After defeating the beast Ravihiro entered next room
The Judge Appears
As the room grew darker, the figure solidified, stepping forward from the swirling mix of light and shadow. It was humanoid in shape but colossal in size, towering over Ravihiro. Its face was obscured by a mask split into two halves—one black as night, the other radiant gold. Each step it took resonated through the chamber like a tolling bell.
"I am the Judge of Equilibrium," the figure declared in a voice that reverberated with authority. "Only those who can balance light and darkness within their soul may claim the orb. Do you understand the stakes, Ravihiro?"
Ravihiro stood tall, his sword Kageha glowing faintly at his side. His crimson eyes locked onto the Judge's form without hesitation. "If balance is what you want, then you've chosen the right challenger."
The Judge raised an arm, and with a wave of its hand, the chamber shifted. The ground beneath Ravihiro's feet disintegrated, leaving him standing on a narrow beam suspended over an abyss. The air became dense, and oppressive energy swirled around him.
The Test of Balance
"This trial will push your soul to its limits," the Judge intoned. "You will face your deepest fears, confront your greatest strengths, and embrace your darkest truths. Should you falter, the abyss will consume you."
Without waiting for a response, the trial began. Shadows rose from the abyss, forming figures from Ravihiro's past—his enemies, the ones he had killed, and even the haunting silhouette of himself as a child, burdened with loneliness and rejection.
The figures charged at him, their eyes glowing with malice. Ravihiro instinctively drew Kageha, deflecting their attacks. However, as his blade met theirs, they shattered into fragments of light that pierced his body, each one flooding him with a memory of pain or triumph.
"You cannot fight balance," the Judge said, its voice booming. "You must embrace both halves of your soul".
The Struggle
The shadows changed, morphing into familiar faces. He saw Rumina, her expression pained and pleading, as if begging him to stop his endless pursuit of power. Behind her stood his sister Haruno, her gaze filled with sorrow.
Their voices echoed around him:
"Why do you push everyone away?"
"Will your path of solitude truly bring peace?"
"You can't protect us all, Ravihiro."
Ravihiro's grip on Kageha tightened, his jaw clenching. "Illusions won't break me," he spat.
Yet, as he moved to strike, light erupted from the abyss, forming another set of figures—people he had saved, the children he trained, and those who had looked up to him as a savior. Their voices were softer, filled with hope.
"You are more than your darkness."
"You have a purpose beyond destruction."
"Find balance, Ravihiro."
The conflicting images and emotions surged within him, threatening to tear his mind apart.
The Revelation
At the breaking point, Ravihiro stopped fighting. He dropped Kageha, letting the sword vanish into his ring. Closing his eyes, he focused inward, embracing the storm within.
The darkness and light inside him clashed violently, but he didn't resist. Instead, he guided their energies together, intertwining them like threads of a tapestry. Slowly, the chaos within him began to calm, forming a fragile equilibrium.
When he opened his eyes, his aura had transformed. No longer purely dark or faintly light, it was now a perfect blend of both, radiating stability and power.
Claiming the Orb
The Judge observed him silently before stepping aside. "You have passed the trial, Ravihiro. You are worthy of the Orb of Equilibrium."
Ravihiro walked to the pedestal, his steps steady despite the exhaustion coursing through him. As his hand touched the orb, a surge of energy flowed into his body. The unstable forces within him aligned, their conflict replaced by harmony.
A faint smile crossed his lips. "Finally," he muttered.
A New Threat
Before he could leave, the ground trembled violently. The Judge's mask cracked, and its form began to dissolve. "Beware," it warned, its voice now strained. "The orb's awakening has drawn the attention of forces beyond this world. You have stabilized your power, but greater trials await."
The chamber collapsed, forcing Ravihiro to sprint toward the exit. As he emerged from the temple, he glanced back to see its entrance crumble, sealing whatever lay within.
In the distance, a dark shadow loomed over the horizon. The air grew heavy, and the faint sound of drums echoed through the jungle. Ravihiro's expression hardened.
"So, they've noticed," he murmured.