The Suicide Pilgrim was a contradictory place, holy and ominous, the entrance to the unknown.
It towered over the settlement like a grim sentinel, its stone runes humming with expectation.
This was the first real test for those stupid or desperate enough to want to reach the higher Reaches. But as every prepared soul who came here knew, the Pilgrim demanded a price: blood sacrifice.
Legends said the Pilgrim was a test in itself, separating the desperate from the able. Before anyone could enter a Reach Trial, they had to offer a sacrifice—a life given to the Pilgrim's hunger.
For centuries men had bled on this ground, their sacrifices the foundation of stories told among the living. The Pilgrim didn't care about morality, only blood. It was a harsh reminder the Nexus demanded more than strength—it demanded cruelty.
Kael's words hung in the air, his ultimatum repeated in the silence. The men who had betrayed him looked at each other nervously before looking to Elric, their self appointed leader.
"Just kill him," one of the men said, his voice panicked. "He's the sacrifice—get rid of him and we can start the trial."
Elric didn't move. His sharp eyes flicked to Kael, then to the crackling dark blade of Ather'valis in his hand. He considered his choices for a moment before shaking his head.
"Killing him would be a waste," Elric said. "He's useful."
"But—" another started to say, but Kael cut him off.
"Don't waste my time," Kael words sending dread through their bones. His voice was even but deadly. "Choose who dies or I'll choose for you."
The men hesitated, their bravado melting away. The confidence they'd shown earlier was gone, replaced by the growing understanding Kael was not normal. His calmness, the crackling sword in his hand and the absolute tone in his voice all told one thing: this boy was deadly.
They were scavengers, survivors and opportunists, not heroes. Self preservation was their nature and Kael's threat made the choice clear. After a moment of whispered arguments, three of the men turned on the fourth and pushed him forward.
"He's the weakest," one said, his voice trembling. "Use him."
The man stumbled forward, the betrayal hurt more than the push. He spun back to face them, his face contorted in anger and shock.
"You cowards!" he spat. "After everything we've been through?"
None of them looked at him. He turned back to Kael, his face set as he drew a rusty sickle from beneath his cloak. "Fine," he growled. "I just have to kill you and then there won't be a problem. You'll be the sacrifice, like planned."
Kael cocked his head to the side, his face neutral. "Well," he said, his voice almost lazy.
"Go ahead then."
The man let out a bellow and rushed at Kael, swinging his sickle in a wide arc. Kael dodged the attack easily, his movements smooth and fluid. The man's wild swings continued but each one missed, Kael evading with ease.
Finally Kael moved.
He slammed the hilt of Ather'valis into the man's stomach and the man grunted as he doubled over. Kael grabbed him by the hair and yanked his head back and with one swift motion he cut his throat.
Blood splattered the rune etched stone as the man stumbled, clutching his throat in a futile attempt to stop the flow. He gurgled, choking on his own blood as he died slow. Kael held him by the hair and dragged him to the center of the platform where a small indentation lay.
The others watched in silence as Kael let the man's blood drip into the pit. The runes on the stone began to glow faintly and pulsed as if the Pilgrim itself was drinking the sacrifice. After the man's struggle with death had subsided, Kael released his grip and let the motionless body fall to the ground as the blood continued to flow.
The runes blazed to life and grew brighter until they illuminated the entire area. The air became thick with an otherworldly power and everyone felt a shiver run down their spines.
Elric stepped forward, his face a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "How did you know how to make the sacrifice?" he asked, his voice steady but with a thread of caution.
Kael turned to him, his face cold and distant. "Instinct," he whispered.
Elric didn't get a chance to ask more before the light from the runes reached its peak. The energy around them changed and the air distorted and rippled.
> ◇ Entering Reach Trial.
The light enveloped them and one by one they disappeared leaving behind only the bloodied stone of the Suicide Pilgrim.