Valerian, The Legendary

The guardian of the dragon temple asked, “Why can he not move? Is it good to run down the mural and be done with it?”

Solaria snorted and said, “Do you think it is that easy? The flames covering his body are not ordinary. They originate from the gaze of Vita. Even the high-level followers, including the high priests, cannot go close to the mural on the walls just because they wish to do so. Those flames are capable of burning everyone and everything to ashes.”

Altamash was surprised. He did not have much knowledge about the system of the temple. He asked, “What is so special about these flames.”

Solaria said, “These flames are a trial. They judge the soul of a person. Only when they have abandoned the seven flaws in their hearts can the people pass this trial?”

Her tone was solemn, and her brows were furrowed. She was worried about Valerian. Never had she seen such a reckless person who did not even care for his life and rushed into a deadly situation. Such behavior can never let a person get past this trial.

Altamash asked, “The seven flaws, what are those?”

The high priestess did not say anything. She had to deal with another thing first. When the three people arrived at the altar hall, others silently prayed to the goddess. However, now the situation was a bit chaotic. The people were surprised to see a young man being set on fire. They could not understand how such a thing could happen before the goddess of mercy.

Solaria looked at the people and suddenly slapped her hands. It was as if the gentle clap had some magical powers. Then, the crowd calmed down, and the lady said, “What you all see is a test from Vita. I hope you all can pray for the safety of this child trying to wash away his sins and be reborn.”

.....

A middle-aged man from the crowd asked, “Your Grace, what are those flames? What sort of a crime could he have committed for the goddess to subject him to this torture.”

The other people nodded, and Solaria was pushed into a corner. She could not get away without resolving their doubts. If the people thought the goddess was not merciful, it would bring lousy rapport to the religion. Forced, she could only step up and answer.

She said, “Please calm down and listen to what I say. This young man seeks to join the religion and help needy people. However, he also stated that his hands had been stained with the blood of humans and magical beasts alike. There could be many reasons he did all those things, but the temple of mercy cannot accept a murderer.

So, to join the temple, the young man took the arduous path. Flames of rebirth surround him. These flames originate from the gaze of Vita. If he can pass this trial, that would mean that the goddess has cleared him of all his sins. But, first, he would need to wash away his flaws.”

Someone from the crowd asked, “Your Grace, what are those flaws?”

Solaria found that it was a little girl around five or six years old. The hardship of life has turned this girl wiser than her age. The high priestess sighed and said, “The flaws are lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, wrath, envy, and pride. He will have to take seven steps while facing the mental illusions of the seven flaws. If his heart wavers, the flames will turn him into a mound of ashes before he even has a chance to scream in pain.”

Altamash sighed, and then he looked at the flame man. He said, “He moved.”

Valerian took a step. In his mind, a scene played where he was standing in the hall and entangled with a beautiful lady. The situation could make a lot of people feel overwhelmed by lust.

However, it wasn’t anything that could stop him. The young man shook the lady away and walked ahead. His stride was calm and stable. The young man had no hesitation in his actions.

Solaria cast him a gaze and said with no fluctuation on his face, “He crossed the first obstacle rather quickly.”

Altamash nodded and said, “One must have astounding concentration to overcome lust.”

Solaria nodded and said, “Please look at him and watch how to become a better version of yourself.”

The crowd watched as the flames fluttered and the color darkened a bit. The little girl asked, “What is happening?”

Solaria said, “This is the plight of a trial contender. With every step he takes, the intensity of the flames will increase. The heat will hinder the concentration power of the person.”

The people gasped, and the second step was also taken quickly. Valerian did not bother about the illusion of all the delicious food, it could not hinder him in the slightest, and he moved forward quickly.

The third and fourth step was also taken quickly too. Valerian was not greedy, and he was not lazy either. Solaria was not surprised. The conviction showed by the young man earlier did tell her that he was not weak. Altamash asked, “Do you know what illusions he must have?”

Solaria nodded and said, “Yes, the first step is to conquer lust. He must have faced an image of the opposite sex entangling with him. He must have met with all sorts of divine food when taking the second step. The illusion is so strong that he might have been able to smell the food. In the third step, he must have faced all sorts of riches and treasures with the sound of clinking coins in his ears. The fourth step must have shown him a place of comfort to make him lazy.

The illusions are so realistic that they can make a person’s heart shiver. It is like someone whispering to your soul, trying to enchant it.”

Altamash sighed and said, “I have no idea how to process this information. If magic can charm a person’s soul, breaking through those binds must be nearly impossible.”

Solaria nodded and said, “Now, he needs to face the illusion of wrath. It will show him the biggest cause of hatred in his heart.”

Altamash nodded, and Solaria said, “I pray he can make it.”

...

Valerian did not know what was going on outside the path. He had taken four steps, but now a man in crimson armor stood before him. The blood-red predatory eyes staring at him from under the helmet made his blood boil. He hated this person who had taken away everything from him.

However, he was not in a rush to deal with him. He was sane enough to know that the person before him was an illusion. After all, how else could it be explained that the scenery changed with every step he took? He looked at the man before him and wanted to take action when he heard a calm voice, “So, you are the son of those two?”

This took Valerian by surprise. He opened his eyes wider to look at the man in the armor. The sensation of shock vanished just as quickly as it came. Valerian knew that the more he reacted to this illusion, the deeper he would fall, and it might be his end. However, the illusion kept on uttering profanities and calling Valerian weak. In his mind, the young man seemed to have been walking for a long time, but nothing had changed.

Valerian stopped the struggle and thought, why was he not facing this guy? Why was he moving away from him and not putting up a fight? His heart was in doubt. However, at this moment, he recalled a few things from his past—all the events where he had been told about his weaknesses, where he was helpless.

Thinking about those moments, his rage calmed down. He looked at the phantom before him and thought, ‘I am still weak and vulnerable. I do not seek destruction. I seek strength and improvisation.’

Then he stepped forward, and the phantom vanished from sight. The stride was calm, but the slight entanglement earlier left him with scalded skin. The young man did not mind it and wanted to take a step further when he saw the scene of Fragrantia loving her children as he sat on the side. A voice rang in his mind, “Don’t you envy them?”

Valerian smiled and said, “Why shall I envy them? I grew up all alone. For them to even consider doing anything for me shall be gratified.”

...

Solaris heaved a sigh of relief and said, “He overcame his biggest flaw—the flaw of wrath. ”

Altamash nodded and watched intently as Valerian took two more steps forward and stood under the mural. Then, finally, the man said, “Did he pass?”

Solaria joined her hands and said, “Now he stands in the court of Vita. If he can answer her question, the flames will vanish and he will pass.”

The people were shocked and the little girl asked, “He can talk to the goddess?”