A clamor echoed through the room.

　　"Where`d you come from, Brother?" Zelek rushed over and helped Enril to his feet.

　　Enril let out a long groan and rubbed his head. "I did something foolish, but it paid off. Find any treasures or trials on your path, Brother?"

　　"Just one." Zelek held up his wrist. A small, gold bead sparkled. "This was in the room when I came in. That`s it, though. How did you fare?"

　　Enril`s jaw slacked as he stared at Zelek. No raging inferno or additional Seekers? Just a quiet hallway? He gave a dry cough, "Kind of the same for me. I ended up in a room like this, also." Enril held up his wrist, adorned with the golden bead, and began recounting up to Adrik`s exit. He paused before completing his explanation.

　　"Is this where your stupid idea comes into play?" Zelek raised an eyebrow. Enril bit his lip and nodded. He pointed to the pedestal in the room. Zelek returned a perplexed gaze that traveled to the pedestal, then back to Enril. "Do you wish to die young, Brother? That seems incredibly reckless." Zelek began to chuckle.

　　"I thought something might happen, and it looks like I was right. But I can`t explain why." Enril joined in the laughter.

　　"Well, we`re here together. I couldn`t find a way out after several laps of the room. I`m not sure what to do." Zelek folded his arms with a huff.

　　"Let`s rest and recover, perhaps an answer will come in time," Enril suggested. Zelek nodded and they sat down.

　　Silence filled the room for three hours.

　　Enril`s eyes snapped open as he glanced at his wrist. "Do you feel that?" He looked at Zelek.

　　"Yeah, like something is pulling at me," Zelek said. He turned his wrist over to look at the glistening golden bead. His arm lurched high into the air, forcing him to his feet. Enril received the same treatment a second later.

　　"What`s going on?" Enril tried pulling his left arm down, but it refused to obey. The strength of the pull grew and both boys found their feet hovering just above the ground.

　　Two new bodies flew into the room from below. Enril tore his eyes from the bead. "Wha- Adrik?" Adrik and an unfamiliar Seeker were entangled on the floor.

　　The other person stood and brushed their robe. A bronze bead bounced on his right wrist. "I`m Tori Dredi, been with the sect for years now. Who`re you two?"

　　"Foon Zelek."

　　"Foon Enril."

　　"Pleased to meet you both, Enril and Zelek." Dredi bowed to them. "Now, does anyone know just what`s happening? Why are you two floating there?" Dredi surveyed the room, his beady eyes darted left to right.

　　Adrik groaned as he stood, "No idea. I found this bead after I left him," he jerked a thumb toward Enril and the bronze bead on his wrist flashed. "Then it tugged me to the ceiling."

　　"That`s similar to our experience. We`ve been here meditating for a while," Enril said, and Zelek nodded.

　　Another duo flew into the room before they could continue. "Oh, I recognize them, that`s Yora and Juran," Adrik said.

　　Before the newcomers could stand, Enril and Zelek floated back to the ground and regained the use of their arms. A dense fog floated into the room. With a boom, a mysterious voice spoke, "You six have shown a unique quality and will be permitted to attempt the final trial. Grasp victory with all your might." As the voice ceased, the fog lifted, and a staircase revealed itself. Grand and gold, the stairs stretched beyond sight.

　　"Time to climb," Juran clamored to his feet and rushed to the first step.

　　Yora grabbed his arm just before he could begin the ascent. "Hold on, you`ll leave me behind if you rush off like that," she sighed.

　　Juran looked back, he locked eyes with each of the four Seekers before he glared at Zelek. "Good catch, Yora. I bet one of these losers would`ve taken the first opportunity for a cheap shot."

　　"We`re all here because we qualified, or whatever that voice said." Zelek stepped forward and looked at the staircase. "Let`s agree not to interfere with each other. Whatever this trial has in store, we will face it with our strength and nothing else. No distractions, no diversions, no sabotage. It`s us against the trial." He turned around, spread his arms wide, and asked, "Well, who agrees?" Enril gave a quick yes before kneeling in front of the stairs. Runes similar to those on the walls had been carved into each stair. A shiver ran down his spine. Almost as if he could feel riken, but he knew that couldn`t be the case. The only time he had ever felt riken was when it circulated through his Stream. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Adrik climb onto the first step. A bolt of lightning launched from the ceiling without warning.

　　"What was that?" Everyone shouted in unison. Adrik shook his foot, a small cinder remained where he had stepped.

　　"Well? Do I need to make any more of a case for why we shouldn`t interfere with one another?" Zelek announced. Silence fell over the group. Juran folded his arms and grunted. Yora clung to his arm as Dredi began to slip toward the back of the room. Adrik knelt and rubbed his foot in solemn silence. "Fine, the two of us will go. You can do as you see fit. We will not interfere with you as long as you show us the same courtesy." He turned his back and approached Enril. "Brother, are you ready?" He held his fist out.

　　Enril bumped his fist against Zelek`s. "Let`s go, Brother." Together, they climbed onto the first step.

　　Nothing happened.

　　The boys exchanged shrugs before proceeding to the next step. Zelek`s foot pressed down and was met with no reaction, the same as Enril. On the third stair, a column of water shot down from above Enril as Zelek was greeted with a barrage of icicles. With a quick whip, Zelek dispatched the icy projectiles as Enril Maneuvered laterally on the step.

　　"Nice dodge, Brother," Zelek shouted to him with a thumbs up.

　　"Some have frowned upon my usage of Maneuvers, but it sure comes in handy. You did well, also, Brother." Enril let out a sigh of relief.

　　The two continued to the fourth step and again were greeted with no reaction. Zelek asked, "I don`t get it. Is it random?" They climbed to the fifth step.

　　"I`m not sure. Let`s push forward, but remain vigilant," Enril said.

　　Upon reaching the tenth step, they paused and glanced back at the bottom of the staircase. All four Seekers were there. Adrik continued tapping his foot against the first stair, while Juran and Yora engaged in a heated discussion. Yora`s shoulders slumped whenever Juran flung his arms or stomped his foot. Meanwhile, Dredi had retreated to the back-most wall of the room.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

　　Enril asked, "Brother, I believe I`ve figured out the pattern. Have you noticed?"

　　"I think so. A trap triggers every third step. Why is it different from Adrik, though, who set a trap off on the very first step?" Zelek kicked at the runes of the next step.

　　Enril folded his arms and pondered a moment. Palming his fist into his hand, he said, "I`ve got it, it`s the beads." He held up his wrist. "We have golden beads, Adrik has a bronze one. The more precious the metal, the better outcome you have on this trial."

　　"That must be it. You`re an absolute genius, Brother." Zelek flashed him a smile. "Shall we conquer this trial, then?"

　　"Yes, let`s continue." Enril stepped forward to the twelfth step. A fiery ball bolted for Enril from above. His enhancement had begun to bleed blue. "I think we can handle whatever com-" his words were interrupted as a second ball of flames shot from behind him.

　　Zelek spun his attention to the bottom of the stairs. "Juran, what do you think you`re doing?" He shouted.

　　Juran`s outstretched arm, adorned with a golden bead, returned to his side. He shrugged and ascended to the first step with a grin, "Oops, must`ve slipped."

　　The smoke cleared from where Enril stood. "I can`t say I`m a fan of fire on both sides. I may enjoy my meat cooked that way, but not myself." He let out a chuckle as he dusted a few errant flakes of soot from his robe.

　　Zelek breathed a sigh of relief before channeling riken into his Stream. His enhancement gleamed brighter. "If you want to fight Juran, just say so," Zelek said, cracking his whip against the stair. "I`m itching to test something out, anyway."

　　Juran scoffed, "Yeah, whatever. I`d like to see you try." He climbed two more stairs. On the third step, a torrent of water crashed down, but he dodged with an effortless sidestep. Zelek waited for Juran`s foot to land and entangled it with his whip. Juran laughed, locking eyes with Zelek. "Well? Do something." He jerked his leg, causing Zelek to stumble down a stair. Zelek produced a second whip and lassoed Juran`s other leg, pulling with all his might. Juran remained still, but couldn`t move. "Alright, it`s a stalemate. Yora, get movin`," Juran barked.

　　Yora jumped up one step at a time. She approached the fifth step. Just before she set foot on the sixth step, a fireball zipped past her and singed her bangs. She looked up, "How dare you." As she snarled at Enril, she conjured a spear of ice and launched it at him.

　　Zelek released a whip from Juran and snatched the ice from its flight. With a snap, he redirected it one hundred and eighty degrees.

　　Yora dropped to her knees, clutching her shoulder as crimson liquid flowed between her fingers. "How& not even you can track my attack, Juran," she said, tears welling in her quivering purple eyes.

　　Zelek jerked a thumb at Enril, "Blame him. His Maneuver is at least twice as fast as that ice spear you threw." Enril watched as Yora`s teary eyes widened, her jaw slacked, and her head swiveled back and forth as she muttered half-thoughts. "My offer from before stands," Zelek started. "We will climb without hindering you, but you have to do the same."

　　Juran swapped his gaze between Enril and Zelek, "Whatever. Get your whip off me." Zelek released the technique.

　　"Shall we, Brother?" Enril asked. Zelek nodded, and they continued their ascent. Stair by stair, they climbed and covered one another from the traps that besieged them. On occasion, they would glance behind. Dredi had all but vanished from sight while Adrik remained fixated on the first step. Juran and Yora climbed together, fifteen steps behind the boys.

　　"Think this thing ever ends?" Zelek asked, looking up, the peak still eluding their vision.

　　"I`ve got a bit of a weird idea. You probably won`t like it, but&" Enril paused. "Let`s spring up the stairs as fast as we can. The traps will trigger, and we will worry about ourselves. We can`t keep wasting our time and riken blocking for one another," Enril stated.

　　"That`s not fair to you though, Brother. I was given the WindGrace Pill as a child. My Reserve has grown larger and faster than yours. You will tire far before I do. Let me he-"

　　"Let you help me? Brother, please understand, we`re both Seekers. I need to face my own trials. If my luck is lesser than yours, what would Elder Winryu say?" Enril grinned.

　　Zelek shook his head. "He`d say you can only blame yourself for being born unlucky." He burst into a loud laugh. "Alright, you`ve convinced me. We push forward with only our own strength. See you at the top?"

　　"You bet, I won`t miss it. Let`s go," Enril shouted as he climbed another step and his enhancement bled blue. Zelek conjured a whip and followed.

　　Yora and Juran watched the boys rev up. They steeled themselves for battle as Zelek`s whip appeared. The two boys vanished in a flash of elements. Water spouts, icicles, lightning bolts, boulders, fireballs, and whipping winds erupted from the corridor of the stairs. Juran and Yora shared a glance before resuming their ascent with heavy steps.

　　The boys employed every technique at their disposal to dodge and overcome the trials. One hundred steps passed by in the blink of an eye. The other Seekers had long since disappeared, but the apex was still out of reach.

　　"This is madness. Why can`t we see the top of this absurd staircase?" Zelek panted, wiping the sweat from his brow.

　　Enril replied through gritted teeth, "I don`t know, but I`m reaching my limit." Zelek stood five steps above him. Staring at Zelek`s back had filled him with dread and jealousy. With each step, he chanted the words from his childhood, Jealousy will devour my heart. I will not allow that, he is my brother.`

　　"C`mon, you can do it, Brother. Let`s keep pushing. Just because the top isn`t in sight does not mean it`s far." Zelek resumed his ascent as if the moment of pause revitalized him.

　　Enril mustered the remainder of his strength and pressed on. But for each step he climbed, Zelek climbed two. Enril stopped, watching Zelek disappear up the staircase. "You win, Brother. Enjoy your reward," he whispered. He forced a smile across his lips as he sat and meditated.

　　A metal door soon greeted Zelek`s longing gaze. He turned behind him, "We made it, Brot-"

　　Enril was nowhere to be seen. With balled fists, Zelek trudged up the final stairs and stood face-to-face with the door. He fueled a fist with riken. The door flung open and crashed into the wall behind it. Bare stone peeked through a hole in the door at the same height as Zelek`s shoulder. A raised platform with a pedestal in the center sat in the room. A worn and tattered scroll sat atop the pedestal on a lavender pillow. He ran up to it, and just before he touched it, a thought crossed his mind. What would Enril do?`

　　He rubbed his temples and inspiration struck. Dashing from corner to corner, he inspected every inch of the platform and pedestal, surveying the whole area before he approached the scroll again. He let out a grunt, "Stupid room, there`s no traps. Enril would`ve figured that out in seconds." He unraveled the scroll and found a single sentence scrawled on the tattered paper.

　　Always breathe.

　　"Huh?" Zelek flipped and rotated the scroll, trying to glean some secret understanding. After a few seconds, he erupted into laughter as he brought a hand to his face. "I`m such a fool." He muttered. A tear rolled down his cheek and landed on the scroll.

　　A sudden force tugged at him, distorting the room. His vision was engulfed in a void-like curtain.

　　A familiar voice greeted him, "Congratulations, you`ve done it, Brother. How much farther was it?" Enril stood before him as his vision righted itself. They were in the main courtyard of the sect. Some disciples were strewn about the floor and unconscious. Others walked away as they grumbled and frowned.

　　Zelek looked around in disbelief; the scroll had disappeared from his hand. "That`s it? I secured the secret, and we all got transported out of the temple?"

　　"That`s what I thought. I was pulled out by some strange force. No one passed me on the stairs. You did secure the secret treasure, right Brother?" Enril`s heart filled with worry.

　　"Yeah, I did. The secret was& It`s unimportant. Let`s just say it`s a good thing you didn`t win. You`re far beyond it." A bittersweet smile graced Zelek`s lips as he looked at Enril.

　　Enril scratched his head. "I don`t understand. Was the reward useless, Brother?"

　　"Don`t worry about it. We need to focus on reaching the Expression Realm. If what Jiya and the twins said is true&" Zelek paused.

　　Enril nodded, "You`re right. We need to train harder than ever."

　　"Initiate Disciples Enril and Zelek," A familiar voice hollered from behind them. They turned around to face it. "Well done. You two climbed the highest on the Stairway of Heavenly Tribulation. And you," a finger assaulted Zelek`s chest. "You blew a hole through a FlaemSteel door. Do you know how expensive that is? It wasn`t locked." Zelek blushed. "Both of you come with me." The woman who had vexed the boys with her random appearances over the years started walking away. The boys exchanged a confused glance before she hollered back, "I won`t wait all day, hurry up."