Raphael
It wasn't just the darkness that drove me insane.
It was the voices.
I didn't know if they were real or if my own mind had created them. But the worst part wasn't the whispering—it was that they were right.
"You believe you're searching for the truth…"
"But what if you can't survive it?"
I had sweated, trembled, tried to hold onto my anger—but it didn't help.
Because for the first time in my life, I had to ask myself:
What if I can't survive the truth?
Isaac Crowe
When I opened the door, Raphael collapsed onto his knees.
His breathing was heavy, his hands trembling, but his eyes searched for me—searched for an answer.
"Why…?" His voice was rough, barely more than a whisper.
I took my time before answering.
"Why what?" I finally asked.
He shook his head, as if trying to rid himself of a thought. "Why all of this? What was the point?"
I stepped closer, crouching slightly.
"The truth isn't just knowledge, Raphael."
I let the words hang in the air for a moment before adding softly:
"It's pain."
He stared at me, his breathing growing uneven.
"You seek it, but you're not ready to carry it."
His jaw clenched. I knew he hated hearing that.
"And what am I supposed to do now?" His voice was hoarse, but I could still see the fire in his eyes.
I drew my sword and let the tip sink into the ground with a dull thud.
"Become strong enough to survive it."
Michael
I was still standing on that damn beam.
Every muscle in my body trembled. My mind was on fire.
I didn't know how long I had been there.
But I knew it didn't matter.
Because if I fell, everything would be over.
Isaac stood at the edge of the abyss, watching me with his arms crossed.
"Well?" he asked.
I took a sharp breath. "Well what?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Did you learn something?"
I clenched my fists. "That you're a sadist."
He chuckled softly. "Maybe."
Then he stepped closer, his gaze piercing.
"But did you understand why you're here?"
I breathed heavily. I knew what he meant.
I knew it.
And I hated it.
"My future means nothing if I die."
Isaac nodded.
"Then live long enough to make it real."
Gabriel, Raphael & Michael
When we saw each other again that evening, we didn't talk about it.
I looked at Raphael and knew he had been through hell. I looked at Michael and knew he had found his own truth.
But none of us spoke.
Because we all knew:
It wasn't over yet.
Isaac Crowe
I stood before them, arms crossed.
I had tested them. I had seen where their limits lay.
And now, it was time to push them past them.
"You've proven yourselves." My voice broke the silence.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Does that mean…?"
I slowly unsheathed my weapon, my gaze cold.
"Now your real training begins."