There was silence inside the temple.
Only the floating ash spun slowly in the air, and now and then, the sound of falling stones echoed from the broken walls.
The whole temple now felt like it had completed its task — like it existed only to witness the beginning of the hunt.
Aarya slowly stood up.
His body was still trembling, and deep scratches on his arm were dripping blood.
The Granthnishaan pulsed faintly, as if reminding him — this was only the beginning.
He took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on the giant dire-wolf staring back at him.
The wolf — he now realized it must have a name, an identity — stood at the center of the temple.
Its fur soaked in ash and blood, but its silver-glowing eyes remained calm, as if it had seen this play out a thousand times before.
For a few seconds, they just stared at each other.
And then…
That voice echoed in Aarya's mind again:
"You took its essence."
Aarya held his breath.
That moment came rushing back — the one when he had struck the Spirit Beast with a stone, and its smoke had entered his chest.
He could still feel the coldness settling in him… something that wasn't his.
"I… didn't have a choice," Aarya whispered, his throat dry.
But the wolf's voice returned:
"There is always a choice."
Aarya's heartbeat quickened.
He stepped forward, standing directly in front of the wolf. "Who are you?"
The wolf's silver eyes gleamed slightly.
Then came the voice:
"Feran."
The name echoed like a heavy stone in the air.
Feran.
Aarya repeated it under his breath, "Feran…"
And the Granthnishaan on his chest glowed faintly — as if the name meant something to him.
Feran slowly walked closer, his large body stirring the ashes.
His face was inches from Aarya's, and his eyes stared directly into his soul.
Then the voice came again — softer now, but still heavy:
"You are bound. Your breath, your blood… is tied to mine."
Aarya took a breath.
His mind was blank, but a strange weight settled in his chest.
He wasn't alone anymore — but what did this bond truly mean?
"Bound? Why?"
Feran's tone turned bitter:
"You are the hunted. And the hunter.
Your past is tied to your sins.
And if you want to survive… I must walk with you."
Aarya stayed silent.
His mind flashed back to that burning building… the crying child.
"My past…" he murmured, "Do you know who I am?"
Feran's silver eyes dimmed slightly.
"…I don't remember everything.
But your mark, your scent…
You are something that was never meant to rise again."
Aarya's heart skipped a beat.
He just stared at Feran, his thoughts frozen — only one question echoed in his mind:
Who am I?
Silence returned inside the temple.
Ash continued to drift through the air.
Feran moved closer and inspected the wound on Aarya's arm.
He touched the cut gently with his nose, and for a brief moment, Aarya felt the pain fading… soft, slow, almost comforting.
"You're… helping me?" Aarya asked in surprise.
Feran didn't answer directly.
But his voice returned:
"You are bound.
If you die, so will I.
If you survive, I will too.
And… I must finish your hunt."
Aarya took a deep breath.
His heart was heavy, but a small flame of hope lit inside.
"Alright… Feran.
If you're with me, then we both survive."
Feran remained silent, but his eyes told a different story — not joy… only duty.
And then…
A loud growl came from outside the temple.
Feran straightened instantly.
His large body tensed like a hunter ready to strike. His fur rippled in the wind.
Aarya looked at him. "What is that?"
Feran's voice was low and heavy:
"The trial isn't over yet…
This was only the beginning."
Outside the broken temple doors, the shadows began to move.
Aarya turned slowly toward it.
Beyond the ruined entrance, through dust and smoke, large shapes shifted.
With every step they took, stones trembled, and a deep beastly growl filled the air.
Feran stepped forward, body locked in tension.
His paws left marks on the stone beneath.
"These… are the same beasts as before?" Aarya asked softly.
Feran's silver eyes flickered.
"No. This pack… is bigger.
Their hunter has been sent here."
Aarya's throat dried.
"By who?"
Feran paused, then said:
"This is your trial.
They're here to remind you."
Aarya was about to speak, but a monstrous roar thundered from beyond the temple gate.
And then— They entered.
---
Three Spirit Beasts leapt into the temple at once.
But these weren't like the smaller cursed spirits from before.
These were larger, muscular, half-human forms — their smoky flesh more solid, their eyes not blue but burning white.
Feran didn't waste a second.
He lunged straight at the middle one, claws piercing its chest.
The beast shrieked like a soul ripped from its shell, and Feran tore it apart.
Aarya gasped.
His heart thundered, but his body froze.
Fear.
He stood paralyzed, until that dark voice echoed again in his head:
"…don't run… take it… or you'll die…"
His Granthnishaan flared brightly.
The second beast charged at Aarya.
Instinctively, he grabbed a broken stone pillar and struck — but the beast caught his hand.
Its claws sank into his shoulder, and its smoke seeped into his veins through the wound.
Aarya screamed, and the voice grew louder:
"…steal it… its essence is yours… take it!"
His chest burned.
His hand moved on its own, clutching the beast's neck — and without thought, he shoved the pillar deep into its throat.
The beast flailed, but Aarya wouldn't let go.
Its smoke flooded into his chest, and for a moment, the Granthnishaan glowed black.
Another memory flash—
A child crying in front of him. Blood on his hands…
"Why…?" Aarya whispered in pain, but the image vanished.
The beast dropped, turning to smoke and fading away.
Aarya panted, staring at the ground.
But Feran stepped forward, glaring.
"…again."
Feran's voice was colder now — and this time, angry.
"I warned you."
Aarya didn't respond.
His hand still trembled, his heart weighed down.
Feran grabbed the third beast, crushed its spine, and tossed its body out the gate.
It dissolved into smoke.
Silence returned, but the air still felt heavy.
---
Aarya whispered, "All of this… it's happening because of me, right?"
Feran stepped closer.
His silver eyes pierced through him.
"This is your hunt.
And this is only the beginning.
The Whispering Woods… waits for you."
Aarya glanced at the Granthnishaan.
It pulsed softly — but inside, a strange fear grew.
Like every trial was meant to break something deeper inside him.
Feran said calmly:
"Let's go.
The first zone has opened."
Outside the broken gate, the shadows stilled.
A faint circle of light glowed in the air, and within it — the Trial Sigil fully activated.
The symbol 🝗 burned in the sky, and an ancient voice whispered:
"The First Territory… opens."
Aarya looked at Feran. "We're going?"
Feran replied without hesitation:
"There is no turning back for you now."
And then the two stepped through the temple gate —
as a new hunt began amidst the ashes.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…