Each one of the friends were having a hard time, except for Kei of course, he had passed the tunnel and was eating ice cream while feeling bored. He looked like he had gone for a walk instead of a hard trial.
Back to the others. By this point they had all reached the red zone. They had different challenges that were customized to their abilities. The one thing in common was that by this point they were all at the brink of death and activated the Ancient spirit contract method.
This method allows a person to go to the space of one of the ancient spirits or beasts. They all managed to get a meeting with the highest ranking. The divine beasts. This method allows a person to meet a higher rank being the closer the person is to death when he activates it. They were all basically dying when they activated it, so it was natural.
The risk came from not being able to obtain the acknowledgement of the being. In that case a person already at the brink of death would lose his last option and die.
Jimmy was standing in a similar space. The ferocious white tiger seemed to contrast with his timid personality. "A timid person like you can never ba allowed to use my power." roared the tiger.
"But I have to get it. I'll die if I don't." - Jimmy
"You think I care? The only people who can possibly make a contract with me have to be people who understand their role. You need to continuously be the center of all attacks. Without the will to destroy, your attacks will always be shallow. I'll do you a favor and not kill you. I'll even give you a chance. Get rid of your timidity. Prove yourself. If you do, I'll discuss a contract with you".
The word byakko appeared on Jimmy's hand and he woke up again surrounded by those terrible beasts again. Without a single drop of power left.