Bloodstained Forest (3)

• The old man begins the first phase of training: adapting to the Bloody Forest.

The Old Man: "To become strong, you must understand this forest. It's not just trees and animals. The forest watches you, evaluates you, and will decide whether you deserve to survive here or not."

• He sends them on a mission to gather "Spirit Fruits," which only grow deep in the forest and are guarded by ferocious creatures.

Zian (holding his celestial sword): "Fruits? That sounds way too easy."

The Old Man (chuckling): "If you think so, you'll soon realize how wrong you are."

• While searching for the fruits, they are attacked by wolf-like creatures with glowing red eyes.

Liyan (anxiously): "These aren't ordinary wolves… I can feel a strange power emanating from them."

Samer: "Then let's not back down. Let's see what they can do!"

• The fight becomes more intense as the creatures show not just strength but intelligence, coordinating their attacks.

Zian (shouting): "Samer, Liyan! Cover me!"

• The team shows their coordination and successfully defeats the wolves, but they sustain injuries.

• When they return with the fruit, the old man reveals that the mission was not about gathering fruits but testing their ability to work as a team.

The Old Man (smirking): "You're weaker than I expected. Is this all you've got?"

Zian (angrily): "Why don't you fight yourself instead of hiding?"

The Old Man (coldly): "Because I already did when I was your age. Now it's your turn to learn."

• The old man puts them in a new challenge: continuous combat against a spirit projection of the Monkey King.

• After each battle ends, a new one begins immediately.

Samer (panting): "This is impossible! We can barely stand!"

The Old Man: "Life doesn't give you a chance to rest. If you want to face Ragheb, you must endure."

• During the training, Zian adapts quickly, while Liyan struggles initially but begins to show her latent abilities.

Liyan (breathing heavily): "I won't be a burden… I'll prove myself."

The Old Man (calmly): "You have talent, but you're afraid of your own power."

• During a short break, the heroes try to learn more about the old man.

Samer: "I've seen many strong people, but you're different. Who are you really?"

The Old Man (staring at the fire): "A good question… but my answer won't please you. I am neither fully human nor fully jinn."

• This revelation leaves them in shock as he returns to watching the forest.

Zian (stunned): "So… he's a hybrid?"

Shimar (quietly): "That explains his power… but it makes us wonder: why is he helping us?"

• The old man sends them on a tougher mission: confronting the Phoenix of Flame to acquire the "Feather of Revival," essential for their training.

• During their journey, they encounter psychic mines that force them to face their deepest fears.

Zian sees a future where he is defeated by Ragheb, shaking his confidence.

Liyan sees herself betraying her friends out of fear.

Samer sees his father (Hazzah) telling him he failed to uphold the family legacy.

• They barely overcome these trials and reach the Phoenix's lair.

• The Phoenix appears as a massive blaze surrounded by an aura of untouchable energy.

• Zian attempts to communicate with it using the power he has started to learn from the old man.

• Phoenix: "You are not yet worthy of my feather. Prove yourselves in battle, or be consumed."

• A fierce battle begins, showcasing the Phoenix's overwhelming powers while the heroes struggle to survive.

• The heroes are surrounded by flames, facing what seems like an unbeatable foe.

• The old man observes from afar, speaking to himself: "This is only the beginning. If they can't endure, they're no better than those who came before them."

…