The path ahead was not a road, not a trail—but a warped reality.
The landscape shifted unnaturally. Sometimes the ground was solid, sometimes it melted into liquid, forcing them to move carefully. The sky above twisted between colors that didn't exist, and shadows moved without a source.
Elya walked ahead with ease, completely unfazed by the strange environment. He, on the other hand, felt the world watching him.
"Where are we going?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the moving shadows.
Elya glanced back. "To your first trial."
"Trial?" He frowned. "I thought we were training."
She smirked. "Training won't be enough for you. You need something more… extreme."
A chill crawled up his spine.
"Define extreme."
"You'll see."
He hated that answer.
The Arena of Beasts
After hours of walking—if time even existed in this place—they arrived at what could only be described as a battlefield carved into the world itself.
Massive stone pillars jutted out from the cracked earth. Floating platforms hovered in midair, shifting positions like a living maze. In the center, a colossal ring of ancient runes glowed with eerie crimson light.
And beyond that—the scent of blood.
Elya stopped and gestured toward the arena. "This is where it begins."
He narrowed his eyes. "And what exactly am I fighting?"
Elya simply snapped her fingers.
The air trembled. The ground shook.
Then—they emerged.
Massive creatures, their bodies twisting with unnatural forms. Some had too many limbs, others had eyes where mouths should be. Their auras burned like fire, filled with rage, hunger, and something worse.
They were not beasts.
They were remnants—leftovers of ancient warriors who had failed their trials.
Elya turned to him. "Kill them."
He took a step back. "You're kidding."
She gave him a cold smile. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
The creatures roared.
And then—they charged.
The First Kill
Instinct took over. His power surged, golden flames erupting around his fists. He dodged the first strike—barely. A massive claw tore through the ground where he had been standing.
Too fast. Too strong.
One of the beasts lunged, its twisting jaws snapping toward his throat.
He moved on reflex.
BOOM!
His fist connected—golden fire erupting—and the beast's head exploded into ash.
Silence.
The other creatures paused, their many eyes turning toward him.
Elya crossed her arms. "Good. Now do it again."
The beasts roared.
And the real battle began.