Leon didn't summon his weapons immediately.
Instead, he breathed.
Because now he understood.
This fight wasn't about power.
It was about remorse.
Trial Phase One: The Fall of Allies
The battlefield shifted.
Suddenly Leon stood alone as specters formed—twisted versions of Naval, Roselia, Kael, Roman, and Milim. Each one fell in battle before him, struck down by unseen enemies. Each one stared at him with disappointment, as if to say, Why didn't you stop it?
Noctel's voice echoed through the smoke. "You will lose them. Not all at once. But over time. And every time you try to carry the weight… it will crush you."
Leon didn't deny it.
He stepped forward.
And spoke aloud. "Then I'll carry it anyway."
The specters lunged.
He didn't fight them. He let them pass through—acknowledging their pain. Accepting that one day, even he might not be able to protect everyone.
And the scene broke.
Trial Phase Two: The Collapse of Purpose
