CHAPTER 33: System's Trial

The next day within the training chamber, Moyo stood his ground against Idris and Josh, while the others battled to remain conscious within the oppressive sphere of his killing intent. He had expected better by now, but their continued struggle disappointed him—until he realized not everyone had endured the same traumatic experiences he had.

Both aura users strained against the lethargy weighing their bodies, relying on sheer willpower and short breaks to recover. Their fortitude was growing, that much was clear, and their attacks carried more weight as they became accustomed to the crushing presence of the Titan Blade. Still, their strikes were predictable and easy to deflect.

Annika, however, surprised him. She became the first among the others to rise to her feet, her sheer determination blazing in her storm-grey eyes. Lightning crackled around her spear, Stormpiercer, as she closed the gap between them with a burst of speed. Her attack was wild but fueled by her loathing of the humiliation they had endured.

The fight escalated. Moyo deftly deflected axe and hammer strikes from Idris and Josh, each clash ringing out like thunder in the enclosed space. He used only the sheath of his blade, Ida, to meet their attacks, knowing full well how overwhelming it felt to face an opponent leagues above you.

In a way, it reminded him of Ajax—though Ajax had been many ranks above him at the time.

A deft parry of Josh's hammer sent him spinning away. Moyo twisted mid-air, catching Idris with a light kick that sent him stumbling backward. Annika was on him in an instant, her spear aimed to pierce his aura. Lightning danced along the blade, the crackling energy a testament to her growing strength.

"Impressive," he murmured, sidestepping her attack effortlessly.

She snarled, locking her legs around his arm to immobilize him as her spear came down. Moyo saw the attack coming, but before he could counter, he felt resistance—Martha. The Webweaver stood at a distance, her face pale with exertion as she used her webs to hinder his movements.

"You're learning," he said, almost admiringly.

Then came Ayo, floating above and wreathed in flames. With a crack, her flame whip lashed toward him. Moyo vanished in an instant, Titan Walk carrying him behind her. A gentle palm to her back sent her careening into the shallow water below, her flames extinguished.

"Always be aware of your surroundings," he called out, turning his attention back to Annika.

Her aura surged as her spear arced upward, the combination of mana and intent focusing into a single point aimed at his chest. It was a beautiful, futile effort. Moyo's skin, reinforced by his vitality, rebounded the attack effortlessly. He caught her by the waist, sweeping her legs from under her before delivering a palm strike to her stomach, sending her flying toward the recovering Ayo.

"Sometimes a straightforward attack isn't the best approach," he advised.

Boyle entered the fray next, his flame-infused gauntlets crackling as he attempted to strike Moyo. The Forge Artificer was creative, using whatever materials lay around to construct impromptu weapons, but Moyo easily parried his attack, redirecting him into Martha's waiting web.

Samantha stood frozen; her green eyes wide with uncertainty.

"I… don't have any attack skills," she muttered.

Moyo gave her a reassuring smile. "Then focus on what you're best at. Help me ease their pains."

Samantha's healing mana flared to life, bringing the fallen back to their feet one by one. As she worked, Moyo addressed them all.

"Battle requires improvisation and adaptability," he began. "I know that while I was… unavailable, you held Bastion together. Your leadership, skills, and resolve are evident. But that won't be enough for what's coming."

Aje appeared at his signal, handing out metal bands to each of them. They examined the items with curiosity, and then surprise as they read their descriptions.

"While we're here, my aim is to raise your attributes, no matter how slow the process," Moyo explained. "These weight bands will push your limits in ways you haven't experienced before."

"Weight bands?" Ayo asked with distaste, her fiery aura flaring slightly.

Josh, ever stoic, clasped two bands onto his wrists without hesitation. Idris followed suit, silently nodding his approval.

Aje stepped forward. "Lord Titan Blade, I might assist in developing tailored training regimens for those less suited to direct combat."

Moyo raised an eyebrow. "You've been holding out on us?"

"The system's rank and Bastion's growth have unlocked access to low-tier training methods from the syndicate," Aje explained.

"And we're only hearing about this now?" Moyo asked, shaking his head.

"You're the one who wanted Martha in charge," Annika muttered, earning a few chuckles.

"Moyo is right to push us," Martha interjected. "If the enemy senses weakness, they'll exploit it."

"Fine, Aje. Look into these training methods," Moyo ordered. "But we can't keep draining Bastion's resources for this."

The group fell silent, sharing uneasy glances.

"What?" Moyo asked, confused.

"How much do you think Bastion actually has?" Martha asked with a raised eyebrow.

Moyo pulled up Bastion's HUD, the detailed stats filling his vision.

[Bastion – City, Level 3]

Lord: Moyo Titan BladeVice Lord: Annika StormsingerSteward: Martha WebweaverGeneral: Idris Battle WarlordGrand Sentinel: Josh Titan SentinelGrand Smith: Boyle ArtificerGrand Mage: Ayo Flame Empress

Resources:

Aurums: 20,600Credits: 1,200,000Lesser Aether Shards: 100,000Refined Aether Shards: 10,000Greater Aether Shards: 1,000

Moyo nearly choked. "How?!"

"The system awarded us bonuses after the necromancer and wyvern battles," Aje replied matter-of-factly.

"I didn't know my own city was this rich," Moyo muttered.

"None of us did," Josh added. "Except Martha. All we knew was we were doing well."

Shaking his head, Moyo clapped his hands to refocus the group.

"Martha, Samantha, and Boyle, return to your projects but keep the bands on. Aje will provide tailored regimens for you and your factions."

"Clans," Martha corrected. "They're called clans under the Archailect."

"Fine. Clans." Moyo turned to the others. "Idris, Annika, Josh, and Ayo—you're staying with me. The real training begins now."

He faced them with a grin as they took their positions. "Weapons or not?"

Annika tossed her spear aside. "No weapons. For now."

"Begin," Moyo commanded, his stance steady as the four ascenders charged at him together.

A day and a night passed within the training chamber, a grueling period of relentless battles and intense growth. The chamber echoed with the sounds of clashing weapons, roars of determination, and the occasional groan of pain. Skills skyrocketed, new ones were gained through sheer effort and sacrifice, but their levels remained stagnant. Still, the experience they accumulated against a greater foe—the Titan Blade—was invaluable, pushing each of them to their limits and beyond.

Annika thrived in the storm she had become. Where she once had to summon thunder and lightning consciously, now they followed her like loyal companions, a perpetual tempest fueled directly by her core. Her spear, Stormpiercer, sang with deadly precision, every strike a calculated bolt of fury. The stormcloud above her head was no mere affectation; it was a manifestation of her growing control, rumbling with energy and striking when she willed it to.

Ayo, the Flame Empress, became a living inferno, her powers amplified by the gem that hungered for glory. Flames wreathed her in a cloak of shifting fire, and her alight hair trailed embers wherever she moved. Her mastery over the element grew rapidly, allowing her to shape it into intricate forms that battered and distracted Moyo with endless variations. Her strikes, guided by the gem's influence, came with renewed ferocity, keeping the Titan Blade on his toes.

Josh fought with unwavering determination, wielding Gravemaw as though it were an extension of his body. His path had evolved, granting him Argent Aegis, a skill that summoned a shimmering silver shield to hover by his side, protecting him and striking back with a thought. Though Moyo's blows still brought him to his knees, Josh learned to endure, to strike harder and with greater precision. His resilience earned him small victories in the relentless onslaught.

Idris, the Battle Warlord, was a tactical force that made even Moyo pause. His Warborn Command skill turned the battlefield into a carefully orchestrated symphony of attacks, directing the others in real-time as he held his own. His movements were measured, his strikes brutal, each swing of his massive cleaver carrying purpose. Together, they formed a cohesive team that slowly chipped away at the Titan's overwhelming might.

Moyo found himself enjoying the battle more than he cared to admit. Despite holding back, his ruthlessness began to creep out from the shell he kept it sealed under. His attacks carried more force, his movements sharper, testing their mettle to its limits.

The training chamber bore the brunt of their efforts. The ground was scarred and flooded, walls cracked, and the air thick with residual energy. Moyo knew the chamber would reset itself and recharge within a few days, but for now, it reflected their sheer determination.

Josh's hammer came for his head, silent but deadly. Moyo ducked, flipping mid-air as Ayo's serpent of flame snapped at him, its fanged maw wide. He twisted away from the strike, deflecting Stormpiercer with the sheath of Ida and using Idris's cleaver swing to propel himself out of the line of fire.

Landing lightly on his feet, he found himself surrounded. The four ascenders were battered, bleeding, and exhausted, but they stood firm, refusing to give in. Their eyes burned with determination.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Josh asked, spitting blood but grinning.

"You have no idea," Moyo replied, chuckling as he adjusted his stance.

"This is getting better. My axe has rhythm now," Idris said, twirling his weapon effortlessly despite its weight.

"Just one hit. That's all I want," Annika growled, lightning crackling in her eyes and across her body.

Ayo said nothing, her expression fierce as her flames flickered and danced. She raised a hand, crafting intricate runes of fire that shimmered with destructive energy. Moyo couldn't help but feel concern—her power, amplified by the gem, was growing rapidly, almost unnaturally. Something about it unsettled him, but he pushed the thought aside for now.

Moyo activated Balogun's Domain, the sheer weight of his killing intent pressing down on them like an avalanche. They staggered, their legs shaking as they fought to stay upright. Annika surged forward first, her spear crackling with lethal energy as the storm above her boomed.

Moyo saw her move, his senses catching every detail: the way Idris adjusted his stance to flank him, Josh's unwavering calm as he prepared a counterstrike, and Ayo's gathering flames swirling into a spell of devastating potential.

With a single motion, Moyo slammed his blade into the ground, sending a ripple of force that canceled all their attacks and sent them sprawling into the shallow water. Groans filled the air as they drank the healing elixirs Samantha had left for them, their battered bodies slowly mending.

Perched atop a rock, Moyo observed them with a satisfied smile. He gained nothing from these sessions apart from seeing their growth, but that alone was enough to please him.

"Done beating on us for today?" Annika called out, panting as she lay on her back.

"For now. I have something in mind for you all," Moyo replied, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"I don't like the sound of that," Ayo muttered, sitting up with effort.

"Whatever it is, I'll face it after some sleep," Josh added, rolling to his side with a groan.

Idris raised a tired thumbs-up, his cleaver resting beside him.

"The best I can offer now is to gain actual battle experience," Moyo said, his voice carrying over their quiet exhaustion.

"You want to invade the yellow zone, don't you?" Annika asked softly, her voice tinged with dread and anticipation.

"Yes," Moyo confirmed. "Not just for the rewards—though there will be plenty—but because I believe it will be the push you need to reach advocate rank. Imagine that: Bastion with not one, but five advocates. That's the kind of power that will give me peace of mind, knowing Bastion is truly safe."

The group sat in contemplative silence, each considering the weight of his words.

"When?" Idris asked after a long pause, his mind already calculating.

"Soon. First, I need to check on something. In the meantime, get some rest. You've earned it," Moyo replied, standing and using Titan Walk to vanish from the chamber, leaving a ripple of power in his wake.

Emerging into the bright sunlight of Bastion, Moyo was greeted by the warmth of its rays and the lively chatter of the thousands who now called the city home. The two sentinels at the gates of the inner sanctum saluted him with a fist to their chests. He nodded in response, taking a slow, deliberate descent down the grand steps that led to the sprawling city below.

The scale of Bastion struck him anew. To the west, the forging district was a bustling hive of industry, smoke rising in thick plumes that dissipated into the clear sky. To the east, the residential districts stretched toward the city gates, their streets alive with activity. Trading zones thrived with merchants and customers, and an entertainment district buzzed with promise. Bastion was no longer a fledgling settlement—it was a burgeoning city-state, a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of its people.

Yet, for all its growth, Moyo felt a pang of detachment. He had been so consumed by battles, training, and politics that he hadn't taken the time to experience the city in its entirety. Soon, he thought. One day, he would walk these streets as just another resident, free of the pomp and circumstance that followed his every move.

He spotted Martha at the gates, speaking with a group of unfamiliar figures. They hung on her every word, nodding with respect. Moyo made a mental note to ask about them later. For now, he had a mission, and he wasn't in the mood for distractions.

A series of Titan Walks carried him swiftly to Bastion's outer walls and then to its gates. The ascenders on guard, clad in their black uniforms, froze at his approach, their eyes wide with reverence before they fell to their knees.

"Please, stand," Moyo said, wincing at the display. As the gates swung open, he stepped through, breathing in the scent of the wilds beyond. The dense forest loomed ahead, a patchwork of vibrant green broken by shafts of golden sunlight.

[Be safe out there.]

The message from Martha popped up on his HUD. Moyo smiled faintly, typing a brief response:

"Of course."

Bastion's hunting parties had cleared this part of the green zone of any immediate threats, ensuring the safety of its farmlands and providing new ascenders with a place to train. Tier 1 and low-tier 2 dungeons had become training grounds for fledgling adventurers, all under the watchful eyes of seasoned veterans. Yet as Moyo ventured deeper into the forest, he felt the unmistakable shift in aether density. The air grew heavier, saturated with power. He knew he was nearing the yellow zones.

At the boundary, the landscape grew wilder and more foreboding. Sparse trees gave way to dense underbrush, and the sounds of distant growls and shifting foliage made it clear that he was being watched.

[The system wants to initiate a special quest: Path of the Titan for you. Rewards will be worth your time. Accept?]

Moyo stared at the notification, suspicion flashing through his thoughts. The timing seemed too convenient; the offer too tempting. Was this another trick of the High Arbiter? Or something else entirely?

He hesitated, tapping his fingers against the hilt of his blade before deciding.

Decline.

[Apologies, quest cannot be denied. Difficulty has been increased for your offense.]

"What?" Moyo reeled as the skies above the yellow zone darkened. His HUD pinged with a system-wide alert:

[Continental Notice! People of Continent 1, a new quest has been given!]

A beam of purple light erupted from the heart of the yellow zone, its raw, ominous energy resonating with a familiarity that made Moyo grip the hilt of Ida tighter. The ground beneath him shuddered as dungeon entrances across the zone glowed with a sinister purple hue.

[The yellow zone is now home to a powerful yet restrained Level 200 Prime Aberrant! You have exactly one month to conquer the yellow zone or watch as the forces of the Prime Aberrant roll over the green zone!]

[Rewards:

Double credits and AurumsHigh chance of imbued weaponsExtended land to include the yellow zonesElemental resourcesContinent name privilege]

Even as the rewards filled his screen, another, more personal message followed:

[System Notification: A Trial Awaits

A shadow of your path lingers within the Yellow Zone, bound by chains of failure and defiance. Once a bearer of the Titan's mantle, it now festers in disgrace, a warning to all who dare to walk the path you have chosen. Its name echoes through the stone, a fractured hymn of power and regret: Durnak, the Forsaken Titan.

This presence is not without purpose. To advance, to understand the truth of what you seek, you must confront it. Prove your resolve by severing the chain of its existence. Beware, for this creature's wrath and cunning have not waned in its imprisonment.

Quest Activated: Trial of the Bound Titan

Objective: Confront and destroy Durnak, the Forsaken Titan.

Reward: Shard of Authority – Titan's Legacy.

Warning: Failure will result in the termination of the Titan Path. Your progress hinges upon victory.

You are being watched, Titan. Do not falter.]

Moyo clenched his fists as the ground rumbled beneath him. In the distance, a fortress of glowing purple crystals erupted from the earth, radiating raw power that bathed the yellow zone in an ominous glow. The aether-charged light illuminated the stark divide between the green and yellow zones, a line he now had no choice but to cross.

"So, Durnak," he muttered under his breath, the name weighing heavily on his mind. The message had made it clear—this was no ordinary foe. This was a reflection of what could become of him, a warning and a test from the system itself.

His blade hummed softly at his side, resonating with the tension in the air. His path as a Titan was now bound to this trial, the consequences of failure far too dire to ignore. Moyo exhaled deeply, his breath steadying his nerves as he stepped forward, the eyes of countless aberrants watching from the shadows.

"I won't falter," he vowed, his voice low but resolute. "Not now. Not ever."