The world had changed.
Ten thousand Awakeners were dead.
The Tower of Trial had claimed its toll, and the surviving nations could no longer afford to wait. Mourning banners flew across every capital. Families wept. Streets echoed with grief and confusion.
But power demanded control.
And so the world leaders came together, not out of unity, but necessity.
---
Formation of the IAO
In a historic virtual summit that involved all major nations, the International Awakened Organization (IAO) was born. Independent from the mysterious System, this global governing body was created solely by human hands.
The IAO's mission was clear: regulate awakened affairs, enforce international coordination, track dangerous individuals, and establish a support infrastructure that wouldn't collapse under the next wave of chaos.
The System gave no orders. It simply watched.
IAO established training centers, diplomatic protocols, and emergency defense plans. Most importantly, it initiated cooperation across borders for awakened survival.
But the people needed more than law.
They needed hope, identity, and strength.
---
The Rise of Guilds
Around the same time, humanity's elite Awakeners began organizing into what would soon be the world's most powerful institutions: the Guilds.
These were not born from governments. They were grassroots movements of power, survival, and pride.
Guilds were rated from S to D, depending on their achievements, member strength, and influence. Membership was not enforced by the System, but participation offered access to advanced training, secret dungeon routes, and political backing.
A rank-based ecosystem quickly developed:
S-Rank Guilds: Global-level powerhouses.
A-Rank: National dominators.
B-Rank: City or regional elites.
C & D: New, rising or struggling groups.
Unaffiliated Awakeners could still operate independently, but were often seen as wild cards—or threats.
---
Dominant Guilds Emerge
From the ashes of the first Tower floor, five major guilds surged to prominence:
Kaisar Order: Led by the Vatican's UR duo, Xenovia Kael and Elijah Voss. Focused on holy power and high-level strategy.
Shin Kami-Ryuu: Born from the alliance of Japan and China, led by Leonardo Takashi and Chloe Wu. Disciplined, brutal, and honor-bound.
Red Winter: Russian-born guild led by Dmitri Volkov and Anya Petrova. Known for military tactics and overwhelming firepower.
Iron Crescent: Aamir Khan and Faisal Rana of Pakistan formed this guild with a balance of martial and spiritual power.
Varuna's Flame: India's top UR pair, Dev Rajan and Meera Sharma, were reluctantly chosen to lead this newly formed national guild.
Media worshiped them. Governments leaned on them. And the public began believing again.
But Dev and Meera had their own scars—class, caste, duty, and loss. They carried it all in silence.
---
Prophecy Activated
The System remained quiet.
Until the 10,000th Awakener fell in a remote African dungeon.
Then came the voice—not loud, but ancient, like an echo from creation:
"When ten thousand fall, purpose and punishment rise. One shall stand. The world shall watch. Trial begins: SAVE YOUR COUNTRY."
The prophecy fulfilled.
And the world held its breath.
---
Gate: Save Your Country
In the holy city of Varanasi, where gods and humans met across centuries, a celestial rift tore the sky. A black-and-gold Gate floated above the sacred Ganges, pulsing with eerie energy. Only Awakeners could see it. Only Awakeners could feel the pressure emanating from it.
And then came the System Notification:
[Gate Activated: Save Your Country]
Location: India (Varanasi)
Eligibility: Only Awakeners registered in India may enter
Time Limit: 30 Days
Failure Condition: Global Punishment
No further explanation. No rules. No mercy.
India was the first chosen.
And the world would watch.
---
Kaito & Aya – Watching the Storm
From the rooftop of a deserted high-rise, Aya Shirogane stared at the broadcast with narrowed eyes. Her silver hair fluttered in the evening wind.
"A gate for a country? What kind of twisted gamble is this?"
Beside her, Kaito Yamada—masked and unreadable—sipped his orange soda.
"It's not a gamble," he murmured, voice calm. "It's the first move of something worse."
Aya glanced sideways. "You always say creepy things when drinking soda."
Kaito grinned, eyes still on the distant Gate.
"That's because I hate soda."
The sky rumbled.
And somewhere in Varanasi, the Gate pulsed once—like a heartbeat.
---
"The Weight of a Nation"
The silence following the System's announcement was louder than any explosion. Every television screen, smartphone, and digital billboard displayed the same crimson letters:
[India has been selected to challenge the First Gate.]
[Time remaining: 29 Days, 23 Hours, 58 Minutes.]
The countdown had begun.
---
Delhi, India – Ministry of Awakened Affairs
A newly constructed high-security underground facility buzzed with chaos. Politicians, generals, scientists, and elite Awakeners from all over the country were crammed into a circular war room beneath the Indian Parliament.
At the head of the table stood General Vir Pratap, head of the National Awakened Security Division (NASD). His voice was grave.
"The eyes of the entire world are upon us. Failure means not only India's downfall, but global punishment. We will not just be fighting for our nation… we will be fighting for Earth."
Behind him, a massive holographic projection displayed the Gate's location — an obsidian structure resembling an ancient temple, hovering inches above the ground in the center of Kurukshetra, Haryana.
---
National-Level Awakeners Briefing
In a restricted zone nearby, top-ranked Indian Awakeners gathered — including both government-aligned and independent guild-affiliated individuals. There was tension in the air, and not just because of the Gate.
Dev Rajan, dressed in a rugged black combat coat, stood in the corner of the hall with Meera Sharma beside him. They were the most powerful known duo in India, both UR-ranked, and were expected to lead the charge. Dozens of cameras outside the building waited to catch a glimpse of them — the so-called "Savior Couple of India."
A rival Awakener, Vikrant Rathi, leader of the S-Ranked guild Agni Veer, scoffed.
"Of course, the government's pets will lead the team. I suppose fame matters more than strategy now."
Dev tilted his head with a lazy smirk.
"If you think you can do better, Vikrant, be my guest. I'd love to watch you turn into monster chow."
Meera coughed into her hand to hide her laugh. Tension flickered but was cut off as the briefing officer entered.
---
Gate Entry Eligibility Announcement
A new System announcement appeared only to Indian Awakeners:
[Eligibility Confirmed: Only India-born Awakeners are permitted to enter this Gate.]
[Awakeners must register with the Awakened Authority India (AAI) to gain entry clearance.]
This made things clearer — even those part of foreign guilds or in other nations had to return home if they were to participate. There would be no external help this time.
---
Independent Guilds & Global Reactions
India's independent guilds — including:
Rakshak Union (Rank: A)
Lotus Fang (Rank: B)
Trident Corps (Rank: C)
Black Maratha (Rank: S)
— all began gathering in the capital. Rivalries temporarily shelved, guild leaders attended emergency strategy sessions alongside the military.
Meanwhile, foreign powers seethed.
In a televised address, the American president said:
"We offer all technological, magical, and strategic assistance to the Indian people. If they fall, we all do."
In the Vatican, Xenovia Kael whispered to her partner Elijah:
"Let's pray they succeed... because if they don't, this world will burn."
---
The Gate's Aura
Reporters near the Gate in Kurukshetra began fainting. Drones malfunctioned. Energy sensors maxed out with corrupted readings. The Gate radiated an ancient, divine pressure. It didn't feel like Tower energy—it was different. Older. More malicious.
Dev stared at the footage from the safety of the capital and muttered:
"This… isn't the Tower's doing. Is it?"
Meera narrowed her eyes.
"It feels like the Tower unlocked something buried. Something that wasn't supposed to be disturbed."
"Choosing the 100"
---
New Delhi – NASD Headquarters, Day 2 Post-Gate Appearance
India had 29 days, but in reality, it had far less. The internal pressure was volcanic. The military, independent guilds, national guilds, and foreign embassies were scrambling behind the scenes, but the key responsibility fell on just two people now:
Dev Rajan and Meera Sharma.
A holographic interface hovered in front of them — names, ranks, stats, and system profiles of all registered Awakeners across India scrolled endlessly.
> "Over 980,000 active Awakeners," Meera muttered. "And we can only pick a hundred."
Dev was quiet, chin resting in his palm, eyes scanning the screen.
> "We're not picking the strongest. We're picking the ones who'll survive… and win."
---
Selection Criteria Chaos
News spread instantly.
[Dev-Meera duo granted exclusive leadership over Gate expedition!]
[Only 100 Awakeners will be chosen. Applications open for 72 hours!]
Across social media and TV, the reaction was split:
Supporters cheered: "If anyone can do it, they can!"
Critics raged: "Who are they to decide who lives or dies?"
Guilds protested: "Selection must be democratic!"
An Awakened rights activist even went viral:
> "This is tyranny! Power centralized in two people's hands? The System is forcing India into dictatorship!"
In private, the Prime Minister sighed.
> "They'll curse them if they fail. But if they succeed… they'll become legends."
---
Guild Drama – S vs A Rank Clash
At the Lotus Arena in Hyderabad, two prominent guilds met for a joint qualifier. Each wanted their elites to get selected.
Vikrant Rathi of Black Maratha (S-Rank) and Priya Iyer of Rakshak Union (A-Rank) faced off in a public sparring match to show off their strength.
The battle went viral.
Vikrant's inferno-based martial art clashed violently with Priya's gravity-field distortions. They were evenly matched—until Priya fainted mid-fight.
System message:
[Mental instability detected: Awakener suffers from unresolved trauma.]
Vikrant stepped back, sighed, and walked off-stage.
> "Strength's not enough. If your mind can't handle the Gate's pressure, you're a liability."
Dev, watching from afar, noted the line.
> Noted. Eliminate candidates with emotional instability, regardless of power.
[Location: Global Broadcast – System Interface]
As the clock struck midnight IST, the world was once again blanketed by the chilling presence of the System's voice.
> [System Notification – Global Broadcast]
"Final Notice. The Gate of Trial has now stabilized.
Selected Country: India
Total Slots Available: 100 Awakeners (50 Duos)
Eligibility: Must be a registered Duo with proven combat synergy.
Time Limit to Clear Gate: 30 Days
Failure to Clear: GLOBAL PUNISHMENT"
---
[Location: Tower of Trial – India Control Hub | Delhi Safe Zone]
The command center buzzed with tension. Military officers, guild leaders, and international observers crowded the room, all eyes on the Gate simulation floating midair.
General Mahadevan stood firm beside R.A.I. (India's AI-enhanced tactical assistant), sweat trailing down his temples.
"Fifty duos," he muttered. "Not a hundred individuals. We nearly made a fatal assumption."
R.A.I. responded, "The System enforces all combat through its binding rules. Awakeners fight in pairs. Singles are invalid within Gate parameters."
Behind them, the screens flickered as elite duos from every Indian zone began reporting in. Names were uploaded to the candidate list.
---
[Selection Begins – Top Indian Duos]
1. Dev Rajan & Meera Sharma
Rank: UR
Affiliation: Independent
Compatibility: 99%
System Comment: "True balance of destruction and control."
2. Rishi "Ashes" Chauhan & Leela Verma
Rank: SSS
Affiliation: Phoenix Guild (S-Rank)
Compatibility: 92%
Known for turning the tide in the Bhopal Dungeon Incident, where Leela's aura binding sealed a SSS Chimera while Ashes incinerated its core.
3. Ishaan Varma & Pooja Bhagat
Rank: SS
Affiliation: Ashvattha Guild (A-Rank)
Ishaan is a chronomancer, while Pooja controls flora. Their duo is called the "Garden of Time."
4. Vikrant Das & Anjali Deshmukh
Rank: S
Affiliation: Titanblade Guild (S-Rank)
Famous for high-casualty dungeon clears in Gujarat. Known for clashing often, but their synergy in battle is near-perfect.
More pairs appeared, each with distinct chemistry, strengths, and battle styles. The duo structure made it clear—no one survives this Gate alone.
---
[Gate Exterior – The Monolith Awakens]
The colossal black Gate, rooted in the sacred ruins of Hampi, began to tremble. Strange inscriptions glowed faintly across its width. It resembled neither the Tower nor any known dungeon—this was different.
Suddenly, a new projection emerged. A silhouette—a fused humanoid form, both male and female in contour—spoke directly into the minds of the 50 selected duos.
> "Only those bound by soul and power may pass.
Inside, your bond shall be your weapon… and your weakness.
This is the Trial of Duality."
---
[System Update – India Only]
> [System Alert – India Awakeners Only]
Official List of 50 Duos will finalize in 72 hours.
All Duos must submit to Sync Testing via System nodes.
Failure to meet Sync Threshold of 70% = Disqualification.
Replacements will be called from reserve duos.
---
[Back to Delhi – Dev & Meera's Quarters]
Dev sat quietly as Meera adjusted her blade, her fingers trembling slightly.
"So… we're not fighting alone. That's a relief," Dev said with a crooked smile.
Meera shot him a sideways glance. "But it also means… if one of us falls, the other follows."
Their System rings glowed faintly—proof of their synchronized life link. The Gate wasn't just a dungeon. It was a test of connection.
---
[Location: Hampi, India – Gate Perimeter]
Twelve hours had passed since the System's final declaration.
The 50 Indian duos stood assembled before the Gate—an enormous obsidian arc with glowing patterns etched across its surface. The air shimmered around it like heatwaves. Cameras from every major news network were trained on the scene. Social media feeds across the globe exploded with hashtags:
#IndiaGateTrial #WorldAtStake #50Duos
Suddenly, a vibration coursed through the ground.
The Gate pulsed. Once. Twice.
Then—
---
[SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT – GLOBAL]
> "THE GATE IS NOW OPEN."
"ENTRY: INDIA ONLY – 50 DUOS SELECTED."
"TRIAL DURATION: 30 EARTH DAYS."
"OBJECTIVE: CLEAR THE GATE AND PREVENT GLOBAL PUNISHMENT."
A thunderous hum echoed as the Gate's center began to ripple like liquid gold.
Then, with a flash of blinding light, it split open—revealing a shining passage inside. Energy surged out like wind, rustling trees and grass. It was now a path to another world.
---
[Location: Indian Camp – 50 Duos in Formation]
At the forefront were Dev Rajan and Meera Sharma. Calm and resolute, they exchanged a brief glance, hands linked.
Behind them stood the full formation:
Rishi & Leela – S-Rank strategists.
Ishaan & Pooja – Brawlers with unmatched synergy.
Arjun & Naina – Dual element users.
…and 46 other duos, the pride of the nation.
A military commander stepped forward. "All of you… are India now. Good luck."
Dev nodded. "We will not return empty-handed."
One by one, the duos stepped into the Gate.
With each entry, their bodies were enveloped in golden light and disappeared instantly.
No one looked back.
---
[System Message – Internal Broadcast to All 50 Duos Only]
> [Welcome to the Gate of Trial]
Duo Entry Confirmed: 50/50
Your First Challenge Will Now Begin.
Trial One: Shrine of Vows
Objective: Progress forward as a pair. The path will test unity, coordination, and trust. Solo action will be penalized.
Timer: 30 Days Remaining
---
[Note from the System – Hidden Notice for the Duos]
> Relics and Special Rewards will be granted upon successful Gate Clearance.
Only 10 Awakeners will receive a Relic – chosen based on contributions, synergy, and performance.
Others will receive stat boosts, skill unlocks, or unique treasures.
---
The Gate slowly closed.
Outside, the world watched in silent prayer.
Inside, 50 duos stepped into the unknown.
And the trial began.
---