pain, and his surroundings felt so vivid and real that he couldn't help but question if she had deceived him.
Yet deep down, he knew their shared tattoo bound them together, preventing any possibility of betrayal. Trusting in their bonding, he steeled himself to face the trial.
The torturous experience intensified as Rio's surroundings shifted once more. He found himself lying as if naked on a slab of ice, his body still ravaged with wounds from the relentless barrage of swords.
The biting cold crept into his flesh, causing his skin to freeze, and making him feel like he was becoming a frozen statue. His heartbeats grew slower and more labored as the frigid temperatures intensified his torment.
Suddenly, the ice beneath him transformed into a pool of molten magma. The scorching heat lapped at his battered body, searing his skin and threatening to engulf him entirely.
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