Ember drifted away from the cluster of waiting spheres as Gold approached, his golden light noticeably dimmed, edges flickering with fatigue.
"It's your turn now, Ember." Gold said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
"Got it." Ember's glow flared briefly in acknowledgment. "Oh, um… good job out there." She added, not waiting for a reply.
"..."
She simply glided forward and passed through the spiraling door, leaving Gold suspended in stunned silence, still processing the unexpected compliment.
Did that just happen? he thought in shock.
—In the evaluation chamber—
The endless white expanse greeted Ember like a held breath. For a heartbeat, she hovered motionless, awestruck.
Wow. She mused inwardly, scanning the vast expanse.
Cubix's calm voice broke the quiet, shifting Ember's attention to him.
"Now then," he said, "tell me about yourself. Your object. Your abilities. How they came to be. Speak as comfortably as you wish."
"Yes, Your Eminence." Ember complied.
Her light steadied as she began speaking.
"I was prideful, arrogant even. I felt as though I was superior to everyone else, and I wanted whatever object I created to reflect that about me."
She paused, remembering the moment of completion.
I wanted my object to be something bold. Something that was unmatched. Fortunately, shaping the object came easily to me. I didn't rush the process.
I planned meticulously by visualizing every curve, every flare, every shift of color and intensity.
Using my energy, I started by creating draft rough forms first, then refined them obsessively. After that was done, I edited and discarded them, and repeated the same process until the concept finally felt perfect to me.
Only then, did I commit to creating the final shape. And when I was finished making the object, I was satisfied with how the results looked.
I named it [Inferno] soon after that.
I felt that the name had fit its appearance, as it was searing, untamed, and radiant. The instant the name settled, the ability arrived, fully formed.
It allows me to harness the ambient energy in my surroundings and transform it into searing flames. I can shape these flames however I desire, using them in countless ways. Whether of it's to strike with devastating destructive force, or to shield myself in defense.
"Alright, I understand. Please demonstrate it." Cubix said, a suble interest sharpening his tone.
"Yes, Your Eminence."
"Photon Barrier."
A perfect sphere of translucent light enveloped Cubix's entire form, sealing him inside a flawless barrier.
Of course, Ember thought. The test is to break it. In that case...
She immediately began channeling ambient energy, threading her awareness around the shield's surface, probing for any weaknesses, as well as learning its resonance.
"Fireball Storm." Ember started.
Dozens of blazing orbs ignited around her and hurtled toward the barrier in a relentless cascade that were rapid, overlapping, as well as chaotic.
At the same moment, she prepared her true strike, one that was a technique that she honed under Prism's rigorous guidance.
The fireballs are misdirection, she thought. They are hiding the real threat. "Laser Beam."
A needle-thin lance of concentrated light and heat lanced from her core, aimed at a single pinpoint on the shield's surface. A humming sound echoed upon making contact with the barrier, growing louder with each passing second.
"Interesting." Cubix murmured, amusement threading through his voice.
"I'm not done yet!" Ember declared, her confidence ringing clear.
"Is that so. Then show me."
Having mapped the barrier's energy flow, Ember finally seized control of the ambient field that was around it.
"Nova Burst." she said with a soft and certain tone, as though victory were already hers.
The three abilities struck in perfect synchrony.
Fireball Storm masked her true intent and battered the shield broadly, continuously weakening the shield.
Laser Beam drilled into one vulnerable point, further weakening the structural integrity of the shield.
As for Nova Burst, it disrupted the shield's internal cohesion, scattering its coherence and making sure it doesn't use the ambient energy to repair itself.
All three of these abilities had come together to form the conditions necessary for Ember's victory.
A multicolored conflagration erupted as the shield shattered, fiery shards of light scattering outward before dissolving into harmless sparks.
When the glare cleared, Cubix floated unchanged, exactly where he had been. The only thing that had changed was his now dissipating shield.
"Well done." he said with genuine sincerity. "To think that you would break my shield so quickly. Very impressive indeed."
"You honor me, Your Eminence." Ember replied, relieved at the results of her effort.
Had even one of those abilities not been present, or Ember's control had been flawed, then Cubix's shield would've held on.
The timing in which she had to use the different abilities was also an important factor that determined her victory.
It was only because it was Ember that had attacked, that the attacks had succeeded in breaking Cubix's shield as quickly as it did.
Her thought process and efficient energy manipulation, which allowed her to flawlessly control all three of those different abilities at once, was the reason that Ember could execute such a plan with perfect precision.
Indeed, Ember was truly a prodigy. A genius among geniuses.
And yet, she simply couldn't help but feel a bit hollow inside. At least, in this particular moment.
It was too fast, and felt too easy. That's how one might describe the fight, and that is exactly how Ember felt in this moment.
For whatever reason, Ember didn't feel satisfied with how quick and seemingly easy the test ended. Even though this only went to affirm her own competency, she couldn't help not being satisfied with how quickly it had all ended.
That can't be it, can it? Ember thought, unsatisfied. Surely there's more? There has to be... she rationalized within herself.
Although she wanted more, she knew that it was more than disrespectful to request it herself.
If Cubix decided that the evaluation was over, then Ember need only to agree and leave, regardless of how she felt.
However, as fate would have it, Cubix felt the same way as Ember, unsatisfied. And the reason for this wasn't simply his own emotions.
Indeed, he had been enjoying himself ever since testing Prism's subordinates. That said, his own emotions wouldn't stop him from completing his task of entertaining his master.
Cubix simply felt that if even he didn't feel satisfied with how the test had gone down, then surely his master would also feel the same.
This is far from satisfactory. Cubix thought simultaneously. If I let it end here, then Milady will most definitely not be satisfied.
The test had concluded, but an instinctual unease stirred within him. Had it been any other Entity in this moment, the feeling might have passed unnoticed, but for Cubix, such instincts were rarely wrong.
A plan began to churn in his mind.
—In the observation room—
"That was… quick." Prism said, slightly flustered.
She glanced toward Milady, expecting approval, only to see something shift in her creator's vast, multicolored surface.
"Is everything all right, Milady?" Prism asked, concern flickering through her triangular facets.
"I'm just a little let down at how quickly that ended." Milady replied, her tone carrying a hint of genuine disappointment.
Prism immediately froze.
The one outcome she had dreaded most had arrived, not through her own failure, but through her subordinate's overwhelming efficiency.
However, before she could even begin to formulate an apology–
"Then again, maybe I spoke too soon." Milady said, interest suddenly brightening.
Prism's gaze snapped back to the monitor. Lord Cubix?
—Back in the evaluation chamber—
"Would you like to continue?" Cubix asked.
Ember went still, her words caught in her glow. She wanted to say yes, to accept his proposal, but felt that it would be selfish of her to respond that way.
After all, if the test was indeed finished, then she needed to leave and give the next participant a chance to be evaluated as well.
But at the same time, she couldn't help but want to agree.
After all, that is exalty what she wanted to do. She wanted to prove herself to Prism, her boss, to Cubix, who was her boss's master, as well as Milady, the one who rules above everything.
But most importantly, Ember wanted to prove to herself more than anyone.
The choice she had made back then, to follow under Prism, still lingered in her mind.
Was the decision she made back then the right one?
Or would she have had a better time had she simply chosen otherwise?
This battle was supposed to answer that for Ember. No, she already knew the answer, but only wanted to express it to her comrades.
Ember knew full well how far she had come since back then, and wanted her comrades to know it as well.
Ember wanted Prism to see how much her efforts had shaped her.
And most of all, Ember herself wanted to see just how much she herself had grown.
However, she never got the chance to display all that she could do. Having ended the evaluation quickly, Ember was unable to truly go all out.
And then, the opportunity came to her. One that was presented by one of the very beings she needed to prove herself to.
What was seemingly a reality that was no longer possible, had become a realty she could bring into fruition.
With one response, Ember could show every single one of them just how much she's grown.
Still, should she be selfish?
And so, the question lingered.
Should she accept? Thereby being selfish, and having what she wants the most to be granted to her.
Or should she decline? And deny herself what she wants for the sake of her comrade, who's also waiting his turn to be evaluated.
The answered seemed straightforward, yet Ember couldn't possibly know which response was the right one.
And then, as if it was some sort of saving grace, Cubix continued speaking before she could even give her respond.
"I can sense your dissatisfaction. I can tell that wanted more. A real challenge, something that would truly test your limits."
How does he know? Is it that obvious?
She remained silent, suddenly unwilling to interrupt whatever came next.
"I know the kind of Entity you are." Cubix said gently. "You crave a challenge. You want to outshine everyone else, to prove to everyone what you're made of. You want them to see you. To understand your worth."
Ember felt exposed, yet strangely understood.
"Do you think that it's shameful?" she asked, her voice small. The question carried the weight of long-held doubt.
"Not at all." Cubix replied. "In fact, I find it commendable."
She paused, her lights glowing stunned silence.
"It is perfectly acceptable to display your strength. Even I do so, before my master, striving to earn her favor."
"Really?" The word slipped out before she could catch it. "Forgive my insolence." she said apologetically.
"There is nothing to forgive." he assured her.
"Thank you, Your Eminence."
"Showing what you can do can inspire others to reach the same heights, if not even higher. That is something that I was reminded of just recently. Does that sound like something worthy of shame?"
"No." she murmured.
"I cannot hear you, Ember."
Hearing her name spoken by him felt like a warm current wrapping around her core.
"No, Your Eminence!"
"Then there is no reason to feel ashamed, is there?" His tone remained gentle, yet carried quiet authority.
"Not at all, Your Eminence." she asserted, stronger now.
"Then be proud. Be proud of what you have accomplished, of what you are capable of achieving. Do not let the opinions of others limit you. Be who you are, who you want to be. I want to see you."
Me?
"I want to witness how far you can go, how much you can achieve, and everything it takes to get there. Will you show me?"
His words carried an effortless charisma, confidence wrapped in calm certainty, as well as soothing yet magnetic.
Ember felt herself drawn in, her resistance slowly melting away.
"Yes," she said, already gathering energy. "I will gladly show you."
"Good. I like that confidence. Now show me what you are made of."
Meanwhile, in the observation room, Milady saw the scene unfold differently.
"Cubix you sly dog." Milady mused with an amused chuckle.
"Excuse me, I do not understand." Prism voiced in confused pulses.
"Don't worry about it." Milady shrugged. Ember huh? she thought with a bright glow.
To think that you'd to put on such an unnecessary performance, all in an attempt to display your emotions.
Milady felt that there was a deeper, more personal reason to Cubix's interest in Ember. Realizing the truth, she couldn't help but proud of Cubix, yet sad at the same time.
Sorry Cubix, if only... she thought with a slight dim in her glow.
Prism was still confused at the sudden mood swings Milady was expressing though, she chose not to question it.
She told me to not worry about it, that should enough for me. She thought, turning her attention back to the projection screen.
—Evaluation chamber—
The battle reignited, not as test, but as something purer.
There was no anger, nor was there any rivalry. Therr was only focus. Ember on Cubix, Cubix on Ember, and the space between them alive with force.
They abandoned defence entirely. An unspoken pact to use only pure offense, with full commitment.
Two radiant points tore across the endless white at light speed, converging, clashing, and separating, only to collide once again.
Each impact birthed explosions of ambient color, shockwaves rippling outward, distorting the void itself. To any observer it would have looked like two stars dancing a violent, beautiful orbit.
And it was pure entertainment.
—In the observation room—
"There we go!" Milady exclaimed. "Now that's how you entertain!"
Incredible. Prism thought, watching Milady's multicolored surface flare with unrestrained excitement.
She had never seen Milady like this. In fact, no one aside from Cubix had.
"More! I want more!" Milady demanded, visibly ecstatic.
—Back in the evaluation chamber—
"Solar Flash!" Ember cried.
A blinding white sheet erupted across the entire space. It was enough to drown visibility, scramble energy signatures, and cripple most Entities' ability to track or channel power.
Not bad. Cubix thought. Had I not faced Aloe earlier, this would have posed quite a threat. "Not anymore." he muttered with quiet cunning. "Photon Singularity."
The white glare collapsed inward, devoured by a sudden black sphere at the center. Light bent, twisted, and vanished almost instantly.
Of course he had something like that. Ember thought. But that's why I prepared for such unexpected scenarios just in case.
"Take this, Nova Collision!"
Six colossal spheres of amber flame materialized, four at cardinal points around Cubix, one directly above him, and the last one directly below him.
They orbited him like electrons around a nucleus, spiraling tighter with every revolution until they converged in perfect synchrony.
Silence.
Then–
A titanic amber detonation consumed the chamber. The blast wave rolled outward in slow, majestic fury, shaking the very fabric of the evaluation space.
A heartbeat later, the sound arrived.
BOOM!!!
It was deep, resonant, echoing, and trembling through emptiness itself.
—In the observation room—
Milady and Prism watched in stunned silence, lights frozen.
Then–
"LET'S GOOOOOO!!!!" Milady roared in pure, unrestrained joy.
She's… hyped. Prism thought, a quiet warmth spreading through her. I'm grateful that she seems to be enjoying herself this much.
—Back in the evaluation chamber—
It took longer than usual for the glare to fade, and longer still for the space to settle.
"Truly remarkable." Cubix said, sincerity warming every facet. "It is a shame that we must end here. I would have gladly continued if it were possible."
"True," Ember replied. "I've never felt anything like this before. I deeply regret that we can't keep going."
After the fight reignited, Ember had unknowingly started speaking casually with Cubix. And Cubix, for some reason, let her continue to talk in that manner. In fact, he seemed to enjoy her casual speech.
Something Milady also noticed, but simply let it be. After all, Milady didn't care about such trivialities as formal speach. She only let the other Entities continue addressing her in such a manner only because they themselves had insisted on doing so.
As for Cubix and Ember, both of them were drained, their cores flickering low. Their energy reserves were entirely spent.
Yet, even with that being the case, the longing to continue burned bright in them both.
"Alright Ember, you may leave now." Cubix said gently. "Please call in the next one."
"Thank you, Your Eminence."
"Call me Cubix."
"I understand, Lord Cubix."
Mutual respect had formed in the heat of their clash, unspoken, yet undeniable. Or lerhaps it was something more?
Only the two of them could truly know the answer to that question.
She is unique, Cubix thought as Ember drifted toward the door. Among all the other Entities I've met, she alone is radiant. If only…
Regret flickered through him.
It was rare, sharp, but ultimately fleeting.
Cubix was a being who executed every command flawlessly, and then some. And he felt as though he needed to be that, and nothing more, regardless of whatever emotions he felt.
Even so, the words if only, continued to linger within the deeper recesses of his mind, refusing to fade away entirety.
It was a rare instance where Cubix felt the sting of what might have been.
The door spiraled open and Ember passed through.
Cubix turned his attention forward once more, excitement still humming quietly beneath his calm surfaceEmber's