The wind in the Hollow Lands did not howl.
It hissed—like a serpent waiting to strike.
Kaien tightened the straps on his cloak as he and Yuki passed through the jagged stone arch that marked the next phase of the trials. Beyond it, the terrain twisted into a barren, shadow-choked valley, where light bent unnaturally and the air tasted faintly of ash and blood.
No trees. No rivers. Just endless black rock and whispering shadows.
"This place was once fertile," Yuki murmured, frostblade unsheathed. "Before the Ashborn burned it during the War of the Last Flame."
Kaien frowned. "And now we're supposed to survive here for three days?"
Yuki glanced at him. "No. We're supposed to survive… each other."
Kaien's brow furrowed, just as a magical projection shimmered in the sky above them—an image of the Keeper of the Trials.
"The Trial of Survival has begun," his voice echoed. "In the Hollow Lands, alliances are allowed, betrayal is expected. You must stay alive for three full cycles. Spirit beasts roam. Death is real. There are no second chances. Those who fall… are forgotten."
The message ended.
A cold silence fell over the land—followed by a distant roar.
Kaien's grip tightened on his sword. "Let's move."
Hours Later — Inside the Hollow Lands
They moved cautiously through the cracked terrain, each step echoing over hollow stone. Occasionally, dark birds flew overhead—twisted things with too many wings and no eyes.
Suddenly, Yuki stopped.
"There," she said, pointing toward the side of a shattered cliff. Embedded in the wall was a spirit crystal, glowing faintly green.
"That's one of the trial relics," she explained. "Whoever gathers the most earns passage into the Final Gate."
Kaien approached it—but froze.
"I feel something," he said.
A moment later, the rock burst open.
A Stonehide Gorrum—a beast made of molten muscle and armored bone—charged at them from the cliffside, snarling with twin jaws.
Kaien acted on instinct. His blade flared orange as he darted forward.
"Dragon Fang Strike – Second Form!"
He slashed upward in an arc of blazing heat—but the creature's armored skin deflected it. The impact sent Kaien skidding backward, coughing from the shock.
"Your flame's not hot enough yet," Yuki shouted.
She leapt into the air, conjuring five floating daggers of enchanted ice. "Cryo Art: Winter Barrage!"
The blades shot downward like frozen meteors, piercing the cracks Kaien had opened. The Gorrum roared—then exploded into steam and shattered bone.
Kaien caught his breath. "I need more control."
"No," Yuki corrected him. "You need balance. Your fire is pure emotion right now. It needs purpose."
Kaien nodded slowly, watching as the spirit crystal floated to the ground.
"Two more," she said. "Then we find shelter."
Elsewhere — Within the Hollow Lands
They weren't the only ones hunting.
On a nearby ridge, cloaked in a mirage spell, stood a boy with silver eyes and a crescent scar across his chin. His aura rippled with wind magic, his eyes locked onto Kaien.
"Dragonspawn," he muttered. "The rumors are true."
Beside him, a cloaked girl with flame-shaped earrings smirked. "Should we strike now?"
"Not yet," the boy replied. "Let them find the next relic for us."
Nightfall — Crater of Ashes
Kaien and Yuki found shelter inside a hollowed crater lined with ancient dragon bones. They built a fire—though Kaien's flames burned strangely blue in the Hollow Lands.
As they sat in silence, Kaien looked at Yuki, then spoke.
"You knew how dangerous this trial was. You still came with me."
Yuki didn't meet his gaze. "I wasn't going to let you die before I found out the truth."
"…What truth?"
She looked at him, eyes colder than the wind. "About why the Ryugami bloodline was really destroyed."
Kaien froze.
"You think it was betrayal. But there are legends… that the Dragon King turned on his own. That he tried to burn the Five Clans to rule them."
Kaien's voice was quiet. "You don't believe that."
"I don't want to. But my clan fears your awakening. If you turn out to be like him…"
Kaien stood, fists trembling. "I'm not him."
"I hope not," she said. "Because if you are, Kaien—I'll be the one sent to end you."
Silence.
The flames between them cracked, casting shadows across their faces—both proud, both scarred by history neither chose.
Suddenly—a shriek.
Dozens of spirit hounds emerged from the dark, eyes glowing like coals, encircling the crater.
"They've found us," Kaien whispered.
Yuki rose to her feet, frost gathering on her blade. "Then let them come."