1 – The Awakening of the BeastThe altar groaned, splitting down the center as something forced its way up from the dark.
At first, Rayan thought it was smoke — but smoke didn't have eyes.Dozens of them, pale and lidless, turned in different directions.
A mouth, far too wide, peeled open from ear to ear. Rows of teeth glistened like wet glass.The smell hit them then — rot and copper, thick enough to taste.
"Hunter…" it said, but not in a voice. It was a chorus of whispers directly in their skulls.
2 – The RuleNew glowing words etched themselves into the air:
Only the blood of the chosen will open the way forward.
The hunters froze."Chosen? What does that mean?" one whispered.
Rayan's stomach dropped. He understood.This thing didn't want them all dead — it wanted them to kill each other.
3 – The First BetrayalIt happened fast.A dagger slid between a young healer's ribs before she could even scream. Her own teammate stood behind her, eyes wild.
"I'm sorry! I have a family—"He didn't finish. The beast's tail — barbed and slick — wrapped around his torso and squeezed.
There was a wet crack. The body folded in half before being tossed aside like meat.
The monster chuckled. "Not chosen."
4 – ChaosBlades came out. Arrows flew.The room became a storm of screams and steel.
Rayan ducked under a spear thrust, his mind racing. If killing each other isn't the answer… what is?
The beast's many eyes scanned them with lazy hunger, as if enjoying the spectacle.
5 – The Flash of MemoryAmid the chaos, Rayan caught sight of a young woman cornered by two hunters.Her face was nothing like Serin's… and yet, in the flicker of torchlight, for a heartbeat, it was.
He froze.Serin, smiling at him over steaming bowls of street noodles.Serin, gripping his hand the night before the raid.Serin, bleeding out while he screamed for help that never came.
No. Not again.
6 – The DecisionWithout thinking, Rayan moved.His blade met another hunter's mid-swing, the clang echoing through the chamber.
"You're insane!" the man shouted."Maybe," Rayan snarled, shoving him back. "But I'm not letting her die."
7 – The RealizationAs he pulled the woman to her feet, the monster stopped moving.Its grin widened.
The letters in the air shifted:
The chosen… are those who defy the law of blood.
Rayan's chest heaved.It wasn't about killing — it was about resisting it.
8 – The Trial TurnsThe survivors saw it too late. The ones still fighting each other were swallowed whole.The beast's tail swept the floor, smashing bodies into pulp.
Only five remained — those who had refused to strike the innocent.
The monster leaned closer, filling Rayan's vision with teeth."Third Trial…" it whispered."Begins now."
The torches died. The chamber became black.Something wet and heavy breathed in the dark.