The trial ground lay beyond the sect's deepest valley, where the air itself seemed heavy with forgotten power. Jagged black stones jutted from the earth, etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly as if alive.
Disciples crowded the cliffside to watch. Some came to witness his downfall. Others… to see if the impossible could be done.
Arhaan stood at the center of the arena. The chains coiled within him trembled, as if recognizing something older, something greater.
Elder Rahn's voice echoed:
"Within this trial lies the echo of Heaven's punishment. Only those chosen—or cursed—by the heavens may endure. Step forward, Arhaan, and prove whether you are a man… or a demon."
---
The First Binding
The runes lit. Chains of light erupted from the ground, slamming into Arhaan's wrists, ankles, chest. They pulled tight, searing him with divine fire.
Arhaan gritted his teeth. His own golden chains writhed, clashing violently against the celestial bindings.
The disciples gasped.
"He's resisting already!"
"No one survives the first binding without screaming—what is he?"
Arhaan roared, flames bursting from his body, the golden chains straining against Heaven's judgment.
---
The Trial Deepens
The earth split. From the cracks rose spectral beasts—shadows of long-dead cultivators bound by heaven. Their eyes glowed like molten silver as they lunged at him, weapons of pure light in hand.
Arhaan caught the first strike with his arm, blood spraying as the blade carved deep. But his chains lashed out, wrapping around the specter's throat. With a violent pull, the apparition shattered into sparks.
But for each he destroyed, two more emerged.
The trial wasn't a battle—it was a storm meant to drown him.
---
Heaven's Voice
Above the arena, the sky darkened. Thunder cracked, and a voice—not human, not divine, but something in between—rolled across the valley.
"Unworthy. Submit."
The celestial chains tightened, digging into his flesh until blood poured freely. Arhaan fell to one knee. The disciples leaned forward, whispering.
"He can't hold on…"
"This is the end."
But in that moment, Arhaan smiled.
Through the blood and agony, he whispered back:
"I don't submit. Not to heaven. Not to fate. Not to anyone."
His golden chains erupted, shattering one of the divine bindings with a sound like the world itself cracking.
The valley shook.