The next day, Izzy found herself standing in the training grounds again, but something felt different. There was an unusual energy in the air, a kind of anticipation she couldn't quite place. The space was empty except for Lucian, who stood in the center, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Today, we're doing something a little different," he announced as Izzy approached, still sore from the previous day's training.
"Different how?" she asked, wary.
Lucian turned toward a large, ornate mirror at the far end of the grounds. Its surface was smooth, but it seemed to ripple like water, reflecting the dark energy of the room. "You've shown some progress in tapping into Hell's energy, but now you need to learn how to channel it in a controlled environment."
"So… a magic lesson?" Izzy tried to hide her skepticism. Given her past experiences here, she wasn't expecting anything to be straightforward.
"Something like that," Lucian replied. He stepped aside, revealing the full extent of the mirror's size—it was almost as tall as the ceiling and covered in faint runes that pulsed with a dim glow. "This mirror is a gateway to a sub-realm—a reflection of Hell, but different in subtle ways. In there, you'll find shadows of creatures and beings you might face here. Your task is to survive for as long as possible."
Izzy stared at the mirror, her apprehension growing. "And what happens if I don't survive?"
Lucian shrugged, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Then I suppose we'll have to pull you out before things get too... permanent."
"Comforting," she muttered, gripping the dagger at her side more tightly. "And you're sure I'm ready for this?"
"Whether you're ready or not isn't the point," Lucian said, his tone serious. "You need to learn to adapt quickly. This realm will test your instincts and force you to rely on more than just physical strength."
Before she could voice any more doubts, Lucian tapped the mirror's frame, and the rippling surface began to part, revealing a dark, swirling vortex. The runes along the edges glowed brighter, and the air seemed to hum with energy.
"Step inside," he instructed.
Taking a deep breath, Izzy approached the mirror. The surface felt cold as she passed through it, like stepping into icy water. She emerged on the other side to find herself in a twisted version of the training grounds. The familiar layout was there, but everything was slightly warped, as though viewed through a distorted lens. The sky above was an ominous shade of crimson, and shadows flickered unnaturally along the edges of her vision.
She took a few cautious steps forward, her senses on high alert. It didn't take long for her to notice the first shadowy figure—a creature with hollow eyes and elongated limbs, its movements jerky and unnatural. It emerged from the darkness, fixating on her with an unsettling intensity.
Instinctively, Izzy raised her dagger, remembering Lucian's words about relying on more than just physical strength. She reached deep inside herself, trying to grasp the thread of Hell's energy she had tapped into during her earlier training sessions. A faint pulse of power surged through her, and she felt it radiate out toward the creature.
The shadow hesitated for a moment, as if sensing the change in her. Then, with a shriek, it lunged at her. Izzy barely had time to dodge, her movements still sluggish compared to the reapers. She slashed at it with the dagger, but the blade passed through the shadow's form without much resistance.
Frustrated, she tried to remember Lucian's instructions on channeling energy into her strikes. She focused on the dagger, willing it to absorb the dark energy around her. The blade glowed faintly, and this time, when she swung it, the shadow recoiled, a hiss escaping its formless mouth.
"Looks like it worked," she muttered to herself, keeping her eyes on the creature as it circled her, looking for an opening.
But before she could prepare for another strike, more shadows emerged from the distorted landscape, their numbers growing with each passing second. Panic started to set in as she realized she was quickly being outnumbered.
Izzy glanced around, desperately searching for something—anything—that could give her an advantage. Her gaze landed on a cluster of glowing runes etched into the ground nearby. She wasn't entirely sure what they did, but they looked similar to the ones Lucian used during training.
With no other options, she darted toward the runes, hoping they could help her. As she reached them, she knelt and placed her hand on the markings, trying to connect with the energy they emitted. The runes responded, flaring brightly as power surged through her. She felt the dark energy flowing into her like a torrent, almost overwhelming in its intensity.
Suddenly, she was yanked back to the training grounds. The sensation was jarring, and she stumbled as her surroundings shifted abruptly. Lucian stood there, one hand raised, having pulled her from the sub-realm.
"You were close to getting overwhelmed," he remarked, his tone casual despite the situation.
Izzy steadied herself, still feeling the residual energy coursing through her. "I was just getting started."
Lucian gave her a knowing look. "Confidence is good, but recklessness can get you killed here."
"Isn't that the point of the training, though?" she shot back. "To learn how not to get killed?"
Lucian's expression softened just slightly. "Indeed, but surviving in Hell requires more than brute force. You'll need to learn to outthink your enemies and use every resource at your disposal."
Before Izzy could respond, the air around them grew heavy, as if someone had draped a dark veil over the room. Lucian's gaze flicked toward the entrance, and his usual smirk faded, replaced by a hard, unreadable expression.
A figure emerged from the darkness—Elara, with her eyes glinting in the dim light, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Back so soon?" Lucian said, his voice edged with impatience.
Elara's gaze shifted to Izzy, who felt an uncomfortable chill settle over her. "I was merely curious to see how your little pet project is coming along," she said, her tone laced with a mocking sweetness. "And from what I can tell, the girl still has a long way to go."
"That's none of your concern," Lucian replied coolly. "Stay out of my way, Elara."
"Or what?" she retorted, stepping closer. "You can't shield her forever. The moment she leaves your protection, there are plenty who would see to it that she never leaves Hell alive."
Izzy could feel the tension between the two reapers crackling like electricity. She kept her hand on her dagger, ready for anything. As she watched the silent standoff, she couldn't help but wonder just how far Lucian was willing to go to keep her safe—and what Elara's true motives were.
Izzy's grip tightened on the dagger at her side, her heart racing as the tension between Lucian and Elara grew. She sensed there was more to this confrontation than met the eye—something personal beneath the surface. Elara's gaze remained locked on Lucian, her expression almost playful as though she were relishing the challenge.
"So," Elara began, her tone light but with a hint of malice, "why not let her prove herself right here, right now? You seem so convinced she's capable of being your assistant, don't you, Lucian?"
Lucian's eyes narrowed, his voice as cold as steel. "This isn't a game, Elara."
"Of course not," she replied, feigning innocence. "But it could be an interesting test, wouldn't you agree?"
Before Lucian could respond, Izzy stepped forward, her nerves buzzing with adrenaline. "If you think I'm not up to the task, why don't you just say it to my face?" she snapped, meeting Elara's gaze head-on.
Elara's smirk faded, her expression shifting to one of amusement. "Oh, I'm not just implying it, dear. I'm stating it outright. You've barely begun to scratch the surface of what it takes to survive in Hell. And perhaps Lucian here has been a bit too... lenient in showing you the true extent of this world."
The suggestion that Lucian was going easy on her stung, and Izzy glanced his way, half-expecting him to refute Elara's words. But his expression remained unreadable, and for a moment, doubt crept into her mind. Was there some truth to what Elara was saying? Had Lucian held back during their training?
Elara took a step closer, her gaze never leaving Izzy's. "I have an idea," she continued, her voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. "How about a little challenge? Something that would prove your worth. We could see how long you last in the Blighted Forest without any help."
"And what exactly do you expect her to do there?" Lucian's voice was calm but laced with a warning edge.
"Survive," Elara answered simply. "One day in the forest on her own. If she succeeds, I'll acknowledge her place here. If not..." Her lips curved into a dark smile. "Well, let's just say that even a human as spirited as you can't outrun the monsters forever."
Izzy took a steadying breath, determination flooding her veins. "Fine. I'll do it. If that's what it takes to prove I belong here."
Lucian shot her a look, his gaze steady and piercing. "You're braver than most," he said, his tone begrudgingly respectful. "But bravery won't be enough."
Izzy's mind raced as she considered the coming challenge. The Blighted Forest was no place for humans—or even some reapers. Stories described it as a realm where reality twisted into a maze of horrors. Briefly, she thought of the mundane moments before all this began: eating a simple sandwich at the kitchen table, her biggest worry back then being whether she had enough time to finish it before heading out. That life seemed impossibly far away now.
Lucian's voice cut through her thoughts. "We'll prepare for this together. But once you step into that forest, you're on your own. Stay vigilant; some threats are more than physical. And Izzy..."
She met his gaze, finding a rare softness in his eyes.
"Trust nothing—not even your senses."
As preparations began, a spark of resolve ignited within Izzy. She was determined to prove herself—not just to Elara or Lucian, but to herself. She would survive whatever the forest had in store for her, and emerge stronger than before.
Izzy's determination was unwavering, but as the hours passed, the weight of the challenge began to sink in. Her training sessions with Lucian intensified, each exercise pushing her further than the last. She could see the worry in his eyes, even though he masked it with his usual stern demeanor. He made sure she understood every potential danger, from the shadowy creatures that stalked the forest's edges to the illusions that could disorient even the most experienced reaper.
"Remember," Lucian instructed as they sparred in the training grounds, "the forest will prey on your weaknesses. It will test your will, exploit your fears, and twist your perception. You must stay focused, no matter what you see or hear. Trust only what you know to be real."
Izzy blocked a strike and quickly countered, her muscles aching from hours of relentless practice. "And if I can't tell what's real?" she asked, her voice tinged with doubt.
"Then trust your instincts," Lucian replied, his tone firm but encouraging. "You've survived this long because of them. Don't doubt yourself now."
As the day of the challenge drew closer, Elara's words continued to echo in her mind, feeding the fire within her. It wasn't just about proving herself anymore; it was about defying the odds stacked against her. The Blighted Forest had claimed countless souls—both human and reaper alike—but Izzy refused to become another one of its victims. She would face whatever lay ahead with her head held high.
The night before the challenge, Lucian handed her a small charm—an amulet engraved with unfamiliar symbols. "It's for protection," he said, avoiding her gaze. "It won't guarantee your safety, but it might just give you an edge."
Izzy accepted the amulet, a mixture of gratitude and anxiety swirling inside her. She knew that once she entered the Blighted Forest, the true test would begin.