The Sect gates loomed ahead, carved from black stone and flanked by massive dragon statues. Beyond them, I could see the faint shimmer of an energy barrier the Trials grounds.
The crowd of disciples gathered at the entrance was loud and restless. Some looked nervous, clutching their lotus tokens like lifelines. Others, mostly the older disciples, smirked as if they'd already won.
Lira walked ahead of me, the silver lotus insignia of her rank pinned neatly to her robes. Her presence made the others step aside, though a few glared when they noticed me walking beside her.
"Remember," Lira said quietly, without looking at me, "the Trials aren't just a test of strength. You'll be judged on cunning, adaptability, and restraint."
"I'll keep that in mind," I replied.
From behind us, Aria's voice cut in. "Don't feed him too many tips, Lira. Let him learn the hard way."
Lira didn't even turn around. "As long as he survives, I don't care how he learns."
A deep gong sounded from somewhere ahead.
The crowd quieted as an elder in crimson robes stepped onto the raised platform before the gates. His beard was long and white, his eyes sharp as if they could see right through you.
"Disciples," he called, his voice echoing unnaturally far. "The First Stage of the Sect Trials will determine whether you are worthy to stand among us. Those who fail will leave, stripped of all tokens and rights to return."
He held up a jade talisman. "Inside lies the Forest of Thousand Shadows. Its paths shift. Its beasts hunger. Within its bounds, you will find hidden caches of silver lotuses. Each disciple begins with one token. When the gong sounds again, those holding three or more will advance. The rest… will not."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
The elder's gaze swept over us. "You may take them from the wild… or from each other. Do not expect mercy from man or beast."
The gates began to creak open. A cold wind spilled out, carrying the scent of damp earth and something… metallic.
Lilith whispered in my mind. Blood. Fresh.
We were herded forward. I stepped through the shimmering barrier and the world changed.
The sky here was dim, as if a constant twilight hung over the forest. Massive trees twisted overhead, their branches tangled like skeletal fingers. Somewhere in the distance, a low roar rumbled.
Lira and Aria stepped in beside me.
"You should split up," Lira advised. "It's easier to sneak up on you if you're in a group."
Aria smirked. "Or maybe he needs someone to keep him alive."
They both looked at me and I realized they weren't just talking about strategy.
"I'll manage," I said, stepping ahead before they could start again.
The undergrowth was thick, and the ground was soft underfoot. My senses were on high alert. Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves had me checking my surroundings.
Lilith murmured, Three to your left. Hiding.
I shifted my stance, pretending to examine a tree trunk. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw them three disciples, all with matching black armbands.
The tallest one stepped forward, a lazy grin on his face. "Nice token you've got there. Hand it over and we might let you walk away."
I tilted my head. "And if I don't?"
His grin widened. "Then you won't be walking."
They moved fast too fast for normal disciples. My ribs still ached from last night, and I could feel my body tensing.
Use my power, Lilith purred. I'll make it quick.
I hesitated then saw one of them draw a curved blade and rush me.
I let Lilith's energy surge through my limbs. The world slowed.
The first attacker swung I caught his wrist, twisted, and slammed my knee into his gut. He folded with a gasp.
The second came from my right; I dropped low, swept his legs, and drove my palm into his chest, sending him stumbling into a tree.
The third froze just long enough for me to close the distance and wrench his token free.
By the time they hit the ground, my breath was coming fast and my muscles burned.
Lilith's voice was soft. See? With me, you win.
I now had three tokens. But my ribs throbbed harder than before, and a faint, unnatural heat lingered under my skin.
I didn't get long to rest.
A scream tore through the forest not human. Something big was moving through the underbrush, snapping branches like twigs.
Lira's voice echoed from somewhere to my right. "Kai! Move!"
I turned just in time to see it a massive, black-furred beast with glowing green eyes and tusks like jagged swords. It crashed through the trees, scattering disciples in every direction.
The beast lunged straight at me.
The beast's roar shook the air, the kind of sound you felt in your bones before you even heard it.
Its massive paws tore up the earth as it charged. Leaves and clumps of dirt flew in every direction.
I barely managed to throw myself sideways. My ribs screamed in protest as I hit the ground hard. The spot where I'd been standing exploded into a spray of soil as the beast's tusks dug a deep trench.
Lilith's voice curled in my head. Slow. Heavy. You could kill it in three moves.
"Yeah?" I hissed under my breath, clutching my side. "And what's the cost this time?"
She chuckled. Only a little more of you.
A shriek nearby drew my attention a young male disciple, trapped against a tree, the beast's second charge bearing down on him.
I didn't think. I moved.
Snatching up a fallen branch, I hurled it with every bit of strength I could muster. It smacked against the beast's flank with a sharp crack. The monster swung toward me, snarling.
The trapped disciple bolted away without so much as a "thanks."
The beast's eyes locked onto me.
Its muscles bunched and it lunged.
I dove behind a thick tree trunk. Tusks slammed into the bark with a sound like splitting stone. The impact sent vibrations through my bones.
My mind raced. This thing was stronger than anything I'd fought yet and unlike human opponents, it didn't hesitate, didn't get scared.
Let me in, Lilith urged. I'll give you speed to match its strength.
I could feel her power curling like smoke under my skin, begging to be unleashed. But every time I used it, the lingering heat in my veins stayed longer.
The beast ripped its tusks free and came again.
This time, I let Lilith's strength flood my muscles just for a moment.
The world snapped into focus. I darted aside, grabbed hold of one of the beast's tusks, and used its own momentum to swing myself onto its back.
It thrashed violently, slamming its body against trees, trying to throw me off. Bark splintered, my shoulder burned, and my grip slipped.
I drew the short blade from my belt and drove it into the thick muscle at the base of its neck.
The beast roared, bucking harder. I felt something give in my shoulder pain flared white-hot, and I tumbled to the ground.
My breath came in ragged gasps. The blade was still in its neck, but it wasn't deep enough.
The beast turned, blood streaming down its black fur, eyes wild.
I staggered to my feet just as a blur moved past me.
The same disciple I'd saved earlier appeared, wielding a hooked spear. He thrust it deep into the beast's flank. The monster howled, whipping toward him.
We attacked together my blade stabbing from the other side while he wrenched his spear free and drove it in again.
The beast's legs buckled. It collapsed with a final, guttural growl.
I fell to my knees, chest heaving. My hands were slick with the beast's hot blood.
The disciple gave me a quick nod. "Not bad."
I started to reply but then his boot slammed into my ribs.
I hit the ground hard, wheezing.
"Sorry," he said, not sounding sorry at all. "But three tokens is a lot for one guy to be carrying."
My vision swam. I tried to push up his spearhead pressed against my throat.
Lilith's voice was ice. Kill him.
But my body felt like it was moving through molasses. My shoulder throbbed, my ribs felt cracked, and I could barely breathe.
He knelt, rifling through my belt pouch until he found the tokens. He smirked. "You'll probably live. Maybe."
Then he was gone, vanishing into the trees.
I lay there, the damp earth cold against my cheek, every breath a stab of pain.
Lilith's voice softened. You could have had him begging for mercy.
I closed my eyes. "Yeah. And maybe lost more than just tokens."
Somewhere far off, the gong sounded again. Half the time was gone.
If I wanted to survive this stage, I had to get back up and get those tokens back.