Theos moved forward, his steps quiet but deliberate as he ventured deeper into the trial's unforgiving terrain. The environment around him was alive with faint echoes—voices, hurried footsteps, and the occasional clash of energy. He could feel the presence of others scattered throughout the forest like distant flames, their desperation and determination mingling in the air like a storm waiting to break.
A pang of sorrow tugged at his chest as he thought of those who had already fallen, unable to withstand the relentless challenges. Their fear, their hopes, their dreams—he could only imagine how quickly it had all slipped away, lost to the forest's merciless grip. But Theos knew he couldn't let those thoughts take root.
"I can't save them," he murmured, his voice firm but low, as if speaking the words aloud would cement his resolve. "There's only one choice left—to survive."
His determination sharpened as he pressed onward. Every step carried him closer to the unknown, but he wasn't the same person who had entered the forest at the start of the trial. The scattered blades, the traps, and the relentless pressure had shaped him. He wasn't just walking anymore—he was learning, adapting, and evolving. Survival wasn't a goal; it was his only path forward.
Suddenly, the ground beneath him gave way. Without warning, the earth split open, and Theos plummeted into the darkness below. For a moment, panic flared in his chest, but it was quickly smothered by a singular, instinctive thought: Survive.
Theos's mind raced as he calculated the force of the fall. Summoning every ounce of his energy, he thrust his hands downward and called upon his Destroyer Impact. The familiar surge of primal power ignited within him, and with a decisive motion, he unleashed it.
A shockwave burst forth, splitting the ground even further and forming a massive crater where he had fallen. Dust and debris erupted outward, but the blast absorbed much of the impact, cushioning his descent.
When the dust settled, Theos landed gracefully, his knees bent and his posture fluid, like a predator ready to strike. He took a steadying breath, adrenaline still coursing through his veins. His heart pounded, but his mind remained focused.
He scanned his surroundings as he stood. The new environment was darker, colder, and more oppressive. An eerie quiet filled the cavernous space, broken only by the faint sound of settling debris.
"Is this the second stage of the trial?" Theos muttered, his voice calm and measured despite the tension that gripped him. He had expected challenges, but this was unlike anything he had anticipated. It wasn't just a test of strength—it was a test of his ability to adapt under pressure.
The air here was heavy, thick with latent energy that clung to him like a second skin. He felt the weight of the trial pressing harder, but his resolve didn't waver. This was just another obstacle, another step on the path he had chosen.
Theos's eyes darted across the cavern as he stretched his senses to their limits. The oppressive energy in the air wasn't just natural—it carried traces of someone else. It was faint, like a whisper in the back of his mind, but it was unmistakable. Someone—or something—had passed through this place before him.
He narrowed his eyes, analyzing the faint energy trail. It wasn't random. Whoever had been here moved with purpose and left behind a lingering aura of raw power.
"The only group that seemed worth noting was them," Theos murmured, piecing together what little information he had. He thought back to the powerful group of students he had sensed earlier, the ones who exuded an aura of dominance that rivaled his own. They had made him acutely aware of his limitations.
If they had passed through here, they were likely facing the same challenges he was. Yet their presence hung over the cave like a storm cloud, and Theos couldn't shake the unease it brought. He clenched his fists, steadying his breath.
I avoided them before, he thought. I wasn't ready then. But now…
He wasn't the same person who had hesitated in the forest. He had learned, endured, and adapted. Theos flexed his fingers, his control over his power steady but untested against such overwhelming opponents. He would need more than raw strength to face them. He would need cunning, patience, and strategy.
Taking a deep breath, Theos pressed onward, his movements quieter now as he prepared for what lay ahead. Whether he encountered them as allies or adversaries, one thing was certain—he wouldn't run this time.
"Let's just hope the people here are peaceful," he muttered, his voice barely audible.
The oppressive weight of the cave pressed down harder with every step. Theos kept his focus sharp, his eyes scanning every shadow, every corner for potential threats. He couldn't afford to let his guard down.
"I don't think I can take on too many people in this academy," he admitted quietly to himself. He wasn't blind to his limitations. While his abilities had grown significantly since the start of the trial, he knew the academy was filled with individuals far stronger than him. Some of them, like the group he had sensed earlier, seemed almost untouchable.
But even so, he pushed forward, refusing to let fear dictate his actions. Trust was a luxury he couldn't afford, and alliances often came at a cost he wasn't willing to pay. Yet, somewhere deep inside, he couldn't ignore the faint glimmer of hope that perhaps, not everyone would be an enemy.
Hope is dangerous, he reminded himself. It makes you reckless.
Still, the desire for connection lingered, buried beneath layers of caution and survival instincts.
With a steady breath, Theos pressed on. He wasn't here to make friends or alliances. He was here to survive, to grow stronger, and to claim the future he had set his sights on. Whatever awaited him deeper in the cave, he would face it head-on.
For Rose. For himself. For the path he refused to abandon.