The Test of the Seven

The Veil of Stars, a magical reality crafted by Zyrath, shimmered like an eternal starlit forest, with silver-light trees pulsing like living hearts and an infinite sky where stars swirled in fluid constellations. The floating crystal table at the center reflected the ethereal glow, and the air was fresh, laced with a faint scent of ozone and ancestral magic. The seven remnant elves of Eryndor—Sylvana, Lirath, Thalira, Elyssa, Vorian, Korvyn, and Zyrath—sat around it, their eyes fixed on the entrance of Athos, whose presence seemed to bend reality itself. He walked with confident strides, the Tear of Eryndor glowing at his neck, his black armor with hacked blue runes pulsing in sync with his invisible interface. Behind him, Lysara and Veyra, the elves who had followed him from the start, moved with silent grace, their vine armor and enchanted bow reflecting unwavering loyalty.Athos sat at the table, his usual cynical smile curling his lips, while Lysara and Veyra stood at his back, vigilant. The silence hung heavy, broken by Sylvana, the short elf with blonde hair and green eyes, whose voice was soft but laced with distrust. “Lysara and Veyra follow you,” she said, leaning forward. “Does this mean the prophecy is true? Are you the fallen star to save Eryndor?”Athos raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “Prophecy, huh? I like to think I make my own fate. But yeah, I’m here to restore Eryndor—or something bigger. Tell me, why are you all hiding?”Lirath, the tall elf with black hair and gray eyes, crossed her arms, her shadow-woven cloak shimmering. “You speak with confidence, outsider, but where does your power come from? This… technological magic isn’t elven. Is it the Corruptor’s work?” Her thoughts echoed: He’s powerful, but he manipulates reality like a god. That’s dangerous.Athos laughed, his interface flickering in his vision. “The Corruptor? Nah, I’m more of a… system administrator. Think of me as someone who rewrites the rules. Want Eryndor back? I can make that happen, but I need your trust.”Thalira, with silver braided hair and violet eyes, frowned. “Rewrite the rules? That sounds like heresy. How do we know you’re not an agent of chaos in disguise?” Her voice was calm, but her words cut like blades.“You’re a suspicious bunch,” Athos replied, pointing to the Tear of Eryndor. “This relic is yours, right? I’ve mastered it. Doesn’t that prove I’m on the right side?”Korvyn, the muscular elf with short black hair and black eyes, slammed his fist on the table. “Proof isn’t in words or relics. Are you strong enough to lead the remnants? Or just a charlatan with tricks?”Athos tilted his head, his smile sharp. “Test me, then. Want strength? I’ll show you. Want loyalty? I saved Elyndrael and brought life to this wasteland. What else do you need?”Vorian, with brown hair and blue eyes, spoke calmly: “You answer quickly, but that only raises more questions. What’s your true goal? Restore Eryndor or use our power for your own ends?”Athos spread his arms, his interface analyzing the elves: High levels, ancestral magic, max distrust. Time to impress. “My goal? Crush the Corruptor and build an empire where Eryndor is just the start. You can be part of it—or stay in the shadows, hiding.”Elyssa, the red-haired elf with amber eyes, gripping her light sword, interjected: “You talk like a king, but kings fall. Prove you’re worthy of our loyalty.”Zyrath, the eldest, with white hair and wise eyes, raised a hand. “Enough questions. We propose a test: the Test of the Seven. Face each of us, one by one. If you overcome all, we’ll follow you.”Athos laughed, a sound that echoed through the Veil of Stars, startling the elves. “One at a time? That’s unfair… to you. Come at me all at once. Let’s settle this fast.”Korvyn stood, furious. “How dare you belittle us? Think we’re weak?” His hands glowed with arcane energy, ready to strike.Elyndrael, calm, raised a hand. “Silence, Korvyn. If he’s truly the hero of the prophecy, he can defeat us. Let’s do as he asks.” Her violet eyes fixed on Athos, analyzing: If he fails, we’ll know the truth. If he wins, the prophecy holds.The elves exchanged glances, tension rising. Sylvana readied her enchanted vines, Lirath summoned shadows, Thalira channeled star runes, Elyssa raised her sword, Vorian focused vital energy, Korvyn unleashed arcane flames, and Zyrath reinforced the reality with dimensional magic. Athos, still smiling, stood, the Tear of Eryndor glowing brightly. “System: activate Alpha Combat Mode,” he murmured, his interface flashing. The Veil of Stars trembled, and the epic clash was about to begin.