God's Tree-Chapter 101: The Trial of Isolation

Argolaith took the first step.

The moment he did, the weight doubled.

His legs burned, his breath grew shallow, and every movement felt like pushing against a mountain.

Kaelred followed, his jaw clenched in frustration.

Step.

The weight increased.

Step.

His body screamed in protest.

Argolaith grunted, his knees threatening to buckle.

Kaelred groaned. "This is insane. If it keeps getting heavier, we're not going to make it."

Malakar, still standing at the start of the bridge, called out cheerfully. "Then don't stop moving."

Kaelred cursed under his breath. "Easy for you to say."

Argolaith didn't stop.

He couldn't stop.

Stopping meant falling.

Falling meant failure.

The bridge was long. Far longer than it looked.

Each step was a battle.

Each breath was a struggle.

But Argolaith pressed forward.

Halfway across, Kaelred collapsed.

He fell to one knee, his arms trembling as he gasped for air.

"I… I can't."

The weight was crushing him.

Sweat poured down his face, his hands digging into the stone.

Argolaith turned, eyes sharp. "Get up."

Kaelred's arms shook. "I… I don't think I can."

Malakar's voice echoed behind them. "Then you will fail."

Kaelred's eyes flashed. "Shut up."

Argolaith took a slow breath.

Then, he reached down—and grabbed Kaelred's arm.

He pulled.

Kaelred gasped, his legs fighting to move.

The weight was still pressing down on them.

But Argolaith didn't let go.

"We move together."

Kaelred's breath was ragged. His arms burned.

But he pushed himself back to his feet.

Argolaith nodded once. "Let's go."

And they kept moving.

The end of the bridge was in sight.

Each step felt impossible.

Their muscles ached.

Their lungs burned.

But they did not stop.

Step.

Step.

Step.

And then—

The moment Argolaith set foot on solid ground—

The weight vanished.

It was like stepping out of a storm into a calm breeze.

Kaelred collapsed onto his back, gasping for air.

Argolaith stood tall, his body still aching, but his resolve unshaken.

Malakar strolled across the bridge effortlessly, whistling. "That looked painful."

Kaelred groaned. "Shut. Up."

Argolaith simply exhaled.

The trial was over.

For now.

The forest was silent again.

The First Tree had tested their bodies—and they had endured.

But Argolaith knew.

This was only the beginning.

The next trial was coming.

And it would be even worse.

Kaelred rolled onto his side, glaring at Malakar. "Tell me that's the worst of it."

Malakar only grinned. "No."

Kaelred groaned. "I hate this tree."

Argolaith smirked, looking ahead. "Then you should turn back."

Kaelred scowled. "Not a chance."

Argolaith nodded.

Then they would keep moving.

Because the First Tree was waiting.

The forest stretched endlessly ahead, its ancient canopy sealing away the sky.

The air felt thick, each breath dragging into their lungs like a slow-moving weight.

Despite the success of the last trial, unease settled deep in Argolaith's bones.

Something was changing.

Something was waiting.

Kaelred wiped sweat from his brow, his expression tense and unreadable.

"We've been walking for hours… but does the terrain feel different to you?"

Argolaith frowned, his fingers tightening on his sword hilt.

"Yeah… the trees weren't this dense before. The path was clearer."

Malakar, walking a few steps behind, let out a quiet chuckle.

"That's because you've already stepped into the next trial."

Kaelred stopped mid-stride, his head snapping toward him.

"Wait—what? When did that happen?"

Malakar motioned toward the trees, a knowing glint in his undead eyes.

"It began the moment you left the bridge."

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Argolaith exchanged a glance with Kaelred, a silent understanding passing between them.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

A shudder ran through the earth, a deep and unnatural shift in the soil beneath their feet.

Then—

The trees moved.

Not with the wind.

Not with natural force.

But with deliberate purpose.

Roots twisted and coiled like living snakes, their tangled forms ripping through the ground.

The path between them closed instantly—sealing Argolaith and Kaelred away from Malakar.

Kaelred cursed, spinning toward the sealed path, his sword drawn.

"Malakar! What the hell is this?"

But Malakar was gone.

The trees had swallowed him whole.

A deep, resonant voice echoed from all around them, not spoken aloud, but pressing against their minds.

"Survive alone."

The words carried the weight of eternity, a presence that was neither cruel nor kind.

Just absolute.

Kaelred's breathing grew uneven, his stance shifting into a defensive position.

"Argolaith, are you—"

The ground beneath his feet collapsed.

Argolaith lunged forward—but it was too late.

Kaelred was gone.

And Argolaith was alone.

The forest stood eerily still, the weight of its presence crushing in from all sides.

Argolaith's heart pounded, but he forced himself to steady his breathing.

He knew what this was.

A test of solitude.

Of endurance.

The First Tree wanted to see if he could survive without Kaelred.

Without Malakar.

Without anyone.

The very air around him seemed heavier, as if pressing down on his shoulders, forcing him to acknowledge his isolation.

No sound.

No wind.

Nothing.

Argolaith took a slow step forward, his boots crunching softly against the undergrowth.

It was strange.

This was the same forest they had been walking through.

And yet, it felt like an entirely different world.

Time began to blur.

There was no way to tell how long he had been walking.

Minutes? Hours? Days?

His stomach twisted with hunger, but his storage ring felt heavy on his fingers.

He hesitated.

The moment he ate, the moment he relied on something external, would he be failing the trial?

Would the First Tree punish him?

His instincts screamed at him to preserve his energy.

And yet, his body grew weaker with every step.

His vision blurred.

His thoughts slowed.

Still, he did not stop.

After what felt like an eternity, the trees finally gave way.

He stumbled into a clearing, his muscles trembling from exhaustion.

But the clearing wasn't empty.

It was full of people.

Familiar faces.

Kaelred.

Malakar.

And—

A figure Argolaith had never thought he'd see again.

Athos.

The old man stood there, arms crossed, watching him with those same knowing eyes.

Argolaith's breath caught in his throat.

"…What is this?"

Kaelred grinned, stepping forward. "You took long enough, Argolaith."

Malakar smirked. "I was starting to think you wouldn't make it."

Argolaith's hand tightened on his sword.

Something was wrong.

The air was too light.

Their voices were hollow.

And Athos…

His gaze never blinked.

Never wavered.

Just stared.

"You are not real," Argolaith murmured, his voice hoarse.

Kaelred tilted his head. "Does it matter?"

Malakar's grin widened. "Wouldn't it be easier to stay here?"

Athos finally spoke.

"Stay, Argolaith. You have wandered long enough."

His voice was calm.

Comforting.

Inviting.

But Argolaith knew better.

He forced his eyes shut, his hands trembling.

The First Tree was trying to break him.

Trying to make him stop moving.

Trying to convince him that this was enough.

That this was where his journey ended.

Argolaith ground his teeth.

No.

He hadn't come this far to stop now.

He hadn't suffered this much to give up.

He had a goal.

He had a mission.

He had to find his Five Trees.

And so—

He took a step forward.

And the illusion shattered.

The figures vanished in a whisper of dust.

The clearing disappeared, replaced once more by the silent forest.

Argolaith staggered, gasping for air.

The weight in his chest remained, but the haze in his mind was gone.

The trial had tried to make him stop.

But he had pushed through.

A rustling sound echoed from behind him, and suddenly—

Kaelred stumbled through the trees, looking just as worn and beaten.

His eyes landed on Argolaith, and for a moment, neither spoke.

Then—

Kaelred exhaled.

"You too?"

Argolaith nodded. "Yeah."

A familiar chuckle sounded from behind them.

Malakar emerged from the shadows, completely unaffected.

"Well, that was entertaining to watch."

Kaelred glared. "I hate you."

Malakar grinned. "Understandable."

Argolaith exhaled, looking forward.

The trials were not over.

But he had passed this one.

And he would pass the next.

No matter what.