The golden screen slowly faded.
Its light disappeared into the silence of the throne room.
Sam looked at the Eternal King.
"So..."
"What exactly is this trial?"
The Eternal King remained standing before the ancient throne.
"You seek an inheritance."
"So you must first prove that you deserve to carry it."
He slowly turned.
Behind the throne...
A pair of enormous stone doors came into view.
Each was over fifty feet tall.
Ancient runes covered their surface.
Unlike the rest of the castle...
These doors radiated an overwhelming aura of death.
"This..."
The Eternal King said quietly.
"...is the Royal Mausoleum."
"It is the sacred resting place of every king, queen, general, and hero who served the Ancient Necropolis."
Sam studied the massive doors.
"They're all buried in there?"
The King nodded.
"They are."
"And they have slept for thousands of years."
His expression became solemn.
"But today..."
"They will awaken."
A deep rumble echoed throughout the throne room.
RUMBLE...
RUMBLE...
The runes covering the doors began to glow.
Blue light spread through every carved line.
The Eternal King raised a hand.
"The Trial has only three rules."
"First..."
"You will enter alone."
"Second..."
"You may use every skill, weapon, and summon at your disposal."
Sam nodded silently.
"And the third?"
The Eternal King's gaze sharpened.
"You may not command the dead that dwell within the Mausoleum."
Sam blinked.
"My necromancy won't work?"
"It will."
The King answered calmly.
"But if you attempt to enslave those who earned their eternal rest..."
"You will fail."
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Analysis complete.
This trial is testing your character, not merely your combat ability.
Sam smiled faintly.
"I figured as much."
The Eternal King continued.
"The heroes inside are not your servants."
"They are my honored comrades."
"They will judge whether you are worthy."
The great stone doors trembled.
Then...
They slowly began to open.
BOOOOOOM...
A wave of ancient mana flooded the throne room.
Cold.
Heavy.
Ancient.
Sam could feel countless presences beyond the entrance.
None of them were weak.
The Eternal King stepped aside.
"The trial begins the moment you cross that threshold."
Sam looked toward the darkness beyond the doors.
Then...
He looked back at the King.
"If I clear it..."
"What happens?"
For the first time...
The Eternal King's smile carried a trace of pride.
"Then the Ancient Necropolis will recognize you."
"You will no longer be merely a Commander."
"You will become a King acknowledged by the dead."
Silence filled the hall.
Sam took a deep breath.
He rested one hand on the hilt of his sword.
His shadow stretched behind him.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke one final time.
Commander...
Good luck.
Sam chuckled.
"When have we ever needed luck?"
With steady steps...
He crossed the threshold.
The massive stone doors began to close behind him.
BOOM...
BOOM...
BOOM...
Darkness swallowed the entrance.
The Trial of Kings had begun.