The Void of Pure Energy — Nem and Di'or's Collapse
Nem and Di'or stepped forward—and the universe changed.
The moment they crossed into the next trial, all sense of direction vanished. There was no sky, no ground, no horizon. Only an endless expanse of pale emptiness stretched in every direction, silent and vast beyond comprehension. The space was filled with a strange, formless energy—pure, refined, and terrifyingly absolute. It did not swirl like demonic power, nor did it burn like elemental flames. It simply existed, pressing down on their bodies and souls alike.
Their movements felt wrong.
Each step sent no sound echoing through the void, and their bodies felt impossibly light, as though gravity itself had loosened its grip. Yet at the same time, an unbearable cold seeped into their bones, bypassing flesh and qi alike. Breathing became difficult—not because the air was thin, but because every breath felt heavy, as if they were inhaling eternity itself.
Nem's expression shifted.
For the first time since entering the trials, the calm ease that usually rested in his eyes cracked. His steps slowed, his shoulders stiffening as the void energy gnawed at his core. Then, without warning, his knees gave out.
He collapsed.
His body hit the unseen ground soundlessly, his aura flickering violently before dimming like a dying flame. The sight sent a sharp jolt through Di'or's chest.
"N—Nem!" she cried, rushing to his side.
She knelt beside him and grabbed his arm, only to recoil slightly at the sensation. His skin was freezing—unnaturally so, as though the void itself had wrapped around him. His breathing was shallow, uneven, and his once steady presence felt dangerously fragile.
"I…" Nem murmured weakly, forcing his eyes open. Even speaking seemed to drain him. "I've used… too much of my powers."
The words struck Di'or harder than any blow.
She didn't hesitate. Her hands flared with light as she channeled her inner energy, carefully guiding it into his body to counteract the cold that was consuming him. Sweat formed at her temples as she focused, teeth clenched, every ounce of concentration fixed on stabilizing his collapsing aura.
At first, it worked.
But the void did not yield so easily.
The cold resisted her efforts, devouring her energy faster than she could replenish it. Each breath became a struggle, her chest tightening as fatigue crept into her limbs. Still, she refused to stop. She believed she could hold on—just long enough.
Then she felt it.
A presence.
Di'or's spine stiffened as something shifted behind her. She turned sharply—and her heart sank.
A demon stood there.
It looked young, almost deceptively so, its long, wild hair drifting slowly despite the absence of wind. Yet the power radiating from it was overwhelming, crushing in its intensity. This was no ordinary trial construct. Its presence alone made her instincts scream danger.
Di'or rose to her feet, placing herself between the demon and Nem. Her body trembled, but her gaze remained steady.
The demon raised a hand.
Wind exploded outward.
The force slammed into her like a wall, violent and unforgiving. Di'or was thrown backward, reacting on instinct as she cast a magical barrier just in time. The shield shimmered, barely holding as the wind dissipated around her. Pain surged through her arms, but she remained standing.
Then she saw it.
The demon's attention had shifted.
Its next attack wasn't aimed at her.
It was aimed at Nem.
"No—!"
Without thinking, Di'or launched herself forward. She threw her body between Nem and the incoming strike, her barrier shattering as the force crashed into her directly. Agony ripped through her limbs, her vision blurring as she was hurled to the ground beside him.
Blood spilled from her lips as she coughed violently, the taste metallic and bitter. Her body screamed in protest, every muscle burning, every breath shallow and strained.
The demon approached.
Slow. Deliberate.
Its hand flickered with fire, raw and concentrated, as it lifted its leg, preparing to strike with crushing force. Di'or's thoughts raced wildly. There was no strength left to fight. No barrier strong enough to block what was coming.
This was the end.
Unless—
With trembling arms, Di'or forced herself upright. Every movement felt like tearing through broken glass, but she ignored the pain. Drawing on the very last remnants of her power, she began to chant.
The spell was immense.
Her energy surged outward in a blinding flash as the universe itself seemed to ripple. Space distorted violently, light bending and shattering around them. In a single instant, the void collapsed inward—
And they were gone.
They reappeared outside the trial, expelled by the formation itself.
The Saints arrived immediately, their figures flashing into existence as they rushed to Nem and Di'or's side. Healing energies flowed as they ensured both were still alive, their injuries stabilizing under the Saints' combined efforts.
Saint Lu Qi stood frozen.
For once, the composed Saint could not hide the disbelief etched across his face. His hands tightened slowly at his sides as he looked down at the two disciples, his eyes dark with fear and grim realization.
"At this rate…" he muttered under his breath, voice tense and heavy.
"We won't be able to stand against the Ansha."