《Trials of Fate: Reborn to Suffer》


 Neba

    I blinked, slowly opening my eyes. A sharp, unfamiliar noise echoed in the distance, but I couldn''t make sense of it. My head throbbed as I tried to focus.


    The first thing I saw was the ground beneath me, grass, green and soft. Above me, the sky stretched endlessly, a pale blue that seemed almost unreal.


    Confusion hit me harder as I sat up. I looked around, and that''s when I saw towering rock walls, stretching high into the sky, curving around me like the walls of some giant prison. The land I was on was not that big, no more than a patch of grass and trees.


    Where am I?


    What is this place?


    And who am i?


    I tried to remember¡­ but nothing came. No name. No past. Just blankness. I tried to calm my breathing, but panic set in. I was trapped. Trapped in a place with no way out.


    The only thought that remained clear in my mind was to Survive. I must survive


    I slowly stood up, taking a moment to check myself over. I am a skinny guy, with long black hair that fell messily around my face. My clothes were simple, black pants and a long sleeve shirt, nothing special.


    I walked a little, trying to get my bearings, when something moved in the bushes ahead. My heart skipped a beat. It was an animal, though I couldn''t quite remember what it was called. It had white fur and two enormous ears. I knew it wasn''t carnivorous, probably some kind of herbivore.


    My stomach growled loudly, reminder that I needed food. Without thinking, I dashed after it. The animal was fast, way faster than I expected, but I could see its movements clearly.


    In the last moment, I lunged and grabbed it, snapping its neck with one swift motion. It was strange, there was no exhaustion, no weariness in my body. I felt¡­ fine.


    Then i quickly gathered some wood, setting up a small fire. As the flames crackled, I began skinning the rabbit, gutting it carefully. But then, something strange caught my eye. Inside the rabbit''s body was a small, glowing green object. It was about the size of my eye.


    What is this?


    I reached out and took it in my hand. The moment I did, a strange vision appeared before me:


    [Animal: Rabbit - Core Green]


    [ Neba - 1% ]


    [Compatibility - 35%]


    [ Special Ability: rabbit legs: Enhances running speed by 5x. ]


    [ weakness: your hands will become immobile the moment ability is activated ]


    I stared at the words, confused. *What is this?* It was a rabbit, but what was "Neba"? And what did compatibility mean? Before I could think much more about it, the vision shifted


    [ Neba:]


    Neba is the power that flows through every living creature. It is an aura that enhances you. Normally, everyone has a green Neba, but you can increase and upgrade it by absorbing the cores of others with Neba, killing creatures and upgrading yourself. It starts as green and can evolve into yellow, orange, red, blue, and finally purple.


    I barely had time to process this when more information appeared.


    [ Compatibility: ]


    You can only absorb a core if its color matches your own. You cannot absorb a yellow core if your Neba is green. The compatibility percentage shows how well the core fits with your own. The higher the percentage, the stronger the abilities you''ll gain.


    I blinked, trying to make sense of it all. This was just insane.


    I stared at the glowing core in my hand, thinking over what I''d just learned.


    "So, if I understand this right¡­ I also have to have a green Neba core to absorb this. And even if I did, the compatibility is low, and the weakness is¡­ well, really bad." I frowned. "But how do I even use Neba?"


    There weren''t any answers, just the quiet hum of the forest around me. With nothing but rock walls behind me, the forest was my only option. After eating rabbit''s meat, I decided to put its core in my pocket. Then i stepped forward, crunching dried leaves underfoot as I went into a forest.


    Animals darted through the trees, some looking vaguely familiar, others completely foreign. Their strange shapes and movements made me uneasy. I didn''t dare to chase anything yet. Not until I understood more about this place, and myself.


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    After what felt like hours, I stumbled upon a small lake. Its surface was smooth and clear, reflecting the pale blue sky. I crouched by the edge and leaned over, curious to see my reflection.


    The face that stared back at me was young, though I couldn''t guess my age. My features were plain, almost forgettable, which left me feeling¡­ disappointed. The only thing that stood out was a scar running across my left eye.


    "What''s this?" I muttered, raising a hand to touch it. My fingers brushed over the rough line of skin, and a strange sense of familiarity tickled at the back of my mind.


    *How did I get this scar?*


    Before I could think more about it, the water rippled. Suddenly, something burst out of the lake and clamped onto my hand.


    "Argh! What the hell!"


    Sharp teeth sank into my skin as the creature yanked me toward the water. Pain shot through my arm. My instincts kicked in, and my free hand scrabbled for something, anything. My fingers closed around a jagged rock nearby.


    With all my strength, I slammed the rock down on the creature. But when the blow landed, its glowing green body didn''t even flinch.


    "What?" I gasped.


    I hit it again, harder this time, but it was no use. The rock barely left a scratch.


    "Damn it," I hissed through clenched teeth. "It must be its green Neba ability!"


    The creature suddenly spun, twisting its body violently in the water. The force nearly wrenched my arm out of its socket.


    "Ah, damn it!" I yelled. I had no choice but to twist along with it, keeping my hand from being ripped apart.


    "Bastard," I growled through the pain, my feet slipping closer to the water. "That''s a good trick you''ve got there."


    The creature''s grip tightened, and with a powerful pull, it dragged me into the water. I thrashed, desperate to break free, but it wasn''t letting go. My lungs burned as water splashed into my face, and panic surged through me.


    Out of pure desperation, I leaned forward and bit down on the only part of it I could see, its mouth. Pain shot through my teeth like I''d bitten solid steel.


    "Damn it!" I spat, my jaw throbbing. "Why is its skin so hard?"


    The creature yanked again, trying to pull me deeper. My hand felt like it was about to be torn apart. Gritting my teeth, I shifted my grip and grabbed hold of its mouth.


    "Maybe if I get you out of the water first¡­"


    Planting my feet firmly in the mud, I strained against its pull, my muscles screaming. Come on, come on!


    Then, suddenly, my hand began to glow faintly green.


    "Neba!" I gasped.


    Power coursed through me, raw and unfamiliar. Fueled by it, I shoved my hand deep into the creature''s mouth and grabbed hold of its tongue. With all the strength I could muster, I ripped it out.


    The creature let out a high-pitched screech, and its grip loosened. I took my chance, dragging it out of the water.


    "So this is what you look like," I muttered, gasping for air. "Ugly bastard."


    The creature staggered onto the shore, its body trembling. It was walking on four legs, its long, narrow mouth now gaping and bloodied, a tail whipping angrily behind it.


    It lunged at me, but I rolled to the side, dodging its charge. The moment it landed, I sprang to my feet and punched it hard in the side. The force made it stumble, its legs wobbling.


    This was my chance.


    I grabbed a nearby rock, but as soon as my fingers touched it, the stone glowed faintly green with Neba energy.


    "I see," I muttered.


    The creature''s glowing green skin dimmed, its protective aura fading. Its body now looked vulnerable, almost dull.


    Taking a deep breath, I swung the rock down with all my strength, smashing it into the creature''s skull. The impact cracked its head open, blood spurting from the wound. I didn''t stop.


    I hit it again. And again. And again.


    With a final blow, its head severed from its body. Blood pooled beneath it as I dropped the rock, my chest heaving.


    I staggered back, looking at the mess I''d made. Then, at the top of my lungs, I screamed, "TAKE THAT!"


    Exhausted but alive, I grabbed the lifeless creature and dragged it back to the fire. My hand was still bleeding, though not as badly as before.


    "Damn it," I muttered, collapsing by the flames. "That was too close."


    Exhausted, I sank to the ground, the creature''s body lying limp beside me. My breath came in ragged gasps as I reached for the glowing green core embedded in its chest. It was palm-sized, warm to the touch, and as I held it, I felt a strange sensation, like my Neba was being drawn to it.


    Then, the text appeared in my vision again, clear and unmistakable:


    [Animal: Crocodile]


    [ Neba Core: Green - 4%]


    [Compatibility: 85%]


    [Special Ability:Steel: You can harden your skin for 25 seconds. No green Neba can damage you during this time. Afterward, there is a 5-minute cooldown before you can activate the ability again.]


    [Weakness: Your movements will be greatly slowed while the ability is active.]


    I stared at the words, my head pounding.


    "What¡­ this is garbage! The compatibility is so good, but the ability¡­ it''s practically useless! What''s the point of being tough if I can''t move fast enough to fight back?"


    Frustration surged through me, and I dropped the core onto the grass. I lay back, staring at the sky, my chest rising and falling as I tried to catch my breath.


    As my thoughts raced, new words appeared in my vision, as if in response to my doubts:


    [ When you absorb an animal''s Neba Core, you will gain its abilities and weaknesses. Every additional green core you absorb afterward will strengthen your already existing abilities, but you will not gain new ones until you advance to a yellow core. ]


    I frowned, sitting up slowly.


    "So¡­ I have to make a smart choice for my first core," I said aloud. The realization settled on me like a weight. Choosing the wrong ability could make things harder down the line.


    But I didn''t have much time to sit around and think about it. My arm needed treatment, and I needed better tools if I was going to survive this place.


    I tore off a strip of my shirt and tightened it around my injured arm, wincing as I tied the makeshift bandage. Then I turned to the pile of wood I''d gathered earlier. I needed a weapon.


    Grabbing a sturdy stick, I stripped away the smaller branches until I had a long, sharp pole. I tied a rock to its tip using my belt, wrapping it tightly until it was secure. The weapon looked crude, but it would have to do.


    "I have no idea how i know all this but¡­ Let''s see if this works,"


    Closing my eyes, I focused on the faint energy I''d felt before, the flow of my Neba. Slowly, I channeled it into the spear. The weapon began to glow faintly with a green aura, flickering like a dim flame.


    A grin spread across my face.


    "Hell yeah," I said, testing the weight of the spear in my hands. "Tomorrow we''ll go for a hunt."

 First Soul

    I woke up tired, my body still aching from yesterday¡¯s fight. My hand throbbed dully, but it wasn¡¯t as bad as before. At least it wasn¡¯t bleeding anymore.


    Sitting up, I looked around the small patch of land I had explored yesterday. I sighed. No matter how much I walked or searched, it was clear, I was trapped.


    The rocky walls surrounding me didn¡¯t seem natural, and every time I tried to climb them, an invisible force shoved me back.


    ¡°This damn barrier,¡± I muttered, rubbing my shoulder where it had thrown me. ¡°There¡¯s got to be a way out.¡±


    For now, though, there was only one thing I could do was to hunt. My stomach growled, demanding food, and I needed to grow stronger if I was going to survive.


    I grabbed my makeshift spear and headed into the forest again. The air was damp, and the faint rustling of leaves told me animals were nearby. But they weren¡¯t like any animals I¡¯d ever seen, or at least I didn¡¯t think they were. My memory was still a blank.


    I walked deeper into the forest, spotting creatures of all shapes and sizes. Some had long necks that bent unnaturally, others had glowing fur, and some moved in ways that didn¡¯t make sense. I couldn¡¯t name a single one of them.


    Suddenly, I heard a strange noise, like a faint hum. I turned quickly, my spear raised, but all I saw was a green ball floating in the air.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I blinked, lowering the spear slightly. The ball hovered silently for a moment before bouncing to the side and reappearing behind me.


    ¡°What the¡ª?¡± I spun around.


    I tried to grab it, but it darted away again, bouncing as if it were alive.


    ¡°How are you doing this?¡±


    As if in response, the ball suddenly grew legs, four of them, and bolted into the forest.


    ¡°Hey, come back here!¡± I shouted, breaking into a run.


    The creature was fast, darting through the trees with impossible agility. It was leaving behind small explosions.. ¡°what type of ability is this?¡± Its small, glowing body left faint green streaks of light in its path. I could feel it was using Neba somehow, but I couldn¡¯t tell exactly how.


    ¡°Damn it, you¡¯re too fast!¡±


    Then, as if fate were on my side, the creature miscalculated. It ran headfirst into the rocky barrier and crashed to the barrier. It collapsed onto the ground with a dull thud.


    ¡°You dummy,¡± I muttered, catching up to it. When I reached the creature, I stopped and stared. It was smaller than I¡¯d realized, about the size of my head, and its glowing body flickered weakly.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ dead?¡± I said, confused. ¡°You died from that? Seriously? What kind of stupidity is this?¡±


    I shook my head, unsure if I should even bother taking its core. But something about it intrigued me. The little creature had been using Neba in such a strange way, maybe its core held something valuable.


    ¡°Ah, fine,¡± I muttered. I cut into the creature¡¯s body, carefully extracting its core. It was tiny, glowing faintly green as I held it in my hand.


    The moment I touched it, my vision blurred, and text appeared before me:


    [Animal: Bulby]


    [Neba Core: Green - 1%]


    [Compatibility: 100%]


    [Special Ability: Nebastep ¨C Ability to create small Neba platforms in the air beneath your feet. Each platform disappears in less than a second, with small explosions that pushes you forward and increases your movement speed.]


    [Weakness: Overusing this ability will cause dizziness and movement issues. Weakness will lessen as ability develops more.]


    I blinked, staring at the words. ¡°Woah¡­ 100% compatibility? That¡¯s insane, But¡­ platforms? This is such a weird ability.¡±


    The weakness isn¡¯t too bad, and the ability sounds useful, especially in a fight. I hadn¡¯t seen anything else with a 100% compatibility, and who knows if I¡¯ll find another creature like this?


    ¡°Alright,¡± I muttered. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡±


    Taking a deep breath, I focused on channeling my Neba into the core. Suddenly, pain shot through my chest as it began to glow. I gasped as my chest split open like a book, revealing my own green core. The sight was horrifying, but I couldn¡¯t stop. Slowly, the Bulby¡¯s core floated into me, merging with my own.


    ¡°Agh!¡± I cried out, collapsing to my knees as pain wracked my body. My head pounded as a thousand whispers filled my mind, overlapping and chaotic.


    ¡°Whose voices are these?¡± I groaned, clutching my head.


    The whispers grew louder, threatening to overwhelm me, until they suddenly vanished. I gasped, my breathing ragged.


    When I opened my eyes again, new text floated before me:


    [Name: ???]


    [Title: ???]


    [Neba Core: Green - 2%]


    [Special Ability: Nebastep]


    I sat back, wiping sweat from my forehead. The pain was gone, and my body felt¡­ lighter. Even my injured hand looked completely healed. I unwrapped the bloody bandage and flexed my fingers, smiling faintly.


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    ¡°This¡­ this is amazing,¡± I said, tossing the bandage aside.


    Then i walked back to the crocodile Core, taking out rabbit¡¯s from my pocket.. I channeled my Neba through it, and my chest glowed green, but this time it didn¡¯t split open like before, Neba cores turned into a liquid and both of them were absorbed by me. Woah ¡­ [ Neba green core - 2.2% ]


    But before I could enjoy the moment, a strange blue light appeared in front of me. It hovered in the air, glowing softly in the shape of a circle.


    ¡°What is this?¡± I muttered, stepping closer.


    The light didn¡¯t move, but when I reached out to touch it, it floated forward, as if leading me somewhere. I followed it cautiously, spear in hand.


    The lights guided me through the forest until they stopped at the rocky wall. The final light hovered just above the ground, pulsing faintly.


    I touched it, and a shiver ran through my body.


    ¡°The barrier¡­ it¡¯s gone?¡± I whispered.


    Before I could think further, the ground shifted beneath me, and darkness swallowed me whole.


    When I opened my eyes, I was floating in an endless void. It was silent, eerily so.


    Then, a voice echoed in my mind:


    [ First trial is almost complete. You will soon proceed to the second trial.]


    ¡°Trial?¡± I asked, my voice shaky.


    [ As a reward, you may ask one question after each trial and get a memory of your past.]


    I hesitated. A single question? My mind was filled with dozens, Who are you? What are these trials? Where am I? Who am I?*


    The voice spoke again, as if reading my thoughts:


    [ Your memories will return as you survive more trials.]


    I clenched my fists. If my memories would come back in time, I had to focus on survival. But one question burned brighter than the rest.


    ¡°Who am I?¡± I asked.


    [You are Dune, a 16-year-old born in the city of Fein.]


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± I sighed. ¡°Couldn¡¯t you have told me a little more?¡±


    Before I could say anything else, my vision darkened again.


    [Last stage of the first trial begins now.]


    ¡°What? Last stage?¡± I muttered as the void around me vanished, leaving me in complete silence once more.


    I thought the trial was over. What is this now?


    My eyes opened to an unfamiliar place. It felt as though I¡¯d been transported, though I hadn¡¯t felt anything, no movement, no sound, just the sudden change in surroundings.


    How are they doing this? In front of me stood a single door, plain and unassuming. ¡°So, they want me to go in, huh?¡± I muttered, gripping my spear tightly. With no other options, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.


    The room was small and strange. The walls were bare stone, but the ground was covered in soft grass. I turned to look behind me, only to see that the door I had come through had vanished, replaced by yet another solid wall.


    ¡°Well¡­ now I¡¯m stuck here,¡± I said with a sigh.


    Before I could think of what to do next, another door appeared on the opposite wall. It creaked open slowly, and a figure stepped through.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    It was a man.


    He was huge, easily over two meters tall, with a massive, muscular frame that made me feel small in comparison. His bare chest was scarred and intimidating, and his long, messy hair hung down over his shoulders. He wore simple brown pants and no shoes.


    The man¡¯s thin beard framed a sharp, angular face, and his eyes glinted with an intensity that made my stomach twist. He glanced at me for a moment, saying nothing.


    ¡°Yo?¡±


    I said awkwardly, trying to break the tension. The man didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he turned his head slightly, as though sizing me up.


    That¡¯s when the voice echoed in my head


    [Trial 1 Final stage: be the last one alive.]


    ¡°What the¡ª¡± I couldn¡¯t even finish my sentence before the man charged at me.


    ¡°So fast!¡± I barely dodged as he barreled past me, slamming into the wall behind me. The impact cracked the stone like it was nothing. ¡°Monster!¡± I gritted my teeth, my heart pounding. ¡°He¡¯s crazy!¡±


    I staggered back, clutching my spear tightly. How was I supposed to fight someone like him? He didn¡¯t even have a weapon, yet he was strong enough to break walls with his bare hands. The man straightened up, brushing bits of stone off his shoulder. He turned to me with a smirk.


    ¡°Good moves, kid,¡± he said mockingly, his deep voice filling the room.


    I swallowed hard, trying to think. ¡°You don¡¯t want to talk this out?¡± I asked. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s a way out of this without¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re stupid,¡± he interrupted, his smirk turning into a sneer. ¡°Follow the rules, or you die. That¡¯s your only option.¡±


    Before I could respond, he charged at me again, this time faster than before. ¡°Damn it!¡± I shouted, throwing myself to the side. I barely dodged in time. His fist grazed past me, sending a gust of wind so strong it nearly knocked me over. I swung my spear at him, hoping to catch him off guard, but he raised his hand and blocked it effortlessly.


    ¡°What?!¡± I gasped. His hand glowed faintly, green flames licking up his arm. My spear glanced off his skin, leaving no mark.


    ¡°Of course,¡± I muttered, backing away. ¡°He has an ability too.¡± The man grinned, flexing his flaming hand. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, kid? Scared?¡±


    I gritted my teeth. This isn¡¯t just a fight, it was survival. I need to figure out how his ability works, and fast. And I also need to use my own. ¡°Nebastep,¡± I whispered, channeling my Neba. I felt a surge of energy in my legs, the air beneath my feet shimmering faintly. Help me out Bulby.


    I charged, spear in my hand, aiming for the man¡¯s chest. The strike was quick, but not quick enough. The man caught the spear with one flaming hand, the fire dancing across his skin as though it didn¡¯t hurt him.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± I muttered as i pulled back my spear and tried to slash at his legs. Again, the attack hit but did nothing, his flame-covered leg swiping the weapon away. At that moment, the man stepped forward and caught me off guard with a crushing kick to stomach.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± I groaned, my back slamming into the wall with a painful crack. I coughed, staggering to my feet as the man charged again.


    *C¡¯mon, Nebastep!* I thought desperately. A glowing green platform formed behind my foot, launching me awkwardly into the air.


    ¡°Ah, this is so hard to control!¡± I stumbled midair like a drunk, each step vanished beneath me in bursts of green light.


    The man chuckled, amused. ¡°That¡¯s an interesting ability, boy.¡±


    Without warning, he conjured fire into his hands and hurled it. I barely dodged, leaping from one fading platform to the next. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m getting the hang of this!¡±


    But then, the floor began to glow green. ¡°What is this? ¡°How many variations does this guy¡¯s ability have?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called Lava¡± the man answered.¡±


    As i leapt upward to avoid the molten ground, fireballs came hurtling towards me, relentless.


    I spun through the air, dodging with Nebastep, though several fireballs singed my arms and legs.


    ¡°Damn it! I can¡¯t rest!¡± With a deep breath, i formed twin platforms beneath my feet and launched myself forward at insane speed. My spear thrust toward the man, but the blow was blocked, again.


    ¡°Enough of this!¡± This time, i used Nebastep on the spear itself, creating an explosive platform that altered its trajectory of my attention in mid-strike. The man stumbled, momentarily unbalanced.


    In that split-second, i spun in the air, creating a platform beneath both feet and delivering a devastating double kick, propelling myself with Nebastep for added force.


    The man¡¯s massive body flew backward, crashing into the wall with a thunderous impact.


    ¡°Hah¡­ take that, bastard,¡± i smirked through the pain. ¡°Didn¡¯t think it would work, but here we are.¡±


    The man coughed blood, staggering back. ¡°Damn it, i didn¡¯t think Nebastep could hit that hard... Now I kinda know how to use it.¡±


    But before i could catch my breath, the man stood up, wiping the blood from his forehead. His eyes burned with fury. He charged again, fists flying. I used Nebastep to dodge with ease, twisting around each strike.


    ¡°This is different now!¡± I grinned, planting a platform midair and kicking the man square in the face. Blood sprayed as the impact tore open the man¡¯s forehead.


    Not wasting the opening, i dashed forward, my spear driving into the man¡¯s stomach. The hulking figure fell to his knees, groaning.


    ¡°Agh...¡± the man gasped.


    ¡°I... I¡¯m sorry¡­ This could¡¯ve been avoided if¡ª¡±


    Suddenly, the man erupted in flames, a bright green blaze roaring around his body.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you made me use this,¡± he growled, his voice trembling with fury.


    ¡°What the hell is this?¡± I stumbled back, my skin already blistering from the heat.


    ¡°My last resort,¡± the man said, his entire form glowing green. ¡°I have one minute to kill you, or I die.¡±


    With that, he surged forward. I jumped high, Nebastep launching me into the air, but the man followed, soaring upward with impossible speed.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± I stabbed my spear into the man¡¯s neck. It pierced cleanly, but he didn¡¯t even flinch.


    Instead, he kicked me midair, sending me plummeting to the ground. I hit the floor hard, gasping in pain. ¡°My hand¡¯s... screwed.¡± I forced myself upright. Bulby, we have to last a few more seconds.¡±


    The man approached, his footsteps burning the ground. ¡°What did you kill to get this power?¡± I asked, trying buying time.


    The man smirked. ¡°A Lava Golem. Rare... but I got lucky.¡±


    ¡°Lava Golem? I don¡¯t even know what that is...¡±


    The man gave me no time to think, charging again with flames swirling around him. I dodged desperately, using Nebastep to evade every attack. But the man was relentless.


    Suddenly, he caught my leg mid-dodge and slammed me into the ground. ¡°Agh!¡± I coughed blood, trying to crawl away. He loomed over me, kicking toward my face. At the last second, i activated Nebastep again, creating a platform to push the kick back. The force sent the man staggering.


    I smirked weakly. ¡°I¡¯m your worst matchup.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter!¡± the man roared, charging again. I tried to block, but dizziness from Nebastep clouded my balance. I stumbled awkwardly, unintentionally dodging as the man¡¯s flaming punch missed by inches.


    ¡°Ha... I would¡¯ve died if that hit me,¡± The man staggered, his flames flickering. Then, the fire vanished completely. He collapsed to his knees, panting heavily.


    ¡°I lost,¡± the man said hoarsely.


    ¡°It was close,¡± i replied, lowering my spear.


    ¡°Yeah... it was.¡± The man coughed weakly, his body trembling. ¡°What did you use your question for?¡±


    ¡°I asked for my name¡­ I¡¯m Dune.¡±


    The man let out a weak laugh. ¡°You¡¯re stupid, kid. If your memories return eventually, why waste it on something your past self already knew?¡±


    Dune frowned. ¡°Then what did you ask?¡±


    The man¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°I asked who they were. Dune, we¡¯re here because of them.¡±


    ¡°Them?¡±


    ¡°The Gods,¡± the man said, his voice hollow. ¡°They put us in this trial...¡±


    ¡°Gods?¡± Dune¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Gods are real?¡±


    Before the man could answer, his body froze and crumbled into ash, scattering into the air.


    I stared at the now empty space. ¡°What... the hell?¡± And then, everything went dark again.


    [Congratulations. You have completed your first trial.]


    [ Your reward is a memory from your past. Your memories will only be from a day before you came to this trial and also a one particular day which you can choose after beating 2nd trial. ]

 Memory 1 / 8

Zet, the strongest human who had defied the gods. And Zeus, strongest god in the history who fought Zet for years.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    the girl interrupted.

 LOST SOULS OF THE SEA

    My heart skipped a beat.


    As I reached out and touched the person¡¯s shoulder, she moved so fast I didn¡¯t even see it coming. A sharp kick landed under my chin, knocking me back.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Because we are,¡± Ezra said, as if it were obvious. ¡°Only Zetens got summoned to these trials. Why are you surprised?¡±


    She stared at me for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Alright. Whatever, let¡¯s focus on surviving here first.¡±


    ¡°So,¡± I said, changing the subject, ¡°what¡¯s our plan?¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get to work,¡± I said, handing one to each of the twins.


    Ezra followed behind, laughing as he placed his haul on the table. ¡°Look again, dumbass. *Seven.* Beat that.¡±Liam groaned, throwing his hands up. ¡°No way I lost?¡±


    ¡°Eleven,¡± she announced simply.


    My face burned with embarrassment. ¡°Alright, alright, it¡¯s not that funny!¡±

 Ashes And Blood

    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°I have no idea how do i know how to fight, was i fighter before getting here?¡±


    detonate the explosives and then immediately channel my Neba through the ship, I might be able to repair the damage before it sinks.


    sword, embedding it into one of the barrels of explosives. ¡°Nely,¡± I called. ¡°When the creatures are close, turn your sword back into Neba.¡±

 Forgotten Pasts

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

 Sovest Vale

    I stood on the deck, admiring the calm view, when something suddenly appeared in front of me.


    [ Trial 2. Stage 2 starts now. Time remaining: 59:59 ]


    "What? It already started?" I muttered, startled.


    Everyone rushed out of the cabin, looking around in confusion. It was eerily calm. I checked the water while the others scoured the other sides of the ship, but there was nothing.


    "What are we supposed to do?" Ezra asked, breaking the silence.


    Before anyone could answer, Ezra stepped back inside the cabin, only to be launched out with insane speed. He slammed into the ship''s wall, breaking it.


    "What the hell?" I shouted as we all immediately took battle stances.


    From the cabin emerged a warrior. Almost 3 meters tall, its entire body was shimmering with dark green armor, skin, and eyes, all glowing with an unnatural hue. It didn''t move to attack, just stood there, staring at us.


    "What the hell is this thing?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.


    Then, text appeared before us.


    [ Survive the Sovest ]


    "Sovest?" I muttered, staring at the green figure. "Why isn''t it doing anything?"


    It didn''t move, almost as if it were waiting for something. But then Ezra stepped forward, his weapon raised, ready to attack. The moment he did, the Sovest shifted. Its color changed to blood-red, and in a blur, it appeared in front of him.


    Ezra didn''t even have time to react as the creature''s sword sliced through his stomach. He coughed up blood and crumpled to the ground.


    "Ezra!" Liam shouted, charging forward in a blind rage.


    "Wait!" I yelled, but it was too late. Liam attacked, and the Sovest moved like lightning, dodging effortlessly and slashing at him.


    I gritted my teeth and joined the attack, swinging the blade that Nely gave to me. It avoided me just as easily, darting past to slash my cheek. Blood dripped down my face.


    "Too fast¡­ it''s too damn fast!" I growled.


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    Nely jumped in, scythe raised, but the Sovest knocked her back with brutal force. She crashed through the cabin wall, groaning in pain.


    "What is this power?" I muttered, gripping my sword tightly.


    The Sovest froze suddenly, its color fading back to green. We all froze with it, breathing heavily and unsure of what to do next.


    "What the hell are we supposed to do?" Liam muttered. "Dune?"


    I stared at the Sovest, piecing it together. "Wait, don''t move!" I said. "I think it only attacks when we move."


    "What are you saying?" Nely groaned.


    "When it''s green, don''t move," I said firmly.


    The Sovest stood still, as if waiting. I checked the timer.


    [ 55:50 ¡ú 55:40 ]


    Exactly ten seconds passed, and the Sovest disappeared.


    Text appeared before us again:


    [ Sovest will reappear in 01:29 ]


    I exhaled in relief and hurried to Nely. "Are you okay?" I asked, helping her up.


    "I''m fine," she said, already healing her wounds.


    Next, I approached the twins. "When it''s green, we can''t attack or even move," I explained.


    Ezra, holding his stomach, smirked through the pain. "Yeah, I noticed. Damn thing''s too strong anyway."


    This is different. I didn''t expect a trial like this.


    Before I could think further, the timer ran out. The Sovest reappeared in the center of the ship, but this time, it was yellow.


    "What does yellow mean?" I asked aloud.


    "I don''t know!" Ezra shouted, but before we could figure it out, the Sovest vanished again.


    "What¡­?"


    "Search it! It''s on the ship!" Nely suddenly yelled. "We have to find it, now!"


    "What?" I asked, confused.


    "Trust me! Find it!"


    A timer appeared in my vision:


    [ 00:19 ]


    "Damn it!" I cursed, dashing to the lower deck while the twins ran into the cabins. Nely searched the ship''s upper decks.


    "Where are you, bastard?" I muttered under my breath. The seconds ticked down.


    [ 00:07¡­ 00:06¡­ 00:05¡­ 00:04¡­ 00:03¡­ ]


    [ Sovest was found by Nely. ]


    "Good job!" I cheered as I ran to the center of the ship, where everyone was gathering.


    "How did you know?" I asked Nely, panting.


    She wiped the sweat from her forehead and answered, "Because I''ve played this game. In the memory I regained, I played it with my dad once."


    "Damn," I muttered. "We''re lucky to have you."


    The twins jumped on Nely, grinning.


    "You''re our savior!" Liam said.


    "What would we do without you?" Ezra added dramatically.


    "Get off me!" Nely pushed them away with a scowl.


    "Anyway," she said, brushing herself off, "the rules are simple. Green means don''t move. Yellow means find it as fast as possible."


    [ 00:00 ]


    The Sovest reappeared in the center, and this time, it was red.


    "Then what does red mean?" I asked, feeling a sinking dread.


    Nely''s eyes widened. "Run!" she screamed.


    We all dashed away from the center as fast as we could. "Who''s it gonna chase?" I thought, my heart racing.


    The Sovest answered immediately, darting straight toward me.


    "Of course it''s me. Perfect," I muttered bitterly, sprinting away.


    I activated Nebastep, dashing high into the air to try and evade it. The Sovest followed me like a relentless shadow, its speed unmatched.


    "Get away, you damn bastard!" I shouted, trying to knock it back with a burst of energy.


    Suddenly, the Sovest slowed.


    "Hah! I''m so good at this," I smirked, only for the Sovest to turn green mid-air.


    "What?!"


    Green means don''t move. I couldn''t stop myself in mid-air, and as I fell back towards the ship deck, the Sovest turned red again, dashing towards me.


    "This is unfair!" I activated Nebastep just in time, narrowly blocking its blade, but the explosion from the impact still sent me crashing into the deck.


    Coughing blood, I looked up as the Sovest rushed toward me again. But its color shifted to yellow just before it could strike.


    "It''s yellow!" I screamed weakly, warning the others.


    Nely and the twins scattered, frantically searching the ship.


    [ 00:03¡­ 00:02¡­ 00:01¡­ ]


    [ Sovest was found by Ezra. ]


    I collapsed back onto the deck, gasping for air.


    "Dune, you okay?" Liam asked as they gathered around me.


    "No, I''m not. I almost died," I groaned, clutching my side.


    [ Sovest reappears in 02:50. Time remaining for stage 2 to end: 41:45. ]


    Two minutes passed, and we gathered at the center of the ship once more.


    The timer hit zero. Three Sovests appeared simultaneously in a flash of light. One green. One yellow. One red.


    I tightened my grip on my blade.


    "Let''s do this."

 Last Run

    Here''s your text with every instance of "Glitch" replaced with "Sovest":


    The air buzzed with the eerie presence of the three Sovests: green, yellow, and red.


    "Go!" I shouted, and the chaos began.


    Ezra and Liam charged toward the red Sovest, their movements perfectly synchronized. Meanwhile, I bolted in the opposite direction, my focus on the yellow Sovest as it shimmered and vanished. Nely held her ground, gripping her scythe as the green Sovest turned red.


    She lunged forward, trying to distract the new red Sovest from coming closer to me.


    The instant she moved, the red Sovest with blinding speed slashed its sword across her chest, the force of the blow sending her sprawling across the deck.


    "Damn it!" I cursed, but I couldn''t help her yet. I have to find yellow Sovest first. I pushed forward with Nebastep, my body screaming in protest as I closed the distance. "Come on, come on¡­"


    Behind me, the sound of clashing metal rang out as the red Sovest relentlessly pursued the twins. Liam dodged another vicious strike, only for Ezra to swap places with him in the nick of time.


    "You''re getting sloppy, Liam!" Ezra spoke through gritted teeth. "Shut up!" Liam barked back, his breathing labored. But their coordination was slipping, and the red Sovest was learning.


    [ 00:35 ]


    I reached the yellow Sovest just before it could turn red, slamming my hand through the glowing yellow light. "Got you!" I shouted, panting as the yellow vanished. But there was no time to celebrate.


    [ 00:29 ]


    I turned back, just in time to see Nely scream as the red Sovest slashed her chest again. She tried to crawl away, but it chased her, raising its blade for a killing blow.


    Launching myself forward with Nebastep, I tackled Nely out of harm''s way, but not before the Sovest''s sword sliced across my back, leaving a deep, bloody wound.


    [ 00:18 ]


    "Dune¡­" she whimpered weakly as I dragged her behind the cabin wall.


    "You''re fine! Just heal yourself, damn it!" I snapped, though my heart pounded in fear. I glanced back and saw the red Sovest turning toward me again.


    I pushed Nely down. "Stay here!" Then, using every ounce of strength I had left, I sprinted straight for the other red Sovest who was busy fighting twins, dragging the other red after me.


    [ 00:07 ]


    Sovest''s blade sliced at the air behind me as I weaved through the chaos. The moment I reached the twins, using Nebastep, I pushed myself to the side, letting the two Sovests come face-to-face.


    [ 00: 05 ]


    For a split second, the red Sovest mistook the other one as an attacker and lashed out. Their blades clashed with a deafening screech, and I used the confusion to dart back toward Nely.


    "Dune!" Liam called, but I didn''t look back.


    [ 00:03 ]


    The red Sovest broke away too fast and turned its attention back to me. Its blade gleamed as it struck.


    [ 00:01 ]


    I dodged, but not fast enough. The sword pierced my chest, aiming at my heart, stopping just short of going too deep as the timer hit zero.


    [ 00:00 ]


    The Sovests disappeared. And I fell to my knees, "That was too close," clutching the shallow wound in my chest. Blood seeped between my fingers as I gasped for air.


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    "Nely!" Ezra shouted, rushing to her side.


    "I''m fine¡­" she said weakly, though her voice was shaky, and her wounds looked brutal.


    "We''re alive," I murmured, barely able to stand. "But just barely."


    The battle was over, but the ship was in shambles. Nely slumped against the cabin wall, her face pale, her hand pressed against her injured shoulder and chest.


    "I''m fine, stop fussing," she muttered as Ezra knelt beside her, channeling Neba to help heal her wounds.


    "Fine? You were nearly turned into fish food!" Ezra snapped, his voice sharper than intended. "Stay still and let me help."


    Meanwhile, Dune and Liam sat sprawled on the deck, covered in cuts and bruises, but grinning like lunatics.


    "Ay Ezra, did you see that last move?" Liam cackled, approaching us and clutching his ribs. "I swapped places with you even though the sword touched me! I''m just too smart!"


    "Smart?" Ezra rolled his eyes. "You swapped too late, you dumbass. I almost got sliced in half."


    "Shut up and be thankful I literally saved your life 27 times," Ezra retorted, throwing broken wood at his brother.


    "Shut up already, you''re both idiots," Nely muttered weakly.


    Night came, and we all sat in the cabin. The cabin was quiet except for the sound of the twins laughing between bites of fish.


    I couldn''t help but glance over at them. Ezra had his head thrown back, nearly choking on his food, while Liam pointed at him, laughing uncontrollably.


    "What''s so funny now?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    Ezra managed to swallow before replying, "Yo Dune, Liam was trying to describe the fish taste, but he didn''t know a word to describe it."


    "I said it tastes like¡ªlike¡ªuh¡ª" Liam waved his hands dramatically.


    "Like fishy?"


    "Yes, exactly! Like fishy because it''s fish, and its taste compared to other animals is fishy!


    Ezra, you''re so smart," Liam said, clapping him on the back like he''d just solved the mysteries of the universe.


    "I know, right?" Ezra replied, puffing out his chest.


    I rubbed my temple, feeling the headache these two always managed to stir up. "What''s so funny about that?"


    Shaking my head, I stood and glanced toward the cabin door. Outside, I saw Nely standing alone, staring at the moon.


    I sighed, leaving the twins to their endless banter, and stepped outside to join her.


    "Hey¡­ you okay?"


    She didn''t turn at first, her gaze fixed on the glowing moonlight reflecting off the waves.


    "Yeah¡­ I guess. It''s just¡ª" She hesitated before continuing. "Not having any memories about my past¡­ it makes me feel weird. What if I''m not really me? What if I was someone completely different?"


    I leaned on the railing beside her, watching the endless stretch of water. "I get it. Sometimes, I feel the same. It''s like¡­ these instincts, these feelings¡­ They come from somewhere, but I have no idea where. It''s like knowing something, but not knowing how or why. You can''t explain it, but it''s there."


    "For example, my fighting skills¡­ I don''t know where they come from or how I gained them, but I can use them while I fight, like muscle memory."


    She nodded slowly. "Exactly. Sometimes, I''ll look at myself or hold my scythe, and it feels¡­ familiar. But it''s also like I''m searching for a part of myself that doesn''t even exist."


    I leaned against the railing, my gaze lingering on Nely''s face. The moonlight cast soft shadows, but it couldn''t hide the exhaustion etched into her features, the dark circles under her eyes, the slight tremble in her stance. She looked ready to collapse at any moment.


    I turned my head and glanced at the twins. The same signs were there: heavy lids, sluggish movements, a weariness they tried to hide behind their usual banter.


    *It''s gotta be a Zeten thing,* i realized. *I can''t imagine how hard it must be to handle those whispers their whole lives. I only heard them for a few seconds, and they nearly killed me. They''ve been dealing with this forever.*


    I stepped toward Nely and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "You and the twins need to rest. I''ll watch the ship. If anything happens, I''ll wake you."


    Nely hesitated, opening her mouth to argue, but then sighed. "Fine," she muttered. She took a few steps toward the cabin but paused, glancing back over her shoulder. "What about you, Dune? You''re not going to rest?"


    I felt the weariness clawing at me, my limbs heavy, but i shook my head. "I''ll be fine," i said with a small smile, though i could barely muster the energy for it.


    "You three are the main powers here. I''d be dead long ago without you all. You need to heal, to get your Neba back. Right now I''m not as important as you three. Rest is more crucial for you."


    Nely frowned, her hesitation clear, but eventually, she nodded and headed into the cabin. The door creaked shut, leaving Dune alone. He dropped down to sit at the bow of the ship, staring out at the dark, rippling sea.


    The waves lapped gently against the ship, a rhythm that should''ve been soothing. Instead, it only emphasized the silence around him.


    I rubbed my temples, my body screaming for sleep, but i shook it off.


    "I''m not that tired," i whispered to myself, though i knew it wasn''t true.


    My eyelids drooped as i gazed out into the endless water. *Just a little while longer,* i thought. *I can handle this.*


    Few seconds later he fall asleep and woke up at morning.


    The sun was barely rising, casting a pale orange glow across the endless sea. "shit i fell asleep.. idiot" I stood up quickly looking around¡­ my legs didn''t tremble anymore, i was feeling so much better.


    The twins burst out of the cabin, full of energy as though the last two days hadn''t drained them dry.


    "Ahhh, I feel so good!" Ezra stretched his arms wide, grinning like he''d just woken from the best sleep of his life.


    "Same here," Liam said, mimicking him.


    Nely was the last to emerge, looking more rested than she had in days.


    "You all look so much better," I said, managing a faint smile.


    "Yeah, you too Dune.. you''re also nice." Liam''s voice was blunt, his awkward tone almost making me chuckle.


    What..? *these two creeps me out*


    [ Last stage of Trial 2 begins now. ]


    The words hung in the air like a death knell. My chest tightened. "Ah, so it begins," I muttered, my gaze scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. The sea was still. Too still.


    "Over here!" Ezra''s shout broke through the silence. He was standing at the stern, waving us over frantically.


    We rushed to join him, and as I followed his pointing finger, my stomach dropped.


    A huge black ship was barreling toward us, slicing through the water like a predator closing in on its prey. It was larger than ours, its black sails tattered and fluttering wildly in the growing wind. The hull was sleek and menacing, etched with strange glowing symbols that radiated an eerie green light. The figures aboard were silhouettes for now, but I could feel their intent, a hunger that promised nothing short of violence.


    The mission text burned into our vision.


    [ Defeat the enemy ship. Stage 3 ends when the number of Zetens drops to 5. ]


    [ current number: 8 ]


    My heart sank. Eight Zetens. There were eight of us total. Which meant¡ª


    "We have to kill them," Nely growled through gritted teeth, her hands clenched into fists. "Not again. Damn it, not again!"


    I sighed, my gaze lingering on the approaching vessel. The face of the man i killed in the first wave flickered in my mind. Strangers, just like him. Forced into the same twisted game.


    "So, that''s how it is¡­" I muttered bitterly.


    The twins, as expected, were unfazed. Ezra leaned over the rail, squinting at the enemy ship like it was a new toy. "Oh, this''ll be fun."


    Liam smirked beside him. "Wonder what they''re like? Think they''ll be tougher than that glitch?"


    I stared at them in disbelief. "How are you two not even slightly worried?"


    "What''s there to worry about? Are you hesitant Dune?¡­ Well, if we don''t do it, they''ll kill us."


    Ezra shrugged as if the solution was obvious. "So, better kill them than for us to die, right?"


    It was hard to argue with that logic, but it didn''t make the task ahead any easier.

 Bugs

    The tension on our damaged ship was palpable as I asked, "What''s the plan?" Everyone turned to me, their gazes expectant.


    "Why are you all looking at me?"


    Ezra let out a laugh. "I don''t know, man. You''re the brains of our crew, Dune. Plans are kinda your thing."


    What? Me? I glanced at them, then sighed. Thinking about it, it did make sense. Maybe I was the smartest one here. But the thought struck me, was my past self like this? If I ever regained my memories, would I still be¡­ me? Would the person I am now disappear?


    But what i know is that¡­ Whatever happens, I''m not dying here.


    "Alright. Our main goal is to kill them. We don''t have any more explosives¡­ Nely, can you make something from your ability?"


    Nely shook her head. "No. My ability creates anything, sure, but even if I make explosives, they''ll just be Neba. They won''t actually explode."


    Damn. "Alright, then we''ll¡ª"


    Before I could finish, a massive shadow fell over us.


    "Get away!" I shouted.


    The enemy ship came crashing down on ours. Wood shattered and splintered as the impact rocked the deck beneath us. Our already battered ship groaned in protest, beyond repair now. Four figures leaped down from the wreckage, landing before us with unnerving precision.


    I looked up at them, my chest tightening.


    Four Zetens.


    Three stood at the front, clad in a dark green armor that pulsed faintly with Neba. The fourth lingered in the back, calm and motionless, a shadow draped over him like a shroud. The three armored ones were different from anything we''d faced before, their presence suffocating.


    Nely quickly conjured blade from her own Neba, and handed it to me. "Thanks."


    "Armour Must be one of their abilities," I muttered to Nely beside me.


    "Forget the plan," Ezra said, cracking his knuckles. "Let''s just destroy these guys. They''re obviously ready to kill us, so why hesitate?"


    At the front of the group stood a tall attractive woman with sharp green eyes and sleek black hair. She smiled, her gaze predatory.


    "Poor Zetens," she said with a mock pout. "It''s such a shame you had to meet us. Sadly, we''ve no choice but to kill you all."


    Her smile widened, revealing unnervingly sharp teeth as green wings sprouted from her back. With a powerful flap, she launched herself toward me, her speed blinding.


    "Why me?!" I shouted as she snatched me, lifting me high into the air.


    "No reason," she said with a smirk, her mouth opening wider to reveal three rows of jagged teeth.


    "What the hell?! Get away from me!" I yelled, using Nebastep to push her off and propel myself downward. I hit the deck hard but rolled to my feet, ready to fight.


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    Below, chaos had erupted.


    Nely was locked in combat with a blonde man whose green eyes shimmered as he threw glowing webs at her. She dodged them with ease, her scythe of Neba materializing in her hands as she charged at him.


    The man hissed, blocking her attack with sharp claws that sprouted from his fingers. "I''m Lucius Nara, by the way. What''s your name, beautiful?"


    "You don''t need to know," Nely snapped, her voice cold. "You''ll be dead soon anyway." She pressed her attack, her scythe clashing against his claws with brutal force.


    On the other side of the wreckage, the twins faced a hulking brute of a man who was effortlessly tossing chunks of ship debris at them.


    "So you''re the one who threw the whole ship at us, huh?" Ezra said, dodging a massive piece of wood. "I''m curious¡ªwhat''s your Neba core?"


    The man smirked, flexing his muscles. "I''m Odor. My core''s an ant."


    "Never heard of it," Liam muttered as he ducked another attack.


    "Your skin''s tough too. That''s a solid core," Ezra said, licking his lips. "Killing you might help me strengthen my defenses."


    "You mean ours right brother?"


    "Of course Liam"


    Odor loomed over Ezra and Liam, his skin hard and gray like an ant''s shell. His thick arms moved with sharp, bug-like snaps. When he punched the deck, wood cracked where the twins had stood just seconds before.


    Ezra and Liam moved fast. One moment, Ezra was in front, then, in a blink, Liam stood there instead. Odor''s small, dark eyes struggled to keep up.


    Liam rushed in, throwing punches, but his fists barely made a dent in Odor''s tough skin. Odor swung back, but the twins switched places. Now Ezra was behind him, slamming his knee into Odor''s side.


    Odor grunted, his shell-like skin taking the hit. He lunged forward, his sharp teeth snapping, but the twins swapped again. Liam appeared at his back, kicking hard behind Odor''s knee. The big man stumbled.


    Ezra and Liam kept switching, each strike aimed at Odor''s softer spots, his joints, the edges of his armor-like skin.


    Odor growled, a strange buzzing sound. He lashed out, but the twins were too quick. Their constant movement left him confused and slow.


    Finally, Odor dropped to his knees, his hard skin scraped and bruised. The twins stood around him, breathing fast but unharmed.


    Odor just laughed. "You two are really annoying."


    Then suddenly, he turned to the figure in the back. "Omen! Do something, or I''ll kill you myself!"


    The person in the shadows, Omen, didn''t respond. He stayed perfectly still, his eyes watching the chaos unfold with eerie calm.


    "Heh. Big guy," Liam said, grinning. "Looks like your teammate''s not interested in helping you."


    Odor growled, and his muscles rippled as liquid seeped from his skin. The strange substance splattered onto Ezra, who screamed as it burned through his clothes and into his flesh.


    "Take that, you little shit," Odor said, laughing as Ezra writhed in pain.


    Liam''s expression darkened. He switched places with Ezra and attacked, but Odor blocked his strike with ease.


    "What''s wrong?" Odor taunted. "Not so strong on your own, are you?"


    Liam gritted his teeth as Ezra stumbled back in pain. This wasn''t going to be an easy fight.


    [ Other side of the battle ]


    She lunged at me again, her claws growing longer, jagged, and more vicious with each movement. Her speed was unnerving; she was on me before I could even react.


    "Shit!" I cursed, using Nebastep to jump and dodge, barely evading her slashing claws.


    "Oh, are you a bunny now? Stop jumping!" she taunted, her laughter grating in my ears as she chased me relentlessly.


    I twisted midair, slashing my sword toward her. She blocked it with one of her claws, the impact reverberating through my arms. Before I could counter, she surged forward, pinning me to the ground.


    Her claws plunged into my shoulder.


    "Agh!" I screamed, the sharp pain spreading like fire.


    She grinned down at me, her green eyes glinting. "I just realized, I haven''t told you my name yet. I''m Melisa." She opened her mouth wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.


    I grimaced, feeling the pressure of her claws. "Nice to meet you. I''m Dune," I muttered through gritted teeth.


    With what little strength I had, I pressed my hands against her stomach and used Nebastep to push her away. The burst of Neba energy blasted her back, sending her flying as her stomach armor shattered.


    She coughed violently, staggering to her feet. "Ah ouch, you hurt me Dune," she hissed, wiping blood from her lips.


    I dropped to one knee, my hands trembling from the recoil of my own attack. My palms were raw, skin split from the strain. That burst was powerful, but the backlash, it''s too much. I realized if I overcharged Nebastep again, it might destroy her, but it would destroy me too.


    Melisa straightened, her grin widening. "Heh. Let''s fight to the death, Dune!"


    "Let''s not," I muttered as I forced myself to stand. My legs were shaky, my body screaming for rest, but I raised sword anyway.


    Melisa didn''t wait. She lunged again, her claws slicing through the air with terrifying precision. I dodged, but not fast enough, her claws nicked my arm, blood spraying onto the deck.


    Her attacks became frenzied, almost erratic, but her strength and speed only seemed to grow. Her excitement was palpable, her laughter growing louder as the fight dragged on.


    "This is so much fun!" she shrieked. "You''re tougher than I thought, but it''s only making me hungrier!"


    "What the hell are you talking about?" I spat, slashing at her again.


    She blocked with ease, her claws tearing into my sword as she pushed me back. Her green wings flared behind her, and her voice dropped into a chilling growl.


    "When I''m done with you, I''m going to eat your head!" she said, her lips curling into a sadistic smile.


    I froze for a moment, disbelief hitting me. "What?!"


    She leaned closer, her eyes glimmering with wild hunger. "I just know you''ll taste delicious, Dune." She spread her claws wide, revealing them fully.


    "My Neba core is mantis," she said with a twisted grin. "And you? You''re just my prey."


    Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. She wasn''t just fighting me, she was hunting me.


    "Guess what, Melisa," I said, gripping my sword tightly, my blood dripping onto the deck.


    "You''re about to learn what happens when prey fights back."


    "¡­."


    "¡­."


    "It sounded way better in my head."


    She let out an exhilarated laugh, and the battle continued. Her strikes came harder and faster, but I knew now, as a prey I had to outthink her, or I wouldn''t survive.

 Shadow

    Even as Dune clashed with Melisa, parrying her swift strikes, his eyes darted to the twins. He saw them blur and shift around Odor, their rapid swaps turning the hulking man''s strength into confusion. Odor''s heavy fists swung at air, while Ezra and Liam struck with sharp, precise blows.


    "If i need to win this, i can''t do it alone. I have to somehow turn the tables¡­he glanced at Omen, that guy from the shadows for some reason isn''t participating in the fight¡­ maybe i can use this." Dune thought as he dodged another slash from Melisa."


    Ezra clashed with the giant man once again, his movements relentless despite the burns blistering his skin. Each strike from the ant-core user sent tremors through the wreckage of the ship. Even so, Ezra kept grinning, as if pain didn''t bother him.


    "Hey, Antman!" Liam called out from behind, his tone casual as he ducked a flying piece of debris. "What''s your weakness?"


    The man paused mid-swing, confused by the question. "Why would I tell you?"


    "Fair point, but it doesn''t matter." Liam said with a shrug before launching himself forward.


    He spun in midair, and then changed places with Ezra, but this time both of them were in front of Odor. Odor got confused with the attack and let his guard down.


    "What?"


    Twins delivered two powerful Neba enhanced kicks to the man''s stomach.


    "What the" The impact sent the giant careening backward, toppling over the edge of the ship and splashing into the water below.


    Ezra wiped the sweat and blood off his forehead, laughing. "Nice one, Liam!" Twins legs were shaking from the impact.


    But before they could celebrate, Lucius Nara, who had been trading blows with Nely, sprinted toward the edge of the ship, aiming to rescue the giant.


    "Why is Lucius running? Dune thought confused as he observed battle from the sky.


    no way¡­ it can''t be!"


    "His weakness is water!" Dune shouted from across the deck, catching sight of the chaos.


    "Don''t let Lucius save him!"


    Ezra''s grin widened at the revelation, and without hesitation, he charged toward Nara Lucius. Liam and Nely joined in, the three of them converging on the blond man, forcing him to turn and defend himself against the onslaught.


    But I had no time to watch the fight unfold.


    "Dune, you bastard! Pay attention to me!" Melisa hissed.


    I barely turned in time before her clawed leg lashed out, striking me square in the stomach. The force of the blow sent me flying backward, my breath knocked out as I landed hard on the deck.


    "Good, this is good, Nely and twins can finish Lucius and then, it will be your time crazy woman."


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    Blood dripped from my lips as I coughed violently, struggling to pull myself up. "Damn it, she''s too strong for me. But Good, this is good, Nely and twins can finish Lucius, and then, it will be your time crazy woman."


    From where I lay, I could hear the clash of blades and the shouts of my crew. Ezra''s laugh echoed, even amidst the chaos. "Nara, you''re fast, but you can''t handle all three of us, can you?" he taunted, his voice a mix of cockiness and bloodlust.


    Melisa stomped toward me, her green wings shimmering as she tilted her head, a predatory smile on her face. "Look at you, all pathetic and bleeding. I told you, Bunny, you''re my prey."


    I glared at her, gripping Nely''s sword tighter as I struggled to stand. Deep down, I knew. I wasn''t her equal in strength, speed, or ability. The others had their battles under control, but if I couldn''t figure out a way to beat Melisa, or buy enough time, this was over for me.


    "Get up, bunny," she teased, her claws clicking ominously as she stalked closer. "Let''s see how far you can jump now."


    The sound of rushing water behind me and the roar of my friends clashing with Nara fueled me. I wasn''t going to die here.


    Suddenly, something appeared in front of us:


    [ Zetens 7/8 ]


    I grinned, despite the pain shooting through my body. "Seems like your guy drowned," I mocked Melisa. "So his weakness really was the water"


    "Good job," she said, laughing. The way her laughter echoed sent chills through me, but before I could react, she charged again, claws outstretched.


    "Not so fast," I smirked. Twisting my sword in my hand, this time, I focused Neba into my own palm, channeling it into a volatile burst of Nebastep.


    The energy exploded through my hand, i kicked sword from behind with my palm, propelling it at her with insane speed. It tore straight through her shoulder, leaving a gaping, searing hole.


    The force of it was so powerful that the blade didn''t stop, it pierced the ship''s deck and disappeared into the water below. "Damn it! I almost got her."


    She collapsed to her knees, clutching her shoulder, and I didn''t waste a second. I dashed forward, my fists enhanced with Neba. "This ends here!" I shouted, slamming my fist into her chest and sending her sprawling.


    But as I got on top of her, delivering another kick to her side, something sharp pierced my stomach.


    "Got you" I froze, looking down in horror as smaller claws sprouted from her stomach and stabbed me repeatedly.


    "Agh!" I gasped, trying to pull away, but Melisa grinned wickedly, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace.


    "No, bunny," she whispered, her breath hot against my ear. "You''re not going anywhere. I''m going to devour you, piece by piece."


    I struggled violently, my Neba reserves draining fast as I desperately healed the wounds she kept inflicting. My vision blurred from the pain, and my mind raced. Shit, it hurts! it hurts! Am I going to die here?


    Melisa hissed in pleasure, tightening her hold. "How long can you last, Bunny? Your Neba''s almost gone."


    "Let¡­ go¡­" I growled through clenched teeth, feeling weaker by the second.


    Then, out of nowhere, something massive crashed into us, knocking the air from my lungs. My vision darkened momentarily, and when I came to, I realized I was immobilized.


    Green webs covered me from head to toe, sticky and draining my Neba whenever I tried to struggle. Next to me, Nely and the twins were also trapped in the same sticky prison.


    Even Melisa, who looked just as surprised as I felt, was bound to the webs beside me.


    Standing in front of us, kneeled and panting heavily, was Lucius Nara. "I can''t believe you all made me use this," he muttered, wiping blood from his lips.


    "Lucius, you ugly bastard, let me go!" Melisa screamed, writhing against the webs. "I''m on your team!"


    Lucius sneered, not even sparing her a glance. "Melisa, you know I''ve never liked you. You''re an arrogant pest. And I''m not passing up this opportunity."


    He coughed, his body trembling as he spoke.


    "I exploded all the Neba inside me to trap you all in these webs. It''s a big loss for me, but worth it to eliminate all of you at once. And I think I''ll start with you, Melisa."


    Melisa''s eyes widened in genuine fear. "Lucius, come on. Don''t do this. I don''t wanna die, you know!"


    Her voice cracked as she struggled harder, the webs digging into her flesh. I could only watch helplessly.


    The webs drained every bit of Neba I tried to use to escape. Beside me, Nely''s expression darkened, her jaw clenched.


    "Well, Melisa," Lucius said, his tone cold. "Any last words?"


    "Lucius, you piece of shit! I''ll kill you when I get out of this!" she spat, her voice defiant despite the fear in her eyes.


    The webs around her began to tighten, sinking deeper into her flesh. Blood oozed from where the strands cut her skin.


    "Melisa, stop struggling!. "You''ll only make it worse!"


    She glanced at me, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the agony on her face. "Oh, Dune, are you worried about me?"


    "Well then Melisa, goodbye" Lucius chuckled.


    Webs tightened even more and began to crush her. Next to me, Nely and the twins turned their heads, avoiding the gruesome scene.


    I wanted to do same but then I felt her hand grab my sleeve. I turned back, startled, only to see her giving me a strange look. does she want to hold my hand?¡­


    what am i doing? i held her hand and Without a word, she held squeezed my hand as the webs finally consumed her, crushing her body to pieces until nothing remained but a faint green mist.


    Even if she tried to kill me before.. her death made me feel weird. Made me feel emotions i couldn''t describe¡­


    Lucius turned to me next, his eyes cold and calculating. "Your turn, smartass. I''m taking you out before you come up with another bullshit to survive."


    He rised his hand moving toward me, but before he could take another step, a low whisper cut through the silence.


    "You''re too arrogant, Lucius."


    Lucius froze, confusion flashing across his face. Suddenly, a blade glinted in the dim light and slashed cleanly through his neck. His head fell to the deck with a sickening thud, and his body crumpled lifelessly.


    Behind him, stepping out of the shadows, stood Omen. His face was blank, his eyes cold. Finally, he had made his move.

 Farewells

    As Lucius''s lifeless body crumpled to the floor, the green webs surrounding us began to loosen. Bit by bit, they disintegrated until we could move again. I staggered forward, shaking the last sticky remnants off my arms, and glanced around.


    [ Zetens 5/5 ]


    "So, it''s over," I thought, letting out a heavy sigh. my attention shifted to Omen, who stood silently a few feet away.


    He was just looking at us, didn''t speak. He just stood there, calm and motionless, like none of what had happened mattered.


    I couldn''t tell what to make of him. Should I thank him? He had saved us¡­ but not out of kindness. No, Omen sacrificed his entire team. He could have helped them win, but instead, he let them die. Was it because he wanted to be free from them? Or was there something else driving him?


    Nely''s hand rested lightly on my back, breaking my thoughts. I followed her gaze down to my stomach, where blood had soaked through my shirt. Ah, right, Melisa''s claws. I was still bleeding. I dropped to my knees, exhausted.


    "Thanks," I murmured as Nely crouched beside me, her hands glowing faintly with Neba. She didn''t say a word, just focused on channeling her power into me. I could feel the wound slowly closing, but the dull ache lingered.


    Ezra approached me, a sly grin on his face. "Dune, you did it again. Honestly, I''m impressed. But I gotta know... how did you figure out the Ant-man''s weakness? Water of all things? It''s not exactly common knowledge."


    I sighed, brushing off some dirt from my torn clothes. "In my memory, there was this random guy. He just said something about how ants are so strong but a single drop of water could drown them. The second Odor revealed his core was an ant, and I saw Lucius running to save him, it just clicked. Water would kill him. Simple as that."


    The twins exchanged glances, nodding in approval.


    "Smart," Liam said, crossing his arms. "But isn''t that a little... suspicious? I mean, why would some random dude just tell you something that oddly specific?"


    I shrugged. "You''re not wrong, and trust me, I''ve thought about it too. But until I get all of my memories back, it''s just another question with no answer."


    "Also Dude, that weird guy is staring at us again." Ezra whispered.


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    I turned to look, and sure enough, Omen stood in the distance, still and silent as always, his unreadable gaze locked onto us.


    "Yeah, it creeps me out," Liam continued, "It''s like he''s a ghost or something. Or a statue. Just standing there."


    "Ghost? What''s that? Ezra asked.


    ¡­ i .. i don''t know? Probably an animal?"


    "Hmmm¡­ Should we invite him over, then? You know, make it less awkward?"


    "Are you crazy?" Nely snapped. "Do you really want that guy in our circle? He basically eliminated his entire team, Ezra. Like, with zero hesitation. He''s practically screaming ''future serial killer.''"


    Nely sighed, her usual sharp demeanor softening. "That aside.. Well, whatever the case, we survived. That''s all that matters for now."


    She glanced between all of us, her lips curling into a small smirk. "For the next trial, we''re probably going to get separated. Don''t die, boys. I want to see all of you again."


    Ezra and Liam immediately burst out laughing, their carefree energy infectious even in the somber moment.


    "Us? And death?" Ezra scoffed, throwing an arm around Liam. "No way. We''re practically unkillable."


    Nely rolled her eyes.


    Ezra turned to me, his mischievous grin still firmly in place. "And you, Bunny. Don''t go dying on us, either. You''re always one step away from it for some reason.


    *Bunny? Seriously? How did he even hear that* I won''t die," I promised, glancing at all of them. "I''ll see you again. All of you."


    Ezra and Liam stepped forward, placing their hands on Nely''s shoulder and mine.


    "Let''s make it a promise, then," Ezra said, his voice unusually steady. "No matter what happens,... let''s survive and meet again. Same team. Same idiots."


    Liam grinned. "And maybe this time, Bunny will have grown into a wolf."


    "Or maybe a whole another monster!" Ezra added, snickering.


    I rolled my eyes. "I''ll grow into someone strong enough to beat you two up."


    "Oh big words" twins chuckled "that''s not happening dune"


    We all laughed, the weight of the trials briefly forgotten in the moment. Slowly, the world around us began to shimmer and fade.


    As we started to disappear, I caught one last glimpse of Nely''s grin and the twins'' stupid, carefree faces. And despite the danger ahead, i felt more motivated to keep moving forward.


    [ Trial 2 End ]


    I opened my eyes, surrounded by complete darkness. It was cold, quiet, and unnervingly still. The void pressed down on me, but I already knew why I was here.


    This was the place where the memories lived,


    the fragments of my past waiting to be unlocked.


    "I''m here to see a memory right? I said aloud, my voice breaking the silence. The instant the words left my mouth, a calm, almost ethereal woman''s voice echoed through the darkness.


    [ correct.]


    The calming female voice, confirming what I already knew. I could feel my heart pounding as I prepared for what was next.


    They told me before that I''d have the chance to choose the memory I wanted to see. To pull a moment from the fog of my past and experience it again. I wasn''t entirely sure how it worked, but I wasn''t going to waste the opportunity.


    Still, a question nagged at the back of my mind, one I needed answered before anything else.


    "How am I supposed to beat the next trial?" I asked.


    Silence. For a moment, I thought they were ignoring me, but then voice .


    [ For the next trial, you must face your greatest fear. ]


    That''s it? Just a single line. Not even a hint?


    "That''s all you''re going to tell me?" I snapped. "What the hell does that even mean? I don''t even know what my greatest fear is!"


    But there was no response. Of course, there wasn''t. These trials weren''t about making things easy. They never were.


    I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I tried to calm my racing thoughts. "Fine. Let''s move on."


    [ First, Tell me about the memory you wish to see. After memory ends you will see continuation of your previous memory. ]


    The words lingered before me like a command. I paused for a moment, considering my options. There were so many things I wanted to know, so many pieces of myself still missing.


    But there was one question I''d carried with me for as long as I could remember.


    "Show me how I got the scar on my eye," I said firmly.


    The moment I spoke, the darkness seemed to thicken around me. My breath caught in my chest as the void closed in, swallowing me whole.


    Then my vision went completely black.

 Scar

    [ Memory: 6 years ago. ]


    [ Earth: Fein ]


    The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm orange glow over the green land. Ten year old Dune raced through the overgrown grass, his small legs moving as fast as they could, desperately trying to catch up with his older brother, Ned.


    But no matter how hard Dune pushed himself, Ned thanks to his incredible strength and agility, easily outpaced him.


    Ned glanced back, his playful grin widening as he slowed down just enough to let Dune think he had a chance.


    "You''re not getting away that easy!" Dune shouted, his voice full of excitement, as he redoubled his efforts.


    Dune''s laughter echoed through the air as he pushed himself harder, his eyes fixed on his brother. But just as he thought he might catch up, Ned made a misstep.


    In his playful haste, he tripped over a jutting root, losing his footing and tumbling to the ground with a surprised grunt.


    Seizing the opportunity, Dune dove forward and landed on his brother with a triumphant shout. "Gotcha!"


    His small hands gripped Ned''s shoulders, and for a brief moment, the two of them lay there, laughing uncontrollably.


    It was a rare moment of carefree joy, one that felt precious in a world often filled with tension and uncertainty.


    But that moment of laughter was short-lived.


    As the brothers lay there, breathless from their playful chase, they realized just how far they had wandered. The towering trees of the Forest of Eron loomed before them.


    Beyond the forest, the imposing stone wall of their city, Fein stretched toward the sky, its cold surface a constant reminder of the dangers that lay outside the safety of their walls.


    Dune''s smile slowly faded as he sat up, a sense of unease creeping over him. "I think we should head back," he said, his voice trembling slightly.


    Ned, still laughing but noticing the change in his brother''s tone, nodded. His playful expression shifted to one of caution.


    "Yeah, you''re right. Mom''s probably wondering where we are."


    But before they could turn around, a sound froze them both in their tracks.


    It was low. A deep, guttural growl that rumbled through the air, like distant thunder. It sent a chill crawling up their spines.


    Both brothers stiffened. Ned''s eyes widened in alarm, and Dune''s heart raced as the source of the sound emerged from the shadows of the forest.


    A monstrous creature, It stood nearly three meters tall, its grotesque form covered in dark, matted fur. The beast had six legs, each one with long sharp claws, and six glowing eyes that burned with an eerie, yellow light. It looked injured, its ribs brain and organs visible.


    Dune''s breath caught in his throat as he froze in place. The creature''s body radiated an aura of yellow Neba, the very same type of energy that powered their world''s most dangerous beasts. This wasn''t just any animal, it was a force of destruction.


    Fear gripped the boys, and Dune''s legs trembled, but he knew they had to act fast. His mind raced for a plan.


    "Run!" Dune shouted, grabbing Ned''s hand and pulling him into motion. The boys bolted, their feet pounding against the earth as the creature lunged after them, its massive paws tearing through the ground with terrifying speed.


    The gap between them quickly narrowed, the creature''s growls growing louder with every step.


    "I''m gonna use Zeten," Ned panted, glancing over his shoulder at the advancing monster.


    "No!" Dune cried, his voice shaking. "It''s too dangerous! You can''t use Zeten here, Ned, your body cant take it and not so close to the city, someone will see!"


    Ned''s face tightened with determination, his eyes flashing with resolve. "I know the risks, Dune. But we don''t have a choice. We can''t outrun it."


    Dune hesitated, but there was no time for argument. "Alright¡­ just¡­ be careful."


    As they ran, Dune veered off to the side, hoping to draw the creature''s attention away from his brother.


    He grabbed a sharp rock from the ground and threw it with all his strength at the beast. The rock clattered against the creature''s thick hide, but it didn''t even flinch. Its six glowing eyes never wavered from Ned.


    Dune''s stomach dropped as he realized the creature had already chosen its target.


    "Bastard can sense a strong Zeten core in me huh" Ned gritted his teeth. He then suddenly skidded to a stop, his body turning to face the wolf head-on.


    Dune watched in horror as his brother drew on his power, the air around them crackling with energy.


    Ned''s Zeten was different from others, what truly made Ned special was not the red zeten itself but the Animal inside it. It is unlucky enough to be born with a Zeten curse mark, but it''s even more rare to already have animal core inside you. Nobody knows why it happens, but sometimes zetens are born with already compatible animal cores inside them. This is why Ned was too strong from the birth.


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    "Sky Serpent''s Breath 2%" Red ethereal wind flashed through the air as Ned unleashed a fierce red Neba attack. The creature howled in agony as the red wind struck its legs, severing two of them in a single, clean motion.


    The beast stumbled and crashed to the ground, its massive body sliding across the dirt, but it wasn''t finished yet.


    Ned''s body trembled with the effort, his hand shaking violently. Blood trickled from his fingers, the result of using his Zeten core, a power that was as dangerous to him as it was to his enemies.


    Damn it.. my green Neba can''t protect me from my Red Zeten¡­ Damage is too big.


    Dune''s heart ached as he saw his brother''s struggle. "Ned!" he shouted, but Ned only waved him off.


    "I''m fine," he gritted out, though his voice was strained.


    But even as he spoke, the creature was beginning to rise again, its malevolent gaze now fixed on Dune. The fight was far from over.


    Dune''s pulse raced as the creature advanced toward him. He spun, looking frantically for something, anything, that could help him fight back. His eyes landed on a glint of metal buried in the dirt.


    A sword.


    He didn''t know how it got there, but there was no time to question it. Dune grabbed the hilt and pulled the blade free. It was heavy in his small hands, but he gripped it tightly, ready to defend himself.


    The monster lunged, its jaws snapping with terrifying force. Dune swung the sword with all his strength, but it barely left a mark on the creature''s thick, armored hide.


    The beast was relentless, its claws slashing through the air as it came at him again and again.


    "Damn it! it''s protecting skin with yellow Neba"


    With a sickening crack, the creature''s jaws closed around Dune''s arm, the sharp teeth sinking deep into his flesh. Pain exploded through his body, but in a moment of desperation, Dune drove the sword into the creature''s throat with a strangled scream.


    "Ned, now!"


    Ned didn''t hesitate. Summoning every last ounce of strength, and with the clap of his hands, he unleashed his Zeten , Red Neba once more¡­ Sky¡­ serpent''s Breath.. 4%.


    This time, the air itself seemed to shudder with the force of his attack. A shockwave of red energy slammed into the monster, shredding its massive body with the force of a hurricane.


    The beast was torn apart, its blood spraying across the battlefield, but the shockwave didn''t stop there. It struck Dune as well, the force of the attack sending him crashing to the ground, his body torn by the violent energy.


    When the dust settled, all that was left of the creature was a pile of bloodied remains, its monstrous form reduced to nothing.


    But Dune, his brother. was down.


    Ned''s strength finally gave out, and he collapsed to his knees, his hands broken his fingers deformed, and he was covered in blood. With every ounce of his remaining energy, he crawled to Dune''s side.


    Seeing Dune''s injured body and especially the eye, Ned couldn''t hold tears.


    "Dune," he whispered, voice raw with guilt. "I''m sorry. I should''ve done better."


    But Dune, despite his injuries, managed to speak, his voice barely above a whisper. "Don''t blame yourself, Ned. We''re alive, and that''s what matters. We both made it."


    Tears filled Ned''s eyes, but he nodded, carefully helping Dune to his feet. Barely able to keep their balance, their bodies battered from the fight. Just as they were about to take a step, Dune froze and grabbed Ned''s arm.


    "Ned, did you see it?" Dune asked, his voice urgent.


    Ned looked around, puzzled. "See what? What are you talking about?"


    Dune''s eye widened in disbelief. "The core. Whenever we kill an animal, there''s always a Neba core left behind, right? The heart of the creature. Where is it?"


    Ned''s gaze darted around the battlefield, but there was no sign of the Neba core. His stomach sank. "Damn it, don''t tell me¡­"


    They both knew what that meant. The creature wasn''t truly dead.


    Before they could react, something stirred behind Ned. The massive creature, or what remained of it, emerged from the shadows. But it was different now, rougher, more feral, and glowing with a bright yellow Neba. Its fur crackled with power, and its six glowing eyes fixed on Ned.


    Without thinking, Dune shoved Ned out of the way. "Run!" he shouted, panic rising in his chest.


    "No! Dune!" Ned cried, turning back to help him.


    But before Ned could reach his brother, the creature lunged, its jaws wide. Dune braced for impact, but suddenly, the beast''s head fell clean off, landing with a sickening thud. Dune stumbled backward in shock, staring at the massive, severed head.


    The head froze mid-fall, as if time itself had stopped. Dune blinked, confused. The creature''s glowing eyes vanished, leaving only the eerie stillness of the battle.


    "Someone killed it," Dune whispered, his voice shaky.


    And then, standing in front of him, a figure appeared from the mist. He was tall. The man had long white hair and icy blue eyes. He wore a long robe-like battle attire, and every step he took caused the ground to freeze beneath him. In his hand, he held a sword made entirely of ice, gleaming with deadly power.


    Dune''s heart pounded. "You are.. C..?" he stammered.


    The figure spoke with a voice that sent a chill down Dune''s spine. "I am Cadogan. Lord of Fein."


    Dune''s gaze shifted quickly to Ned, whose shirt had been torn during the battle, revealing the red cross tattoo on his chest. Dune''s stomach twisted. *Is it over for us?* he thought, fear clawing at his chest.


    But before he could dwell on it, Cadogan''s piercing gaze turned to Ned.


    Then in an instant, Cadogan was standing in front of Dune, his hands glowing with icy light.


    Dune''s wounds froze, the bleeding stopping almost instantly. It was like ice was sealing his body back together. His pain began to fade, replaced by a strange sense of relief.


    Ned had the same experience. His bloodied hands and torn body began to heal under Cadogan''s cold touch.


    Cadogan''s attention shifted to Ned''s red cross tattoo. Ned immediately dropped to his knees in a defensive posture, his hands raised. "I used Zeten. I had no choice... My brother Dune didn''t know anything about it, I swear. You can kill me, but please... spare him." Dune stared at Ned, speechless.


    Cadogan stepped forward, his icy expression hardening. "Alright then¡­ Die."


    "No!" Dune shouted, fear flooding his chest. He reached out to stop Cadogan, but the figure froze mid-step.


    "Kid, you''ve got balls," Cadogan said with a chuckle. "I like you two. Don''t worry, I won''t kill you. But you have to do something for me.


    "listen up, don''t tell anyone about this, or I will be forced to do so."


    Dune stood there, confused. "What''s going on? Why are you letting us go?"


    Cadogan''s expression turned serious. "Where did you get that sword.. Boy?"


    Dune''s heart skipped a beat. "Sword?" he repeated, glancing at the blade in his hand. He hadn''t even thought about it since the fight, but now that he looked at it, it felt strangely familiar.


    "I''m Dune, and this is my brother Ned," he said, his voice still shaky. "I found this sword in the grass... when I was fighting the thing."


    Cadogan''s eyes narrowed. "It''s called a wolf, It''s not just any animal. It''s an evolved form of Wolf that normally comes from a Green Neba core. This one had a Yellow Neba core. You two did well to survive."


    Dune''s mind raced as he tried to understand everything Cadogan was saying. His brother had used Zeten, the dangerous and forbidden energy, to fight the Yellow Neba wolf. And yet, they were still alive.


    Cadogan gave them a sharp look. "Now go home. And don''t speak a word of this to anyone. For your own safety."


    *Why would he let us live? Dune wondered. He saw Ned''s mark, the Zeten tattoo. Doesn''t he know what that means? What''s his plan?*


    After Dune and Ned disappeared into the distance, Cadogan stood still for a moment, his eyes lingering on the spot where the wolf''s body had once been.


    "It was a right move to not interrupt their fight from the start, i gained important knowledge after all. Even so i still can''t believe that boy was born with a red Zeten.. and even an animal inside him? What are the chances? If he loses control no one in this city will be able to stop him¡­expect me, of course.


    The remnants of the beast were already dissolving, the powerful creature''s form fading into nothingness. Slowly, he approached the area where the beast had fallen, his boots crunching against the frost covered ground.


    There, half buried in the dirt, was the yellow Neba core. It was about the size of his palm, glowing faintly with a golden light. Cadogan knelt down, inspecting the core closely, his fingers brushing lightly over its surface.


    "Hmmm¡­" He muttered, his brow furrowing as he studied it. "So, the ability to merge with the shadows¡­ That''s impressive, especially for a yellow Neba core."


    But then something caught his eye.


    When the wolf''s stomach had disintegrated, another object had emerged from the remains, a second core, this one green. Cadogan''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    "What?" he whispered to himself. "How is this possible?"


    A creature with two cores? It was unheard of. Impossible. No animal had ever had more than one Neba core, at least not that anyone had ever documented.


    He stood up slowly, his mind racing as he inspected both cores.


    "Green core is rabbit''s? Did the wolf eat rabbit¡­ No that''s not possible either.. the moment wolf ates animal its core will merge with the animal it consumed and strengthen it. That''s how creatures and Zetens evolve. Something is wrong," he muttered under his breath.


    His gaze turned toward the towering walls of Fein and then toward the shadowed forest below them.


    "The walls are our city''s protection¡­" Cadogan murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "But the wolf got through them easily, killing few of my guards in the process¡­ if not more.."


    But that wasn''t the part that troubled him the most.


    "There''s an invisible barrier circling outside walls¡­" Cadogan continued to himself, his voice a low growl. "A second layer of protection designed so that only green Nebas can pass through it. No matter how powerful the creature is, nothing but green Neba-based beings can cross it¡­"


    His eyes narrowed in thought. "But¡­ how did this yellow Neba evolved wolf get through? It shouldn''t be possible. The barrier is infallible."


    "There are too many questions," he muttered. "But there are three main possibilities."


    He looked up at the walls, the city''s last line of defense against the dangers beyond.


    "There''s someone dangerous inside the city¡­


    "Wolf crossed barrier as a green Neba and advanced to yellow after.


    "Or¡­ the animals outside are evolving, changing in ways we didn''t expect. Something is pushing them to evolve faster, harder."

 Memory 2 / 8

    [ Present Time. 5 Minutes after Richard''s warning ]


    Dune paced the streets of Fein, his thoughts swirling like a storm. Richard''s warning echoed in his mind.


    What should I do? Leave Fein? Run away? He knows I can''t just leave. He must know that. But if that''s what he meant¡­ how could I possibly escape? They''d never let me go.


    He clenched his fists, his heart heavy with indecision. Maybe¡­ maybe Daniel. My brother might understand. He could speak to Lord Cadogan. He''s the only one, other than Derchi, with enough authority to make something like that happen.


    Dune shook his head, his chest tightening. He didn''t know what to do. The uncertainty gnawed at him as he walked back to his home on the edge of the city.


    The path was quiet, lined with cracked cobblestones and a fading sense of safety. Beyond his home stretched a long, open field that led to the forest surrounding Fein.


    Beyond that loomed the towering 100-meter wall, an unyielding fortress that shielded the city. Outside the wall was the invisible barrier, the ultimate defense that encased all of Fein.


    When he reached his house, dread prickled his skin. The door was ajar.


    Something''s wrong.


    Dune rushed inside, his pulse quickening. The small, familiar space felt suffocating. Standing in the middle of the room was his younger brother, Ned, blood dripping from his split lip and bruised nose.


    "Ned! What happened?" Dune asked, his voice sharp with worry.


    Ned looked up at him, trembling. "He took them," he said, his voice breaking. "I couldn''t stop him, Dune."


    Dune froze. "Who? Who took who?"


    Ned gritted his teeth, his fists clenched at his sides. "Father. He took Mom and Sis¡­ and he left the city."


    Dune''s stomach twisted. That bastard. Sam.


    "I¡­ I tried, Dune. I really did," Ned said, his voice shaking. "But he left me here. You know why."


    Dune''s hands balled into fists as he processed Ned''s words. Sam. That man was a curse on their family. A drunkard. A coward. A violent shadow that had loomed over Dune''s childhood, leaving scars, some that could be seen, and others that couldn''t.


    But what infuriated Dune most wasn''t his father''s cruelty. It was his mother''s endless defense of him. No matter what Sam did, she shielded him, as though he wasn''t the one tearing their family apart.


    Dune took a shaky breath. "Ned¡­ what are you talking about? Where did they go?"


    Ned sighed, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of the world had fallen on him. "They''re going to Rendely. So is Daniel.


    While you weren''t here, Daniel came in like a man possessed. He told me to run, run as fast as I could. He said something was coming, something terrible, and if we didn''t leave Fein, we''d all die."


    Dune''s blood ran cold.


    "And when I was about to leave with Dad and the others¡­ this happened." Ned pointed at his bruised face. "I even tried to use it, Dune."


    He gestured at his chest, pulling his shirt slightly to reveal the red, cross-shaped Zeten mark glowing faintly against his skin.


    "I tried to use Zeten¡­ but I couldn''t. I''m too weak. I''m useless," Ned said, his voice cracking as tears welled in his eyes. He fell to his knees, covering his face with shaking hands.


    Dune knelt down beside him, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. "Hey. Don''t say that. Don''t ever say that." His voice was soft but firm, grounding his brother in the moment.


    "You did what you could, and it''s better this way. At least they''re out of Fein. If chaos is coming, they''ll be safe. I''ll protect you, Ned. Just like I always have."


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Ned looked up, his tear-filled eyes locking onto the jagged scar running across Dune''s face, a reminder of his brother''s unyielding strength.


    A tear slipped down Ned''s cheek as he leaned forward and hugged his brother tightly. "Thanks, brother. I¡­ I trust you."


    Dune closed his eyes, resting his chin on Ned''s head. His mind was racing, fear and determination tangled together, but in that moment, he held his brother close, a promise binding them together. And for now, that was enough.


    Ned''s Zeten wasn''t ordinary. In fact, it was unlike anything most people would ever see in their lifetime. Not only was he born with a Zeten, a miracle in itself, as the odds were one in a million, but he also carried a Neba animal core within him. And it wasn''t just any core. It was a red core.


    To have both was a rarity beyond comprehension. A gift some might call divine. But it was a curse. A constant battle between the power he carried and the fear of what it might do to him if he ever lost control.


    There had been moments when the curse nearly overwhelmed him, when the core threatened to take over entirely. If it hadn''t been for our mother and her concealing Neba, things might have been different.


    Her ability to hide the mark of the Zeten was the only thing that kept Ned safe. But her spell was fragile. Every time Ned used his Neba or Zeten, the red cross-shaped mark on his chest would reappear, glowing with dangerous energy. And every time it did, the risk grew.


    "Ned," Dune whispered, breaking the heavy silence. "Let''s find Atlas as fast as we can and get the hell out of here."


    Ned wiped his face and stood up. "Alright. Let''s go, Dune." And with that,. We left the house.


    [ Other side of the Fein city: south wall ]


    Cadogan stood atop the city walls, his eyes scanning the horizon. Dense forests and distant mountains stretched out before him. Around him, knights and soldiers stood ready, their eyes alert for any sign of danger.


    A messenger ran up to Cadogan, breathless. "Lord Cadogan, Knight Sir Derchi has captured the Zeten wielder and wants to execute him publicly."


    Cadogan sighed, worry creasing his brow. "Tell Sir Derchi to delay the execution," he ordered. "We have bigger problems right now. Have him join me on the wall immediately."


    The messenger nodded and hurried off. Cadogan remained lost in thought, the weight of their situation pressing down on him.


    An anonymous person reported that the city would get destroyed soon. From the start i had a feeling something was wrong. If we''re in danger, why hasn''t the capital, Rendely, warned us? Even noble families are leaving the city. This situation seems very troubling.


    Cadogan''s monologue was interrupted when something moved in the tall grass below. A deer stepped out, its movements slow and graceful. At first glance, it seemed harmless.


    But when its eyes locked onto Cadogan and his soldiers, an eerie silence fell. A chill spread through their ranks, an inexplicable fear taking hold.


    Cadogan quickly called five soldiers. "Investigate," he ordered. The massive iron gates creaked open, revealing the bridge to the outside world.


    The soldiers moved cautiously toward the deer, tension thick in the air.


    As they approached, the deer remained still, its gaze fixed ahead like it was in a trance. The air around them felt heavy, charged with an otherworldly energy.


    One soldier stepped closer, his hand gripping his sword tightly. The deer slowly turned its head, revealing a grotesque sight. Its right side was torn away, exposing bone and insides. Sharp teeth glinted in its gaping mouth, drool dripping down.


    The soldier''s fear overwhelmed him. His sword slipped from his trembling hand, clattering to the ground.


    Panic spread among the soldiers. But Cadogan stayed calm, studying the deformed deer. Memories of a similar encounter with a wolf came flooding back, raising concerns about the city''s safety.


    The deer''s mouth opened wider, revealing rows of sharp teeth. It let out an otherworldly human like scream, piercing the air. Soldiers clutched their ears in agony.


    The deer''s neck elongated, and it lunged forward, biting off a soldier''s head.


    Horrified screams filled the air as the soldiers tried to fight back.


    The deer transformed into a towering black creature with a deer-like face, hundreds of shifting tentacle hands, and enveloped in the red Zeten.


    It grabbed soldiers with its tentacles, crushing them until they exploded into sprays of flesh.


    Watching from the wall, Cadogan met the creature''s gaze. He leaped down, as he formed blue icy sword in his hand .


    As the creature charged, Cadogan calmly raised his sword and brought it down in a decisive strike.


    A massive shockwave of blue Neba surged from Cadogan''s blade, cutting the creature into countless fragments. The soldiers watched in awe as the creature was destroyed.


    Despite the victory, Cadogan felt uneasy. "This was too easy," he thought. Before he could think more, Derchi called out urgently from the wall. Cadogan jumped back up to meet him.


    "Lord Cadogan, we have a problem," Derchi said gravely. "At the second entrance, many deformed animals are attacking. Some have breached the barrier. We need to act fast."


    Cadogan''s heart sank. The threat was far from over. He quickly issued commands for evacuation and to set up a direct link to their allies using Neba magic portals.


    Cadogan jumped down from the wall and hurried through the streets towards the second entrance. He saw Amanda, her face full of concern.


    "Amanda?" Cadogan called out, running to her. Amanda, with her black hair and eyes, had the yellow Neba power to activate the city''s portal machine. But her news was grim.


    "Lord Cadogan, none of the portals are working. They''ve all been destroyed, and those who knew how to activate them are also gone," she said. I''m the only one left."


    Cadogan''s heart sank further. "Someone inside the walls planned this," he realized. "They want us gone."


    Cadogan''s jaw tightened. "we fight," he declared. "We have no other choice. We''ll face whatever foe seeks our demise."


    Cadogan ran as fast as he could and quickly reached the second entrance, where chaos reigned.


    Thousands of soldiers fought monstrous beings, their forms twisted and grotesque. Some creatures were enormous, casting long shadows, while others were smaller but just as deadly.


    Cadogan glanced down and saw monsters. So that''s the case? He thought, his mind racing.


    *This is something new¡­It seemed that evolved creatures had somehow learned to hide within animals that possessed a green core. That way, they could pass through the barrier unnoticed. But how could an animal even think of such a thing?*


    *There had to be someone leading them toward the city. I don''t know their motives, but one thing i know is that, my biggest priority now is to protect the people of Fein. None of the innocents should die as long as I''m alive.*


    With that, his eyes glowed green, and he jumped down from the wall. He landed gracefully on the ground below, his movements fluid and precise. As his feet touched the earth, he spoke calmly, as though this were just another day.


    "Green Neba Core, Cheetah Steps."


    In an instant, his body blurred, and he dashed toward the battlefield. Within milliseconds, he had appeared in front of his soldiers, who looked on in awe. His form was a streak of green, moving faster than the eye could track. But that was only the beginning.


    Without missing a beat, Cadogan''s eyes shifted to a brilliant yellow. He spoke again, his voice steady.


    "Yellow Neba, the Armour of Wild Bear."


    A golden, glowing armor enveloped him and soldiers around him, radiating power and strength. For a moment, the armor shimmered brightly, then, as if by magic, it became invisible, blending into the air around him.


    The soldiers watched, mesmerized, as the aura around Cadogan shifted and flowed like a living thing.


    He glanced back at them, his eyes now glowing blue.


    Then, without another word, he charged toward the monstrous army before him. His movements were unstoppable, and the battlefield became his to command. The fight had only just begun.


    With a thunderous crash, Cadogan cut through huge amount of monsters, his icy sword glowing.


    The battle was fierce. Cadogan fought with unmatched skill, his blade cutting through enemies. Beside him, warriors unleashed lightning and fire. As long as he breathed, he would never falter in his druty.

 Fear鈥檚 Embrace

    I opened my eyes and saw a silhouette standing in front of me. It glowed faintly, its body radiating a soft, white light. No face. No features. Just a figure in emptiness.


    [ Come closer, mortal, so I can see your deepest fear, one even you don''t know.]


    I hesitated but felt a strange pull, as if the light itself were dragging me forward. As I approached.


    *What is my biggest fear?*


    Not knowing who I am is problematic enough. Not having memories, wasn''t that already terrifying? How could I fear something deeper, something I couldn''t even remember?


    The figure reached out and touched me. Its glowing hand was cold but not unpleasant. Then it stepped back, as if recoiling from something.


    [ Well then, It was obvious. Your greatest fear is death.]


    I froze. Death?


    The figure tilted its head, glowing brighter. [ Your fear of death stems from your unyielding desire to live and survive. But that was expected. After all, stripping away your memories, taking almost everything from you, and a desire to know truth is a strong enough motivation to keep clinging to life, isn''t it? ]


    My chest tightened as its words sank in. *What is it talking about? Is this their plan? Was this the reason they took our memories?* To leave us stranded in confusion and desperation? To make sure we all shared the same fears and desires?


    [ You''re on the right track, Dune, ] the figure said, its voice creeping into my thoughts.


    [ And now, you shall face your death.]


    [ our goal was to find those humans who can stare into the abyss, endure the worst pain and torment imaginable, and emerge without fear of death. Only they will be worthy to dominate this world with their unbroken resolve and limitless power.]


    [ Beat 3rd Trial in exchange of all your remaining memories]


    [ you want to know what happened right? Then survive Dune. ]


    My heart sank. The weight of its words crushed me. I wanted to run, to scream, but before I could protest, before I could even think, my vision went black.


    I woke up, disoriented, looking around. The scene before me made no sense.


    "What...?"


    In front of me stretched a massive room with ceilings towering over thirty meters high. Two long tables stood at the center, lined with people laughing, eating, and drinking as though they hadn''t a care in the world. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat, wine, and perfume.


    Next to me, a group of beautiful women danced gracefully, their laughter blending with the clinking of glasses and cheerful chatter. Some handed me platters of food, their movements fluid and mesmerizing.


    "What is this?" I muttered, my voice barely audible over the noise.


    One of the women smiled and perched herself in my lap, holding out a golden cup filled with wine. I glanced into the cup and froze.


    My reflection stared back at me, a man in his forties with a thick beard and brown eyes.


    *Who am I?*


    The girl chuckled, her laughter soft and teasing. "What a stupid question," she said, brushing a lock of hair from her face.


    "Tell me," I urged her. My voice was sharp, but there was desperation in it.


    She gave me a strange look, then shrugged. "What''s wrong with you, It''s your party. Did you forget? You''re the son of the lord.


    Great Axel. Relax, have a nice time."


    *Axel? Not dune?* Before I could respond, she leaned in to kiss me, but I stood abruptly, nearly knocking her off my lap. The golden cup tumbled from her hands, spilling wine onto the polished floor.


    "I don''t understand," I muttered. "What''s going on? Shouldn''t I be fighting Death?"


    The girl blinked at me, her brows furrowing in concern. "Are you okay?" she asked, but I ignored her. I took a few steps away, trying to make sense of the chaos in my mind.


    That''s when it happened. The enormous gates at the far end of the room slammed open with a deafening crash. An army poured in, dozens of men armed with axes, swords, and other brutal weapons.


    "What the hell¡­ who are these people" I whispered as the sound of screaming filled the room. The invaders began slaughtering everyone in sight. Blood splattered the walls and the once-cheerful banquet turned into a massacre.


    "Sir, this way!" shouted one of the warriors beside me. "We''ll hold them off!"


    He didn''t get the chance. An axe buried itself in his skull before he could take a step.


    I turned, panic seizing my chest. Before I could react, someone kicked me in the face. Pain exploded through my head, and I stumbled backward.


    *Nebastep.*


    I thought of the word instinctively. It was my power, my weapon, but nothing happened. I tried again. *Neba!* But still, nothing.


    The attacker swung his sword, severing my arm. Pain shot through me like fire. I screamed, stumbling as blood poured from the wound. But it wasn''t red, it was golden. Golden blood dripped onto the floor, pooling beneath me.


    I didn''t have time to process it. A second later, they were on me. The pain was unbearable as fists and boots rained down on my body. Everything blurred together: the shouting, the blows, the golden blood staining the stone. Then, nothing.


    When I woke, I was tied to a chair in a dimly lit cell. My head throbbed, my body felt like it had been torn apart.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The stench hit me first, sweat, and blood. A man with a single eye entered the room, his filthy clothes clinging to his gaunt frame. He pulled up a chair and sat across from me.


    "I won''t beat around the bush," he said, his voice gruff and cold. "Tell me where she is."


    "What?" My voice cracked. "Who?"


    He stood abruptly and kicked my chair, sending me crashing to the ground. Pain shot through my back, but before I could recover, he kicked me again, this time in the ribs.


    "Stop playing games!" he snarled, kicking me again. Blood dripped from my mouth, pooling on the floor beneath me. Tears blurred my vision.


    "I¡­ I don''t know what you''re talking about!" I gasped.


    "This is your last chance," he growled, crouching beside me. "Tell me where she is. She''s the last one. If we don''t find her, it''ll be a big problem, for all of us."


    I clenched my teeth, my mind racing. *What is he talking about? Who is ''she''?*


    "I don''t know!" I screamed, the words tumbling out in desperation.


    The man stood and drew a knife. He leaned closer, his one good eye burning into mine. "If that''s your answer, then this is where it ends for you Axel."


    I panicked. "Wait!" I blurted. "I know where she is! Just¡­ take me with you. I''ll show you in the city." I decided to lie, desperate to save my life.


    He paused, considering my words. But before he could respond, the door swung open. Another man entered the room, his armor splattered with blood.


    "We found her," the newcomer said flatly.


    The one-eyed man''s gaze flicked back to me, his lips curling into a sneer.


    "No wai¡ª"


    I didn''t even finish the sentence before his blade plunged into my throat.


    I gasped, golden blood pouring from the wound as I fell to the ground. Desperately, I freed my hand and clutched at my neck, trying to stop the flow.


    "Ah¡­ I don''t want to die¡­ not like this¡­ not here¡­" I choked, the pain overwhelming me. My vision blurred, then went completely dark.


    [ Death: 1 ]


    I died. I died. I died. I was no longer in the cell.


    I found myself kneeling in snow. My breath caught as the freezing air hit my face, sharp and bitter. The icy ground beneath my knees felt as though it were seeping into my bones.


    I shivered violently, gasping as I tried to make sense of what was happening.


    That''s when I noticed the pain. A sharp ache spread across my back. I reached behind me, but my stiff, weak arms could barely move. *Ah¡­ it''s so painful*


    Looking down at my hands, I froze. They were wrinkled and skeletal, trembling with the weakness of old age. My fingers were so thin they barely looked like they belonged to me.


    Chains hung heavily from my wrists and ankles, their rusty iron biting into my flesh. Every small movement sent a fresh sting of pain. The cold of the metal burned against my skin.


    *What is this?.. why am I chained?" I thought, panic rising in my chest. *I thought I died¡­*


    Suddenly, distant voices echoed through the icy forest. "He''s somewhere here. Chase him!"


    The barking of dogs followed, growing louder with each second. A surge of fear shot through me, and without thinking, I stumbled to my feet.


    *Run.*


    It was all I could do. My frail legs trembled beneath me, barely supporting my weight, but i forced myself forward. The icy snow cut into my bare feet like shards of glass with every step.


    The dogs'' barking grew louder, closer. The sound of snapping branches and crunching snow behind me sent my heart into overdrive.


    "Ah, fuck. Not again¡­". *I can''t stop.*


    The edge of a cliff loomed ahead, the frozen expanse of snow and jagged rocks stretching out far below. The dogs were nearly upon me now, their snarls tore through the air like thunder.


    Before I could think, they were on me.


    I stumbled, falling to my knees as another dog tore into my leg. Pain shot through me as its teeth sank into my flesh. I screamed, struggling to fight them off, but my hands were too weak.


    Another dog clamped its jaws around my arm, shaking violently. I cried out, trying to push it away, but the chains on my wrists made it impossible. Golden blood poured from my wounds, spilling onto the snow. mixing with the pure white beneath me. The pain was unbearable.


    "Ahhh! Get off me!" I screamed, thrashing weakly against them. The cold only amplified the agony as my body grew weaker with each bite. And then, they stopped.


    The dogs backed away suddenly, their snarls silenced. Through the haze of pain, I saw a man dismounting from a horse. He approached slowly, his boots crunching in the snow. His face was shadowed by a hood, but his contempt was clear in his voice.


    "This one is not needed anymore," he said coldly, crouching to inspect me. "You should''ve known better than to run away, old man."


    I coughed weakly, golden blood dripping from my mouth onto the snow. I wanted to speak, to ask him *why*, but no words came out.


    He spat on me, his face twisting in disgust.


    "Pathetic," he muttered.


    Then, without warning, he kicked me in the chest.


    I gasped as my body tipped over the edge of the cliff.


    I hit the ground with a sickening thud, the impact jolting through me. The world grew colder, darker, until there was nothing left.


    [ Death: 2 ]


    Two guards held me by my arms, their grip like iron. I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my mind, and before me stood an elephant made entirely of metal. It gleamed in the dim light, its form unnaturally rigid.


    *What the hell is this now?* My mind struggled to make sense of it. I didn''t care anymore. I didn''t want to know. I just wanted to breathe, to run, to escape whatever nightmare this had become.


    But I couldn''t. My legs were too weak, my body too battered. With whatever strength I could muster, I tried to pull away, to escape, but my body wouldn''t respond.


    One of the guards yanked on my long hair, yanking my head back. "You bitch, stop resisting. he spat, the words laced with venom as he kicked me in the ribs. My body jerked from the blow, pain radiating through me.


    As I winced in pain, I glanced at the reflection of myself in the metal surface of the elephant. What I saw froze me.


    My chest, my hands, and my face, none of it was familiar. I was a woman. My long white hair, frail and weak body.


    Before I could make sense of it, the guards pushed me forward, shoving me toward the open belly of the metallic beast. Cold air rushed over me as I was thrust inside.


    The chill hit me like a slap in the face, biting into my skin as I stumbled to my knees. The air felt like ice. I trembled violently, my teeth chattering.


    "What is this place?" I cried out, panic rising in my chest. "Let me go! Damn it, do you hear me? I want to leave!" My voice cracked as I screamed, my breath fogging in the cold.


    But there was no answer.


    Then, in an instant, the temperature began to shift. At first, it was bearable, a slight warmth that brought relief.


    But the heat grew, creeping up slowly until it became unbearable. I could feel the temperature rising, the metal walls pressing in on me like a furnace.


    "No, no, no¡­" I gasped, my feet burning from the heat seeping through the floor. I tried to move, to escape, but the iron walls pressed closer, trapping me in the searing heat.


    Red blood spilled from my hands as I slammed my fists against the walls. My feet were on fire, and I couldn''t move. My body shook uncontrollably.


    My skin was melting away. The unbearable pain consumed me, until I collapsed to the floor, unable to fight it any longer.


    I left parts of my skin and flesh on the metal, the burning sensation numbing me as I crumbled. Tears fell down my cheeks, mixing with the blood that coated my hands.


    I died.


    I died again, and again, and again.


    I died.


    I died again.


    Burned alive in the metallic elephant.


    [ Death: 12 ]


    Torn apart by wolves in forest.


    [ Death: 23 ]


    Drowned in a blackened sea rocks tied around my waist.


    [ Death: 145 ]


    Abandoned in the cell.. died from hunger.


    [ Death: 345 ]


    Crushed beneath a collapsing tower, the weight of stone grinding my bones into dust as I screamed into the void.


    [ Death: 2,345 ]


    Falling endlessly into a fire, my body breaking apart as flames consumed me over and over again. A never-ending cycle of torment, pushing me closer and closer to the edge of sanity.


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    .


    [ Death: 24,560 ]


    *I''m tired,* I thought. *Tired of this, tired of everything.*


    They threw me to the ground, and I lay there, struggling to catch my breath. My face was pressed against the cold stone as I blinked up at the world, watching people walk by, oblivious to my suffering.


    "Get up, you bastard," one of the guards snarled. His boot slammed into my ribs, pushing the air out of my lungs.


    I groaned, the pain sharp and familiar. It wasn''t anything new. Then I heard a cry, a scream that cut through the air.


    I turned, my head barely lifting off the ground, and saw her. A little girl, no more than six or seven. She was dragged by others¡­ They laughed, their hands pulling her by the arms, ignoring her cries.


    Something inside me snapped. I pushed myself up, ignoring the pain. "Let her go!"


    The guards turned, sneering at me.


    "You think you''re in a position to order us around, little rat?" one of them sneered.


    I didn''t care who was right and who was wrong. I didn''t think. I moved before my mind could even catch up.


    I lunged at them, my hands reaching for the girl. One of the kidnappers swung a fist toward me, but I dodged it, spinning away, then grabbing the girl''s hand and yanking her from their grasp.


    "Run!" I shouted at her. "Go, now!"


    The girl hesitated for a second, then ran, her small feet kicking up dust as she bolted down the street. But as she disappeared into the crowd, I felt the weight of the situation settle in.


    The men didn''t take kindly to me intervening. They were on me in seconds, grabbing me by the hair, slamming me to the ground. The world spun as they kicked and punched, each blow landing with brutal precision.


    I laughed.


    I laughed hysterically, my chest rising and falling with each breath. The pain didn''t matter anymore. The blood pouring from my wounds, the broken ribs, the bruises, all of it didn''t matter.


    One of the men pulled out a blade, the gleam of the steel catching the sun. He raised it high, ready to bring it down on me.


    But I wasn''t afraid. So what if i died then?


    "Go ahead," I muttered, my eyes burning with madness. "You think death is scary? You think it''s the worst thing that can happen to you don''t you?"


    The guard faltered for a moment, uncertainty flashing in his eyes. The others paused, unsure of what to make of my defiance.


    I slowly stood up and grinned, blood dripping from my lips. "You want to kill me? Fine. Do it. But don''t you think i''ll go down without a fight¡­ i.. i will take your eyes hand or something that''s even more important to you¡­ i will die but be sure i will leave scars on you that won''t ever heal... You won''t break me."


    The world around me began to shimmer, the faces of the people,those who had tormented me, watched me die, or simply stood by, faded into nothingness. One by one, they vanished like smoke in the wind.


    [ Trial 3 End ]


    "I¡­ I understand it now," I whispered hoarsely, my voice barely audible. "I understand what this trial is about."


    "I have no fear of death left in me," I said, my voice growing steadier. "But you gods¡­You should be afraid."


    A flicker of defiance ignited in my chest, a flame that refused to be extinguished despite everything I had endured.


    "My anger¡­ all the torture I''ve been through¡­ I¡­im glad.. im glad that i became stronger " My teeth clenched as tears welled in my eyes, the emotions boiling inside me too strong to suppress. "But I won''t forget this."


    I rose to my knees as I gazed into the emptiness where the gods watched.


    "And I''ll be coming for each one of you," I whispered, my voice trembling, filled with unrelenting resolve.

 Memory 3 / 8

    [ Memory ]


    Dune and Ned raced through the crowded streets of Fein City, their eyes darting in every direction. They were looking for Atlas, but he was nowhere to be found.


    Atlas was always alone, it was how they had met him in the first place. Years ago, Dune and Ned had stumbled upon him as he fled from the city guards. Like Ned, Atlas was a Zeten, marked by the forbidden power coursing through his blood.


    But Dune and Ned didn''t care about that. To them, Atlas was a friend, one who had been welcomed into their lives despite the odds.


    He was an orphan with no home to call his own, but Dune''s family had helped him find a place to stay. Daniel, their big brother, often arranged temporary housing for Atlas and kept the authorities off his trail. Dune''s mother, Sally, had even used her yellow Neba to conceal the glowing Zeten mark on Atlas''s chest. Over the years, they had become inseparable.


    Atlas might have been an outcast, but to Dune, he was one of the strongest people he had ever known, and the one he trusted most.


    "Dune, what do we do?" Ned asked, his voice tense. "At this point, we''ve searched everywhere he could be and still nothing..."


    Dune didn''t answer. He was lost in thought when a wave of shouts broke through the air, pulling him back. People were running, screaming, as chaos erupted around them.


    "What''s going on?" Ned muttered, alarmed.


    Dune''s heart sank as he turned toward the source of the commotion. The city wall in front of them exploded, sending stone and debris flying in every direction. From the dust, a colossal head emerged, its monstrous form breaking through the remains of the hundred-meter barrier like paper.


    The creature was enormous, its pitch-black body towering over the skyline. It had thick black skin with veins all over it. Countless glowing red eyes flickered across its face, and flames of orange Neba danced around its form.


    It let out a guttural scream that shook the ground beneath them. The sound alone was enough to send Dune stumbling backward. Then, suddenly, the force came.


    "It''s pulling us in!" Ned shouted.


    Dune felt it too. The air itself seemed to warp, dragging everything, people, buildings, even the rubble, toward the monster as though it were a black hole. Civilians screamed as they were swept off their feet, helpless against the pull. The creature devoured them with ease, swallowing everything in its path like a whale feeding on fish.


    Dune gritted his teeth, planting his feet firmly on the ground. Beside him, Ned began to glow, his body surrounded by the ominous red light of Zeten Neba. His cross-shaped mark burned brightly on his chest, visible to all.


    "Look!" someone yelled from the crowd. "He''s a Zeten!"


    Fear rippled through the onlookers, their panic intensifying at the sight of Ned''s power. He ignored them, his teeth clenched as he analyzed the situation.


    "Dune," he said sharply, "the creature''s power isn''t as strong this far out. It''s pulling us in, but it''s weaker here. If I use my Zeten, I can hurt it."


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    Dune''s heart sank. He knew what that meant. Ned might injure the creature, but using Zeten at such a level could destroy him in the process.


    "Ned, no. There has to be another way," Dune pleaded. "Let''s just run!"


    Ned froze, staring at his brother in disbelief. "Run? And leave these people to die?"


    "They''ll kill you the moment this is over!" Dune snapped. "They saw your mark, Ned. You think they''ll thank you for saving them? They''ll turn on you the second they get the chance!"


    Ned shook his head, disappointment written across his face. "Look around you, Dune. There are kids here. Families. Innocent people. How can you just stand there and say that?"


    "You can go and save yourself, but I''m staying here."


    Dune clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. Why couldn''t Ned understand?


    These people didn''t care about them, they never had. The moment this disaster was over, they would betray them without a second thought. And yet, as much as he hated to admit it, he couldn''t abandon his brother.


    "Fine," Dune muttered through gritted teeth. "Do it."


    Ned''s expression softened. "All right."


    He stepped forward, his red Neba flaring brighter than ever. The ground beneath him cracked as he gathered his strength, his hands glowing with raw energy. "Get back!" he shouted to the crowd. "If you don''t want to die, move!"


    Some people ran. Others stood frozen, too stunned to react. Dune backed away, "hey idiots step back!" herding as many as he could to safety.


    Ned''s power surged, the glow from his body intensifying as blood dripped from his nose and eyes. His skin burned under the force of his energy, but he didn''t falter.


    "Sky Serpent''s Breath," he growled. "Thirty-five percent!"


    "No! Ned that''s too much.." Dune gritted his teeth.


    With a scream of pain, Ned unleashed the attack. A massive burst of red Neba from his Zeten tore through the air, its speed breaking windows and tearing roofs from buildings as it surged toward the monster. The impact was devastating. The explosion ripped through the forest and shattered what remained of the city wall. Sky turned red and A shockwave followed, strong enough to shake the entire city.


    Dune''s eyes widened in awe. "He did it... He actually did it!"


    But his relief was short-lived. He turned to Ned and froze.


    Ned was kneeling on the ground, his arms burned away to nothing. Blood pooled beneath him, and yet, he was smiling.


    "You idiot!" Dune yelled, running to his side. "What the hell were you thinking? Look at you!"


    Ned looked up at him, his grin unwavering. "I killed it, didn''t I? That''s what matters."


    Dune swallowed hard, his chest tight with a mix of anger and guilt. "You didn''t have to do this..."


    But Ned only closed his eyes, the faintest trace of peace on his battered face.


    "Let''s find Cadogan," Dune said, his voice firm but edged with worry. "He can heal you, Ned. Come on."


    Ned struggled to his feet, swaying but managing a faint grin. "Alright¡­ and thanks for staying."


    "Shut up and walk," Dune snapped, his anger barely masking his concern.


    Ned chuckled softly, but Dune ignored him, his focus on getting them both to safety.


    "Dune, is that you?"


    He turned at the sound of a familiar voice and saw his teacher, Amanda, hurrying toward them. She looked battered, her clothes torn and blood staining her side.


    "What happened?" she demanded as she knelt beside Ned. Without waiting for a response, she began to heal his wounds, her hands glowing faintly with yellow Neba.


    Even as she worked, Dune noticed her hands shaking, her face pale from exhaustion.


    "You look rough," he said.


    "Dune, listen to me. Head to the west exit of the city wall. There''s an evacuation point there. If you see any other survivors, tell them to head there too. I''ll use my Neba to transport everyone to Rendely. We don''t have much time."


    Dune nodded sharply and stood. "Got it."


    He hefted Ned onto his back. Ned groaned weakly but managed a faint, "Thanks, ma''am."


    Amanda nodded, her expression unreadable as she turned to face the oncoming chaos.


    Dune didn''t look back as he ran. The streets of Fein were in shambles, rubble and bodies littering the ground. As he approached the west exit, he passed hundreds of soldiers charging in the opposite direction. Their faces were grim, weapons raised as they ran toward Amanda''s position.


    "Idiots," Dune muttered under his breath.


    Ahead, he saw more of the monstrous creatures spilling through the gap in the wall. Their twisted forms loomed like nightmares, their glowing red eyes scanning for prey. Dune clenched his teeth and kept running.


    When he finally reached the west exit, his steps faltered.


    Tens of Thousands of people were gathered on the open plain beyond the city. Families huddled together, children crying as more and more refugees streamed out of the city gates. The sight was overwhelming. There were too many.


    "This is insane," Dune muttered as he lowered Ned to the ground.


    He crouched beside his brother, who was pale but conscious.


    "Ah, look at yourself," Dune said bitterly. "If you''d just listened to me, we wouldn''t even be in this mess."


    Ned chuckled weakly, the sound strained but genuine. "Dune, you''re so cold-hearted."


    "No, I''m just smarter than you," Dune shot back, his frustration spilling over. "I''m not stupid enough to throw my life away for people who don''t even care about us. The most important thing in this world is survival, Ned, and you''re not even trying to keep yourself alive."


    Ned closed his eyes, his voice soft but steady. "Maybe¡­ but if I hadn''t done what I did, they''d all be dead by now. I don''t want to repeat same mistakes¡­ i don''t want to make any more decisions that i will regret.


    Dune shook his head, his jaw tight. "We''ll survive here. And you''re not using that power again, you hear me? I''ll stop you myself if I have to."


    Ned''s lips curved into a faint smile, despite the pain. "Alright, boss."


    Dune sighed and leaned back, glancing out at the growing crowd. The weight of everything pressed on his chest, but he refused to let it crush him. They''d made it this far. Now, he just had to figure out how to make it through the rest.

 Memory 4 / 8

    Dune placed his hands on Ned''s shoulders, channeling green Neba he had into his brother. The faint glow pulsed weakly between them, offering a flicker of hope.


    Ned shifted, pushing him gently away. "You barely have any green Neba. Save it for yourself."


    "What''s the point, Ned?" Dune muttered, frustration seeping into his voice.


    "What do you mean?"


    "What''s the point of me having Neba at all if I don''t have an animal core to use it? I''m useless," Dune said bitterly, shaking his head.


    Ned sighed, his exhaustion palpable. "You''re not useless. You can still enhance your body with Neba. You know that, right?"


    Dune let out a dry chuckle. "Yeah, and what good would that do against monsters like these? I can''t even touch them." He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes scanning the distant chaos. "I just want to leave. I hope Amanda gets here soon."


    "Same," Ned murmured, closing his eyes.


    [ On the Other Side of the City ]


    Cadogan stood still amidst a battlefield of corpses. His white battle attire was soaked in blood, the crimson stains turning his cape into a tattered banner of war. Around him, everything was silent. Monsters and humans alike lay dead at his feet.


    He took a few slow steps, his boots crunching over shattered stone, until he came to Derchis lifeless body sprawled on the ground. Cadogan crouched, his expression softening as he reached down and closed the man''s eyes.


    Standing again, he took a deep breath. The silence shattered as a massive explosion erupted in the distance. Red Neba surged high into the sky, tearing through the air with an unmistakable energy.


    "This power..." Cadogan muttered. His eyes narrowed as recognition dawned. "Sky Serpent."


    Without hesitation, he turned and bolted toward the city walls, his white cape trailing behind him.


    [ At the West Exit ]


    Dune stood, his gaze distant as he stared at the gathering crowd. "Do you think Atlas is here?" he asked.


    Ned nodded weakly. "There''s no way he''s dead. Zero percent chance. He''s probably out there somewhere."


    "Yeah," Dune muttered, though he wasn''t sure if he believed it. "I think so too."


    The ground began to tremble. Dune''s head snapped toward the city as the rumbling grew louder. Houses collapsed in the distance, their walls crumbling like sand under the weight of something massive. Then they appeared.


    Hundreds of creatures, wolf-like beasts with sharp horns jutting from their foreheads, charged toward the crowd. Their glowing eyes flickered in varying colors, each representing a different type of Neba coursing through their monstrous forms. They stormed through the city, destroying everything in their path.


    The air was filled with screams as panic erupted. Dune froze, his instincts screaming at him to run.


    "Dune!" Ned shouted, his voice hoarse. "They''re coming right for us!"


    Dune grabbed Ned, hoisting his injured brother over his shoulders.


    "You won''t fight," Dune said sharply.


    "I have to," Ned argued, his voice barely above a whisper.


    "No. You''re not using Zeten again. Not with your hands gone!"


    "Dune, if I don''t¡ª"


    "Shut up, Ned! You''ll die if you push yourself any further!"


    "I''d rather die fighting than watch these people get slaughtered!"


    "Who cares about them?" Dune snapped, his voice cracking. "What good will it do if you kill yourself for them? I need you alive, Ned! I can''t¡ª" He broke off, his voice choked with anger.


    But Ned wasn''t listening. His cross-shaped mark began to glow faintly, red Neba stirring in his battered body.


    "No," Dune said firmly, setting Ned down and grabbing him by the collar. "Don''t. I''m not letting you use it."


    "How are you planning to save us Dune?" ..


    "Look at the crowd, Im going to use these people as covers for us"


    "How can you say that Dune?" Ned gritted his teeth and didn''t respond anymore . His body trembled as he tried to gather strength, but before he could release his power, Dune slammed a fist into his jaw.


    Ned''s eyes widened briefly before his body went limp. Dune caught him, his hands trembling as he lowered his unconscious brother to the ground.


    "Idiot," he muttered, his voice thick with emotion.


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    The crowd surged around him, desperate to escape. Dune looked at the mass of terrified people and made his decision.


    He stepped into the mass, using their panicked movements as cover. He was ready to use the crowd as a shield if it meant surviving. The wolves drew closer, their howls echoing through the city. Dune clenched his fists, bracing for the inevitable.


    Then the sky cracked open.


    A figure descended from above, landing with a deafening explosion. Ice spread out in waves, freezing the ground and trapping the advancing wolves in mid-charge. The monstrous army came to a halt, their forms encased in glistening ice sculptures.


    Dune shielded his eyes from the blast of cold, his heart racing as he looked up. Standing at the center of the devastation was Cadogan.


    His white cape fluttered as he surveyed the battlefield, his piercing gaze scanning the frozen wolves and the terrified crowd.


    "Cadogan..." Dune whispered.


    The man turned, his expression softening slightly as his eyes landed on Dune. "You''re alive," he said simply.


    "Barely," Dune replied, gesturing to Ned''s unconscious form.


    Cadogan stepped closer, his gaze falling on Ned. "Sky Serpent. I felt its power," he said, his tone even. "That was him?"


    Dune hesitated, then nodded.


    Cadogan knelt beside Ned, his hands glowing faintly with blue Neba as he examined the boy. "He''s strong," he said quietly. "But reckless. Using that ability in his condition..." He trailed off, his expression darkening.


    "Can you help him?" Dune asked.


    "I can protect him," Cadogan said. "But regenerating lost limbs isn''t within my ability. In Rendely, however, there are healers who can restore him completely." He stood, his voice firm. "I''ll get you both there. No matter what."


    Dune looked at him, unsure whether to feel relieved or afraid. But for the first time in what felt like hours, he let out a shaky breath.


    "All right," he said.


    Cadogan glanced back at the frozen battlefield, his eyes narrowing. "Stay close to me. It''s not over yet."


    "And Dune, do you know how to fight?" Cadogan asked urgently.


    Dune nodded. "Yeah, but¡­ I don''t have animal Neba core yet."


    Cadogan gave a small nod of understanding. "That''s fine."


    With a wave of his hand, he summoned a flurry of ice, which solidified into gleaming swords. They floated in midair, shimmering like diamonds, as Cadogan stepped forward and raised his voice.


    "Everyone!"


    His words boomed over the crowd, carried by an unnatural force that silenced the murmurs and cries. Standing atop an ice wall he had conjured, Cadogan made sure every person could see and hear him.


    "Anyone who can fight, come forward! I''ll give you weapons. If you want to protect your families, if you want us all to survive, we need you now."


    A tense silence followed before men and women began to step forward, their expressions a mix of fear and determination. Cadogan extended his hand, letting the ice swords float down to each volunteer.


    Dune hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took a blade as well. Its cold surface sent a shiver up his arm, but he gripped it tightly and positioned himself in front of Ned, who was still unconscious on the ground.


    As Cadogan passed him, he paused and placed a hand on Dune''s shoulder. "There''s no way any of the monsters will pass me. If necessary i can hold them off for days, even weeks, as long as something too powerful doesn''t come our way. If we''re lucky, you and the others won''t even need to fight. Trust me, I won''t let any innocent humans die here."


    Dune nodded, his throat tight.


    "I''m giving you a weapon just in case," Cadogan continued. "Because we never know what might happen. Protect your brother."


    "I will," Dune said, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at his chest.


    Cadogan turned away, stepping into position at the edge of the crowd. His eyes scanned the frozen wasteland before him, his mind racing.


    *Damn it, Amanda, where are you?* he thought, frustration and worry mixing. He recalled how he had sent Daniel ahead to Rendely to warn the city. Daniel''s orange Animal Core, the Cheetah Steps, made him the fastest messenger they had. Amanda couldn''t teleport him there, her power was needed here in Fein. And now Cadogan was left alone to protect the masses gathering behind him.


    His jaw clenched as the weight of it all settled on him. *I can''t let them die.* Then, movement in the distance caught his eye. A figure running toward the crowd. His heart stopped.


    "Amanda," he whispered.


    Without hesitation, Cadogan dashed toward her, his speed blurring as he met her just before she collapsed. Blood soaked her from head to toe, and one of her arms was gone, severed just below the shoulder.


    "They''re all dead," she said, her voice barely audible. She leaned heavily against him, gasping for breath. "No one survived."


    Cadogan''s stomach churned, but he forced himself to stay calm. "What happened?"


    Amanda''s trembling hand gripped his arm. "I''ll teleport everyone to Rendely," she said, each word a struggle. "But I''ll need time¡­ just hold them off. And save your power."


    Cadogan stiffened. "What are we up against?"


    Her gaze locked onto his, and the fear in her eyes made his blood run cold. "It''s not monsters," she whispered. "There''s someone coming. I think he''s a Zeten."


    Cadogan''s eyes widened. *A Zeten.*


    "Okay," Cadogan sighed. "Go. Start the preparations. I''ll buy you as much time as I can."


    Amanda nodded, though she barely had the strength to stand. She stumbled back toward the crowd, her remaining hand glowing faintly as she began drawing the intricate patterns needed to open the teleportation gate.


    Cadogan watched her go, his chest tightening. He knew what she was planning.


    *Goodbye, Amanda,* he thought grimly.


    Amanda''s ability, derived from the yellow core Juby, was their only hope. Juby users were rare, able to create Neba portals capable of transporting people vast distances. But the ability required two gates, one at the point of departure and one at the destination. All their existing gates had been destroyed. The only option was to create both gates simultaneously.


    It would take all of Amanda''s remaining power.


    And it would kill her.


    Cadogan clenched his fists, his ice-covered knuckles creaking under the strain. He couldn''t let her sacrifice be in vain. Turning back toward the horizon, he felt the cold rage of determination settle over him like a second skin.


    Amanda finished drawing the portal, a vast and intricate web of glowing yellow Neba lines etched into the ground. It was a creation that would cost her everything. She looked up, her gaze sweeping across the frightened faces of the crowd, many of whom were clutching loved ones or whispering desperate prayers.


    "This is it," she murmured to herself.


    She knelt and placed both hands on the glowing diagram. Instantly, the lines blazed brighter, consuming the area in an otherworldly golden light.


    Amanda''s body shuddered as the portal began pulling every last fragment of Neba from her core. Her eyes and mouth emitted searing yellow light, and her skin began to harden. Her voice was a strained whisper as the transformation consumed her. "Go¡­ live¡­ don''t let this be in vain."


    With those final words, Amanda''s body turned to stone, merging with the portal. Her statue stood at the gate''s center, a silent sentinel that radiated Neba energy. The massive portal formed, a towering, glowing door of ten meters, shimmering with golden light.


    The crowd froze for a heartbeat, stunned by the sight. Then, as the reality of salvation sank in, they surged forward in a desperate stampede.


    Dune crouched over Ned, shielding his brother''s battered body from the chaos. People shoved past him, stepping on his hands and legs as they rushed for the portal.


    "Damn it! These idiots!" Dune growled, trying to push himself up while keeping Ned protected.


    The crowd was relentless. Every time Dune tried to stand, another wave of people forced him back down. Frustration boiled inside him as he struggled to lift Ned''s limp body.


    Cadogan glanced back, his sharp eyes assessing the situation. Relief washed over him as he saw people pouring into the portal. "It''s working," he muttered.


    But his relief was short-lived. A distant explosion echoed across the city.


    Cadogan tensed, turning his gaze back toward the source of the sound. *They''ve sensed the portal''s Neba.* He tightened his grip on his ice-forged sword, his jaw set.


    But instead of another wave of monsters, a lone figure emerged from the smoky haze.


    The man strode forward with an air of unshakable confidence, his boots crunching on the frost-covered ground. He had red long hair and wore a battle uniform of black and crimson, with a flowing cape trailing behind him. A rose emblem, pierced by two crossed swords, was stitched onto his chest.


    But what unsettled Cadogan the most was the mask. It resembled a human face with three horns but was inverted, the features upside down and distorted.


    The man stopped ten meters away, his posture casual.


    "Cadogan," the man said, his voice smooth and mocking. "Twenty-seven years old. Lord of Fein. Blue Neba. And one of the strongest warriors of Sanatria."


    Cadogan''s eyes widened. *He knows me.*


    The man tilted his head slightly, the mask amplifying the unnatural movement. "Unfortunately," he continued, "we don''t need you. You''re too old."


    Cadogan smirked, though his unease was growing. "What''s your goal here?"


    The man chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "I suppose I can tell you. You''ll be dead soon, anyway." He extended an arm, gesturing grandly. "I am Matiane, the Apostle of the God of War. That name should suffice."


    The title hit Cadogan like a blow. His pulse quickened. *A god''s apostle? Here? He should be in Rendely, serving the king.*


    "What are you doing here?" Cadogan demanded. "Does the king know about this?"


    Matiane laughed, the sound rich with derision. "Cadogan, are you truly this dense? You sent your fastest messenger to Rendely hours ago, and he still hasn''t returned. Why do you think that is?"


    Cadogan''s stomach sank.


    "I''m here under the king''s orders," Matiane continued, his tone almost playful. "My mission is simple, to send dangerous souls to the Trials."


    "Dangerous souls?" Cadogan''s voice hardened. "You mean the Zetens."


    Matiane gave a slow nod. "Precisely. Cleaning this city of Zetens is my priority. Civilians are¡­ irrelevant to me. They''re just on the way."


    Cadogan''s fists clenched, ice crackling beneath his gloves. "And these monsters? They''re not yours?"


    Matiane sighed, his tone dripping with mockery. "Oh, please. Do I look like the type to use beasts for my work? These creatures aren''t mine. You just got unlucky, being attacked by two different forces at the same time."


    Cadogan''s mind raced. *Two forces? If these monsters aren''t his, then who¡­?*

 Memory 5 / 8

    Cadogan''s mind raced. Two forces? If these monsters aren''t his, then who¡­?


    Matiane laughed sharply. "Oh, Cad. How unfortunate. Whoever that guy is, he definitely doesn''t like your city."


    But then, both Cadogan and Matiane froze.


    A chilling sound pierced the air. What was it? A melody. A haunting tune played on a piano, soft at first, sending shivers through them both. The music grew louder, each note heavier than the last.


    Their eyes turned toward the source.


    From the fog emerged a figure, wearing a pirate-like hat and a long, black robe with its ends made of dragging chains. Every step it took burned the ground beneath with a searing purple glow of Neba.


    Cadogan''s heart tightened as the music stopped. The figure stood before them now, its face obscured by the hat. Yet, even in the shadows, Cadogan saw its unnerving features: blackened teeth and a deformed face, half human, half skull.


    This has to be the attacker, Cadogan thought.


    Matiane shifted, adjusting his mask.


    "Who are you?" Cadogan demanded, his voice steady despite the dread building inside him.


    He glanced behind, catching a glimpse of people still streaming into the portal for safety. I need to buy more time, he thought.


    Cadogan was in a bad situation. He glanced behind him, preparing to fight both Matiane and the mysterious figure that had just appeared.


    But then, without warning, the figure charged. Chains glowing with purple Neba lashed out toward him. "Purple?" Cadogan raised a shield of ice to block them, but the chains shattered it with ease. He barely managed to dodge the next strike.


    Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Matiane sprinting toward the escaping crowd.


    "Matiane!" Cadogan shouted, but before he could give chase, one of the chains coiled around his leg.


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    "Damn it!" he cursed as the black-teethed figure yanked him off his feet and hurled him across the ground. He landed hard, the impact jolting through his body, but the blue glow of his power flickered to life, steadying him.


    "You bastard," Cadogan growled, staggering to his feet. His eyes locked on the figure. "I''m gonna call you Blacktooth from now on. You might be purple, but i''m not going down that easily."


    Summoning his strength, he forged a sword of ice in his hand and lunged at the figure. Their blades clashed, sparks of purple and blue lighting up the foggy battlefield.


    Meanwhile, Matiane darted through the panicked crowd, his red hair trailing behind him like a streak of fire. He moved too quickly for anyone to stop him, weaving between fleeing people with ease.


    "I can feel it," Matiane muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing. "There are four Zetens here. I''ll catch them all¡­ and then I''ll finish Cadogan after."


    Meanwhile, Dune finally broke free from the chaotic crowd, gasping for air as he stumbled to safety. He gently set Ned down on the ground.


    Before he could look up, something struck him from behind, a sharp, searing impact in the neck. He collapsed forward, a burning sensation spreading across his chest.


    "Shit¡­ what the hell¡­ who hit me?" he hissed, clutching at his chest. Pain flared like fire as he fell to his knees, his vision blurring.


    When he glanced ahead, his eyes locked onto a shadowy figure stepping into view. The figure''s eyes glowed an unsettling purple beneath a hood that obscured its face.


    "You¡­ i know you!" The word came out as a strained whisper, memories of this figure rushing back. Dune''s chest burned hotter, and he cried out, the pain unbearable.


    "Ahh, what''s happening to me?" he gasped, his breath ragged. "What did he inject into me?"


    His body convulsed, his stomach churning violently until he vomited blood. Whispers, thousands of them, filled his mind like a haunting chorus. They clawed at his sanity, leaving him shaking and disoriented.


    When the whispers finally stopped, Dune collapsed, gasping for air. Weakly, he turned his attention to Ned, who lay unconscious nearby. Relief washed over him, at least Ned was still alive. But it was short-lived.


    Matiane emerged from the fog, his masked face unreadable, though his tone carried a mocking edge. "Well, well, well¡­ look who we have here. A Red Zeten."


    Dune''s eyes narrowed in confusion. "Zeten? What are you talking about?"


    Matiane crouched down beside Ned, examining him with unsettling calm.


    "Impressive," he murmured, almost to himself. "Ah, but his hands are gone¡­ That''s not good, is it?"


    Before Dune could react, Matiane reached out. A faint, crimson glow emanated from his hands as he regenerated Ned''s missing limbs with unnerving precision. Dune''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Who¡­ who are you?" he demanded, his voice trembling.


    Matiane raised a gloved finger to the lips of his mask, silencing him with a taunting "Shhh."


    Then he pulled out a weapon, a red cross, sharp and jagged at the bottom, glowing with an ominous red hue.


    "What is this?" Dune asked, his voice laced with dread. "A gift," Matiane replied casually.


    Without warning, Matiane drove the blade into Ned''s chest.


    "No!" Dune''s voice cracked as he watched in horror. He sprang to his feet, rage blinding him. Fueled by fury, he charged at Matiane, his fists swinging wildly. Matiane laughed, sidestepping easily before landing a brutal kick to Dune''s stomach.


    "You ungrateful brat," Matiane sneered as Dune crumpled to the ground, coughing violently. He''s so strong¡­ Dune thought, struggling to get back on his feet.


    Matiane stood over him, his weapon poised to strike. "You''re next, Zeten," he said coldly.


    Dune''s mind reeled.


    "I''m not a Zeten! What are you talking about?" Before Matiane could deliver the blow, another figure stepped in, saving Dune from Matiane.


    It was Atlas.


    Dune''s breath caught in his throat as he looked up. "Atlas¡­"


    Atlas sighed heavily, his expression grim. "I''m sorry, Dune. I was late¡­"


    Matiane stepped back a few paces, his demeanor shifting slightly as he regarded Atlas with a mix of curiosity and caution.


    "Where is Ned?" Atlas asked, his tone sharp.


    Dune turned around, his heart sinking as he realized the spot where Ned had been lying was now empty.


    "What? Where did he go? Ned!" Dune shouted, scanning the area frantically.


    A low chuckle escaped Matiane''s lips, sending chills through the air. "Two more to go," he said mockingly before unleashing cross shaped sword again.

 Memory 7 / 8

    Cadogan and Matiane charged at each other, their weapons clashing with explosive force. Every swing of their blades sent shockwaves through the air, destroying the buildings around them. The city crumbled as if it were made of sand, turning into ash from the sheer power of their fight.


    Cadogan pushed forward, his eyes glowing green as he activated Cheetah Steps. His body moved at incredible speed, faster than the eye could follow. But Matiane just laughed, his red Neba flaring with confidence.


    "Cadogan, are you mocking me?" Matiane sneered as he dodged the attack effortlessly. "Don''t you dare use Green Neba against me, you fool!"


    With a wide slash of his sword, Matiane unleashed a massive red shockwave that roared through the air. Cadogan had to react instantly, switching back to his Blue Neba core.


    The icy blue glow surrounded him as he narrowly dodged the attack. The shockwave passed just inches away, leaving destruction in its path.


    Cadogan steadied himself, his jaw tightening. *That was close* he thought. *This guy is insanely strong. Most Blue Neba users wouldn''t last a second against him.*


    Determined not to back down, Cadogan surged forward again. "Red Core: Bullseye." His speed doubled as he shot toward Matiane like an arrow, aiming straight for his chest.


    But Matiane dodged again, smirking as if this was nothing. Cadogan didn''t stop. In an instant, he switched, activating his Blue Zeten ability. "Leviathan''s Bite."


    Hundreds of glowing blades materialized around Cadogan, floating like a shimmering wall of ice.


    "Oho¡­ These aren''t blades," Matiane muttered, narrowing his eyes. "They''re Leviathan''s teeth. Interesting, how did you kill it?"


    The teeth shot toward Matiane at incredible speed, tearing through everything in their way. Buildings were shredded like paper, the ground ripped apart by their force. Matiane had to take flight, dodging and weaving through the onslaught. Even so, some of the teeth nicked him, drawing lines of blood across his pale skin.


    Cadogan wasn''t done. He charged forward again, this time summoning the strength of the Orange Neba: Wild Beaver. With a loud crack, he leaped into the ground and came up crashing at Matiane, striking him square in the chest. The impact sent Matiane flying into the rubble, the ground splintering beneath him.


    Cadogan''s eyes flickered orange for a moment before returning to their usual blue. Without wasting time, he followed up with a powerful slash, aiming to end it. But Matiane blocked the attack, even though his hands were still clutching his injured chest.


    Instead of using his hands or sword, Matiane tilted his head forward, letting Cadogan''s blade strike his mask to block the attack. The mask shattered, pieces falling to the ground as Matiane landed.


    For the first time, Cadogan saw his enemy''s face. Matiane''s pale white skin made his blood-red eyes and hair stand out even more. His features were sharp, almost elegant, but there was something monstrous about him. He was tall, skinny, and looked more like a vampire than a man.


    Matiane wiped a streak of blood from his lip, grinning. "I underestimated you, Cad," he admitted. "Looks like it''s time to get serious."


    Matiane''s grin widened as his body began to glow brighter, his red Neba radiating like a firestorm. The air around him shimmered with heat and energy. "Let''s end this," he said, his voice calm.


    Before Cadogan could make his next move, Matiane shot forward, faster than ever before. "Mutated Bat: Blood Coffin of Innocent." he declared.


    The world around them warped. The sky turned crimson, and the ground beneath Cadogan''s feet shifted into something wet and slimy. Blood-red liquid pooled around him, stretching endlessly in all directions. Buildings, trees, and even the horizon dissolved into this eerie landscape.


    "What is this place?" Cadogan muttered, gripping his sword tighter.


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    Matiane floated above him, his red aura blazing. "Welcome to my Blood Dimension," he said with a smirk. "You''ve just sealed your fate. This is my world. I control everything here, and you? You''re just a guest waiting to die."


    Cadogan didn''t waste time with words. He dashed forward, slashing at Matiane with all his might. But before his blade could reach its target, blood spikes erupted from the ground, forcing him to jump back.


    The spikes twisted and formed into monstrous shapes, huge golems made entirely of hardened blood. Their glowing red eyes locked onto Cadogan as they charged at him.


    Cadogan swung his sword, cutting through the first golem, then the second. But for every one he destroyed, more rose in their place. The creatures attacked relentlessly, their sharp limbs and crushing fists coming at him from all sides.


    Above him, Matiane laughed. "You can''t win here, Cadogan. Every drop of blood in this dimension is mine to control. You''re nothing but my prey now."


    Cadogan fought back fiercely, his blade slicing through another wave of golems. He dodged and countered their attacks, his breathing heavy but steady.


    Matiane raised his hand, and the blood around him swirled into a massive spear. The weapon glowed with deadly energy as he hurled it toward Cadogan.


    Cadogan dodged, the spear missing him by a hair''s breadth. But as soon as it passed, it twisted in midair and came after him again.


    "Tch," Cadogan muttered. He turned to face the spear, swinging his sword to cut it in half. His blade connected, splitting the spear into two pieces.


    But instead of disappearing, the two halves shot toward him, slashing into his shoulders. Blood poured from the wounds as Cadogan stumbled back, gritting his teeth against the pain.


    Matiane landed on the ground, walking toward him with a sinister grin. "Getting tired already?" he taunted, his sword glowing red.


    Cadogan steadied himself, ignoring the pain. He raised his sword and met Matiane''s gaze head-on.


    Matiane stepped toward Cadogan, his red Neba flickering like a raging fire as his blade hung at his side. His thoughts churned as he observed his opponent. *So, his Zeten core is Leviathan. That much is obvious after the attack earlier. But he hasn''t used his original ability yet.* His crimson eyes narrowed slightly. *His core is Blue¡­ and if he hasn''t revealed his true power, there must be a reason. He''s hiding something. I can''t let my guard down.*


    A dark grin spread across Matiane''s face as he raised his sword, clashing with Cadogan''s in a flurry of sparks. "No matter how long this drags on," Matiane muttered between strikes, "at the end, I''ll have those boys in my grasp. They''re not going anywhere. This fight is just a distraction."


    Cadogan''s breathing grew heavier, his strikes becoming more labored as the fight continued. He wasn''t just fighting Matiane, blood spikes erupted from the ground beneath his feet and fell from the crimson sky above, forcing him to dodge constantly. Blood-forged creatures, monstrous and relentless, spawned around him, attacking from all angles. Every move he made had to be calculated, and every step was a gamble.


    Despite the onslaught, Cadogan gritted his teeth and charged forward, gathering his Neba into his fist. He swung his sword at Matiane, who blocked it with ease, the clash of their weapons sending shockwaves through the blood-soaked air. But Cadogan wasn''t done.


    Without hesitation, he dashed forward again. Blood blades shot up from the ground, stabbing into his arms and legs. He ignored the searing pain, his focus solely on Matiane. As he brought his sword down in a heavy arc, aiming for Matiane''s head, his eyes flashed a brilliant blue.


    Matiane, expecting another predictable strike, raised his blade to block, but Cadogan ducked at the last second. With his free hand, now glowing with a blue Neba, he drove his fist into Matiane''s chest. The impact was devastating, launching Matiane like a cannonball into the wall of the blood dimension.


    Matiane crashed into the wall with a sickening crack, coughing up blood. But before Cadogan could follow up, streams of blood from the dimension itself flowed into Matiane, healing his wounds instantly.


    "You still don''t get it, do you?" Matiane sneered, rising to his feet. "I''m immortal here, Cadogan. This dimension is my creation, my domain. No matter how many times you hit me, I''ll keep coming back."


    Cadogan tsked, his frustration mounting. He tightened his grip on his sword, but his exhaustion was starting to show.


    Matiane tilted his head slightly, his grin widening. "You''re good, Cadogan. I''ll give you that. But I wonder¡­" He paused, his voice turning cold and sharp. "What do you think happens when I deactivate this ability?"


    Cadogan''s eyes widened in realization. "You wouldn''t¡ª"


    "Oh, I would," Matiane interrupted, his tone dripping with malice. He placed a hand on the wall of the dimension, his grin never fading. "Deactivation."


    The crimson world began to collapse inward at an alarming speed. The ground, sky, and walls of the blood dimension folded in on themselves, shrinking and crushing everything within. Cadogan could feel the overwhelming pressure as the dimension tightened around him, threatening to crush him completely.


    A massive explosion of blood erupted, painting the battlefield in a rain of crimson. Matiane stepped out of the collapsing dimension, his sword resting on his shoulder as he looked back at the destruction. "You fought well, Cadogan," he said with mock respect. He turned his gaze toward the direction where Dune and Atlas had fled.


    But then, a sudden chill ran down his spine.


    Matiane spun around, his red eyes wide. Before he could react, Cadogan''s blade was already slicing through the air. The edge connected with his neck, and blood sprayed from the deep wound. Matiane staggered backward, clutching his neck as his blood-red Neba surged to heal it.


    "How¡­ how are you alive?!" Matiane spat, his voice filled with disbelief as the gash on his neck sealed shut.


    Cadogan stood a few feet away, his body a horrifying sight. Half of his flesh had been stripped away, exposing bone, sinew, and muscle. His ribcage was visible, and even his skull was partially exposed. But as Matiane watched in horror, Cadogan''s body began to regenerate.


    Ice crept across his wounds, forming new skin, muscles, and organs. His skull was covered in a fresh layer of flesh, his brain freezing and reforming in perfect detail. His eye reappeared, growing into place as though time itself had reversed.


    Finally, Cadogan stood fully healed, his body covered in a shimmering, icy white cloak. His sword glinted coldly in his hand as frost clung to the ground around him. He stepped forward, his movements deliberate and calm, his gaze piercing.


    "Blue Neba Core: Unkillable Demon of the Frozen Lake," he said, his voice low and icy, each word cutting like a blade.


    Matiane grinned despite himself, though unease flickered in his eyes. "So¡­ your true ability is absolute regeneration. How unlucky for me."


    Cadogan said nothing, his cold expression unchanging. Inwardly, his thoughts raced. *I can only use absolute regeneration once. It''s my last resort, meant for when my body is completely destroyed. But even without it, as long as I have Neba, I can repair my wounds. My body isn''t flesh anymore. It''s ice. And as long as I have Neba, I''ll keep coming back.*


    Matiane tightened his grip on his sword, his red Neba flaring brighter. "Well then," he muttered, forcing a grin. "Let''s see if that regeneration of yours can keep up."


    Cadogan raised his blade, his icy cloak dancing around him. Frost formed on his sword, spreading outward as the air grew colder. He locked eyes with Matiane, his voice steady and freezing.

 Memory 8 / 8

    Cadogan and Matiane charged at each other, their weapons clashing with explosive force. Every swing of their blades sent shockwaves through the air, destroying the buildings around them. The city crumbled as if it were made of sand, turning into ash from the sheer power of their fight.


    Cadogan pushed forward, his eyes glowing green as he activated Cheetah Steps. His body moved at incredible speed, faster than the eye could follow. But Matiane just laughed, his red Neba flaring with confidence.


    "Cadogan, are you mocking me?" Matiane sneered as he dodged the attack effortlessly. "Don''t you dare use Green Neba against me, you fool!"


    With a wide slash of his sword, Matiane unleashed a massive red shockwave that roared through the air. Cadogan had to react instantly, switching back to his Blue Neba core.


    The icy blue glow surrounded him as he narrowly dodged the attack. The shockwave passed just inches away, leaving destruction in its path.


    Cadogan steadied himself, his jaw tightening. *That was close* he thought. *This guy is insanely strong. Most Blue Neba users wouldn''t last a second against him.*


    Determined not to back down, Cadogan surged forward again. "Red Core: Bullseye." His speed doubled as he shot toward Matiane like an arrow, aiming straight for his chest.


    But Matiane dodged again, smirking as if this was nothing. Cadogan didn''t stop. In an instant, he switched, activating his Blue Zeten ability. "Leviathan''s Bite."


    Hundreds of glowing blades materialized around Cadogan, floating like a shimmering wall of ice.


    "Oho¡­ These aren''t blades," Matiane muttered, narrowing his eyes. "They''re Leviathan''s teeth. Interesting, how did you kill it?"


    The teeth shot toward Matiane at incredible speed, tearing through everything in their way. Buildings were shredded like paper, the ground ripped apart by their force. Matiane had to take flight, dodging and weaving through the onslaught. Even so, some of the teeth nicked him, drawing lines of blood across his pale skin.


    Cadogan wasn''t done. He charged forward again, this time summoning the strength of the Orange Neba: Wild Beaver. With a loud crack, he leaped into the ground and came up crashing at Matiane, striking him square in the chest. The impact sent Matiane flying into the rubble, the ground splintering beneath him.


    Cadogan''s eyes flickered orange for a moment before returning to their usual blue. Without wasting time, he followed up with a powerful slash, aiming to end it. But Matiane blocked the attack, even though his hands were still clutching his injured chest.


    Instead of using his hands or sword, Matiane tilted his head forward, letting Cadogan''s blade strike his mask to block the attack. The mask shattered, pieces falling to the ground as Matiane landed.


    For the first time, Cadogan saw his enemy''s face. Matiane''s pale white skin made his blood-red eyes and hair stand out even more. His features were sharp, almost elegant, but there was something monstrous about him. He was tall, skinny, and looked more like a vampire than a man.


    Matiane wiped a streak of blood from his lip, grinning. "I underestimated you, Cad," he admitted. "Looks like it''s time to get serious."


    Matiane''s grin widened as his body began to glow brighter, his red Neba radiating like a firestorm. The air around him shimmered with heat and energy. "Let''s end this," he said, his voice calm.


    Before Cadogan could make his next move, Matiane shot forward, faster than ever before. "Mutated Bat: Blood Coffin of Innocent." he declared.


    The world around them warped. The sky turned crimson, and the ground beneath Cadogan''s feet shifted into something wet and slimy. Blood-red liquid pooled around him, stretching endlessly in all directions. Buildings, trees, and even the horizon dissolved into this eerie landscape.


    "What is this place?" Cadogan muttered, gripping his sword tighter.


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    Matiane floated above him, his red aura blazing. "Welcome to my Blood Dimension," he said with a smirk. "You''ve just sealed your fate. This is my world. I control everything here, and you? You''re just a guest waiting to die."


    Cadogan didn''t waste time with words. He dashed forward, slashing at Matiane with all his might. But before his blade could reach its target, blood spikes erupted from the ground, forcing him to jump back.


    The spikes twisted and formed into monstrous shapes, huge golems made entirely of hardened blood. Their glowing red eyes locked onto Cadogan as they charged at him.


    Cadogan swung his sword, cutting through the first golem, then the second. But for every one he destroyed, more rose in their place. The creatures attacked relentlessly, their sharp limbs and crushing fists coming at him from all sides.


    Above him, Matiane laughed. "You can''t win here, Cadogan. Every drop of blood in this dimension is mine to control. You''re nothing but my prey now."


    Cadogan fought back fiercely, his blade slicing through another wave of golems. He dodged and countered their attacks, his breathing heavy but steady.


    Matiane raised his hand, and the blood around him swirled into a massive spear. The weapon glowed with deadly energy as he hurled it toward Cadogan.


    Cadogan dodged, the spear missing him by a hair''s breadth. But as soon as it passed, it twisted in midair and came after him again.


    "Tch," Cadogan muttered. He turned to face the spear, swinging his sword to cut it in half. His blade connected, splitting the spear into two pieces.


    But instead of disappearing, the two halves shot toward him, slashing into his shoulders. Blood poured from the wounds as Cadogan stumbled back, gritting his teeth against the pain.


    Matiane landed on the ground, walking toward him with a sinister grin. "Getting tired already?" he taunted, his sword glowing red.


    Cadogan steadied himself, ignoring the pain. He raised his sword and met Matiane''s gaze head-on.


    Matiane stepped toward Cadogan, his red Neba flickering like a raging fire as his blade hung at his side. His thoughts churned as he observed his opponent. *So, his Zeten core is Leviathan. That much is obvious after the attack earlier. But he hasn''t used his original ability yet.* His crimson eyes narrowed slightly. *His core is Blue¡­ and if he hasn''t revealed his true power, there must be a reason. He''s hiding something. I can''t let my guard down.*


    A dark grin spread across Matiane''s face as he raised his sword, clashing with Cadogan''s in a flurry of sparks. "No matter how long this drags on," Matiane muttered between strikes, "at the end, I''ll have those boys in my grasp. They''re not going anywhere. This fight is just a distraction."


    Cadogan''s breathing grew heavier, his strikes becoming more labored as the fight continued. He wasn''t just fighting Matiane, blood spikes erupted from the ground beneath his feet and fell from the crimson sky above, forcing him to dodge constantly. Blood-forged creatures, monstrous and relentless, spawned around him, attacking from all angles. Every move he made had to be calculated, and every step was a gamble.


    Despite the onslaught, Cadogan gritted his teeth and charged forward, gathering his Neba into his fist. He swung his sword at Matiane, who blocked it with ease, the clash of their weapons sending shockwaves through the blood-soaked air. But Cadogan wasn''t done.


    Without hesitation, he dashed forward again. Blood blades shot up from the ground, stabbing into his arms and legs. He ignored the searing pain, his focus solely on Matiane. As he brought his sword down in a heavy arc, aiming for Matiane''s head, his eyes flashed a brilliant blue.


    Matiane, expecting another predictable strike, raised his blade to block, but Cadogan ducked at the last second. With his free hand, now glowing with a blue Neba, he drove his fist into Matiane''s chest. The impact was devastating, launching Matiane like a cannonball into the wall of the blood dimension.


    Matiane crashed into the wall with a sickening crack, coughing up blood. But before Cadogan could follow up, streams of blood from the dimension itself flowed into Matiane, healing his wounds instantly.


    "You still don''t get it, do you?" Matiane sneered, rising to his feet. "I''m immortal here, Cadogan. This dimension is my creation, my domain. No matter how many times you hit me, I''ll keep coming back."


    Cadogan tsked, his frustration mounting. He tightened his grip on his sword, but his exhaustion was starting to show.


    Matiane tilted his head slightly, his grin widening. "You''re good, Cadogan. I''ll give you that. But I wonder¡­" He paused, his voice turning cold and sharp. "What do you think happens when I deactivate this ability?"


    Cadogan''s eyes widened in realization. "You wouldn''t¡ª"


    "Oh, I would," Matiane interrupted, his tone dripping with malice. He placed a hand on the wall of the dimension, his grin never fading. "Deactivation."


    The crimson world began to collapse inward at an alarming speed. The ground, sky, and walls of the blood dimension folded in on themselves, shrinking and crushing everything within. Cadogan could feel the overwhelming pressure as the dimension tightened around him, threatening to crush him completely.


    A massive explosion of blood erupted, painting the battlefield in a rain of crimson. Matiane stepped out of the collapsing dimension, his sword resting on his shoulder as he looked back at the destruction. "You fought well, Cadogan," he said with mock respect. He turned his gaze toward the direction where Dune and Atlas had fled.


    But then, a sudden chill ran down his spine.


    Matiane spun around, his red eyes wide. Before he could react, Cadogan''s blade was already slicing through the air. The edge connected with his neck, and blood sprayed from the deep wound. Matiane staggered backward, clutching his neck as his blood-red Neba surged to heal it.


    "How¡­ how are you alive?!" Matiane spat, his voice filled with disbelief as the gash on his neck sealed shut.


    Cadogan stood a few feet away, his body a horrifying sight. Half of his flesh had been stripped away, exposing bone, sinew, and muscle. His ribcage was visible, and even his skull was partially exposed. But as Matiane watched in horror, Cadogan''s body began to regenerate.


    Ice crept across his wounds, forming new skin, muscles, and organs. His skull was covered in a fresh layer of flesh, his brain freezing and reforming in perfect detail. His eye reappeared, growing into place as though time itself had reversed.


    Finally, Cadogan stood fully healed, his body covered in a shimmering, icy white cloak. His sword glinted coldly in his hand as frost clung to the ground around him. He stepped forward, his movements deliberate and calm, his gaze piercing.


    "Blue Neba Core: Unkillable Demon of the Frozen Lake," he said, his voice low and icy, each word cutting like a blade.


    Matiane grinned despite himself, though unease flickered in his eyes. "So¡­ your true ability is absolute regeneration. How unlucky for me."


    Cadogan said nothing, his cold expression unchanging. Inwardly, his thoughts raced. *I can only use absolute regeneration once. It''s my last resort, meant for when my body is completely destroyed. But even without it, as long as I have Neba, I can repair my wounds. My body isn''t flesh anymore. It''s ice. And as long as I have Neba, I''ll keep coming back.*


    Matiane tightened his grip on his sword, his red Neba flaring brighter. "Well then," he muttered, forcing a grin. "Let''s see if that regeneration of yours can keep up."


    Cadogan raised his blade, his icy cloak dancing around him. Frost formed on his sword, spreading outward as the air grew colder. He locked eyes with Matiane, his voice steady and freezing.