[4:30:02]
Aeon stared at the timer counting down.
He was standing in a huge open chamber, the hollow part of the anchor.
Polished Black and white tiles made up the floor, while Crystalline chandelier above gave the open chamber it's characteristics faint golden glow.
Pillars arched at the periphery of chamber, supporting the weight of the top and bottom half of anchor.
In middle of the chamber stood a golden throne, a translucent crown forming upon it. Floating few feets from its surface.
Aeon had concluded that the crown is the main component, which will completely materialize when the five minutes are over.
One who would claim it would become the conqueror.
He just need to wait four more minutes and he would achieve his goal.
'But...no way the trial would be this easy.' he doubted
"Intresting...an ascension 0?"
And this worry was proven true, as someone spoke from behind.
There stood a man who like sky had forsaken the standard uniform and wore a black militaristic uniform.
Blood crimson hair flowed down his shoulders, paired with equally bloody red eyes. He had Sharp facial features and a domineering gaze.
He Stood tall and stiff, watching Aeon with slight interest. Hands behind his back. Face expressionless.
"You seem to be an special entrée..." The man spoke, each word unknowingly putting pressure on aeon's mind. He felt like he was in presence of some commander.
Aeon didn't know when but the blade slipped from his hands, as he felt a kick connecting to his stomach, sending him crashing into one of the pillars.
Boooom!
"Cough cough" Aeon coughed up blood, holding on to the silver of his consciousness that threatened to slip away.
In his trembling vision, he saw the perpetrator standing tall where he had stood a second ago.
His gaze didn't show hostility or... anything negative, just solemn...evaluating. As if he is testing rather than fighting seriously.
"You held on...most lost consciousness by just that. Indeed worthy of trying to conquer the crown." The man gave his curt evaluation.
"But..."
Crimson Flames ragged, forming a big ring around the man. Creating an arena.
"... tenacity alone is not enough against true adversity."
Aeon's broken blade slid back towards him.
"Pick it up." He ordered. Each word falling like a divine decree.
Aeon begrudgingly complied, pushing through the pressure on his shoulders that was building up.
"If you want the crown, prove that you are more worthy than me." The man stated simply, offering no more words. He could back down and watch or continue challenging him.
Aeon stepped into the arena to face the unknown man.
He finnally noticed the Ascension mark of his opponent- a small flaming scar on the forehead.
In his black and white world, it glowed red hot. Standing out majestically.
Swwooshh!
Another kick came, this time blocked by his sword.
Aeon felt like he got hit by an mountain, as he was sent flying from sheer power behind the kick.
The blade didn't break further, showing the precession of the foe's power.
He skidded and stopped just at the edge of the arena.
Clang!
Not giving him breathing space, another kick descended from above, which he barely dodged by a hair's breadth. The floor cracked from the force.
"Fast reflexes, you are used to life and death combat." He dryly commented, analyzing his actions surgically. Ready to launch another assualt.
『Do you wish to-』
'Reject!'
Strange gylphs arranged themselves before Aeon, but he intergected their words.
Boooom!
He crashed into the back of throne.
『Do you wish to use your unique authority?』
It stubbornly asked again.
No, it was the authority Inside him that stubbornly asked. The words were simply a medium.
'No!' He refused again.
Stubbornly he got up again, sword ready in his hands.
"Why do you keep getting up? Stubbornness would not prove anything." The man spoke in an neutral tone. Adjusting his sleaves.
[0:50:21]
50 seconds remained.
Seeing the time, the man sighed. Disappointed that no other higher ranker came. It seems they were too busy with hunting sky and proving to their masters over merit of throne.
"Let's end this play, tenuous warrior."
Like the first encounter, Aeon couldn't react as a hand pierced through his chest clean.
『Unique Authority wishes to come out!』
『Unique Authority wishes to come out!』
『Unique Authority wishes to come out!』
From the start till the end, Aeon could only block. Even that liberty was just because the opponent was playing around and testing his limits.
Aeon was left helpless, coughing up more blood.
'why can't I be something more than just a vessel to this damn authority!' Angry and disgust filled him.
Did he have to suffer the consequences again?
"Still standing? Let's fix that." As he spoke, crimson fire flared up, consuming Aeon whole. Burning him alive.
『Unique Authority wishes to be unfettered.』
It asked again. Aeon could feel it's excitement from within him.
Left with no option he agreed,
"Ye-"
Swooosssh!
But before he could give verbal confirmation, an explosion rang just outside the throne chamber.
An noble carriage was flying swiftly, heading straight towards them.
With a single gesture from the man, the carriage stopped few meters away from them, lossing it's momentum. Falling down of the ground harmlessly.
Sniff
"Hm?" The man made a confused expression, then his eye widen, smelling live gunpowder from the inside.
He tried to free his another hand from the chared corpse, only to find it gripping it's hand tightly, locking it in place.
You are going down with me! Aeon actions silently conved.
Booooooooooooom!
An earth shaking explosion echoed across the entire zone, stopping everyone in place. They in unison looked at the throne chamber from afar.
From the smoke and debris, the man with flame scar walked out unscathed, discarding the body behind him.
[0:03:68]
On the throne, stood a man with black hair and molten golden eyes.
The Blasphemer, Sky!
[0:03:20]
He held the now corporeal golden crown in his hands.
[0:02:78]
The man with flame scar attempted to lunge at the throne, he could traverse the distance to throne in a second.
[0:02:23]
A hand grabbed his ankle, stopping him in track. It was Aeon who was burnt, still holding consciousness.
[0:01:98]
He tore apart the hand that held him and lunged, but aeon already fulfilled his goal of hindering him.
[0:01:06]
He appeared right infront of Sky who had jumped back, one hand on crown another on his lips, gesturing him to just watch.
He had a mocking smile on his face.
[0:00:49]
Crack!
Just as his hand was close to the crown, the crown cracked.
His eyes eyes widening in surprise.
The crown is cracking!
[0:00:03]
The crack swiftly spread across the crown, much to everyone's horror.
The grine on sky's face grew deeper.
[0:00:00]
Right as the timer hit zero, the crown crumbled. With it the throne too crumbled.
[The crown has been conquered!]
[The crown has been destroyed!]
[The divine throne has been destroyed!]
[Hidden condition for heavenly rebellion has been met!]
Everyone hearing the voice's announcement were left dumbfounded.
What do you mean by the crown destroyed?! Wasn't that the ultimate objective?!
[The authority to command the conquered for next trial as been sacrificed!]
[In return, the stars will fulfill any one small request from the rebel party.]
[Request as been put forward!]
Immediately, sky and Aeon dissolved in light. The false realm created for the trial started to crack, shattering into pieces.
[All penalty will be issued soon!]
[In land of hunters and conquerors, the almighty throne was upsurged not by conquerors but by the powerless rebels who wished to break the chains set by heavens. No throne, no authority, no power and no endless cycle should persist anymore.]
[Zone 23 winners : Sky Theobane & Aeon!]
[First Trial has concluded!]
[Initiating Second Trial!]