The hour passed in a heavy, silent anticipation. The gods on their platforms were still, each one a statue of contained, world-shaking power. Nox just stood there, his mind a quiet, clear space. He wasn't planning or strategizing. He was just… ready.
The Administrator's voice echoed through the Nexus once more. "The first trial begins now."
From the center of the arena, a being of pure, white light coalesced. It was a perfect, androgynous humanoid form, featureless and smooth, radiating an aura of absolute, neutral power.
"This is the Catalyst," the Administrator's voice explained. "It will adapt to each of you, mirroring your own power and pushing it to its absolute limit. It is a perfect reflection. To defeat it, you must overcome the ultimate opponent: yourselves."
