The Beast's Trial

Chapter 7 – The Beast's Trial

The air crackled with tension.

Kairo wiped the blood from his lip, his golden eyes locked onto the monstrous entity before him. It was nothing like the Ghostfang Alpha.

This wasn't just a beast.

It was something ancient.

Something that knew about the Phoenix inside him.

Raizen took a step forward, lightning flickering around his blade. "Whatever this thing is, we need to end it now."

The creature chuckled, its red eyes glowing. "End me? You misunderstand."

The ground trembled beneath their feet.

Dark energy coiled around the beast's form, twisting like a living shadow.

"This is not a battle."

Kairo felt a strange pull, like his body was being dragged into something unseen.

Then—

The world around them shattered.

---

A Trial of Fire and Lightning

Kairo's breath caught in his throat.

One second, they were standing in the forest—

The next, they were somewhere else entirely.

A vast, endless battlefield stretched before them, the sky a swirling mix of fire and storm clouds. Golden flames danced in the distance, while streaks of lightning split the sky.

Raizen turned sharply. "What just happened?"

The beast's voice echoed around them.

"You have been brought to the Trial Grounds."

Kairo clenched his fists. "Trial for what?"

The air shifted.

Suddenly, two figures materialized before them.

Kairo's heart stopped.

One figure was wreathed in golden fire, standing tall with crimson wings stretching from his back. His very presence radiated overwhelming power.

The other was covered in arcs of silver lightning, his eyes glowing with storm-like energy.

Raizen's grip on his sword tightened. "…Who are they?"

The beast's voice rumbled.

"They are the Firstborn."

Kairo's breath hitched. "Firstborn?"

The beast continued.

"The first to ever wield your flames and lightning. The ones who mastered their power and left behind a legacy."

Kairo swallowed hard. "And what do they want?"

The sky darkened.

A pillar of fire erupted behind the Phoenix-born warrior, his gaze locked onto Kairo.

A storm surged around the Lightning-born warrior, his eyes narrowing at Raizen.

Then, they spoke in unison.

"To prove you are worthy…"

"You must defeat us."

Kairo's blood ran cold.

This wasn't just a test.

It was a fight against the very origin of their power.

And if they lost—

They might never leave this place.

---

To be continued-

Next Chapter – Battle of the Firstborn