"Phase 3: The Path of Solitude – Rex’s Illusion"

Yet, as she stepped out of the trial chamber, Rex's eyes followed her – and he knew.

Rex:

"I'm next."

He turned slowly to Selene, his gaze calm but determined.

Rex:

"I have unfinished business with my past."

Without another word, he stepped forward and stopped in front of the capsule. Kyro sighed quietly.

Kyro:

"Don't make it as dramatic as Ezryel."

Neo:

"Or make it worse. I want to see a show."

Rex ignored them. Instead, he pulled out an old chain from under his shirt – a thin, hand-forged necklace that his little sister had once given him. He stared at it for a moment, then closed his fingers tightly around it.

Then, he stepped into the capsule.

The water was cold.

The lid closed with a dull sound.

The screens began to flicker.

Then, everything went black.

The Illusion Begins

He knew this place.

The narrow streets of the workers' district, shrouded in thick fog, lined with soot-blackened alleys where the constant hammering of the forge workshops echoed. Once his home – the beating heart of the floating cities, yet far from wealth and splendor. Here, between rusted pipes and steaming factories, his family had labored.

But today, everything was different.

The smell of burned metal hung heavy in the air. Sirens screeched through the alleys, while chaos raged on the streets. People ran, stumbled, swallowed by dark silhouettes.

Rex knew what would happen next.

The Blood Chain had infiltrated the workers' district. They were not looking for riches – they were hunting people. People with strong resonance.

He had been 11 years old. His little sister, Leona, three years younger, had always stayed by his side. She was his light, his unwavering belief in a better future.

Leona:

"One day, Rex, we will go there – to the Upper City. Then we will breathe fresh air instead of ash."

She had believed in a better future.

And Rex had believed in her.

Then came the night.

He remembered her small fingers clenching his hand as they ran through the alleys. The hammering of his heart as dark shadows emerged from the fog. Voices, rough and threatening.

Blood Chain Member:

"The girl has strong resonance. She's coming with us."

He had held onto her. He had fought. But he had been too small, too weak.

Then came the red light.

Resonance Scanner.

A portable device, held by one of the gang members, hummed loudly as it swept through the alleys. The holographic screen displayed pulsating waveforms as it passed over the residents' hiding places.

Then –

A signal.

Red. Intense. Right in front of them.

Blood Chain Member:

"There she is."

Leona's hand in his turned ice-cold.

Leona:

"Rex…?"

He felt her trembling. She knew.

She was the one they were after.

Arms reached for her. Cold hands, black tattoos on pale skin.

Blood Chain Member:

"Look at that. Resonance-compatible. Perfect."

Rex wanted to run, wanted to fight, but then –

Another scan.

Blood Chain Member 2:

"The boy… worthless."

A fleeting glance, a tired shrug. Then, he was pushed aside, as if he wasn't even worth the effort.

Blood Chain Leader Vex:

"Get lost. Your sister is all that matters."

Leona:

"Rex! Please!"

He wanted to move – he had to move – but his legs wouldn't obey.

A dull punch to the stomach. The air left his lungs in a choked gasp.

Blood Chain Leader Vex:

"A true gift. Or an experiment. Dissect her if necessary."

That word burned into his mind.

Dissect.

His breath grew shallow. His hands clenched.

Rex:

"No… NO!"

But it was too late.

The Illusion Changes

His home.

His parents stood there. Rigid. Unyielding.

Father:

"She trusted you."

Mother:

"And you failed."

The words cut like ice-cold blades into him.

He sank to the ground. His fingers clutched at the shadows.

Then –

A light in the darkness.

Leona.

Leona:

"No, Rex. You never lost me. I trusted you. Not because you were strong – but because you are my brother. You are my hero. Even now."

The shadows twitched, tore apart, lost their form.

His breathing steadied.

It was Leona. Her words wrapped around him like a light in the darkness.

He looked at his parents.

The shadows faded – piece by piece.

Back then, he had only been a child.

It had not been his fault.

And he finally understood that.

One last shadow clung to him, cold like the fears he had carried for so long.

But Rex took a step forward.

And broke through the illusion.

Reactions of the Other Candidates

The screens displayed the last flickering scenes of his past. A moment of silence hung in the room.

Then –

Neo:

"Damn. That was intense."

Nia:

"He broke through it."

Ezryel:

"Now he knows."

Rex slowly opened his eyes. Water dripped from his face as the capsule opened.

He took a deep breath – and stepped out.

Stella:

"What will you do now?"

He looked at his hands, then at the screen where the image of his past slowly faded.

Rex:

"The Blood Chain… will pay for this."