The fire crackled low in the stone hearth of their shared quarters. Adrien sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, eyes half-lidded in thought. Nyxaris lay curled beside him, one eye open, the other buried in fur. Damien leaned against a wooden pillar near the window, tossing a silver coin between his fingers, the moonlight making it flicker.
"So," Damien said casually, "we've been officially sized up and gift-wrapped for political use."
Adrien snorted. "Gift-wrapped is generous. I'd say the Duke wants to slot us into his chessboard and hope we don't burn it down."
Damien grinned. "You're assuming we won't."
"I'm assuming we will," Adrien replied, eyes flicking to the embers.
A long pause followed, filled with the soft breath of the fire and Nyxaris's quiet growling sleep.
"He wants something out of each of us," Damien said. "Kaelen's easy. Royal blood, political leverage. Me, probably just another weapon to throw around. But you…" he tossed the coin and caught it, "you bother him."
Adrien didn't respond at first. Then: "He doesn't know what I am. Neither do I. That makes people nervous."
"You scare nobles. I like that."
"You're terrible at compliments."
"Then I'm doing it right."
Adrien chuckled under his breath. "Still, he's not wrong about one thing. This tournament — it's more than a show. It's a battlefield in silk."
Damien looked over. "You planning to win for the gold, the girl, or the power?"
Adrien leaned back against the wall, his voice low. "I'm here for the fight. The rest? Just noise."
Nyxaris's ears twitched as if in agreement.
After a beat, Damien said, "You know... if we survive this, we're going to have a lot more enemies than friends."
Adrien looked up at him. "Then we'd better be damn good at staying alive."
Damien smirked. "Cheers to that."
He flipped the coin again, but this time, Adrien caught it mid-air.
"Mine now," he said dryly, pocketing it.
"Thief," Damien muttered, grinning.
Adrien's voice turned quiet, almost distant. "Let's see how far this tournament takes us. And what it wakes up along the way."
Nyxaris stirred, eyes glowing faintly. Something was always watching.
The moon hung low and bright, casting a silver glow over the outskirts of Dawnfire City. The city lights shimmered behind Adrien and Damien as they walked along a narrow dirt path just beyond the watchful reach of the city walls. Nyxaris padded silently at Adrien's side, its fur blending with the night, eyes glowing like twin crimson stars.
"So," Damien said, stretching his arms behind his head. "No training tonight. No nobles. No political snakes. Just you, me, and the road."
Adrien glanced at him, his tone dry. "That sounds dangerously like peace. I don't trust it."
Nyxaris let out a low, amused huff.
Damien laughed. "You're starting to sound like an old man. Enjoy the quiet for once."
Adrien smirked faintly. "Quiet never lasts."
As if on cue, a faint pulse tugged at his chest — a chill spreading from deep within. His vision flickered.
[SYSTEM MISSION: MONTHLY TRIAL INITIATED]
Participants: Adrien, Damien, Nyxaris
Objective: Reach the peak of Mount Grimhollow within three days. Survive. Overcome. Grow.
Location Shift: Immediate.
Warning: Death is possible. Rewards significant.
Beginning Transfer....
Damien blinked. "Uh... did you just feel that?"
Adrien opened his mouth, but light enveloped them before a word escaped. The air around them distorted, and a sudden pressure sucked the breath from their lungs.
—The World Shifted—
They landed hard on rough stone, mountain wind howling around them. Snowflakes drifted through the dusk sky, and clouds loomed thick above. A vast mountain range stretched endlessly in all directions, sharp peaks piercing the heavens like jagged spears. Below them, a shadowy forest sprawled, distant and dangerous.
Nyxaris shook the snow from its fur, immediately alert.
"Hell of a vacation spot," Damien muttered, staring up at the towering peak ahead.
Adrien exhaled slowly, his breath misting in the cold air. "Mount Grimhollow... this place wasn't on any map."
Nyxaris growled low, scanning the ridgelines.
Adrien narrowed his eyes. "Three days, huh?"
Damien clapped his hands, smiling despite the chill. "Well. Guess it's time for a hike."
Adrien looked up at the peak, the faintest glint of challenge in his eyes.
"Let's see what this trial wants from us."
The trial had begun.