This world gave everyone power on a silver platter. Skills, abilities, even supernatural gifts. But only the exceptional few could forge those advantages into something truly extraordinary.
Halo had trained on Mirror Steppe for over two weeks. Before heading back to the castle, Fade had one more trial: his fourth training in a cave.
He was placed in an isolated cave sealed from light, sound, and the presence of any living thing. Time became distorted. Inside, he had to maintain his awareness without succumbing to hallucinations or despair.
After standing in a river for days, the cave should have been a relief. His body was wrecked by soreness, numbness, and barely functional. The first day of sitting in cold darkness? Almost pleasant. By day three, four, five? Maddening.
The cave barely fit two people with enough room for one position and no movement. The heat was unbearable. His body screamed with pain that wouldn't fade. Hunger gnawed at him, slowly devouring him from within.
