SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS

After wandering for half a day and traveling a hundred miles, Kent and Tata Lan stopped before a rock throne, situated like a living thing. On the way, they both collected several valuable herbs.

The throne before them, stood on a high platform, accessible by a grand staircase with 32 steps. Each step bore a statue of a lady warrior, each in a different pose, holding various weapons with a look of stern vigilance.

The air around the throne seemed charged with an ancient energy, an invisible force that made the hairs on Kent's neck stand on end. He sensed something was amiss, the statues' eyes seeming to follow them as they moved. The throne itself exuded a palpable aura, as though it was aware of their presence.

"Big brother, why are you wasting time before this rock statue? Let's go... there are several herbs on the path ahead," Tata Lan said, her face marked with confusion.

Ignoring her remark, Kent picked up a rock from the ground and tossed it towards the throne. As soon as the rock left his hand, it was flung back magically, never touching the throne.

"What... what happened?" Tata Lan gasped, her eyes wide with surprise.

Kent stared at the throne and the statues, deep in thought. After a moment, he decided to test his suspicions. Taking a deep breath, he stepped onto the first stone step.

Instantly, a bright light emanated from the platform, and the statue of the lady on the first step came to life. She stepped forward, her sword pointed directly at Kent's head.

"Human... you have entered the Divine Throne of the Storm God," she declared, her voice resonating with an ethereal echo. "Only a person of great wisdom and worthiness can claim it. To subdue the throne, you must answer a question from each of my sisters.

Thirty-two steps... thirty-two questions. Fail to answer a single question correctly, and you will not have the option of turning back. Leave now if you wish to save your life."

"Big brother, come back, hurry." Tata Lan called out in a shaky tone. But Kent stayed on the first step, thinking about the consequences before him. The challenge is life and death related and Kent is wondering whether throne is worth to keep his life on line.

After a long moment of contemplation, Kent replied, "I am willing to face the challenge."

The lady statue nodded in acknowledgment. Instantly, the sky above shifted, its colors swirling into a mesmerizing array of hues. The air grew heavy, dimming the world around them and casting a dormant hush over the surroundings.

The first lady statue, her sword still pointed at Kent's head, began her interrogation. "What is faster than the wind? Answer wisely, you only have one chance. You have time until this black step turns white." Enjoy new adventures at empire

As she finished speaking, the black step beneath Kent's feet began to change, the color slowly seeping from one end to the other like a loading health bar.

"Thoughts,"

Kent answered, his fists clenched in earnest concentration. The moment he spoke, the step beneath him turned a radiant golden hue. The lady statue bowed gracefully, dropping to one knee in a sign of respect and acknowledgment.

With measured breaths, Kent stepped onto the next stone. The second lady statue came to life, her weapon glinting in the dim light. "Which is born and has no life?" she asked, her voice echoing with a mystical resonance.

After long hesitation, Kent said, "An egg,". The step glowed golden, and the second lady statue bowed deeply before him, her face softening in admiration.

He moved to the third step, feeling the weight of each question and the significance of each answer. The third lady statue asked, "Which always has movement?"

"A river," Kent responded swiftly. The step illuminated in gold, and the third statue kneeled in submission, her gaze filled with approval.

Stepping onto the fourth stone, the fourth statue poised her weapon and asked, "Which has shape but no life?"

"A statue," Kent answered without hesitation. The stone beneath him shimmered into gold, and the fourth lady statue bowed low, her expression conveying respect.

As Kent approached the fifth step, the atmosphere grew more intense. The fifth statue, regal and imposing, asked, "What is heavier than the earth and deeper than sea?"

Kent's eyes flashed with a deep, personal understanding as he replied, "Mother's heart."

The fifth step turned golden, brighter than the others, as if acknowledging the profound truth in his answer. The fifth statue bowed on one knee, her posture reflecting a deep reverence.

Each time a statue bowed, the air seemed to hum with the energy of their acknowledgment, a silent testament to Kent's wisdom and determination. Tata Lan watched from below, her heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and awe, her eyes wide as she witnessed Kent's unwavering resolve.

Kent took a deep breath, preparing for the next step. Each question brought him closer to the throne, but also deepened the gravity of the challenge.

He moved to the sixth step, where the statue, now animated, posed her question with a voice that echoed through the still air, "Which helps a man?"

Kent pondered for a moment, recalling his experience. "Braveness " he answered confidently.

The step turned golden, and the sixth statue bowed deeply. Kent felt a surge of relief and strength as he continued to ascend.

On the seventh step, the statue asked, "What is it that no man, even if he desires, can avoid?"

Kent's mind raced, but he quickly found the answer. "Death," he said solemnly.

The transformation to gold was immediate, and the seventh statue bowed in reverence. Kent's heartbeat quickened as he stepped onto the eighth platform.

The eighth statue, with an air of tranquility, asked, "What is that which is invisible and yet is the foundation of all life?"

Kent's thoughts aligned with the wisdom of old. "Breath," he replied.

Once again, the step turned gold, and the eighth statue bowed deeply. Kent's confidence grew as he reached the ninth step.

The ninth statue, her eyes gleaming with ancient knowledge, inquired, "What is it that is swifter than the mind?"

"Lightning," Kent answered, drawing from his vast reservoir of understanding.

The step glowed gold, and the ninth statue knelt in respect. Kent took a deep breath and moved to the tenth step.

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Second one loading... sorry for consuming chapters with riddles. But the throne is worth of few chapters. TQ