Inside the suspended dimension carved by the Apex Trinity, time flowed differently—faster, sharper, more focused. What would be days in the real world stretched into weeks here, giving Hana, Ryuu, and Tetsu the chance to push their limits further than ever before.
The domain had shifted.
Now, they stood in the center of a massive training arena, carved into a floating island above endless clouds. Towering stone statues of long-forgotten heroes lined the arena walls, watching silently as the next generation prepared to rise.
Seraphine Vale, radiant and calm, floated above them, her silver hair glimmering in the light.
"Today," she said, voice echoing, "you will train not only your power—but your hearts. The arena responds to your Will. It will evolve as you do."
Magnus Kreel's massive footsteps boomed as he entered from the opposite side, arms crossed.
"Break. Bleed. Rise. This is how warriors are born."
Zhen Kairo appeared without a sound, standing at the edge of the arena, hands clasped behind his back.
"The wind speaks," he whispered. "It will guide you if you listen."
Phase One: Endurance Trial
Blades of compressed energy rose from the ground, walls of force erupted, and simulated beasts surged from portals. Ryuu rushed forward, his body glowing faintly with his storm-flame aura, slicing through enemies with swift, calculated strikes. His eyes burned with focus.
Tetsu yelled out, arms wrapped in aura-charged gauntlets, meeting a massive golem head-on. The impact cracked the arena floor, but he held firm, grinning through the pressure. "I'm not losing again!"
Meanwhile, Hana darted between collapsing walls and bursts of magic traps, using her speed and spirit-wired Will to outmaneuver the chaos. Her ribbon flowed behind her like a banner. Kael wouldn't fall behind... so neither can I.
Phase Two: Mirror Fight
Suddenly, the arena shimmered—then each of them was split from the others and faced with a dark, twisted version of themselves: mirror-clones powered by their own fears and regrets.
Ryuu fought a version of himself consumed by rage and pride. "You let Kael pass you—again," the clone sneered.
Tetsu's mirror self mocked him for always falling short. "You couldn't even protect her. You're just loud, not strong."
Hana's dark reflection whispered, "You're not like Kael. You never will be. You run... when he stands."
Each fight was brutal—not just physically, but emotionally. But one by one, they overcame. Ryuu found clarity. Tetsu found resolve. Hana, her eyes wet with tears and grit, found belief.
As they fell to their knees, exhausted and panting in the arena center, Seraphine floated down.
"You're learning," she said softly.
Kairo's voice drifted through the wind, "Growth begins at the edge of pain."
Magnus stepped forward, nodding. "Tomorrow, we test destruction."
They looked up, faces scraped and eyes fierce. They weren't done. Not even close.