After ten minutes of changing the colors of the pillars in order to align the numbers, Rachel was left stumped and defeated. Her progress is worse now than when she started off, and Arana's cryptic clues weren't helping.

  "Dammit," Rachel huffed as she changed the color of another pillar from blue to yellow, making the totals even more wonky.

  Arana, observing with a calm demeanor, noticed Rachel's frustration growing. "Having trouble there?" she inquired, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

  Rachel turned to face Arana, her frustration evident in her expression. "Damn straight I am," she muttered through gritted teeth. "Just tell me what the numerical values or whatever are, okay? I'm getting exhausted."

  Arana nodded before revealing the values: "Red - 25. Green - 145. Blue - 100. Yellow - 30."

  Rachel grumbled, "I feel like you're just pulling these numbers out of your ass at this point…”

  Arana chuckled softly, her smirk growing wider. "Well, perhaps I am," she teased, her tone playful yet hinting at a deeper understanding. "But remember, figuring it out yourself will prove much more rewarding."

  Rachel grabbed handfuls of her hair and tugged, a garbled moan escaping her lips as she glared at Arana. "Just stop being so damn cryptic and tell me what's exactly going on here with these numbers and crap, will ya? Pretty please?!”

  Arana shook her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "No can do," she replied nonchalantly. "The fun lies in the journey of figuring it out, not just getting handed the answers. Trust me, it'll feel even better—"

  "No, it won't!" Rachel snapped back, her frustration growing even more. "This is not fun! It's frustrating and tiring!”

  Arana, unperturbed by Rachel's outburst, simply shrugged. "Well, I never said it'd be easy. But let me ask you something... Have you tried looking at these numbers from a different perspective?”

  Rachel huffed, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "A different perspective? Yeah, I've tried that! But it doesn't make any sense, no matter how I look at it!”

  Arana smiled, her gaze fixated on Rachel. "Really?" she questioned, her tone curious. "Are you certain that you've considered every angle? Remember, the solutions to these trials often require thinking outside the box. The only hint I can give you is that changing the colors of the pillars not only changes its numerical value in that particular color, but also takes away from the numerical value of the pillar you're changing the color of. Say, a red pillar valued at 40 and a blue pillar valued at 80. If you change the red pillar to another color, then the total value of both red and blue will change depending on which color you changed it to. Getting it yet?”

  Rachel grumbled once more, her frustration reaching its peak. "I understand the concept, but it's the execution that's messing me up! I just can't seem to figure out a pattern or strategy to get these numbers right. It's like a freaking puzzle, and I hate puzzles!”

  Arana chuckled at Rachel's frustration, her amusement growing. "Well, I must say, you're quite stubborn when it comes to puzzles. But remember, the journey towards understanding is never easy. Have you considered every possible combination of color change, taking into account the values I mentioned earlier?”

  Rachel grunted in frustration, her patience running thin. "Of course I have! I've tried every combination under the sun, but they just make it worse! It's like every change I make just leads me further away from the solution! How does yellow go from 120 to 30 after changing colors a few times?! This is fucking my mind with no lube!”

  Arana chuckled once more at Rachel's frustration, her smirk growing wider. "Patience, dear. Sometimes, the solution is staring you right in the face. Have you considered the possibility that the order of color change may play a role in the final total?”

  Rachel, her frustration turning into pure annoyance, rolled her eyes once more. "Yes, I've tried changing the order! But it's just not working! It's like these numbers have a mind of their own! The more I mess with them, the more messed up they get!”

  Arana watched as Rachel grew more and more frustrated, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Well then, let's take a step back for a moment. Perhaps there's something you overlooked. Have you tried considering other factors that could influence the values other than the colors themselves?”

  Rachel, her patience wearing thin, huffed in frustration, "Like what? What else could possibly affect the numbers?! I've tried every single variable I can think of!”

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  Arana smiled, her gaze locked onto Rachel. "Are you sure you've considered everything? Sometimes, the answer lies in the smallest details, in the overlooked facts. Have you tried taking a break and giving yourself a moment to clear your head? Sometimes, stepping back allows for clarity.”

  Rachel grumbled, her eyes narrowing. "I've tried taking breaks, I've tried taking deep breaths, but every time I come back, it gets even more messed up! It's like these numbers are out to get me!”

  Arana chuckled softly, her smirk still playing on her lips. "Or perhaps, dear Rachel, you're simply not seeing the bigger picture. Remember, the trials aren't meant to be easy. They're meant to test your limits, your thinking process. Have you considered seeking assistance, perhaps from your companions?”

  Rachel's frustration flared up once more, her expression turning into a scowl. "I am perfectly capable of solving this puzzle myself! I don't need any help, thank you very much! And while I'm at it, you're the one who called us here to help you, why make it difficult for us? Other worlds in other realms need our help as we speak, so forget all the games and just let us help ya, for cryin' out loud!”

  Arana's smirk turned into a full-fledged smile, amused by Rachel's outbursts. "Ah, you're a fiery one, aren't you? But let me remind you why I brought you all here. This world is in trouble, that's true, but the trials aren't just for entertainment. They're part of the process to reverse the spell that the cultists have placed on our ancient sacred grounds. Do you truly think a simple task would be enough to undo the dark magic that's been cast?”

  "I understand that this isn't just a game, but we need to get this done fast! The world needs our help as soon as possible! And all these complicated trials are just slowing us down!”

  Arana remained calm, her smirk returning to her face. "Ah, but you see, young Rachel, haste often leads to failure. The trials are designed to push your limits and make you grow as individuals. They're not meant to be easy to overcome. Patience and perseverance are essential in this world, my dear. Your impetuousness will only lead to trouble out there.”

  Rachel scowled at Arana's advice, her irritation mounting. "I'm not being impulsive! I just see no point in dancing around with these stupid numbers and colors! It's just a waste of time!”

  Arana's smirk deepened, her patience not wavering. "Ah, I see. You think this is a waste of time? Let me tell you something, Rachel. Life is a series of trials, a series of challenges that shape us into who we are, into who we're meant to become. The trials are necessary. They're not just about numbers and colors. They're about your resilience, your determination, and your ability to overcome adversity. Without these trials, you'll never truly know your own strength. Think of the cultists attacking these ruins. They can solve this puzzle with ease, and they are who you're up against. If you can't even beat the first puzzle of these trials, how do you expect to challenge the cult?”

  “We can handle the cultists, thank you very much! And besides, it's not just some puzzle that separates them from me and the other two, it's their dark magic... something that we don't possess!”

  Arana let out a soft chuckle, her gaze locked onto Rachel. "Ah, but you're mistaken, my dear. You and your companions here may not possess their dark magic, but you can outsmart them. Beat them at their own game. These trials will help you to do just that.”

  Rachel slammed her hands on her thighs, her temper reaching its peak. "Dammit, I just want to skip all this nonsense and face the real threat! I have no interest in jumping through your stupid hoops, Arana.”

  Arana smirked, her demeanor unfazed. "I understand your frustration, but this is part of the process. These trials are designed to test your abilities, to push you beyond your limits. If you want to face the cult, you'll have to prove worthy by completing these trials. It's not about jumping through hoops, my dear... it's about facing your own limitations and overcoming them. Trust the process, and you'll see the light at the end of this tunnel.”

  Rachel let out a defeated sigh, her frustration morphing into resignation. "Fine, I get it. I have to go through these damn trials. But I just wish they weren't so damn complicated. It feels like a waste of time when there's a much bigger threat looming out there.”

  Arana chuckled softly, a knowing smile on her face. "Ah, patience, my dear Rachel. Patience. The bigger threat you speak of won't go anywhere. But your own growth and understanding are just as important as defeating the cult. The trials are not a waste of time; they're necessary for your development. Embrace the process, and eventually you'll see the value.”

  Rachel grumbled, her irritation still evident. "Fine, I'll play along. But if I fail at one of these trials, I'll make sure to rub it in your face.”

  Arana chuckled heartily, her smirk now transforming into a wide smile. "Ah, challenge accepted. But remember, failure is just a stepping stone towards success. Learn from your mistakes, and grow stronger. The trials are there to guide you, not to hinder you. Now, back to the task at hand, shall we?”

  Rachel shook her head in resignation, her determination slowly resurfacing. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, let's get this over with. I'll do my best to solve these stupid puzzles, but don't expect a thank you from me afterwards.”

  Arana chuckled softly, her smirk still in place. "No thank you necessary. The satisfaction of seeing you grow stronger will be enough for me. Now, focus on the task at hand. You have three more trials waiting.”

  "THREE MORE—" Rachel blurted out, covering her mouth with a hand to stop herself, but her irritation still simmered beneath the surface. "Fine, fine. Let's get this over with. But I swear, if I mess up, I'll blame you.”

  Arana chuckled once more, her smirk turning into a sly smile. "Blame away, dear Rachel. But remember, it's not failure that defines you. It's how you adapt and overcome the challenges that matter.”

  Rachel shook her head, her irritation slowly fading, replaced by determination. "Whatever. Back to the damn mission..." she groaned, turning around to face the pillars again.