THE CHRONICLES OF VERNAI DAY 9 PART 2 REWRITTEN——>Trial of the Self

TRIAL OF THE SELF

VERNAI AND ЦыаиЦжы

THE FOG ENCROACHES UPON YOUR BODIES

THE FOG DESIRES TO DEFILE YOUR MEMORIES,YOUR IDENTITIES,YOUR VERY SENSE OF SELF

SOLIDIFY YOUR IDENTITY, ESTABLISH WHAT IS YOURSELF.

ONLY THEN MAY YOU BE ABLE TO OBSERVE THE MEMORIES OF OUR HEROES

REFLECT UPON YOUR FIRST HUNT, TO REMEMBER WHERE ‘YOU’ BEGAN

REFLECT UPON YOUR GREATEST TRIUMPH ,TO REMEMBER THE HEIGHTS YOU CAN REACH

REFLECT UPON YOUR GREATEST FAILURE,TO REMEMBER THE LOWEST YOU CAN FALL

THEN,AND ONLY THEN,CAN YOU BE WORTHY TO HOLD THEIR LEGACIES

Vernai PoV—>

As I settled into meditation, I went over the trial’s instructions in my head.

My first hunt, my greatest triumph and my greatest failure. I remembered my first hunt even before father told me about it, but I didn’t know what qualified as my greatest triumph or my greatest failure. If the trial could only draw from this Crystal, then I was unsure what memory it would take

Considering that the fog was closing in, I decided to begin with the memory I was most certain about. As my breathing slowed further, time seemed to stop as I dug deep in my mind, ensuring that I didn’t miss a single detail.

MEMORY 1/3

THE FIRST HUNT——>

Young Vernai PoV—>

The day had finally arrived! The day that I would finally go out on my first hunt!

Today was the day that I, Future Legendary Hero Vernai, would finally kill my first Beast!Begin my legacy as a hero to surpass even Vorpal!

(Vernai——> So this is how the trial works. I appear to be a passenger within my own mind, simply observing events as they occur. I must say, seeing my thoughts back then is a …….humbling experience. Was I always this cocky as a child?)

My target for this hunt was a giant rat! A vile creature that fed upon those who encroached in its territory. Finding the territory beforehand was easy, so all I had to do was charge straight on ahead!

As I entered through through the lair, I realise that there’s nothing inside! The Rat must be out hunting! I should set up a tra—AAAAAAUGH!!!! MY LEG!!

(Vernai——> I remember this quite well. I charged in without thinking and nearly got my leg bitten clean off. Later I found out that rat I was supposed to hunt had evolved into a nascent Demonbeast mere minutes before I arrived. All I had to do was observe the creature before engaging, and I could have avoided any danger. I truly wasn’t cut out to be a hunter, too little patience.)

(Vernai——> This trial does seem quite easy right now, though that may be because I often reflect on this memory specifically. I should probably start thinking about what my greatest triumph could b—.)

(Before Vernai’s eyes, the memory started to subtly shift. Instead of black fur, The Young Vernai’s fur shifted to turn grey,and Instead of holding a sword, he now held a spear with one trembling hand.)

I desperately thrust forward with my spear but miss, getting it stuck into the ground.The Beast takes this opportunity to bite at my throat.As I bleed profusely, I know that this is the end for me. Mother…….. I’m sorry……. I won’t live to see you again….. The dream of Eustass ends here.

Ahhh,The fog is Closing in……… THIS IS MY FAILURE

(Vernai——>NO ! THIS IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED! I am not Eustass,I am VERNAI! I don’t use a spear, I use a Sword! My dream never ended here! )

The Fog slowly dissipates, as the memory returns to normal. The youth desperately slashes at the Demonbeast with a sword, and manages to scare it off after taking out an eye. As The Beast retreats, both the young and Old Vernai keep their guard up.

(Vernai——> So this is how the trial works. It tries to alter these memories by replacing them with the memories of others. I have to be careful now, the fog almost consumed me.)

(Vernai——>Eustass….. I did find a broken spear after killing this beast, did it belong to him originally? Wait, it’s happening again!)

(The memory tried to shift once again, changing the Young Vernai’s body, making it appear as if he was never injured. The beast he was fighting changed into a regular rat)

The Creature was as easy to kill as I expected! All it could do was try to lunge at me, and as long as I didn’t get hit, victory was sure to be mine! The fog surrounding my vision was a bit annoying, but I had to STAY FOCUSED.

(Vernai——> So this is what would have happened had I reached here an hour earlier. This may be a positive change, but it isn’t what actually happened. Sorry,Past me, but our dreams of invincibility must be broken today!)

(Vernai willed the scene back to what it was before, correcting the memory . No more deviations occurred, and The young Vernai was able to kill The Demonbeast with a final stab.)

As I slay the Beast once and for all, I collapse to the ground, taking in a few deep breaths. It had been harder than expected, but I did it! I had completed my first hunt! Papa would be so proud of me! For now, however, I needed to rest.

Taking a Dewdrop extract out of my bag, I quickly it to my leg, letting its healing properties run through my body. The next step after a hunt was to take apart the corpse for materials and meat. I remember my old training, taking out some small knives and getting to work.

(Vernai——> My first kill. Certainly not a clean one, but I survived. This was the first time I almost lost a fight, it reminded me I wasn’t invincible just because none of my fellow children could beat me.)

(Vernai——>This does remind me that I’ve forgotten almost all of my old training, since The Beast normally hunts for us.I was never good at it, but forgetting about it entirely is unacceptable. There may be a time that we’ll be forced to hunt for food if we decide to take a long trek. I should probably observe what my younger self is doing.)

(Vernai carefully observed his younger self taking the carcass apart, remembering the old lessons that were once muscle memory to him.)

(Vernai has relearnt Novice Scavenging—>Obtain extra loot from enemies,as well as meat)

REFLECTION CONCLUDED,THE FIRST HUNT.

As I was ejected from the memory, glowing words appeared in front of me, as the Monotone voice of the Trial spoke directly into my mind.

YOUR JOURNEY AS A WARRIOR HAD A TUMULTUOUS START, YOUR OWN CHILDISH IMPATIENCE FORCING YOU INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION ,YET YOU STILL PERSEVERED THROUGH DETERMINATION AND SHEER LUCK,UNWILLING TO LAY DOWN AND DIE.THIS WAS THE DAY YOU FIRST LEARNT THAT YOU ARE NOT INVINCIBLE.

THE FOG RECEDES FOR NOW,USE THIS MOMENT OF RESPITE TO PREPARE.

A wave of exhaustion hit me, as I suddenly realised that my mana reserves had been drained. I still had plenty to spare, but if this drain was caused by correcting the memory, then I would be in danger of running out.

Slipping into deeper meditation, I tried to regain what Mana I could, but as I was about to finish, I was suddenly pulled into my next memory.

As I look around, I immediately realise what memory this is. It’s the story of how I first acquired my sword, and the training i went through before it.

MEMORY 2/3

THE NEWCOMER’S TUTELAGE

Young Vernai PoV——>

I stared at The Newcomer in awe, unable to believe what he had offered.

Young Vernai——>YOU WANT TO TRAIN ME?!?

Newcomer——> HAHAHA! So excited to avoid having to study? But yes! You get the once in a lifetime opportunity of being personally trained by yours truly!

Newcomer——> Your father might be content with burying himself in sorceries and arcane knowledge, but I can tell that isn’t a path that’ll fit you very well. Regardless of your clan’s superstitions, you’re a kid who feels most natural when wielding the blade

The Newcomer kneels down, observing the young Vernai’s hands. This entire time, the newly crowned Prayer Master is silently seething as Alice tries and fails to hide her laughter.

Newcomer——> Your hands are covered in bruises from training, your posture and musculature resembles that of a swordsman rather than a scholar. That practice sword in your hands is clearly an old one. You’ve been training for a while.

Newcomer——> I highly doubt that Your ‘Papa’ will stop you from pursuing the path of a warrior, or maybe even a knight!

. . .

Newcomer——> Oho! Your eyes lit up when I said the word Knight! You wish to be a knight like the ones in fairy tales don’t you? Fight to protect the innocent, slay the dragon, save the princess? No wonder you were so happy to meet me! You have potential, kid! I’d loathe to see you waste it like your father has!

The entire time the newcomer speaks, he smiles cheekily while glancing at The Prayer Master, who at this point is ready to fire a spell to shut him up. Alice stops him with one hand, not even bothering to hide her laughter at how petty The Newcomer’s being.

The young Vernai’s notices none of this, still awestruck, but he eventually finds the strenght to speak.

Young Vernai——> YES! I’ll train with you! PAPA,PAPA! Can I PLEASE train with The newcomer?PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE!!!

Prayer Master——> Go on then. You leave tomorrow I believe. Get ready.

(Vernai——> So this is my greatest triumph according to the trial- my training with The Newcomer. I suppose that makes sense- this was truly the highest point of my entire life. As much of a risk as it may be, I do hope this trial covers the entire experience.)

(The memory speeds up, going through the early days of the young Vernai’s training. He and The Newcomer set up camp in a clearing deep within The Lost Forest,close to the dormant Volcano where the Hellkaiser once rested. The Newcomer first set up a gruelling physical conditioning schedule that would give the young child the required physique to handle heavy armour and weaponry, as well as the endurance for long fights.)

(The child took to the training better than The Newcomer could have hoped for, to the point that he often had to add challenges to keep pushing him further. Despite all of this, Vernai never complained, taking on every challenge with his seemingly endless perseverance)

(At some point, The Newcomer invited the Bandersnatch over, who eagerly agreed to help her young friend train. It was around this time that the newcomer Gifted the Young Vernai with his sealed Greatsword, which replaced the practice sword he had used prior.)

( Throughout the entire training, the Old Vernai trained right alongside his memory counterpart, and as he did so, he started to relax for the first time in a long time. The deviations this time were minor, inconsequential in the grand scheme of things-Occasional demonbeasts sneaking in, The Newcomer’s speech turning from warm and encouraging to cold and dismissive, but Vernai didn’t even have to think to correct them.)

(Vernai——>It’s nice to be able to relive this.It was truly the greatest time of my life, no stress about my clan’s downfall, no worry about my Father’s sin, just a long, satisfying day of training, occasional naps curled up next to the Bandersnatch, and the feeling of growing stronger. What I wouldn’t give to go back to these old days!)

(Vernai——>But I suppose nothing can last forever. My greatest Triumph approaches, the first ever skill I learnt. Even though there’s more training after this, the trial will likely end the memory once I succeed.)

One night, The Newcomer woke me up and guided me to the clearing. The Bandersnatch, ever vigilant, looked at us from its temporary lair.

Newcomer——> Your training has been going well. I believe you’re finally ready to learn this skill. Tell me,Vernai, what do you think makes a Knight different from any other armoured fighter?

Young Vernai——> Hmmm………. It’s their Nobility! The desire to save the innocent!

Newcomer——>You’re half right, kiddo! But even those who aren’t knights can protect the weak. In actuality, the main thing that makes a knight is a PLEDGE, or I suppose a VOW would be a more apt term, since not all knights serve lords.

Newcomer——> I think you’re ready to try creating a Vow of your own. It is through that Vow that you can gain the skill that truly marks you as a knight—Knight’s Pride.

Newcomer——> You don’t need to say this Vow out loud, you only need to say it in your head. Speak with true conviction while holding your blade in the air, and remember! Unless you hold confidence and pride in yourself, you can never be a true knight!

(The Young Vernai Nods eagerly, before focusing, speaking a vow inside his head that the current Vernai cannot hear.No matter how hard he tries,Vernai cannot correct this deviation.As he tries again and again, he starts to reflect on what The Newcomer told him)

(Vernai——> Pride…… I let go of all my pride out of fear I would let it corrupt me into being a sinner just like father. Is that why I can no longer use Knight’s pride? Me choosing to forego my pride was a decision I made a long time ago, can I truly accept it again?)

(Vernai——> I cannot remember or hear my own Vow anymore, no matter how hard I try. Why is that?)

IT IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE CHANGED SO MUCH SINCE THEN THAT WHAT YOU VOWED BACK THEN IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO YOU NOW.

(???)

(The memory suddenly pauses as the trial once again speaks to Vernai directly)

YOUR VOW BACK THEN WAS CHILDISH,BORN OF ABSOLUTE PRIDE THAT COULD ONLY COME FROM PURE INNOCENCE.

YOU VOWED TO SAVE EVERYONE,DESTROY ALL EVIL AND REPENT FOR ALL SIN SO THAT NOBODY WOULD HAVE TO SUFFER

YOUR EXPERIENCES SINCE THEN HAVE JADED YOU AS YOU REALISED THAT YOU CANNOT REPENT FOR THE SIN OF ANOTHER,NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY.

WHILE SUCH A REVELATION IS GOOD, YOUR PRIDE WAS UNABLE TO HANDLE IT,AND BROKE INTO SO MANY PIECES IT COULD NEVER TRULY RECOVER.

THE EXPERIENCES YOU HAD AFTER YOUR FATHER’S SIN JADED YOU,MAKING YOUR OLD VOW OBSOLETE.IT TOOK AWAY YOUR ABILITY TO KEEP BALANCE.

THE POINT OF THIS MEMORY WAS TO REFLECT ON HOW HIGH YOU CAN REACH,WHICH YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.THEREFORE YOU HAVE TECHNICALLY PASSED THIS SECTION OF THE TRIAL.

HOWEVER,THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TRULY BECOME WORTHY.AT THE RATE YOU ARE GOING,YOU WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY FAIL THIS TRIAL AND PERISH.

THE NEXT MEMORY IS YOUR GREATEST FAILURE,THE POINT AT WHICH BOTH YOUR VOW AND YOUR PRIDE BROKE APART,BUT THERE IS STILL A CHANCE FOR YOU

IF BY THE END OF THAT MEMORY YOU ARE UNABLE TO USE KNIGHT’S PRIDE, YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO REGAIN IT AGAIN.

YOU MUST MAKE A NEW VOW,ONE THAT TRULY FITS YOU INSTEAD OF SMOTHERING YOU BELOW IT’S BURDENS.

I AM WILLING TO LEND YOU MY AID IN PURSUIT OF THIS.THIS BREAKS THE RULES OF THE TRIAL,AND YOUR WILL AUTOMATICALLY FAIL THE TRIAL

KNOWING THIS,DO YOU STILL WISH TO ACCEPT MY AID?

(Vernai——>Yes, I shall. Even if I fail the trial, part of my soul has remained broken for too long. If I can fix it here, it’s worth more than anything)

………….SO SHALL IT BE

(REFLECTION PAUSED)

THE FOG ADVANCES, BUT YOU REFUSE TO YIELD. TAKE A MOMENT OF RESPITE.

Vernai PoV——>

I’m ejected out from the memory, and instantly forced to centre my mind. The fog is so dense now I can barely even see father besides me.

The trial mentioned that I had to create a new vow in my next memory. My greatest failure……. Can only be one thing. The day I gave up hope. I gather myself as much as possible, before readying myself to enter the final memory and fix my defective skill once and for all.

MEMORY 3/3 THE DEATH OF HOPE

Young Vernai PoV——>

Things had been difficult, these past few days.

Ever since Father’s betrayal, the entire world had been shaken. The Newcomer and Alice had both dissapeared, The infinite tea party had ended for good, and The world had started to go mad.

The world shifted in nonsensical ways, places connecting to each other almost randomly. Entire castles and forests disappeared completely,as if they never existed. Only the rabbit kingdom remained free from this, blessed by our goddess.

The Bandersnatch had also disappeared, and that hurt more than anything. She had been there when Alice was taken. I remembered comforting her as she cried over her failure. I had stayed with her that night, but the very next day, she, alongside what little remained of the Infinite tea party had disappeared as well, almost as if something remembered they weren’t supposed to be there.

Since that day, I’ve been unable to leave the Rabbit kingdom. I could see it in their eyes, nobody trusted me enough to let me leave, afraid that I would turn out like my father. I was loud, boisterous, too much like him.

I had truly failed. I was unable to help those suffering in the world, unable to even comprehend how I was supposed to begin repenting for the sin father committed.Was this it? Was my oath truly so weak that it would fall apart here?

Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter. I’ve turned from a hero to something that has to be saved, something weak. A true knight wouldn’t break, a true knight would bear the burden, but I can’t even do that.

I had truly become PATHETIC. Separated from my sword, locked in an old room,unable to even train. I loved my clan, I truly did, but I knew that fear had consumed their hearts.

Without my sword, without my Vow, I was truly NOTHING. I’d have to train even harder once I got out, would have to work even more to repent.

I’d repent even if it killed me, work myself to death if it meant atoning for Father’s sins. Maybe then they would return, all of them.

The Newcomer

Alice

Bandersnatch

They’d all come back to me, freeing me of my guilt and sin. The tea party could start anew, and I could finally be FREE! Even if I died, being dead was better than being ALONE

But I had to be alone. I had to carry this burden ALONE.Alone, just like after Father was seperated from me. Alone just as I was after Jabberwock attacked.

I was just a simple rabbit after all

I couldn’t handle being alone.

I had to surround myself with people I could protect, just so I could feel purpose

I deserve this

I know I deserve this

They wouldn’t leave me otherwise

But I just couldn’t handle being ALONE!

Alone,alone with nobody left who even remembered me! My dream would be one of solitude, solitude until I went insane and had to be put down like the savage creature I was.

(Vernai——> Looking at myself now, I was being extremely childish. A temper tantrum caused by the stress I was going through.Being caged brought back memories from after Jabberwock’s attack.I was still just a child back then, and now that I think about it, I was likely locked in here forever my own protection)

(Vernai——> ……….As the world broke apart and my clan went fully mad, I was left inside a gilded cage out of fear, with only the sounds of my old neighbours and clansmen slowly going mad. Eventually, their madness became so all consuming that I was able to escape without being sent back)

(Vernai——>From that day onwards, I was only focused on training and planning for my eventual journey. I’d repent for Father’s sins no matter the cost, that was what I believed. I hoped that I’d go out and die while at least TRYING to repent. After all, the only fate worse than death is being alone)

(Vernai——> I’d train until I couldn’t even think, desperate to avoid actually reflecting on why I was training. I was willing to do anything to forget. I nearly turned into a Demonbeast more than once in that time, only held together by my desire to repent)

(Vernai——> But things are different now. Father came back to life, and he himself joined me on my journey. Suddenly, my goal changed to help him repent for his own sin, kill the Jabberwock to save my clan.Then the Headhuntng beast joined us)

(Vernai——>Despite how much I disliked father, I was finally not alone!I had companions for the first time in years. Even afterwards, I found more than companionship. I found PURPOSE)

(Vernai——>My companions and I roamed the lands to help people. We saved Bill’s church from bandits, we helped Lutwidge city free itself from Jack the Ripper, we saved Iji and all of Wonderland from going mad.Though my initial motivation was to gain resources to help in our quest, at some point I stopped caring about that. I simply wanted to help them.)

(Vernai——> Yes, Can I really look at all we’ve done in such little time and claim that I’m unable to protect or save? I may not be able to save everyone, but I have purpose again. )

(Vernai——>The reason this is my worst failure isn’t because of the situation, it’s because I gave up. I let myself lose HOPE, and that’s when I stopped being a knight.)

(The memory changes suddenly, going to a scene that occurred far more recently. Outside the Cathedral, Vernai watches himself start to turn into a Demonbeast.)

(Vernai——> Even recently,I nearly lost hope and let myself turn. It was only thanks to Diana that I’m still myself. I pushed myself so far because I kept trying to do things alone, ignoring the others who could have helped me bear the burden. I’m more than just a sword for hire, more than just a tool, I am a KNIGHT.)

(Vernai——> My birth during the half moon was itself a sign of what I must achieve in order to prosper. Something I once achieved, but later lost under the weight of sins I tried to bear alone.)

(Vernai——>Balance. That is what I’m missing, it’s why I keep burning myself out,why I keep needing to be saved. Balance between being the Rabbit Knight and Being Vernai, Balance between Bearing the sin of my father and living for myself, Balance between the joyful days of my life and the years I struggled alone)

(Vernai——> For so long, I fought hoping to die in order to repent for a sin not my own)

(Vernai——> I fought unable to see the good that I did, too afraid of holding any pride in myself)

(Vernai——>I fought alone for so long, against myself, against my fears that I lost The balance I once had, fearful of becoming corrupt with pride)

(Vernai——>Yet in that fear, I fell to the other extreme. I became little more than a tool without any ambition besides repentance, a tool that would burn itself to ash to chase an unachievable goal)

(Vernai——>Jack The Ripper turned himself into ash out of delusions of being a saviour, and I am being no better than he was.Do I truly wish to be consumed like he was?)

(Vernai——>No, that path shall only lead to me sharing his fate. If I cannot fight for myself, what right do I have to fight for the sake of others. A weak person is one that cannot fight for themselves, and it matters not how many others I fight for. If I cannot fight for myself, I am still weak)

(Vernai——> My core reasons to fight are still the same, but I can no longer hold the childish fantasies of being able to do everything alone. I have to incorporate balance and companionship.)

(Vernai——> I also cannot fight solely for others, nor can I fight solely for myself.)

(Vernai——>I think I understand it now. TRIAL! Send me back to the paused memory! I’m ready now.)

VERY WELL THEN

YOU WERE ABLE TO REFLECT ON YOUR GREATEST FAILURES.AS MUCH AS YOU FEAR IT,YOU CAN NO LONGER IGNORE YOURSELF,CAN NO LONGER LET YOUR DESPAIR BLIND YOU FROM WHAT YOU ARE

LET THE FINAL TEST BEGIN

MEMORY 2/3 RESUMED

(The memory resumes from where it left off, with the Young Vernai giving his oath. The oath could now be heard, but the Current Vernai paid it no mind, instead focusing on his own oath. He raises his blade in the air and begins to speak)

(Vernai——> I swear upon my name as Vernai, Scion of the Vorpal clan, to fight for the sake of protecting the innocent and Destroying sin.

(Vernai——> I swear to fight not only to protect those behind me, but also those who fight by my side. I swear to uphold the values of Balance and Companionship, to never forget who I am and what I choose to fight for)

(Vernai——>I fight to restore balance to this Mad country, cleanse the sin that forces Wonderland to rot away. I fight with my father to share the burden that he has held to repent for his sins. I fight with The Headhunting Beast to ensure The Vorpal’s legacy lives on)

(Vernai——>Most of all, however, I fight for myself. I fight so that I may be able to live for myself, so that I may obtain balance.)

(Vernai——>Finally, and as selfish as it is, I fight so nobody has to be alone in this world again!)

(As Vernai spoke his vow, his blade started glowing, reflecting the light of the half moon in the memory. As he finished his vow, he could feel his broken skill repairing, a part of his soul returning to him)

(As Vernai welcomed back his skill, he knew that he had a long way to go before he truly attained Balance, but this time,He wouldn’t Lose HOPE.Never again.

(VERNAI HAS REGAINED THE SKILL—>KNIGHT’S PRIDE)

THE TRIAL HAS OFFICIALLY CONCLUDED

THOUGH YOU WERE ABLE TO REFLECT ON ALL THE MEMORIES,YOU WERE FORCED TO RELY ON MY HELP AND HAVE THEREFORE FAILED

YET,UPON READING YOUR MEMORIES,YOUR GOAL IS NOBLE,YOUR MIND AND SPIRIT TEMPERED TO APPROACH INDOMITABILITY

THERE MAY STILL BE A WAY FOR YOU TO SUCCEED

I AM VERA,THE LAST LORE-KEEPER OF THE ARCHIVES, AS WELL AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TRIAL OF THE SELF.

STEP THROUGH THE FOG AND MEET ME.

. . . . . . . .

Third Person PoV——>

Vernai steps through the gate, the fog letting him pass without struggle. As he entered the final chamber, he gazed in awe at the massive statues of the heroes.

Standing a few feet away from him was an ethereal White Rabbit wearing a blindfold.The spirit of Vera, the last lorekeeper stood before him, smiling softly.

Vera——> Greetings, Vernai. It is nice to speak to you outside of the trial. I am Lorekeeper Vera. I died long ago, but the goddess gave me the mission of ensuring the memories of our heroes are only seen by those strong enough in mind to retain themselves.

Vernai——>Thank you for helping me throughout the trial. The fog would certainly have consumed me had you not intervened.

Vera——> Do not mention it, my child! I have lived for a long time, and I’d rather the first visitor in so many years not die.

Vera——> As I was saying earlier, there is still a way for you to obtain the memories of Vorpal. If Jabberwock has truly returned, then the sanctity of the Trial can be ignored.That terrible creature must be slain forever for the sake of our clan!

Vera——>As I said earlier, I am the last Lorekeeper, tethered to the Trial of The Self. If you kill me, the Trial, as well as the defences around Vorpal’s statue shall collapse, and you may claim the Crystal.

Vera——> I can see that look in your eyes. You’re conflicted about whether or not you can kill me for the sake of your goal.Thankfully,We have some time on our hands. It will take approximately one hour before The Trial realises you’re not supposed to be here and I am forced to remove you. We can speak until then, perhaps over a cup of tea? It’s been a long,LONG time since I last spoke to another person.

Vernai——> Tea? My father would love tea. But wait, if his trial is still going on, then how are you speaking to me?

Vera——>Don’t be stupid boy! His trial has already ended, I wouldn’t be manifesting here otherwise.

Vernai——>Wait! If you’re here, that means that he failed the…… FATHER!!!!

Vernai suddenly remembers that The trial would consume one’s soul if they failed. He quickly got up, shoving Vera out of the way and Running back through the fog gate, looking desperately for his Father.

He found his father still in meditation as the fog started to consume him. Unwilling to give up,Vernai got into meditation and started to hold back the fog, feeding his father souls and mana.

Vernai——> I’m not letting you die! Not yet!

As the Prayer Master was rejuvenated, his eyes suddenly opened, the fog receding as he started to breathe more steadily.

Vernai——>Thank the Goddess you’re alright! Let’s get out of this place.

Prayer Master——>…….. thank you,son.

Vernai Picks up his father and leaves through the gate, letting it close behind him. His father falls unconscious on the ground, coughing as the last traces of fog leave his body.

. . . . . . .

The Headhunting Beast charges forwards with a roar, dashing up the stairs as it senses The Prayer Master approaching death. Upon seeing his unconscious state, it gently lifts him using it’s mouth and leaves, it’s new body armour occasionally scraping against the stones.

As Vernai himself turns to leave,Vera manifests before him, appearing slightly angry at what he had done.

Vera——> You foolish child! That was your ONE. CHANCE to obtain Vorpal’s memories! You could have killed the Jabberwock and freed our clan! Now I can ever let you or that man enter the Trial again

Vernai——> You said it yourself, I failed the trial. Even if I had killed you, I would not be able to handle Vorpal’s memories. Even if I could handle them, I still wouldn’t have killed you.

Vernai——> If I’m simply given a free pass for everything, if I’m never allowed to fail, I’ll never be able to slay the Jabberwock. We don’t need Vorpal’s memories to kill her.

Vera——>Vorpal is the strongest hero our tribe will ever know,and he still failed! You alone cannot Kill her, you NEED his memories to stand a chance!

Vernai——>Vorpal is dead,Vera. We cannot keep hoping he will save us. Our clan needs to grow beyond him. My companions and I WILL slay the Jabberwock, and I will find my own balance. My own Hope.

Vernai——>There are few things I loathe more than a victory I do not deserve, and I did not deserve to beat the Trial. But I promise you, you shall live to see a world free of The Wicked Dragon. Free from your fear.

Vera——>Then I pray for my sake as well as yours that you succeed. Go forth then,Rabbit Knight Vernai, and get out of my sight.

Vernai walks away, settling into solemn contemplation. He had failed, and Vorpal’s memories remained locked forever. By all accounts, he had wasted his time.

Yet, he realised that he didn’t mind. He had gained much through the trial. His old memory crystal, his long broken skull being repaired, him getting to relive the highest highs and lowest lows of his life. He realised that he didn’t need to try doing everything alone now, that he had to live beyond just being The Rabbit Knight or the bearer of his father’s sins.

The way forward was now obvious to Vernai, his goals clearly laid out for him. Most importantly, however, he had hope again. The path forwards would be challenging, but he knew that he’d never be alone again as long as his companions were by his side.

Speaking of companions, it was about time he reunited with his oldest friend. It had been a long overdue reunion, and as untrustworthy as Jubjub was, Vernai wanted to believe she was right.

Main Goals 1-Reunite with The Bandersnatch

2- Kill Jabberwock once and for all

3-Repair the Headhunting Beast’s sword once more