The Exiled Plain was a place of many trials—of power, endurance, and, above all, the mind. Ryou didn't know what the creature had meant by survival, but as he continued his journey through the wasteland, he soon learned that the Plain was filled with dangerous beings and endless challenges designed to test the strongest of individuals.
The next trial came as Ryou ventured deeper into the land. In the distance, a towering stone structure loomed—its surface slick with an eerie glow. The very air around it seemed to vibrate with energy. When Ryou approached, he was greeted by a familiar voice.
"Ah, you survived the first challenge. Impressive."
He spun around to find Kieran, the enigmatic man from the Celestial Hold, leaning against the stone wall of the building, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Are you following me now?" Ryou asked, his tone sharp.
Kieran smirked. "I've been here longer than you can imagine. But I've got a proposal for you. The building you see before you is the Trial of Souls. The purpose of this trial is to confront the darkness within yourself—the parts you've been running from."
Ryou frowned. "And if I fail?"
"Then you'll join the many who have tried and died," Kieran said, his voice devoid of humor. "But if you succeed, you'll gain power. Power that can shape the future."
Despite himself, Ryou felt a chill run down his spine. There was something unsettling about Kieran's words, something that made him wonder just how much the man knew about his journey and the power within him.
"Fine," Ryou said, stepping toward the entrance. "I'll take it.