The Warrior’s Trial, Pt. 2

From the darkness, creatures emerged—twisted, hunched figures with glowing eyes, their forms barely human, their bodies crackling with raw mana. They moved like predators, circling the group, their eyes locked on Kiato.

Velis's expression didn't change. If anything, his smile grew darker, more dangerous. "These are the remnants of those who failed the trial. Their mana consumed them, twisted them into… this."

Kiato swallowed hard, his sword raised, his body tensing for the inevitable fight. He could feel the creatures' mana—it was wild, untamed, barely held together. It lashed out at him, feeding off his fear, trying to pull him into the chaos.

Juro stepped forward, his bow drawn. "We need to move. Fighting them here will only make things worse. Their mana is tied to this place."

Velis didn't move. He stood perfectly still, his gaze fixed on Kiato. "Or… you could use them."

Kiato blinked, confused. "Use them?"

Velis nodded, his voice soft, almost coaxing. "Their mana is wild, yes. But it's also powerful. If you can take control of it, bend it to your will, you could end this trial in an instant. Show the sponsors what you're truly capable of."

Juro's eyes widened, his voice sharp with disbelief. "You can't be serious. These creatures are barely holding themselves together. If Kiato tries to control their mana, it will tear him apart."

Velis's smile remained, but his eyes were cold. "That's the risk, isn't it? Power always comes with a price."

Kiato felt the weight of their words pressing down on him, the mana swirling around him like a storm. The creatures were closing in, their movements slow and deliberate, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"You have to choose, Kiato," Velis said, his voice low and dangerous. "Do you want to survive this trial? Do you want to find your sister? Then stop holding back. Take control."

Juro stepped in front of Kiato, his expression hard. "No. You don't need to do this. We can fight them off, move forward. You don't need to lose yourself."

The tension was thick, the mana in the air crackling with anticipation. Kiato's grip on his sword tightened. The choice before him was agonizing—embrace the power Velis was offering and risk losing control, or follow Juro's lead and fight his way through the trial, step by step.

But before he could make a decision, the creatures lunged.

Kiato moved on instinct, his sword flashing in the dim light. The first creature fell, its body dissolving into a cloud of raw mana, but the others pressed forward, their glowing eyes locked onto him. The air was filled with the sound of claws scraping against stone, the crackle of energy as the creatures' mana lashed out.

Juro fired his arrows with deadly precision, each shot finding its mark, but the creatures kept coming. There were too many, and their mana was feeding off the chaos, growing stronger with every moment.

Velis watched from the sidelines, his smile never faltering. "You're wasting time, Kiato. This fight will never end unless you take control."

Kiato's heart raced, his mind spinning. The creatures were closing in, and no matter how many he cut down, more seemed to rise from the darkness. He was losing ground, losing control.

Velis's voice rang out again, sharp and insistent. "Stop fighting it! Use their power, Kiato. Or you'll never make it out of here."

Juro stepped forward, placing himself between Kiato and the creatures. "You're stronger than this, Kiato. Don't let him get to you."

For a moment, the world seemed to slow. Kiato could feel the mana pressing in on him, could feel the creatures' power surging around him. The choice was clear—embrace the chaos or fight against it.

But before he could act, Velis stepped forward, his hand outstretched. "Enough games, Takahashi. You've kept him weak for long enough."

In a blur of movement, Velis and Juro collided, their mana flaring as they clashed. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the air, shaking the ruins and sending the creatures scattering.

Kiato stumbled back, his eyes wide as he watched the two warriors face off, their power swirling around them like twin storms.

Juro's voice was low and filled with fury. "You won't turn him into a monster."

Velis's smile was cold, deadly. "He'll never survive this trial if he stays weak. And neither will you."

The air vibrated with raw energy, the ruins themselves seeming to react to the clash between Juro and Velis. Their mana flared with each movement, lighting the crumbling stone walls in an eerie glow. Juro's bow hummed with tension, the arrows he fired leaving trails of light in their wake. Velis, his face twisted in a cold smile, deflected each shot with ease, his own power coiling around him like a serpent ready to strike.

"You're holding back, Takahashi," Velis taunted, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. "Afraid of what'll happen if you actually fight me?"

Juro's expression remained steely, his movements precise, controlled. "I'm not afraid of you. But I won't let you manipulate Kiato any longer."

Velis laughed, the sound dark and mocking. "Manipulate? You think I'm the one twisting him? You've been coddling him, holding him back from what he could become. He'll never survive if you keep treating him like a child."

Kiato stood frozen at the center of the trial grounds, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The creatures had scattered, retreating into the shadows as the force of the two warriors' clash tore through the air. But he could still feel the mana swirling around him, pressing in on his senses, pulling him toward a decision he wasn't ready to make.

He gripped his sword tighter, his knuckles white. The conflict between Juro and Velis had always been simmering, but now it was exploding into something far more dangerous. Each strike, each surge of mana shook the very ground beneath his feet, and he could feel the trial grounds reacting to the chaos, the ancient power of the ruins awakening in response.

"Stop!" Kiato shouted, his voice cracking with the effort. "You're going to destroy this place!"

But neither Juro nor Velis paid him any mind. They were locked in their own battle, their opposing philosophies clashing as fiercely as their mana.

Juro unleashed a flurry of arrows, each one glowing with concentrated energy, but Velis moved with inhuman speed, dodging effortlessly. He countered with a blast of dark mana that rippled through the air, sending a shockwave toward Juro.

Juro barely managed to evade, the force of the blast tearing through the ruins behind him. Dust and debris filled the air, and Kiato was forced to shield his eyes from the destruction.

Velis's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with cold amusement. "You're slowing down, Takahashi. Maybe this is why you cling to Kiato. You know you're not strong enough anymore."

Juro's jaw clenched, but he said nothing, his focus entirely on the battle. He charged forward, his bow drawn tight, and loosed a volley of arrows that struck the ground at Velis's feet. The arrows exploded on impact, sending chunks of stone flying in every direction.

Velis leaped back, laughing darkly as he hovered just above the ground, suspended by his own mana. "Still clinging to your tricks, I see. But you'll need more than that to stop me."

Kiato's heart raced, his pulse pounding in his ears. He could feel the mana inside him reacting to the conflict, the pressure building. The ruins themselves seemed to groan in response to the clash, the air thick with tension. He was being pulled in two directions, torn between the raw power Velis offered and the disciplined control Juro represented.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Kiato's feet cracked, and he stumbled, his sword slipping from his hand. The mana in the air surged, wild and uncontrollable, and Kiato felt himself falling—falling into the chaotic storm of energy that surrounded him.

"Kiato!" Juro's voice broke through the chaos, but it was too late.

A massive burst of mana erupted from the ground, throwing Kiato into the air. He felt the energy tear through him, burning and freezing all at once, the sheer force of it overwhelming his senses. His vision blurred, the world spinning out of control as the ruins shifted and twisted around him.

Velis's voice rang out, filled with cold amusement. "He can't handle it, Takahashi. This is what happens when you keep him weak."

Kiato's breath came in shallow gasps, his body wracked with pain. He could feel the mana pressing in on him from all sides, threatening to consume him. His thoughts were a jumble of fear, anger, and desperation, all swirling together in a storm he couldn't control.

Just as the darkness closed in, a sharp voice cut through the chaos.

"Enough!"

Kiato barely had time to register the sound before a powerful wave of mana surged through the air, cutting between Juro and Velis like a blade. The force of it was enough to bring both warriors to a sudden halt, the violent clash between their energies abruptly silenced.

Kiato blinked through the haze of mana clouding his vision, his heart still racing. A figure stepped between Juro and Velis, her presence commanding, her mana radiating with a strange, controlled intensity. It was the girl.

Her eyes flashed with warning as she glared at the two men. "You're going to kill him with your carelessness."

Juro's eyes softened with recognition, though he remained tense, his bow still drawn.

Velis's smile faltered, a flicker of annoyance passing over his face. "Ah, the mysterious girl returns. I should have known you'd interfere."

She ignored Velis, her gaze fixed on Kiato. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a barrier of mana around him, the energy flowing like water, calming the wild storm that had nearly consumed him. Kiato felt the pressure in his chest ease, the chaotic mana around him fading into a dull hum.

"You need to focus, Kiato," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "This place will tear you apart if you let it. You have to choose."

Kiato's breath came in ragged gasps, his body still trembling from the surge of power. He felt raw, exposed, as if every nerve in his body had been set on fire. But the girl's mana—her control—was unlike anything he had ever felt. It wasn't wild, like Velis's, nor rigid like Juro's. It was something in between—a balance.

"Why… why are you helping me?" Kiato managed to choke out, his voice hoarse.

The girl glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "That's not important right now. What matters is that you survive this trial."

Velis's voice broke through the moment, sharp and filled with irritation. "You're meddling in things you don't understand, girl."

She turned her head slightly, her gaze hardening. "No, demon. It's you who doesn't understand. Kiato isn't ready for the path you're pushing him down."

Velis's eyes gleamed with cold amusement. "So you know what I am? Nevertheless, what path would you have him take? The one where he stays weak, like the demon hunter wants?"

The girl's jaw tightened, but she didn't respond to Velis's taunts. Instead, she turned her attention back to Kiato, her voice softening just slightly. "You need to find your center. The mana in this place—it's not something you can force. You have to guide it, like a river. Let it flow, but don't let it consume you."

Kiato swallowed hard, his heart still pounding in his chest. He wasn't sure if he could do what she was asking. The mana inside him was wild, chaotic, and every time he tried to control it, it slipped through his grasp.

But there was something in her voice, something steady and reassuring, that made him want to try.

Juro lowered his bow, his voice low but filled with concern. "Kiato… she's right. You have to take control, but don't let it overwhelm you."

Velis's expression darkened, his amusement gone. "This is a waste of time."

Kiato closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He could still feel the mana swirling around him, but now, with the girl's presence guiding him, it didn't feel as overwhelming. It was still wild, still powerful, but there was a rhythm to it—a pattern.

He focused on that rhythm, letting the mana flow through him like a current, not forcing it, but guiding it.

And slowly, the chaos began to fade.

Kiato's breathing slowed as he focused on the rhythm of the mana flowing through him. The storm that had raged inside him moments ago was beginning to settle, the chaotic energy now humming softly beneath his skin. For the first time since stepping onto the trial grounds, he felt a sense of control—a delicate balance between the wild power and his will.

The girl stood nearby, watching him carefully, her mana barrier still in place around him, guiding the flow. Juro lowered his bow further, his shoulders relaxing slightly, though his eyes remained sharp, as if waiting for something.

Velis sneered, crossing his arms as he leaned against a cracked pillar. "Finally learning to take control, are we?" His voice dripped with dark amusement. "About time."

Kiato ignored him, focusing on the steady rhythm of his mana. He felt it swirling within him, like a river, just as the girl had said. But there was still something beneath it—something deeper, darker, waiting to be unleashed.

Then, without warning, the calm shattered.

A sudden surge of power ripped through Kiato, more violent and intense than anything he had felt before. It came from deep within him, tearing through his senses like a wildfire, too powerful to contain. His eyes snapped open, glowing with raw, untamed energy as a blast of mana erupted from his body, sending shockwaves through the air.

The girl stumbled back, her barrier dissolving in an instant as the sheer force of the mana overwhelmed her. Velis's smirk vanished, replaced by a look of genuine surprise as the energy tore through the ruins, shaking the very foundations of the trial grounds. Dust and debris flew through the air, stones crumbling under the force of the blast.

Juro's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat as he stepped forward, his gaze locked on Kiato. His trained eyes, sharp and perceptive, saw something the others couldn't—a flicker, barely visible, but unmistakable.

A shadow, shaped like a bird, wings spread wide.

The Dark Phoenix.

Juro's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing. He had seen the signs before—only in legends, whispers of ancient chaos spirits, powerful enough to bend the world to their will. The Dark Phoenix, one of the ten chaos spirits, a creature of destruction and rebirth.

But this was impossible. Kiato had shown no sign of it before. How could he have such a force hidden within him?

Velis's eyes gleamed with fascination, though he couldn't fully comprehend what had just happened. "Now that's interesting," he murmured, his voice filled with dark intrigue. "There's more to you than I thought, Kiato."

The girl had pushed herself to her feet, her expression a mix of shock and confusion. She stared at Kiato, her gaze flickering between him and the ruins that now lay in shambles. "What… what was that?"

Kiato stood frozen, his chest rising and falling rapidly as the last remnants of the surge dissipated around him. His mind was blank, his body trembling from the aftershock of the power that had burst forth without warning.

"I… I don't know," he stammered, his voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to—"

Velis stepped forward, his interest piqued. "You didn't mean to? That was no accident, Kiato. That power inside you… it's more than just raw mana. There's something else."

Juro, regaining his composure, quickly moved between Kiato and Velis. "Cut it out, Velis," he said sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Whatever that was, we're not pushing him any further today."

Velis's smile returned, though it was laced with a hint of frustration. "Always the protector, aren't you, Takahashi? But you can't shield him forever. Sooner or later, that power will need to be unleashed. And when it does…"

Juro's gaze hardened. "We'll deal with it when the time comes."

Kiato's mind raced, still trying to process what had just happened. The surge of power had been overwhelming, almost terrifying. He had felt like he was losing control again—no, not just losing control, but being consumed by something far more dangerous than he could comprehend.

The girl approached cautiously, her eyes still filled with confusion. "That power… it wasn't like anything I've ever seen before. Kiato, are you sure you don't know what's happening?"

Kiato shook his head, his voice trembling. "I don't. I didn't mean for it to happen. It just… it just came out."

Velis chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on Kiato like a predator sizing up its prey. "Oh, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."

But Juro's mind was elsewhere, his thoughts racing as he processed the signs he had just seen. The Dark Phoenix was no ordinary force. If Kiato truly harbored its power, then the stakes of this journey had just escalated to unimaginable heights.

Yet he couldn't tell Kiato—not now. Not until he was sure. The knowledge of the chaos spirits was too dangerous, especially if Velis caught wind of it. For now, Juro would keep the secret to himself and hope that Kiato's power didn't surface again before he could fully understand it.

The ruins around them had fallen silent, the energy in the air finally settling. But the tension remained, thick and suffocating, as if the trial grounds themselves were holding their breath, waiting for what came next.

Juro placed a hand on Kiato's shoulder, his voice low and steady. "Let's get out of here. We've done enough for today."

Kiato nodded weakly, still shaken by the surge of mana, though his body moved on instinct. He followed Juro, his mind swirling with questions, none of which had answers.

As they made their way out of the trial grounds, Velis lingered for a moment, his gaze locked on the spot where the surge had erupted. His smile returned, darker than before, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Soon, Kiato," Velis whispered to himself. "Soon, we'll see what you're truly capable of."

And with that, he followed after them, the shadows of the ruins closing in behind him.

From a distance, obscured by the crumbling stone walls of the trial grounds, a figure watched in silence. Dressed in the dark robes of the Tsubasa Clan, one of the twelve state sponsors, the man's eyes gleamed with a mix of intrigue and calculation. His sharp features remained impassive, though his mind raced as he processed what he had just witnessed.

Kiato Nakamura.

The boy's name had reached the ears of many in Raizen, carried on the rumors his father had so proudly spread. But words were just that—words. What the representative had just seen was something else entirely. That surge of mana… the sheer, uncontrollable power that had erupted from the boy—it was unlike anything the representative had ever seen in the years he had spent scouting potential warriors.

He remained in the shadows, unmoving, as Kiato, Juro, Velis, and the girl made their way out of the ruins. His eyes never left Kiato, his mind already calculating the possibilities, the opportunities this boy could represent for the Tsubasa Clan.

A warrior with that kind of raw potential… he would be invaluable in the coming championship. But more than that, if the boy could be controlled, molded, he would be a weapon unlike any other.

The representative's lips curled into a thin smile as he stepped deeper into the shadows, disappearing into the labyrinth of ruins. He would be watching closely. Very closely.

IN THE CITY: THE AFTERMATH

Kiato's legs felt like they were moving on their own, his mind still clouded by the lingering effects of the mana surge. The world around him seemed distant, almost unreal, as if he was walking through a dream. His body ached, and his chest still burned with the remnants of the power that had burst forth uncontrollably.

Juro walked silently at his side, his hand never leaving the hilt of his bow, though his eyes flickered with concern. The tension in his body was evident, though he kept his voice steady. "How are you holding up?"

Kiato blinked, trying to clear the fog in his mind. "I'm… fine," he said, though his voice sounded hollow. "What happened back there?"

Juro's gaze remained forward, avoiding Kiato's question. "We'll talk about it later. Right now, you need to rest."

Velis, who had been trailing just behind, let out a soft, amused laugh. "Rest? After that little display? No, Kiato. Now is when the real fun begins."

Juro shot Velis a sharp look, his voice cold. "Stop, Velis. He's been through enough today."

Velis ignored him, stepping closer to Kiato, his eyes gleaming with dark curiosity. "You felt it, didn't you? That power inside you. It's no ordinary mana, Kiato. There's something… different about you. And now, others will start to notice."

Kiato felt a chill crawl up his spine at Velis's words. He didn't fully understand what had happened back in the trial grounds, but he knew one thing for sure—it hadn't been normal. The power that had surged through him had been too wild, too overwhelming, as if something deep inside him had been unleashed without warning.

The girl, walking slightly ahead, glanced back at Kiato, her expression unreadable. "He's right," she said quietly. "That kind of power… it won't go unnoticed. The sponsors, the other warriors—they'll be watching you now."

Kiato's stomach twisted at the thought. He had come to Raizen to find a sponsor, to compete in the tournament and earn the right to search for Ayumi. But now, with his abilities out in the open, everything seemed far more complicated.

As they approached the city gates, Juro's posture tensed. His sharp eyes caught something just ahead—a figure standing just inside the gates, waiting for them. Dressed in the dark robes of the Tsubasa Clan, the man stood tall and composed, his hands clasped behind his back.

Juro narrowed his eyes. "We're being watched."

Velis chuckled, the sound low and dark. "Of course we are. The sponsors don't miss anything, especially not something as… spectacular as what Kiato just did."

Kiato's heart pounded in his chest as they drew closer to the gates. The representative's gaze was fixed on him, unwavering and sharp, as though he were studying Kiato, calculating every move, every breath.

The man took a step forward, his voice smooth and composed. "Kiato Nakamura, I presume?"

Kiato swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves. "That's me."

The man inclined his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "I am Ryoku, a representative of the Tsubasa Clan, one of the twelve state sponsors. I've been observing your trial." His eyes flicked to Juro and Velis, lingering on each of them before returning to Kiato. "You've impressed me."

Kiato exchanged a quick glance with Juro, unsure of how to respond. "Thank you… I guess."

Ryoku's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Power like yours is rare, Kiato. It would be a waste to let it go unnoticed. The Tsubasa Clan would be interested in discussing a potential sponsorship. If you are… open to it."

Velis's eyes gleamed with amusement, though he said nothing. Juro, however, stepped forward, his voice firm. "He's not interested in making deals right now. We need time."

Ryoku's gaze didn't waver, though his smile remained in place. "Of course. I understand this may be overwhelming, given what you've just experienced. But know this: in Raizen, opportunities are fleeting. The tournament will begin soon, and if you wish to compete, you will need a sponsor."

Kiato felt the weight of Ryoku's words pressing down on him. He knew that finding a sponsor was essential if he wanted to enter the tournament. But after what had just happened in the trial grounds, his thoughts were too jumbled, too conflicted to make any decisions.

Ryoku inclined his head once more. "Consider our offer. The Tsubasa Clan does not make such gestures lightly. We will be watching."

With that, the representative turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd beyond the gates.

Kiato let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his shoulders slumping with exhaustion. "What do I do now?"

Juro placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice low and steady. "We regroup. Take time to rest. You need to figure out what's happening with your mana before you make any decisions."

Velis, still amused by the encounter, chuckled softly. "Or… you could take the offer. After all, the sponsors don't care where your power comes from. They only care that you win."

Kiato shook his head, his mind spinning. The day had been overwhelming enough, and now this—an offer from one of the state sponsors, an opportunity that could make or break his journey. But deep down, he knew that accepting a sponsorship was just the beginning. Whatever had happened inside the trial grounds, whatever power had been unleashed, it was far from over.

And now, the eyes of Raizen were on him. Every last pair.