Emergence Trials
The second option offered something different.
The Emergence Trials were reserved only for planes with extraordinary potential.
If chosen, the Transcendence would invest a portion of its own World Origin Energy into the planet.
This would expand the world's size.
Increase its energy.
And awaken hidden Talents within its lifeforms.
Evolution would begin.
But the gift came with a terrifying condition.
In 7500 years, the planet must produce at least one Tier-5 Lifeform.
Before that deadline arrived, the world would also face five trials, each separated by fifty years.
Failure in even one trial would result in immediate destruction.
The Transcendence would devour the planet entirely.
The voice returned once more.
"Time remaining."
Inside every mind, a timer appeared.
30:00
29:59
The countdown had begun.
Thirty minutes to decide the fate of their entire civilization.
No one could move.
No one could speak.
Yet billions of thoughts raced wildly across the planet.
Fear.
Hope.
Desperation.
Then—
Without anyone knowing exactly why—
Most people made the same choice.
The timer suddenly reached its end.
00:00
The voice spoke again.
"Time over."
A brief pause followed.
Then the final verdict arrived.
"Majority choice detected."
"Option selected: Emergence Trials."
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then the sky exploded with countless colors.
Lights of gold, crimson, emerald, and violet poured down from the heavens like an endless storm.
The earth shook violently.
Mountains trembled.
Oceans roared.
Yet strangely—
No one was harmed.
Buildings did not collapse.
Cities did not fall.
The light simply flowed into every living thing.
Humans.
Animals.
Plants.
The very soil of the planet itself.
Time passed.
Minutes.
Hours.
Days.
No one knew.
Then suddenly—
The light vanished.
Silence returned to the world.
The voice spoke one final time.
"Planetary transformation complete."
"Talent awakening initiated."
"Knowledge of evolutionary pathways granted."
And then—
The voice disappeared forever.
At that same moment, the invisible force binding every human vanished.
Bodies moved again.
People gasped.
Cried.
Screamed.
The world had changed.
And deep within every living being…
something had awakened.