Five Nephilims stood in the center of the arena, their eyes wide with fear and determination.
Everyone knew it was a do or die. At last only one survivor would emerge. The question was, who was going to die? And who was going to survive?
My pulse hammered in her ears, drowning out everything else.
Viridis hovered above, wings folded elegantly, her expression unreadable.
"Today, only one of you will leave this chamber with a chance at survival. The rest…" Her voice lingered like ice, "…will be sacrifices for the Abyss."
I clenched my fists, feeling Ghormon's presence nearby. The violet glow in Ghormon's eyes was steady, unwavering, giving her a strange sense of courage she hadn't felt before.
The first contestant stepped forward. A girl with flowing black hair whispered the incantation and raised her hand high, but her transformation faltered.
Her reflection shimmered unnaturally, her skin patchy and pale. Two demons lunged. A scream pierced the arena, echoing off the obsidian walls.
My stomach churned, but I forced myself to look away. Her blood spotted all over the floor, mixed with flesh and indigo blood.
One by one, the other Nephilim tried. Some succeeded partially, some failed entirely.
Every failure sent a ripple of dread through the survivors.
The male bully from before smirked from the sidelines, his arms crossed, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement at each misstep.
I noticed his eyes linger at me. My defeat would be to his most satisfaction and pleasure.
Finally, it was my turn. I was the last. The other four were all dead and I either passed or vanished like they did.
I stepped into the center of the ring. The arena seemed to tighten around me, the torchlight flickering across her pale features.
My body trembled, but I focused on Ghormon's gaze. That quiet, steady look that said, you can do this. You're not alone.
I whispered the words of the Siren Sun's Trick lifting my hands high like a Phoenix.
Light shimmered faintly over her skin, but the transformation was unstable. My silver eyes flickered, my lips remained slightly too pale.
A demon hovered over me, claws gleaming faintly, ready to strike if I failed.
My heart threatened to break under the pressure.
"Focus!" Ghormon's voice was low, almost a whisper, but it cut through the chaos of the chamber. I inhaled deeply, grounding herself.
I let the magic flow naturally this time, not forcing perfection.
My aura aligned with the trick, and the light around me began to hum.
My skin warmed to a natural glow, hair curling softly around my shoulders. Her features smoothed, tender but undeniably human.
Viridis tilted her head. "Interesting…"
The transformation was not flawless, but it was enough. Enough to show skill, control, and resilience. I exhaled, trembling, but a spark of triumph lit her chest.
The male bully stepped forward, grinning maliciously. "Not perfect," he sneered. "Barely human."
My lips twitched. Just wait.
Viridis spoke, her voice cutting through the tension: "Shaoline… you may proceed. The other four…" Her gaze swept over the bones of the remaining contestants. "…have failed."
A ripple of disbelief ran through the chamber. My heart pounded. I had survived. I had passed the final test.
And yet, amidst the victory, I felt something else, a warmth in the shadow beside me.
Ghormon stepped closer, her violet eyes shining.
"You did it," Ghormon whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I… I knew you could. You just needed… to believe."
I blinked, caught off guard by the intensity in Ghormon's expression. Her cheeks flushed. "I… I don't know what to say."
Ghormon's hand brushed lightly against my arm. "You don't need to say anything. Just know… I've always admired more than your strength. Your courage, your resolve… even your tears. You're… remarkable."
My breathe hitched. I wanted to speak, to deny it, to push the words away, but all I could do was nod, unsure how to respond.
The male bully's smirk faltered. For the first time, I felt not fear, but power. I had survived. And she was no longer alone.
Viridis descended, wings spread wide, eyes gleaming like molten silver. "Shaoline, you are the only survivor of this trial. You may leave this arena."
A chorus of whispers rose from the dark corners of the chamber.
My legs trembled as I walked past the other Nephilim, past the watching demons.
Every step was heavy with the weight of the Abyss, the pain, the fear, the countless moments I had spent failing, crying, and trying again.
And then I felt it, Ghormon's hand brushing lightly against my back, guiding me forward. Not commanding, not controlling, but supporting.
I dared a glance. Ghormon smiled faintly, a small, intimate curve of her lips that said everything she hadn't yet voiced.
I'm here. I'm with you.
The arena doors opened, and I stepped through into the light of the Abyssal courtyard. The pain of the Repeating Class still lingered, but so did a sense of triumph, and… something else. Something delicate, dangerous, and unspoken.
I knew Ghormon feelings were there, lingering like a secret between us.
I just didn't know how to respond, not yet. But for the first time, I didn't feel different, I had someone, in this dark, unyielding world.
Outside, the torches flickered. The shadows stretched long, and I inhaled deeply, feeling the magic of the Abyss pulse around me.
One step closer, I thought, staring at the horizon. One step closer to everything I've lost… and everything I'll take back.
Behind me, faint and unspoken, Ghormon's gaze followed. A promise, a warning, and perhaps, a confession, all folded into the same violet eyes.
And in that moment, I realized the Abyss wasn't just a place of pain and trials. It was a place where bonds could form, where strength could grow, and where even the darkest shadows could shelter a spark of something… dangerous, yet beautiful.
I had survived the final Siren Sun's Trick test.
I smiled, satisfied.
I had passed where others had failed. And while the Abyss still held countless trials, one thing was certain: I was no longer just a survivor. I was someone to be reckoned with.
And somewhere in the shadows, Ghormon smiled, her admiration, her secret affection, and her unspoken confession lingering in the space between them.
The next phase of the Abyss awaited. But for the first time, I stepped forward not with fear… but with determination.