The Strongest Of All Beings (Mongu)

Chapter 2: Awakening

Mongu's eyes fluttered open, and his surroundings slowly came into focus. He was no longer in the blinding, infinite void, but in an entirely different world. The first thing that struck him was the vibrant and alien beauty of his new surroundings. Massive crystalline trees towered over him, their translucent branches glittering with a strange, otherworldly light. The sky above was a swirling canvas of shifting hues—purple, blue, and gold that melted into one another like a painting in motion.

He could feel the earth beneath his paws, solid and comforting. There was a faint breeze that carried the scent of unfamiliar flowers, sweet and fresh, and a soft hum reverberated through the ground. The air itself seemed alive, full of energy, and yet, there was something unsettling about it. It felt like he was being watched, as though the very fabric of this world was observing him.

For a moment, he simply sat still, blinking in confusion. He had been chosen for something—something that was still unclear. The last thing he remembered was being surrounded by giants, some terrifying, others less so. They had all voted for him, pointing their fingers and accusing each other of being weak. The vote had been cast, and in the end, he had been the one chosen.

Mongu had never imagined that the fate of the beings around him would rest on such a decision. He was just a little dog. He didn't belong in their world of warriors, gods, and demons. But now, here he was, somewhere far beyond anything he had ever known.

He shook his head, his soft brown fur rustling in the breeze. It wasn't time for wondering, not yet. He needed to figure out where he was and, more importantly, what he was supposed to do.

Suddenly, a low rumbling sound shook the ground beneath him. Mongu's ears perked up, his tail bristling with tension. The trees around him seemed to bend as though something massive was approaching. Without thinking, he took a step back, instinctively preparing for danger.

The figure that appeared before him was nothing short of monstrous. The creature stood tall, easily three times the height of any human, its form clad in dark, ominous armor. The armor was covered in strange, shifting symbols, some glowing faintly and others seemingly carved into the metal. The being held a spear, long and twisted, its blade gleaming with malice.

Its eyes were glowing—burning with an intense, predatory light. Mongu could feel the weight of those eyes on him, like a storm gathering in the sky. The creature circled him, its steps heavy, the ground cracking beneath its feet with each movement.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" the creature purred, its voice cold and serpentine. It spoke as though it had seen countless beings like Mongu before and found them beneath its notice.

Mongu's instinct told him to run, to flee into the dense forest and disappear. But there was no time for fear. The Trial had begun, and he had to face whatever came his way. He growled softly, but his heart raced as he took a defensive stance, his paws digging into the ground beneath him.

The creature laughed, a deep, bone-chilling sound. "A dog. How fitting. You were chosen for the sacrifice, weren't you?" It sneered. "Weak, insignificant. No one will miss you."

Mongu's tail flicked, a low growl escaping his throat. His heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to back down. The creature raised its spear, preparing to strike. Mongu could see the malicious gleam in its eyes. The being was confident, too confident, and that was all Mongu needed to exploit.

In an instant, the creature lunged, its spear aimed directly for Mongu's chest. Mongu darted to the side with a burst of speed, just narrowly avoiding the sharp tip of the weapon. He felt the air shift as the spear whistled past him, the force of it almost knocking him off balance.

Before the creature could react, Mongu dashed forward, closing the distance between them. He aimed for its legs, his small body moving with a speed and grace that surprised even him. He collided with the creature's armored legs, knocking it off balance for just a moment.

It wasn't much, but it was enough.

The creature staggered back, its spear falling from its grip as it tried to regain its footing. But Mongu wasn't done. With a snarl, he launched himself into the air, landing squarely on the creature's chest. There was a burst of golden energy that erupted from his body—an explosion of force that sent the armored figure tumbling backward, crashing into a crystalline tree with a deafening crash.

Mongu landed gracefully on his paws, tail held high. He could feel something deep inside him, a well of power that had suddenly awakened. He had no idea what it was, but it surged through him, making him feel stronger, faster, and more alive than ever.

The creature groaned as it struggled to stand, its eyes burning with rage. "What… what are you?" it hissed, glaring at Mongu as if it had never encountered such defiance.

Mongu bared his teeth in response. "I'm the one who's going to win this Trial," he barked, his voice fierce.

Before the creature could make another move, a new presence filled the air, one so powerful that the ground itself seemed to tremble. The atmosphere grew thick with tension, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Mongu turned to face the new arrival, and his eyes widened.

A being emerged from the shadows—a massive, towering figure, so immense that it seemed to distort the very air around it. Its body shimmered with an ethereal glow, like smoke swirling in a storm. Its eyes were like twin suns, burning with the heat of a thousand storms. The being's presence was overwhelming, and Mongu instinctively took a step back.

"Enough," the being's voice boomed, its tone absolute and commanding. The ground cracked as the creature's power rippled through the air. "You are not the first to challenge the sacrifice, nor will you be the last."

The armored creature lowered its head, its arrogance crushed under the weight of the new figure's presence. Mongu watched as it dropped its spear and bowed in submission, fear clearly evident in its eyes.

The towering figure's gaze shifted to Mongu. "You," it said, its voice strangely calm despite the immense power radiating from it. "You are different. There is more to you than meets the eye."

Mongu stood his ground, his tail flicking nervously but his eyes sharp. He wasn't sure who or what this being was, but it felt different from the others. The Trial was just beginning, and he wasn't going to be anyone's sacrifice. Not anymore.

The towering figure raised its hand, and in the blink of an eye, the air before them twisted. A massive rift appeared, revealing a vast, swirling expanse of galaxies, stars, and endless, shifting landscapes.

"Come," the figure said, its voice carrying a note of challenge. "The Trial of Existence begins now. You will face what comes, just as all who were brought here must."

Mongu's heart pounded in his chest. His paws tingled with the raw energy that still flowed through him. This Trial wasn't just a fight for survival—it was a fight for something far greater.

"Survive," the figure continued, its eyes locking with Mongu's. "Grow stronger. Prove your worth. And perhaps… you will find your place in this world."

Mongu didn't know what awaited him, but he knew one thing for certain—he wasn't just a dog. He was here for a reason, and he was going to prove it.

With a deep breath, he stepped forward, his small form stepping into the rift. The world around him seemed to shudder, the stars flickering as he was pulled into the unknown.

The Trial had truly begun.

To Be Continued…