Seven days were nearly over.
Only fifteen students remained alive.
The survivors—wounded, wary, half-starved—stood before the final gate. A massive obsidian arch etched with thousands of moving glyphs. Behind it: freedom… or death.
Arin's blade was chipped. Lyssara's eyes had gone colder. And Ash—Ash looked untouched. But inside, his soul raged.
The gate pulsed when he approached. It recognized him.
> "Crimson Dominion detected. Trial parameters shifting."
> "Error. Memory seal… failing."
Then the voice changed.
It became familiar.
> "Welcome home, Kaelith."
Everyone turned to him.
"Kaelith?" Arin whispered.
Ash didn't answer.
The ground shook.
From the glyphs, a shape unfolded—an armored creature three stories tall, forged of living metal and fire. The Trial Guardian.
> "Only those who defeat me may leave."
The students panicked. Most scattered. A few tried attacking. All failed.
Ash watched silently.
And then he walked forward, eyes glowing red.
"You were built to keep me in," he said. "I built you for that very reason. And now?"
He raised a hand.
"I'm free."
The creature attacked.
Ash didn't dodge. He absorbed the blow—converted its magic to raw power. Crimson tendrils lashed from his arms. Glyphs shattered. Reality bent.
In seconds, the Guardian collapsed into a heap of molten metal.
Ash turned, robes billowing in the storm of magic.
"Gate's open."
The survivors stared in awe. Some wept. Some bowed. But most… feared him.
Only Arin and Lyssara stood at his side.
---
As they walked out of the Labyrinth into moonlight, the Headmaster stood waiting.
Veradin clapped slowly.
"Well played, Kaelith.
Or should I say… Ash."
The sky cracked.
The real trial had just begun.