**LIAM**

Scratch looking for the herbs, even if Lucian knows ..I'm going to meet with the priestess who we all called Goddess.


The next instant, figures appeared behind me.

The figures dragged me through the forest, their grip on my arms and legs like a vice. I tried to struggle, but they were too strong. I was trapped.

As we walked, the trees grew closer together, the branches tangling above us like a canopy. I could feel a strange energy building in the air, a pulsing power that seemed to be drawing us deeper into the woods.


Suddenly, we burst into a clearing, and I saw it. A massive stone temple loomed before us, its entrance guarded by two imposing stone statues. The figures dragged me towards the temple, and I knew I was in grave danger.

"Where are you taking me?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.


The leader sneered at me. "You're going to meet our master. And he's not happy with you."

I knew I had to think fast. I couldn't let them take me inside that temple. I had to escape, and I had to do it now.

As we approached the entrance, I spotted a small opening between the statues. It was narrow, but I knew I could fit through it. I took a deep breath and made a split-second decision.

With a surge of adrenaline, I wriggled free from my captors' grip and made a run for the opening. I squeezed through the narrow gap, my heart pounding in my chest.

I emerged on the other side, gasping for breath. I was free, but I knew I couldn't stay here for long. I had to keep moving, had to find a safe place to hide.

And then, I saw it. A figure watching me from the trees, a figure with piercing green eyes and long, flowing hair. The Goddess.

I knew I was in her territory now, and I had to be careful. But I also knew I had to reach her, had to ask for her help.

I took a deep breath and approached her, my heart pounding with anticipation. What would she say? Would she help me?

Only time would tell.

"Welcome, Liam," the Goddess said, her voice like a gentle breeze. "I have been expecting you."

I bowed my head, feeling a sense of reverence wash over me. "Goddess, I come seeking answers. My sister, Leila, she has powers beyond my understanding. And our family's past... it's shrouded in mystery."

The Goddess nodded, her eyes sparkling with wisdom. "I know of Leila's gifts. And I know of your family's history. You have been chosen for a great purpose, Liam. A purpose that requires courage and strength."

I felt a surge of determination rise within me. "I am ready, Goddess. I will do whatever it takes to protect my sister and uncover the truth."

The Goddess smiled, her lips curving upwards. "I will guide you, Liam. But first, you must prove yourself worthy. Are you prepared to face the trials?"

I steeled myself, knowing that the trials would be difficult. But I was ready. For Leila, for our family, and for the truth, I was ready.

"I am prepared," I said, my voice firm.

The Goddess nodded, her eyes gleaming with approval. "Then let us begin."

And with that, the forest around us began to shift and change, the trees transforming into towering pillars of stone, the sky darkening into a deep, foreboding grey. I knew that the trials had started, and I was ready to face whatever lay ahead.



The Goddess raised her hand, and a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a woman, tall and imposing, with skin as white as snow and hair as black as night. Her eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity, and she carried a sword that seemed to shimmer with an inner light.

"This is Arachne, your first trial," the Goddess said. "She is a warrior of great skill and strength. You must defeat her to proceed."

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation. I had never been a skilled fighter, but I was determined to win. For Leila, for our family, and for the truth, I would not back down.

Arachne sneered at me, her eyes flashing with contempt. "You are no match for me, Liam," she said. "I will enjoy defeating you."

I drew my own sword, its blade trembling with my nervous energy. I knew I had to focus, to clear my mind and trust my instincts. The battle began, our swords clashing in a flurry of movement.

I fought with all my might, but Arachne was a formidable opponent. She was faster, stronger, and more skilled than I was. I stumbled backward, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

Just when I thought all was lost, I remembered the Goddess's words: "Trust yourself, Liam. You have the power within you."

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and let my instincts take over. My sword arm moved of its own accord, striking true and finding its mark. Arachne stumbled, her eyes widening in surprise.

I took advantage of the opening, striking again and again until Arachne fell to the ground, defeated.

The Goddess nodded in approval. "Well done, Liam. You have passed the first trial."


The Goddess gestured to a nearby pool of water, its surface rippling and shimmering in the fading light. "The next trial is the Test of Wisdom," she said. "You must answer three riddles, Liam. If you succeed, you will be one step closer to unlocking the secrets of your family's past."

I nodded, my mind racing with anticipation. I had always been good with words and puzzles, but I knew that these riddles would be different. They would require a deeper understanding, a connection to the mysteries of the universe.

The Goddess gestured to a figure cloaked in shadows, who stepped forward and spoke in a low, melodious voice. "Here is your first riddle, Liam: What is it that is blind, yet sees? What is it that is silent, yet speaks?"

I closed my eyes, focusing my thoughts. And then, like a flash of lightning, the answer came to me. "The answer is the heart," I said confidently. "It is blind to the physical world, yet sees the truth of our emotions. It is silent, yet speaks volumes through our intuition."

The figure nodded, its face hidden behind a mask of leaves. "You are correct, Liam. The heart is indeed the answer."

The second riddle was more challenging, but I persevered, using my knowledge of the natural world and the cycles of life to guide me. And finally, the third riddle, the most difficult of all, required me to think creatively and trust my instincts.

But with each answer, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment growing within me. I was unlocking the secrets of the universe, one riddle at a time.

And when I finally answered the third riddle, the Goddess nodded in approval, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well done, Liam. You have passed the Test of Wisdom."

And with that, the forest around us shifted and changed once more, revealing a new challenge, a new trial to face. I steeled myself, ready to face whatever lay ahead.