⚡️Chapter 13: Into the Heart of the Trial Grounds
As the blinding light of the teleportation array faded, all participants found themselves scattered across the vast, ancient Trial Grounds.
Aarush appeared near the base of a towering mountain, its jagged peaks reaching toward thunder-filled skies. A wide, deep river rushed nearby, its current swift and mysterious. For a few moments, he stood silently, watching the rhythmic flow of the water. But then, his focus sharpened—he had a task to complete, and two people to find: Seriya and Niva.
Footsteps crunched behind him. Three figures emerged from the trees—the same participants he'd overheard earlier, discussing beasts and cores.
One of the boys stepped forward. "Did you teleport alone? Where are your friends?"
Aarush nodded. "Yes. I don't know where they are... but I'll find them."
Another boy chimed in, "If you want, you can join us for now. We also teleported to different locations, but found each other quickly."
The third added, "Yeah, safer in a group, right? We can figure out what's next together."
Aarush studied them.
The first looked like someone from a noble clan—well-dressed, polite, but not arrogant. The second, tall and dressed plainly, radiated a quiet strength. The third was short and cheerful, with a small silver-handled dagger that looked like an heirloom.
After a pause, Aarush decided. "Alright. Let's look out for each other. No tricks. No betrayal."
The short one grinned. "Haha! I know you. You live like five houses down. You've got that rare Martial Soul, right? This dagger? Been in my family for generations. Sharper than your sword, I swear!"
The tall one smirked. "Ignore him. If he says a hundred, he means ten."
The noble-looking boy nodded. "Let's head deeper. We need to hunt beasts and collect cores."
As they moved into the terrain, Aarush felt something watching them—but ignored it for now.
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Elsewhere in the Trial Grounds...
A dense fog veiled the land. Visibility was barely a meter.
Niva moved cautiously, pushing through the undergrowth and calling out:
"Aarush! Seriya! Where are you? Can you hear me?!"
A flutter of wings startled her as a spirit bird darted past. She gasped—this place was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. As she pressed on, her eyes widened at the sight of several half-eaten beast corpses. Fear gripped her.
Then came footsteps.
Two boys emerged behind her, eyes glinting with hunger—not for food, but something far more vile.
One of them smirked. "Why the hurry, girl? It's just us here."
Niva trembled. She summoned her Martial Soul, but it flickered—her inexperience showing. Her hands shook.
The second sneered. "Young, scared, alone... perfect. You know exactly what we want."
Niva's voice cracked. "SERIYA! AARUSH!"
A burst of flame split the fog. A roar answered her call.
A flaming, double-headed tiger-beast lunged toward a radiant figure—Seriya.
"Back off!" Seriya shouted.
She slashed with Crimson Phoenix Crescent Slash—a sweeping arc of fire qi tore through the mist. The beast countered, spitting molten lava—Blazing Maw Eruption. Seriya dodged and leapt upward with Feathered Flame Step, landing behind the beast.
The tiger's tail whipped toward her—Inferno Spine Whip—but she parried, her blade hissing on contact.
The two boys, unaware, had rushed toward the scene. Seriya's redirected slash struck one of them squarely, sending him tumbling.
"Niva?" Seriya called out.
Niva's voice cracked. "They were going to hurt me!"
Seriya's eyes flared with killing intent. The phoenix emblem on her sword pulsed. She raised her hand—Heavenfire Ascendancy Seal.
A fiery glyph blazed above her as her Phoenix Martial Soul emerged, wings of golden flame unfurling. It merged with her sword.
The beast tried to retreat—but it was too late.
Sky-Piercing Phoenix Fang—a devastating thrust. Her blade tore through the tiger's chest, igniting its soul. The creature collapsed.
The two boys cowered. One knelt, begging. "Please! We'll never do anything like this again! From now on, every girl's like a sister to us!"
Seriya glanced at Niva—who nodded, still shaking.
Seriya raised her hand again. The phoenix soul flared, splitting into three wings of judgment—Ashen Verdict Flame.
A cry echoed. The divine flame bathed the two boys. One turned to ash. The other collapsed, unconscious.
Seriya landed beside Niva. "Are you alright?"
Niva nodded, then rushed into Seriya's arms, crying silently.
Above them, the scorched air swirled. A ring of flame enclosed the space—protective, divine.
In its center stood the two girls, side by side.
The Phoenix's wings shimmered above them, casting their light over everything below.
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