The sky was different today.
Above the Trial Colosseum, a massive crimson moon hovered unnaturally low—close enough that it distorted the clouds. Spirit energy pulsed from it in chaotic rhythms, sending shockwaves through the atmosphere.
> [ FINAL ELIMINATION TRIAL INITIATED: BLOODMOON ASCENSION ] [ WARNING: SPIRIT BEASTS MAY BE AFFECTED ]
The arena transformed before their eyes. What was once solid marble cracked open to reveal multiple layered platforms—some floating, others rotating in mid-air, and all surrounded by glowing spirit glyphs.
> "This doesn't feel like a trial... it feels like war," Kale muttered.
> "And the moon? That's not normal, right?" Jin added, shielding his eyes.
Fuyue said nothing. Her gaze was locked on Kiyanotoka.
He was breathing slowly, grounding himself. But even he felt it:
> Something's wrong.
---
🐉 Beast Unrest
Thamuz snarled, his flames flickering erratically. His claws dug into the ground, tail slashing the air.
> [ ALERT: BLOODMOON DISRUPTION DETECTED – BEAST INSTABILITY RISING ]
Zephyrion circled above, letting out a distorted cry as the storm clouds around his wings sparked violet. Whiskerflip vanished and reappeared again, this time clinging to Kiyanotoka's back with wide, worried eyes.
> "They're... agitated," Kiyanotoka whispered.
> "Is this what the announcement meant?" Fuyue asked, stepping closer.
> "Maybe," Kiyanotoka said. "Or maybe it's a lot worse."
Just then, the arena shook. Platforms rose and fell like breath, and emerging from the central pillar came a voice—deep, ancient, distorted.
> "Trialists... prove not only your strength, but your command. Only those who maintain clarity may survive the Bloodmoon."
> [ OBJECTIVE: MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER YOUR BEASTS – AND YOURSELF ]
> [ SUDDEN DEATH MODE ACTIVATED. DEFEAT = PERMANENT ELIMINATION ]
---
⚠️ Crisis of Control
Kiyanotoka's beasts suddenly stopped responding.
Thamuz's pupils shrank. Zephyrion's wings faltered. Whiskerflip froze completely.
> [ SYNC DROPPING... 47% → 39% → 29% ]
> "No. No no no... stay with me," he whispered, reaching for Thamuz.
But Thamuz snapped at him, flames surging in wild arcs. Not at him—but around him. Out of control.
> They're going feral.
Kiyanotoka knew the synchronization drop was a direct threat to his contract. If it dropped too far, they'd revert to base instincts—and with their rank, that meant disaster.
> I need to reestablish the link. But how...
In the center of the arena, glowing runes shimmered—a command pedestal.
> "I'll draw them to me," Kiyanotoka told his team. "Don't interfere. Just... trust me."
> "Are you insane?" Jin shouted. "You'll get cooked alive!"
> "He's not insane," Fuyue said quietly. "He's their tether."
---
🌀 The Inner Flame
Kiyanotoka stepped into the chaos.
Thamuz roared, fire blooming in wild jets. Zephyrion screamed, diving at random. Whiskerflip darted between phases, uncontrolled.
Kiyanotoka took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and let his Flame Core resonate.
> Let them feel me.
He sent his intent outward—not as a command, but as an anchor.
> You are not weapons. You are not beasts. You are mine. And I am yours.
> [ BEAST RESONANCE – ATTEMPTING RESTORATION... ]
He opened his arms.
And took the first blast head-on.
---
🔥 Evolution Triggered
The fire didn't burn. Instead, it wrapped around him like a living cloth.
Thamuz's flames turned gold. Zephyrion's wings expanded, their feathers sharpening to stormsteel. Whiskerflip's body split into illusion trails that solidified around him.
> [ THAMUZ: EVOLUTION PROGRESS +7% – PASSIVE ABILITY UNLOCKED: FLAME VEIL ] [ ZEPHYRION: EVOLUTION PROGRESS +5% – PASSIVE ABILITY UNLOCKED: WIND SHIELD ] [ WHISKERFLIP: EVOLUTION PROGRESS +6% – PASSIVE ABILITY UNLOCKED: CHAOS TRICK ]
> [ SYNCHRONIZATION RESTORED – 29% → 51% ] [ BONUS UNLOCKED: TRUE BONDED COMMAND ]
In the stands, the instructors and nobles watching all stood up.
> "Did that boy just... force-link all three beasts simultaneously?"
> "Impossible. That would take three separate contracts—and immense spirit strength."
> "Who the hell is he?"
---
💘 Subtle Flame
Fuyue walked to where Kiyanotoka collapsed, barely conscious.
> "You always push too hard," she said, crouching beside him.
He cracked one eye open. "It worked."
"Barely. Next time, let someone else help you carry the weight."
She reached out, brushing a scorched piece of hair from his face.
He blinked. "You're... soft, all of a sudden."
"Shut up," she muttered, but didn't pull her hand away.
And despite the chaos, he smiled.
---
🏁 Trial Outcome
> [ FINAL BLOODMOON TRIAL: TEAM 7 PASSED ] [ RANK: #3 OVERALL ]
The moon began to fade, replaced by a calming golden sunrise.
But Kiyanotoka knew peace wouldn't last.
> Now they're watching me. Now I've painted a target.
He had power. He had trust.
And now, for the first time...
He had someone reaching for him too.
---
📊 Kiyanotoka Ash – Full Stats (Updated)
👤 Name: Kiyanotoka Ash
🌐 Class: Spiritual Beast Master (Hidden Body Cultivator)
📈 Body Level: Level 3 – Flame Core Adept
🔥 Traits:
Core Flame Pulse (30s cooldown)
Pulse Guard (Fatal strike negation – cooldown: 24h)
Iron Breath Band (Passive resistance)
Fire Vein Conductance
Tri-Layered Coordination
True Bonded Command (Joint emotion & sensory sync)
Efficiency: 99%
Weakness: Vulnerable to inner conflict, avoids emotional dependency
---
🐉 Spirit Beasts:
1. Thamuz – Fire Dragon (Juvenile+)
Rank: S
Skills: Refined Fire Arc, Heat Surge
Passive Ability: Flame Veil – Temporary immunity to spirit fire
Evolution: ~70%
2. Zephyrion – Storm Roc
Rank: A
Skills: Wing Charge, Thunder Dive
Passive Ability: Wind Shield – Deflects small projectiles while airborne
Evolution: ~55%
3. Whiskerflip – Sylph-Hare
Rank: B
Skills: Shadow Step, Spatial Skip
Passive Ability: Chaos Trick – Random illusion clone during blink
Evolution: ~78%
---
🧬 Beast Synchronization:
Current Sync: 51%
Next Bonus at 65%: Spirit-Fused Overdrive (???)
---
🌍 Trial Progress:
Final Trial: Bloodmoon Ascension – Completed
Current Rank: #3 Overall
---
End of Chapter 25