The air had grown heavier as they descended deeper into the Crucible's heart. The walls pulsed, the stone itself throbbing like a living, breathing entity. This was no mere structure; it was a sentient relic, an ancient power bound by forgotten laws and will.
Their steps echoed unnervingly.
> [System Notice: Trial Three – Heart of the Crucible Initiated.]
> [Objective: Survive the Heart's embrace. Time Limit: Unknown.]
No more words were necessary. They knew the path had led them here for a reason.
The deeper they went, the darker it became.
A vast chamber opened up before them. It was impossible to measure the scale, the very edges of the room lost to shadow. In the center stood a towering Crimson Heart—a massive, throbbing organ of dark stone, suspended by roots of glowing red energy, beating with a slow, rhythmic pulse.
> [System Notice: Heart of the Crucible – Current Phase: Temptation.]
Adexander stepped forward. Every instinct screamed to stay back. But there was no room for hesitation now.
Igris unsheathed his sword. "What is this?"
Velessia's silver eyes shone, studying the heart with wariness. "It's alive… not in the way we understand, but it breathes."
> "That's a great point," Kaien muttered, "because the floor's starting to rumble."
And, just like that, the walls began to close in.
The red pulse quickened.
The sound grew deafening, like a thousand drums beating in unison, rattling their bones.
> [Warning: Core Activation Detected. Energy Surge Imminent.]
Raik raised his hands. "We need to stop it, or—"
Before he could finish, the Crimson Heart split open, and from its core erupted a mass of writhing energy, coiling into the form of a massive beast.
It was no creature—this was a force of primal will. Its body was formed from the heart's blood-red tendrils, an amalgamation of flesh and energy. It had a single, central eye—a glaring orb of crimson that focused solely on Adexander.
The Crimson Beast roared.
The ground cracked beneath its weight.
> [System Notice: Trial Three – Combat Phase Initiated.]
Adexander drew his blade, eyes narrowing.
Kaien grinned, raising his daggers. "Now this is more like it."
Velessia's aura flared, her silver wings stretching as she focused. "Stay alert."
> "Focus on the heart," Adexander commanded, his voice cold and clear. "We stop it by severing its connection to the heart."
The Crimson Beast lunged, tendrils whipping toward them like serpents.
---
The Battle
The first strike shattered the ground. Adexander leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the red tendrils that cleaved through stone with terrifying ease.
Kaien darted forward, slipping between the beast's appendages, daggers flashing.
> "Gotcha!" Kaien taunted, cutting at one of the tendrils, but it regenerated almost immediately.
Igris met the beast head-on, his sword crackling with energy as he slashed at its mass. The blade cleaved through the red tendrils, but the wound closed as quickly as it had appeared.
Velessia flew above them, releasing silver bolts of pure light that struck the creature's eye. But it barely flinched, its power almost overwhelming.
The Crimson Beast screeched in fury.
> "It's regenerating faster than we can deal damage," Igris shouted. "We need to shut down the source!"
Adexander's eyes locked onto the Crimson Heart, still pulsing like a living heart in the center of the room.
He gritted his teeth. "Keep it distracted."
He charged.
The battle raged on around him, but Adexander was focused. Every step brought him closer to the heart—closer to the center of this trial.
---
The Crimson Heart
Adexander reached the base of the heart, his blade now glowing with the crimson energy coursing through him. He could feel it—an ancient force, as old as the world itself, latching onto his very being.
> [System Notice: Bloodforge – Core Reached.]
> [Echo of the Crimson Past – Resonance Peak.]
His blood surged. Memories—fragments of his former life—flooded his mind.
He saw himself. His past life. His ultimate betrayal. The last battle, where he fell, shattering his body, his mind, his soul.
The memories didn't break him.
They made him stronger.
With one final roar, Adexander slammed his sword into the Crimson Heart. The blade cut deep, and the pulse of energy shattered.
The Crimson Beast howled in agony as the tendrils turned to ash. Its massive form trembled.
> [System Notice: Trial Three – Complete.]
---
Aftermath
The heart crumbled, falling into dust.
The room fell silent, the energy dissipating. Adexander stood, breathing heavily, his sword embedded in the remains of the Crimson Heart. His allies gathered around him, watching in awe.
Velessia stepped forward, her wings folding. "You did it."
Adexander wiped the sweat from his brow, his expression unreadable.
> "It was never about the heart," he said softly. "It was about controlling it."
Kaien chuckled darkly. "And here I thought you were just trying to kill something."
Raik, still panting from the battle, shook his head. "That… was something else."
> [System Notice: Trial Three – Final Completion.]
> [Echo of the Crimson Past – Progression 19% → 24%.]
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