[KATXU'S POV]
"This cave is so scary..."
A quiet voice muttered beside me.
I glanced down to see a young boy, probably six or seven, with hollow dark eyes, clutching a worn-out teddy bear in his small arms. He walked nervously between me and Danryu, his tiny steps hesitant against the uneven ground.
We were deep inside the underground cave, wandering through its endless tunnels. The air was thick with moisture, and the only light came from faint glowing crystals embedded in the walls. Shadows stretched unnaturally, making the cave feel alive.
Then, my mind drifted back to the moment this trial began.
***
[A FEW HOURS AGO]
"Your first task is simple—escape this cave and reach the gate on the other side within the time limit."
The examiner's voice echoed through the cavern as we stood before him, absorbing the details of the pre-exam.
"But don't get cocky. Half of you won't even see the gate before something eats your spine."
His sharp gaze scanned the group.
"You'll be facing creatures and monsters that will try to stop you."
A few glanced at each other—some with fear, others with that calculating look that said you're just another obstacle.
One guy clenched his fists. Another quietly edged toward the back, already second-guessing his odds.
"There are no maps."
"You'll have to find the exit on your own."
"There are multiple paths—some leading to the right way, others leading to traps, dead ends, or worse."
A small murmur rippled through the crowd, but the examiner wasn't finished.
"And remember this—monsters aren't your only enemy."
His stare hardened.
"Your fellow examinees can take you down as well."
Silence.
Some tensed. Others smirked.
"You have two hours. When the time runs out... so do you."
More rules, conditions, warnings, and instructions followed.
"Your survival starts now. Or it ends here."
Then, without another word, the examiner pressed his wristband.
"Submit."
And just like that, he vanished into thin air.
***
I snapped out of the memory, just in time to feel the earth rumble beneath my feet.
Reality didn't wait.
Now, it was our turn to find the exit—before time ran out.
"Hey, kid—what do we call you?" Danryu asked, matching pace with the sniffling boy beside us.
The boy was still sniffling, his small hands gripping his worn-out teddy bear. His eyes, hollow and filled with fear, darted around the dark cave.
"Ren," he finally answered in a trembling voice.
Danryu crouched slightly to meet his eye level. "Are you sure you want to continue this exam?"
Ren didn't speak. He just nodded, his lips pressed tightly together.
Before we could say anything else—
"Watch out!" I shouted as the ground beneath us rumbled.
The cavern shifted violently, stone walls grinding against each other as the very layout of the cave changed before our eyes.
A labyrinth.
This wasn't just a cave—it was a living maze, its pathways constantly shifting every fifteen minutes. Finding the exit wouldn't just be hard—it would be impossible if we didn't move fast.
And we weren't alone.
Other examinees were scattered throughout the labyrinth, many of them separated from their original groups as the shifting ground cut them off.
Up ahead, a group of examinees was already engaged in battle.
"Fire Storm!"
"Winter Blow!"
"Hardened Palm Trap!"
Their voices boomed as spells and abilities clashed against the monsters that blocked their path. Flames roared, ice cracked, and stone shattered as they fought desperately to clear the way forward.
Danryu stepped forward, raising his hand.
"Caged Vines."
Thick vines shot out from the ground, twisting around Ren like a protective barrier.
"Stay here, Ren." Danryu instructed firmly. "Let us handle these monsters. Don't step outside, no matter what, ok?"
Ren nodded again, his small frame trembling as the vines wrapped around him like a cocoon.
Danryu turned to me and pulled out a small vial filled with a glowing green liquid.
"Katxu, drink this. It's a power booster potion I made. It'll also close your wounds."
I took the potion and downed it in one gulp. A warm energy spread through my body as my wounds closed instantly.
"Fire Dragon!"
I hurled a set of talismans, and a massive serpent of flames roared to life, twisting through the air before crashing into the horde of monsters.
But they just kept coming.
Big bats, earthworms the size of trees, and massive stone creatures attacked relentlessly, swarming like there was no tomorrow.
"Whip Vines!" Danryu shouted, sending a lash of thick vines that tore through the attacking creatures.
"Tree of Life!"
A glowing emerald light burst from his hands, spreading over the battlefield. The energy washed over us, instantly healing our wounds, but I could see the vines on his arms withering slightly—a sign that the ability had its limits.
"This isn't going to end. We need to get out of here!" I muttered, slicing through a giant bat with a Wind Slash talisman.
"Thunder Snake!" I threw another talisman, sending a crackling serpent of lightning surging through the stone creatures.
Danryu, fighting beside me, suddenly called out, "Wait—you're bending three elements at the same time?!"
He barely had time to dodge an incoming strike before glancing at me in disbelief.
"No," I corrected, throwing another talisman. "I can't actually bend elements on my own. I use these talismans to do it."
Danryu froze for a moment, completely confused.
"Whaaaat?! You don't even have your Fin yet? Then why did you drink the potion earlier?!"
I scratched my head, feeling a little awkward. "Oh… yeah. My bad. I kinda forgot. Hehe."
What is Fin?
Fin is the most basic level of Awakening. It is the foundation of all magical or supernatural abilities—whether controlling elements, enhancing strength, or using unique skills. Every Awakener naturally develops their Fin, unlocking the first step toward their true power.
Except I never did.
I've never awakened.
I'm different from every other examinee here. While most had their abilities unlocked through natural talent or training, my Grand Master had to teach me how to fight without Awakening.
What I Can Do Instead:
I learned how to bend elements through handmade talismans, which let me control fire, wind, lightning, and more—but only as long as my supply lasted.
My master trained my body to withstand extreme conditions, like intense pressure, powerful impacts, and deadly environments.
He taught me to fight without relying on powers, mastering raw combat techniques, enhanced agility, and deadly precision.
I learned how to breathe normally in crushing environments, like when that giant stone earlier almost crushed me, and how to resist pain that would knock most people unconscious.
I trained to be faster, stronger, and more durable than the average person, so even without an Awakening, I could still stand against those who had one.
But despite all that—I was still a Normal.
"Wait, wait, wait—" Danryu cut through a monster before turning back to me, his voice full of shock. "Then how the hell did you even get invited to this academy?! You're a Normal!"
What are Normals?
Normals are people who never awakened—no Fin, no spark, no supernatural anything. Just regular blood and boring stats. The kind of people who get laughed out of a place like this.
And yeah. I'm one of them.
But no, I wasn't sent here by some wise old master.
The truth?
I ran away.
I left the temple in the middle of the night, no grand goodbye, no permission, no big speech. Just me, a half-packed bag, and a stupid idea.
I'd been locked in that temple my whole life—trained, sheltered, ignored. They said I was part of the path. I was tired of walking paths someone else built.
While traveling, I overheard a group of mercenaries talking about the Arkhos exams. Dangerous. Elite. "Only the strong survive," one of them said.
So obviously, I signed up.
Not because I thought I'd win.
But because I wanted to crash their little party.
To walk into the world that told people like me to stay outside.
And prove that they'd been looking at "Normal" all wrong.
I clenched my fists as I dodged an incoming attack.
"Never mind! Just fight so we can get out of here!"
Danryu sounded frustrated, but he had no time to argue. Right now, all that mattered was surviving.
I could tell what he was thinking. It was showing from his face. Two weaklings beside him—Ren and me—were slowing him down.
But he didn't say it out loud. Instead, he focused on the battle.
"Thunder Bolt!"
A spear of lightning shot from my talisman, striking a giant stone monster in the chest.
"Earth Shield!"
A towering wall of solid rock rose in front of him, blocking incoming attacks.
"Water Seal!"
A swirling barrier of water trapped an enemy in place, holding it down.
I scanned the battlefield, my eyes darting between the fighting examinees and the endless swarm of creatures.
Then, I saw it.
A gap in the darkness.
Not just a shadow—something different. Something off.
An exit.
"I see an opening!" I muttered, my heartbeat rising.
I reached into my pouch, pulling out another talisman.
"Lightning Shards!"
A storm of shimmering sparks rained down from above. The enemies flinched, expecting an attack—but my goal wasn't to strike them.
I needed light.
The flashes of electric blue illuminated the cavern for just a moment—but that was enough.
My enhanced vision—a skill my Grand Master had drilled into me through years of training—let me see far beyond what normal eyes could.
There.
A hidden doorway, barely visible in the shadows.
Danryu turned to me. "Where is it?!"
I didn't hesitate.
"In the dark! I'm sure of it. If we can lure the monsters away from that area, I can try opening the door!"
Danryu exhaled sharply. "Then let's make them move."
We had two hours to escape—but at this rate, we wouldn't even last ten minutes.
"We have to do it before the maze moves again!"
"Alright!" Danryu answered without hesitation.
He raised his hands, channeling his magic. "Vines Army!"
The ground trembled as dozens of vines burst forth, twisting and shifting into humanoid forms. The figures mimicked human movement, stepping forward like living warriors, luring the monsters toward them.
Danryu wasn't done yet.
"Everyone, we need to lure the enemies away from that area!" he shouted to the other examiners.
The others caught on quickly.
"Illusion Mirage!"
One examiner created phantom clones, their bodies flickering as they ran toward the opposite end of the cavern. The monsters, confused, snapped their heads toward the illusions and charged.
"Inferno Barrage!"
A massive wave of fire erupted from another Awakener's hands, creating a wall of flames between us and the door, forcing the monsters toward the decoy vines.
"Wind Gale!"
A powerful gust blew smaller creatures toward a specific corner, keeping them grouped together and away from the exit.
The plan was working.
"Go ahead, Katxu! Open that door! We'll handle the rest!" Danryu shouted.
I didn't waste time. I dashed toward the door, my breath heavy as I reached the darkened area.
There it was—a massive metal door, covered in arcane symbols.
I reached out and tried to push it open. Nothing.
I gritted my teeth and threw a punch at it. My fist barely made a dent.
I tried again—nothing.
Then I realized—this was a magical door.
It had a minimum power requirement to open. Only those strong enough could break through.
"I can't open it!" I muttered to myself, frustration creeping in.
I turned back. "I CAN'T OPEN IT!" I shouted at Danryu.
"What?!"
"I CAN'T OPEN IT!"
The second I shouted, I realized my mistake.
The monsters turned toward my voice.
"Oh no! Try to do something!" Danryu yelled.
"The monsters are coming toward you!" another examinee shouted.
I froze. My heart pounded as panic surged through me.
What do I do?!
I squeezed my eyes shut, desperately recalling my Grand Master's teachings.
Stay calm.
Focus.
There's always a way.
But before I could act—
SWOOSH!
A powerful gust of air blew past me, followed by a deafening—
BANG!
The sound of an earth-shattering punch rang behind me.
I stumbled back, instinctively raising my arms in defense.
A massive figure stood in front of me.
A huge teddy bear.
The door was completely shattered.
I backed up quickly, trying to process what just happened.
Then, my eyes snapped upward.
Ren.
He sat on top of the giant teddy bear, his small hands gripping its fur.
His hollow dark eyes stared at me, no longer filled with fear.
"Ren?!" I gasped.
I pointed at the bear, still in shock. "What are you doing?! Is this… your Awakening?!"
Ren didn't answer.
He just stared—silent, expressionless.
The trembling, crying child from earlier was gone.
Is he really that strong...?
The teddy bear shrank back to its normal form, returning to an ordinary stuffed toy. Without hesitation, Ren leaped through the door, disappearing into the darkness beyond.
I turned to Danryu. "We need to hurry!"
The maze began shifting again, the ground rumbling beneath us. The very walls of the labyrinth twisted, reshaping paths, sealing off some exits while opening others.
All the examinees rushed toward the door, some still locked in battle with monsters—and with each other.
Fists, weapons, and spells clashed. Some resorted to sheer physical strength—brutal punches, elbow strikes, knee smashes, spinning kicks—anything to knock others down and get ahead.
One examinee tackled another, slamming him to the ground before sprinting for the exit. Another used a low sweeping kick, knocking down an opponent before stepping over him. Someone else tried to climb onto another's back, only to get thrown off with a shoulder toss.
The surroundings shook violently again, forcing everyone to move faster.
"Danryu, hurry!" I shouted.
Just as Danryu was about to move, a clawed hand shot out from the chaos, grabbing his ankle and yanking him off balance.
"Ahh—!"
He crashed to the ground, getting dragged backward, his body scraping against the rough stone floor.
"Danryu!" I yelled, my chest tightening.
I didn't hesitate. I rushed toward him, dodging falling debris and weaving through fighting examinees.
A stone creature lunged at me, its massive arms swinging down—
I ducked under the swing, twisted mid-air, and slammed a spinning heel into its rocky jaw.
The creature stumbled, chunks of stone flying.
Another monster charged. I threw a Wind Talisman at my feet, using the sudden burst of wind to launch myself forward.
I reached Danryu, grabbing his arm and pulling him up.
"Are you okay?!" I asked, scanning his injuries.
"You have to leave me," Danryu panted. "I can't walk. My feet's messed up—I don't have enough mana to heal it."
I shook my head. "I won't leave you. I owe you, remember?"
Without waiting for his answer, I hoisted him onto my back, gripping him tightly as I continued to fight off monsters using my legs and talismans.
I had to think fast.
"Can you still summon your Whip Vines?" I asked.
"Yeah, but why?" Danryu sounded confused.
"Just do it—give it to me!"
Danryu summoned the Whip Vines, the long, durable tendrils of energy forming in his hand.
I grabbed one end and aimed for a large stone ledge near the door.
With a powerful throw, I hooked the vines around the rock—then gripped it tightly.
I pulled hard.
Not just with my arms, but with every ounce of strength in my body.
My muscles tensed, my feet dug into the ground—then I yanked with all my might.
The force launched us forward with the help of my wind talisman, our bodies accelerating toward the door at an incredible speed.
At the same time, the rock—now loosened from its position—broke off from the wall.
CRACK!
The massive boulder detached, hurtling backward—straight into the horde of monsters behind us.
BOOM!
The impact sent shockwaves through the cave, crushing several enemies in a devastating collision.
With that strong pull, we launched ourselves straight toward the exit, the force sending us soaring through the doorway.
We crashed onto solid ground, landing just past the other side of the exit.
The moment we hit the ground, a deep, thunderous rumble echoed behind us.
I could hear the shouts of other examinees, their voices panicked and desperate as the maze shifted again—the ground moving, the walls twisting, paths sealing shut.
They were trapped.
Cut off from the exit.
Left behind in the chaos.