"We did it!" exclaid Liam, raising both hands high in the air.
The rest of the group, smiling, caught their breath, sharing his joy.
Gravity, which had plagued and hampered their movent for almost a whole day, disappeared, and their bodies beca weightless, like a feather.
It seed that with just a leap, they could reach the clouds.
But this is just an illusion of the relief their body was experiencing.
Two days.
It took two days for their group of five — two Diamond-ranked and three Platinum-ranked creatures-to overco the outer and middle layer of the Forbidden Zone.
After taking a deep breath and feeling the joy of getting rid of the restrictions, the group finally turned their attention to the majestic mountain towering in the distance.
That was their next target. And, most importantly, the main test of the Forbidden Zone was right there, at the very top of this mountain.
"Okay, let's go," — Eulalia said, standing up and encouraging everyone to continue on their way.
Lina followed her, and so did the others.
From the very exit of the maze, there was a single winding paved path that led to the mountain itself. Stone columns rose on both sides of the path, forming an even row.
"By the way, apart from the golems, we didn't et any other creatures," Aliya noted, walking in the middle of the group and wondering at this fact.
"This is a feature of this Forbidden Zone," Eulalia replied to her.
"As in other similar places, there are other creatures here. However, when the Temple appears, it is the golems that co to the surface, ready to attack the intruders. At normal tis, they can be found near the entrance to the Maze itself," Eulalia added, bringing up the rear of the group and carefully examining the surroundings.
"So that's how it is," Aliya nodded, having received the answer to her question.
Lina, on the other hand, recalled her visit with Nemo to the Valley of Stones, which they had made earlier before going to the Valley of Lightning.
Back then, they saw a lot of creatures with an affinity for the earth elent and even managed to catch so of them to send them to the Kingdom. At that ti, she and Nemo limited themselves to the outer layer, without going deeper into the middle one, where the Maze was located.
Climbing to the foot of the mountain, the group did not encounter a single living being and did not experience any resistance.
A huge archway was waiting for them at the foot.
An inscription in an unknown language was carved on it, but just by looking at it, the group understood its aning without the need for translation.:
"The one who rises must be whole. The shattered one will crumble to dust."
The ancient words echoed in everyone's mind, and the gazes of those present beca serious and a little uncertain.
"This is the last trial on the way to the Temple," Eulalia announced.
"This trial is different from the one in the Forest of Doppelgangers, where Nemo had to fight the Supervisor of the Forbidden Zone, who could accept the best version of the candidate," she added.
At that ti, there was no one present except her, so Eulalia had to share the details of the trial in the Forest of Doppelgangers.
"Like all trials in Forbidden Zones, this trial will be individual," explained Eulalia. "Everyone will be on their own."
Then she turned her gaze to Aliya.
"Aliya, you are not a resident of Junonia, so I doubt that you will be able to participate in this trial," Eulalia said with so regret.
After all, Aliya played a key role in their success and reaching this point.
"Don't worry, I just did what was required of ," Aliya smiled, showing neither sadness nor sorrow.
"Moreover, I initially had no intentions of challenging these trials," she admitted. "I'll wait for you down here."
"Thank you, Aliya," — Lina said, going up to her and hugging her.
Aliya was taken by surprise, but then, smiling, hugged her back.
It was strange for her to receive such sincere gratitude from beings from other worlds, and she was deeply touched.
"Yes, Aliya, you were just great and welco in any group," Liam comnted.
"Your presence has made our journey much easier," Alois said.
"Thank you for these words," Aliya said, addressing all the mbers of the group, overwheld with strange feelings.
She was an ordinary person among her race and had never heard such praises before. On the contrary, everyone always pointed out her flaws and mistakes.
Lina looked at the inscription on the arch, and doubt arose in her soul. These words clearly hinted at the integrity of the personality, but she herself was full of contradictions.
Then her gaze turned to the top of the mountain. From the very beginning, it seed strange to her, unlike ordinary mountains. It seed to Lina that the mountain was alive, and that it was not a mountain at all, but the body of so huge stone creature. But most importantly, she could feel Nemo's presence emanating from the top of this mountain.
"He's there," Lina whispered.
"Nemo?" asked Eulalia, catching her whisper.
"Yes," Lina nodded, and Eulalia and the others' gazes went to the top of the mountain hidden behind the clouds.
"Maybe we should go back to the Kingdom before we try to start the trial," — Aliya suggested.
"You're right," Eulalia agreed.
"No." But Lina quickly shook her head.
"Ever since Nemo disappeared, I have a strange feeling that we are constantly being watched. I'm afraid that if we suddenly disappear, then all our previous results will be considered a failure and we will not be allowed to the final trial," Lina shared, not hiding her anxiety.
"Let's continue and finish this trial as soon as possible," Lina suggested, and without waiting for the others, she was the first to step forward, crossing the arch.
As soon as Lina crossed the threshold, gravity began to gain strength again.
Turning around, she was surprised to find that she was standing alone, and there was no one else behind her.
Turning her gaze to the mountain, she saw in front of her a long path of uneven steps going high up.
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