“Phase 3: The Path of Solitude – Liebe“

Selene

"Next one."

Without a word, Liebe stepped out of the shadows. He rarely spoke much, but this time something was different. There was no uncertainty in his gaze – only determination.

A spark of courage, buried deep in his soul, began to bloom.

Slowly, he stepped toward the resonance capsule. For a moment, the metallic surface reflected his face – pale, calm. Yet beneath the surface, thoughts raged that he had never spoken aloud.

Selene watched him in silence. She knew that this was more than just a test for him.

The capsule opened with a soft hiss.

Liebe stepped inside.

The light moved. The monitors flickered to life, streams of data flooding the screens. Selene let her fingers glide over the controls and activated the illusion.

One last moment of silence.

Then – darkness.

Liebe – A Name and a Legacy

Liebe – a burden. A memory that burned like an inextinguishable spark in the darkness.

His family bore this name because they were once meant to bring hope. But in this world, hope was often shattered.

"Our family name is Liebe because love is the light in the darkness," his father had once said. "This name should remind you that even in the deepest night, the people who matter to you can be your salvation."

But by now, it felt like a curse.

The Illusion Begins

The resonance flickered. A sharp gust of wind tore at him as the illusion swallowed him.

The ruins of the sanctuary.

He knew this place. Once a hidden refuge, protected by the knowledge of his family. Now a mass grave. Shattered foundations, charred walls reaching like dead fingers toward the sky. The air smelled of ash and burned memories.

Then – pain.

Screams. Cracking stone. The crackling of flames. The memory of a night that never ended.

"Why did you survive?"

The voice was soft, almost a whisper in the wind – yet it cut sharper than any blade.

Lysanne.

His sister emerged from the smoke. Her form ghostly, distorted by resonance. No anger in her eyes – only deep, burning sorrow.

"Why did you run away, Aurel?"

Liebe couldn't speak. His breath caught. His heart pounded like a trapped bird in his chest.

The name he had not heard for so long – Aurel – struck him like a blow.

Then they stepped out of the smoke.

His brother. His mother. His father.

Shadowed figures, but their voices sliced through him with every word.

"You are weak."

"You are nothing without us."

"You betrayed us."

Liebe sank to his knees. The images burned themselves into his mind – his parents, fighting as the Kryntor stormed their sanctuary. The elite had decided that the Liebe family was too dangerous. Their research on resonance – their unique techniques – were a threat to the three great houses.

So they were exterminated.

Yet Liebe was spared. Why?

He was the most talented resonance user in his family's history. His parents had saved him, had cleared the way for him.

But he didn't know that.

"You should have stayed with us," his brother whispered.

"Or you should have fought," his father said.

Then his mother stepped closer. Resonance flowed from her, powerful and overwhelming. Her hand—gentle, yet relentless.

"You carry our name, Aurel. You are our legacy."

She touched his face—and at that moment, the tattoo on his right arm began to glow.

At first weak, then stronger.

The ancient symbols on his skin started shifting, as if they were breathing. Lines moved, forming images—shadows of past battles, warriors who had carried this name.

He saw the first leader passing down their knowledge to the next generation. He saw his grandfather fighting for their freedom. His parents, sacrificing their lives to protect him.

This was his clan. His legacy.

And now, it was his turn.

Breaking with the Past

Liebe's eyes widened.

"I… was too weak…," he whispered.

But the truth came closer.

He had been six years old when he watched from the crevice as they fell. He hadn't fought. He had hidden.

Because he was afraid.

But was that an excuse?

The resonance flickered. The shadows of his family grew darker, more menacing. Their voices grew louder.

"Why did YOU survive?"

A scream tore from his throat.

Suddenly, the tattoo on his arm responded.

The symbols pulsed, forming new patterns as if reading his emotions. His skin burned, but he felt no pain—only the weight of the past pressing down on him.

The history of his clan flowed over his skin, past generations watching him.

They had fought. Suffered. Survived.

And now they wanted to know:

Are you worthy of carrying their legacy?

The past wanted to chain him down. But this time…

This time, he would face it.

"You do not carry our name because you are weak, but because you are strong enough to carry us all."

Lysanne's hand reached out to him.

But he did not move.

He straightened up, his gaze clear, his breath steady.

"I was too young to save you," he said. "But I will not forget your sacrifice."

The shadows trembled. The illusion began to crack. The ghostly figures of his family flickered – as if an invisible force was pushing them back.

"I will become strong enough to protect what matters. Not for myself – but for you."

With a scream, he unleashed his resonance.

Light exploded – the illusion shattered.

The past could no longer hold him.

Then – silence.

Return to Reality

Liebe's eyes flew open.

The ground beneath him was cool, his fingers digging into the stone. His breath was heavy, his body trembling.

The illusion was broken.

Around him, the other candidates stood. Pale faces. Some with tears in their eyes.

Each of them had faced their own hell.

Selene stepped forward, her brown eyes locking onto him with unwavering intensity.

"You have understood your name, Liebe. The question is whether you have the strength to carry it."

Liebe took a deep breath.

He was Aurel Liebe.

And his name was no longer a curse.

It was a promise.

The Conclusion of Phase Three

No one spoke. But the emotions lingered in the air.

Neo stood with tense shoulders, his hands clenched into fists. Not a word – but a new spark in his eyes.

Rex rubbed his face, exhausted. "Well… that was more intense than I expected."

Ezryel kept his gaze on Liebe – not in judgment, but in recognition.

And Liebe knew: It was only just beginning.