Chương 116: Limitless Path Chapter One Hundred Forty-One

Beth and Blood felt a strange sense of twisting in their guts, followed by a few seconds of an odd weightless feeling combined with a feeling like sliding down a slick ramp on their feet while trying to maintain their balance. After no more than five seconds, the sensation ended with a strange snap, leaving Beth and Blood standing in a large, very well-furnished room.

Everything around them oozed tasteful luxury; marble floors of exceptional quality were covered in plush, gorgeously embroidered carpets, while the walls were paneled in a light, beautiful wood with warm, golden lamps providing a most pleasant light. The furniture was just as ornate and tasteful, with everything made of very fine, expensive-looking wood that was intricately carved in a subtle manner; the feet of the chairs carved into ornate paws, for instance.

The padding for the furniture was extremely comfortable looking, with a very nice light blue and gold coloration. The whole place oozed great luxury, but in such a highly refined manner that it didn't come off as an overbearing flaunting of wealth. The area they were standing in was a large living room, with several doorways along what Beth thought of as the 'back' wall and a single doorway on the wall opposite.

She peeked into the right door on the back wall and saw a large, incredibly luxurious bedroom, with another door that clearly led to a lavish bath in the far wall. The lefthand door along the back wall led to a dining room with a large table in the middle. A door to the left led into what appeared to be a study, while a door on the rear wall led into a full kitchen. After poking her head around for a moment, Beth returned to the main room when there was a knock on the door.

Glancing at Blood, Beth moved to the only door she hadn't looked through yet and opened it. Standing on the other side was a woman that Beth could only describe as an angel, and not just in terms of beauty. She had two pairs of white-feathered wings and a faint halo hovered above her head. Strangely, she did have a pair of antlers that resembled that of an elk protruding from the top of her head, but she was still certainly quite angelic.

"Greetings," the woman said in Universal Standard, her voice like warm, flowing honey to Beth's ears.

"I am Aytasha, and I will be your guide during your time here in the Trial of Celestial Awakening."

"Ah, hello," Beth replied a little lamely.

"I didn't realize we would be getting a guide." If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"That is quite understandable," Aytasha said.

"I am here to answer any questions you might have, facilitate fulfilling any needs, and procuring any request, within reason, of course."

"Sorry, but I don't really know much about this trial," Beth explained, scratching the back of her head.

"My trainer at the CRA just told me it was an awesome opportunity and to do my best."

"Not a problem. Allow me to explain some of the basics," Aytasha replied, her small grin turning into a brilliant smile as Beth stepped out of the doorway, waving the angel inside. They sat on two of the armchairs facing each other while Blood sat on the floor in-between them.

"Let me explain," Aytasha continued.

"The Trial is divided into thirty stages. You will have up to two days to complete each stage; failure to complete a stage means you will be stopped at that stage of the trial. Rewards are based on how many stages you manage to clear, with each stage improving your overall rewards. Each stage is progressively more difficult, with the first stage something relatively easy for most warriors to clear, while stage thirty will present an almost impossible challenge.

All of the stages are simulated fights; they will appear to be as if they are real, but you will not die or be permanently injured from a stage failure.

"The area you are in now is your suite for the duration of the trial. There are several suites here, with a large common area that includes many different facilities, all of which are free for your use at any time. It is likely you will clear the early stages quickly, especially with a companion, and you are allowed up to an extra day of rest between stages, though this is limited to a week total of extra rest time.

You are free to interact with the other guests here for the Trial as well as any staff, but there is a strict no fighting policy outside of the stages. Any kind of harassment or other untoward actions are not tolerated in any way, and can and will result in an immediate, permanent ban from the Celestial Awakening roster for life. Any questions?"

"Just to make sure I have it clear," Beth said after taking a moment to digest the explanation, "I have two days to clear a stage, and if I do it faster than that, all the remaining time is rest time? Plus I have an additional seven days I can use one day at a time for further rest?"

"Precisely," the angel responded with a warm smile, nodding.

"There are facilities to prepare food, where you can train, swim, get a massage, undergo coaching, and many more. As a holder of the Celestial Awakening Token, these facilities are all for you to use as you see fit, at no cost. You may spend time with any other Trial Taker as you see fit as long as, as I said before, everything is consensual and above-board. Any kind of harassment or inappropriate conduct will be punished immediately and forcefully."

"I understand," Beth nodded in reply, happy in having the rules clearly laid out.

"Can you tell me how many other people are here to take the Trial currently, or is that private information?"

"It is not hidden in any way, though I am not at liberty to reveal details of other participants without their consent. There are currently just under two hundred Trial Takers present at the moment, though I believe only twenty-five, including yourself, are not presently within a stage," Aytasha replied calmly.