an herbalist, a titan, a trial

the morning air is cool, some dew has gathered on nearby plants. what little from the sky Ambriel can see through the canopy is clear. she takes off with Cherub in tow, silently as he always is. a bit along her way, she can see a huddled figure on the ground, bent over some plants

Ambriel is intrigued, as there are many danger in this realm, there are also strange people.

May be this one is like the engineer and could help with some clues.

She calls him at some distance.

"Hello"

the person turns around to revela themselves as a human, with a sickle and a basket full of herbs

"What? Oh, hello there."

"i'm traveling, looking for a way out. You seems to have knowledge of these lands. May be we can share clues."

"a way out? a way out of what?"

"i'm not from here, i try to go back home, but i can't seem to find a way to go elsewhere. It's like there is no way out."

"I am not sure i know what you mean... then again i am just a herbalist. Not an astronomer or some other academical person. If you want to go somewhere, jsut pick a direction and go. That should get you away from here at least."

"I take note of your advices. I wish you good luck with your herbs."

the herbalist nods

"I would wish you a save journey, but that would probably just tempt the fates. Carry on, and be watchful."

they return to their work, ruffling through the plants, looking for viable herbs to cut with their sickle

Ambriel goes further in the forest

suddenly while she walks through the forest, the air is enriched with magical energy, a hum is filling the space and the weight of the mana is weighing down Ambriel. cherub stops in his tracks, deactivated by the mystical energies. in a flash of light, an ancient being Ambriel only heard of appears before her, a Titan, once the rulers of this mortal plane, before the mortal races wrestled dominion from them.

the entity looks down on her, and with a reverberating voice adresses the angel

"Why does a being from the celestial realm tread upon this mortal plane? What is your purpose here, in this forsaken land?"

recognizing a powerful entity, Ambriel chooses to tell the truth

"Hello, ancient one. I'm not sure of why exactly, but i think it may have been an experiment at my expense.

So now i travel in search of a way out.

I'm not looking for trouble, but if you have some clues to share i'd be grateful."

"An experiment you say. Perhaps a trial of sorts."

he thinks

"Very well. You shall face my trial then, and if you succeed, i will grant help in the form of knowledge and divination. But if you fail and prove to be unworthy of my time, you will be chastised."

"Well, it seems that i don't have many other options... so what should i expect exactly?"

"A trial by combat it shall be. Face my construct and do your best."

a bolt of lightning strikes the ground and from the lightning emerges an iron gladiator, ready for combat

Ambriel gets in defensive position, ready for battle

the titan shouts

"Fight!"

the gladiator storms at Ambriel on the sound of the word, striking with his spear

even her angelic reflexes do not save Ambriel from the swift and decisive attack

Ambriel's breath is halted but she tries a counter-attack

the rigid creature moves, the weapon lands but is deflected by the metal plating

the creature turns, hitting Ambriel with the shorter sword in its offhand

Ambriem steps aside barely avoiding the blade. This is not a easy fight. She doen't have support from Cherub, and her other abilities aren't very useful in this fight. But she has to try nonetheless. She has to prove her worth.

she hits and makes some damage

the construct strikes with its spear again, a wide arc, going against the angels torso

This time Ambriel has notice some movement starting an attack and divert the lance with her shield

using momentum, she tries to hit again

the gladiator blocks with its spear, attacking again with its short sword

to Ambriels surprise the creature lets go of the sword, which flies behind her, out of its reach

again, there's an opening, Ambriel thrust in it with her longsword

the creature easily blocks the attack, even with just one weapon. instead of attacking it vaults over Ambriel and grabs the sword again, turning towards her

Ambriel dash again hoping to hit

with his sword in hand the gladiator blocks the strike and thrusts again with its spear

Ambriel didn't see this attack this time, and is hit deeply. But she can't give up yet. And it wouldn't be seen as honourable to the titan.

she tries again

Ambriel gets through the armor, and make a solid wound to the iron warrior, but it seems it won't be enough yet.

She still has to land some more. It won't be easy

the second hit knocks off some armor plates from the construct. in response its insides start to glow like a forge, seemingly ramping up its defense

then he attacks again with the shortword

The glowing inside gave Ambriel some guidance, and she manage to move aside just in time

Ambriel tries again... she has to give it all to win

the now much quicker construct parries her strike with ease before going into the offense again

Still in luck Ambriel evade a new hit, but it sure won't last forever

Ambriel doesn'ta have much other option than to try again

again the sword arm winds up for an attack

Ambriel seems to have see that one coming and had time to step safely to attack next

the construct steps aside and attacks again with its spear

Ambriel is still up and fighting. She had a motivation, there could be clues. So she had to evade thoses attacks, she has to hit and win this fight

by luck or fate, Ambriel manages to strike the construct fatally, and it goes to the ground and stays there

Ambriel manage to hit in a glowing part, and that seem to be a vital part of the oponent

She take a knee, trying to get her breath back in control

"A formidable fight. I can see you have some experience in the martial arts. Not many have every bested my creations."

he motions and some of the parts on the ground flyover to cherub, melting onto him and he reawakens to life, now more formidable than before, the shortword being installed in his arm as some kind of switchblade

"Take this as a token of my appreciation. Now, you may ask me your questions. I will indulge in those i deem interesting enough."

"Thanks. It sure was a fight. ... well for my questions : how could i get back to my realms? Am i still worthy?"

"There is no physical way to your realm. The divines will allow you to return when they think it is right. as for your worth, i cannot say, for i have far different values than them. You bested my creature, that shows your strength. To be accepted by my kind, you'd have to best other trials as well, for that is how we value others."

"That seem to confimr my fears that theses lands are cursed."

"I hope that i could be okay until this experiment will end"

"Indeed. These lands are a trial in itself. A labyrinth that reflects those wandering it. Some succumb to it, some are getting lost. Only those who understand themselves and their desires have a chance at besting it."

"I hope i won't get lost, but i also hope that i won't succumb. I do want to get back home. Have you some more advice on how to survive in this forest?"

"Reflect upon your nature, and your desires. Weigh, when it is smart to control yourself and when to give in. You will not leave by relying on others. Only by relying on yourself you have a chance."

"thanks for your wisdom, ancient one. I'll take my leave now."

Ambriel let Cherub get in touch with his new parts, and then resume her path.

After a while, she decides it's time to look for food and a shelter for the night.

Ambriel finds adequate shelter for the night, a warm and dry spot in the forest that has some wild vegetables growing nearby