Morning came like a lie.
The sky had stitched itself into a pale blue, clouds drifting peacefully as if the world hadn't shattered just a night ago. But the courtyard of Eclipse Academy told the truth—cracked stone, bloodstains, and students who hadn't slept a wink.
Kael stood among them, hands hidden in his cloak. He felt the diary's weight against his chest like a second heartbeat. Its words burned in his mind:
> Two will fall. One will awaken.
And the trial would begin today.
---
Ryo appeared on the balcony above them, his coat fluttering in the cold morning wind. His eyes swept over the crowd—sharp, merciless, yet not unkind.
> "Welcome to your first trial," he said. "Today, you'll learn the difference between students… and survivors."
With a snap of his fingers, the ground rumbled. Stone shifted, splitting open into a massive arena.
From the darkness below, chains rattled. The air thickened. Something was climbing out.
---
Sanae gripped her sword-hilt, her knuckles white. She had reforged scraps into dozens of little weapons overnight—daggers, shards, even a shield. They glowed faintly, alive because she had believed in them. But now, staring into the pit, she wondered if they'd be enough.
Beside her, Liora trembled. Not because of fear, but because the stage beneath her feet called to her. She could feel the presence of thousands of unseen eyes—gods, perhaps, or something worse—waiting to see if she would shine or break.
And Kael… Kael felt the words in the diary scratching like claws against his soul.
Two will fall. One will awaken.
Which of them would it be?
---
The creature burst from the pit.
It was a knight—at least, it had once been. Its armor was jagged and broken, its helm twisted into a hollow skull. Instead of flesh, words writhed across its body, glowing red: fragments of stories ripped from the Tower.
> "The Fallen Narrator," Kael whispered, recognizing it instantly.
The thing raised its rusted sword, and the arena shook.
---
"Trial begins," Ryo announced coldly. "Form teams of four. Survive."
The students panicked, scrambling into groups.
Sanae turned desperately. "Kael! Liora! Please—join me!"
Kael hesitated only a moment before nodding. Ryo's words had been clear: survive. Going alone was suicide.
Another boy stumbled toward them. His hair was silver, his eyes sharp with pride. He introduced himself curtly: Eryx, a martial prodigy from another world. He carried no weapon, but his aura burned with sheer force.
"Don't slow me down," Eryx said flatly, joining them.
"Charming," Kael muttered.
---
The Fallen Narrator roared, swinging its rusted blade. The ground split open, and several students were crushed instantly. Screams echoed.
The trial had begun.
Kael raised his hand, summoning a circle of fire—but his eyes never left the diary pressed to his chest. The words inside were shifting, rewriting themselves.
> Two will fall. One will awaken.
And this time, the names were appearing.
Kael's blood ran cold as he saw them.
Sanae.
Liora.
His teammates.
---
✨ End of Chapter 3 ✨