The black doors of Room Seven slid shut behind them with a deep, echoing thoom.
The chamber was vast—an elevated throne platform at its center, metallic walls layered like overlapping blades, every surface humming faintly as if the room itself were alive. Sitting upon the throne was a man clad in dark steel armor that moved like liquid metal, his presence heavy and domineering.
A low deity.
He rose slowly, metal shifting across his body like a second skin.
"Did Seraphina really send a bunch of students to Atlas?" the man scoffed. "You shouldn't blame her for her poor judgment if you die. Blame yourselves for coming."
Rein Clark cracked his neck once and stepped forward.
"I don't like this guy."
Kaelus grinned sharply.
"Yeah—punch him in that foul mouth of his."
The man's lips curled upward.
"My name is Micheal," he said coldly. "And you won't live long enough to remember it. Men—attack."
The moment Micheal's subordinates surged forward, Rein raised a single hand.
"Dominion Authority—Freeze."
Reality locked.
Every subordinate halted mid-step, frozen as if time itself had been nailed in place. Kaelus didn't hesitate—he moved in a clean blur, swift and precise, ending them before they could even react.
Rein walked forward alone now, eyes fixed on Micheal.
"Come fight me," Rein said, voice calm but heavy with threat.
"You send minions instead—what do you take me for?"
He slammed his fist into the ground.
The tower vibrated violently, metal screaming under the force. Micheal's throne shattered into fragments, crushed flat beneath invisible pressure.
Micheal laughed, hopping down effortlessly as metal reshaped around his boots.
"So you're the heir of the Dominion Seat," he said. "Since you wish for death… I'll oblige."
He vanished.
A flash of steel—Micheal reappeared behind Rein, blade-like metal forming along his arm. But Rein twisted at the last instant, a punch grazing Micheal's face—
BOOM.
The air detonated, shockwaves ripping outward. Micheal skidded back, boots tearing grooves into the floor.
Rein smiled.
Stellar crossed her arms, grinning.
"Go, muscle brain."
Rein narrowed his eyes. He could feel it now—Micheal was faster. Much faster.
So Rein did what he did best.
He waited.
They clashed again—metal and dominion colliding, sparks ripping through the air. Rein deliberately dropped his guard.
Micheal took the bait.
He lunged.
Rein grabbed Micheal's arm mid-strike, stepped hard on his right foot, and drove Micheal's head straight into the ground—the impact cracking the arena floor.
Still holding him, Rein watched calmly as Micheal tried to counter with his free hand, metal spiraling violently around his fist.
Rein's eyes glowed.
"Dominion Authority—Cancel."
The metal failed.
Micheal's element died instantly within Rein's domain.
Rein punched him in the gut—then again—then slammed his head down once more, the ground cratering beneath them.
One final punch to the mouth.
"For disrespecting Seraphina Caldris," Rein said coldly.
Silence followed.
Darius nodded once.
"Good fight, Rein."
Eryndor smiled, storm energy stirring faintly around him as he stepped forward.
"From here on," he said calmly, "the real battles begin. This tower isn't just a mission—it's an opportunity."
His eyes swept across his team.
"An opportunity to ascend. To rise from god candidates to low deities. To take the seats of your elemental gods."
Then his tone sharpened.
"But it's also an opportunity for death."
He turned toward the next black door.
"So fight like we have no tomorrow."
Kaelus grinned wide.
"Hell yeah."
Darius nodded.
"Let's do it."
Stellar cracked her knuckles, eyes gleaming.
"I'm ready."
Rein rolled his shoulders.
"Let's keep climbing."
Together, they advanced.
Room Six awaited.