The amphitheater hummed with energy as the towering obelisk continued to pulse, its radiance filling the air. The remaining participants stood in silence, their eyes fixed on the glowing artifact. The tension in the space was palpable, the weight of the final phase pressing down on them like an invisible force.


    The System’s voice resonated, calm yet commanding, its presence omnipresent in the void.


    [Final Phase: Path of Revelation Initiated.]


    [Objective: Ascend the Obelisk and confront your Law’s true nature.]


    [Warning: This phase will test comprehension and resolve. Failure will result in permanent elimination.]


    Kei tilted his masked face slightly as he studied the obelisk. The symbols carved into its surface shifted and flowed, rearranging themselves as though alive. His thumb idly traced the edge of the Wave Flowing Dagger, his movements steady despite the looming challenge.


    Mia stood beside him, her twin-blade scythe resting against her shoulder. Her breathing was steady, but her body carried the strain of the trials. Despite her injuries, her gaze was calm, her focus unbroken.


    “What do you think it means by ‘true nature’?” she asked quietly, her voice cutting through the tension.


    Kei shrugged, his tone laced with humor. “Probably something dramatic. Like a cosmic fight with our inner demons or a quiz we didn’t study for.”


    Mia smirked faintly, tightening her grip on her scythe. “You’re never serious, are you?”


    “Only when it’s boring.” The Ascent Begins


    One by one, participants approached the obelisk. Upon touching its surface, they were engulfed by a pillar of radiant light, vanishing into the unknown. Hesitation rippled through the crowd, some faltering at the base of the obelisk. Yet, the pull of the System’s directive left them no other choice.


    Kei watched as Elias Lorne, Sofia Ramirez, and Ahmed Khalid each disappeared into the light, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension. He turned to Mia, his tone light but serious. “You ready?”


    She nodded. “You?”


    He tapped the Resonant Mask, a faint grin hidden beneath. “Born ready.”


    As they approached, the obelisk seemed to respond to their presence, its light growing brighter. Kei placed a hand on its surface, the resonance vibrating through him like a living heartbeat. Mia followed suit, her scythe glinting faintly as the light enveloped them both. Kei’s Trial


    Kei blinked as the light faded, revealing a surreal expanse of pure resonance. The ground beneath him pulsed with soundwaves, their rhythm synchronizing with his breathing. The air shimmered with color, the vibrations forming an unearthly melody that seemed to beckon him forward.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    A figure materialized ahead of him, its form shifting between solid and ephemeral, a living embodiment of the Law of Sound. Its presence was overwhelming, each movement resonating with power.


    Kei adjusted the mask, his voice steady. “So, you’re what the System thinks I need to impress.”


    The figure raised an arm, sending a concentrated wave of sound hurtling toward him. Kei rolled to the side, activating Bass Drop to counter the attack. The resulting explosion sent ripples through the landscape, the force staggering both combatants.


    Kei grinned beneath the mask, spinning the dagger by its string. “Guess we’re doing this.”


    The battle that followed was a symphony of chaos and precision. The figure unleashed waves of sonic attacks, each more destructive than the last. Kei adapted quickly, using Flame Arc and Gale Cutter in succession to disrupt its rhythm. The resonance within him deepened with each strike, his connection to the Law of Sound becoming more profound.


    With a final, perfectly-timed Frost Spear, Kei shattered the figure’s form. The soundscape around him grew calm, the vibrations harmonizing in quiet reverence.


    [Law of Sound Progression: 20%. Trial Passed.]


    Kei exhaled, spinning the dagger in his hand as the light enveloped him once more. “One down.” Mia’s Trial


    Mia found herself in a void of perfect symmetry, the energy around her so balanced it felt stifling. The ground reflected her movements like a mirror, her every step creating ripples that faded into stillness. The Balance Talisman pulsed softly at her side, its energy aligning with her breathing.


    A shadowed figure emerged before her, its form fluid yet imposing. It carried no weapon, yet its presence was suffused with power. Mia raised her scythe, her voice calm but firm.


    “You won’t stop me.”


    The figure attacked without hesitation, its strikes precise and relentless. Mia countered with calculated movements, each swing of her scythe deflecting the blows with pinpoint accuracy. Her fragile body strained under the pressure, but the Balance Talisman amplified her strength, turning weakness into resolve.


    As the void began to destabilize, the symmetry fracturing under the figure’s assault, Mia closed her eyes. She focused on the rhythm of the talisman, its energy stabilizing her surroundings. Activating Equilibrium Field, she restored balance to the void, her strength harmonizing with the chaos.


    With a final strike, her scythe cleaved through the figure’s core. The shadows dissipated, leaving the void serene once more.


    [Law of Balance Progression: 20%. Trial Passed.]


    Mia knelt, her body trembling as the light returned. Her voice was steady despite her exhaustion. “Another step forward.” The Reunion


    Kei and Mia reappeared on the platform together, their expressions calm but resolute. Around them, the other participants emerged, their faces etched with exhaustion and relief. The air was heavy with unspoken tension, the gravity of their shared journey settling in.


    The System’s voice echoed, its tone carrying finality.


    [Final Phase Completed. Universal Integration Achieved.]


    [Prepare for the Awakening Stage.]


    The platform beneath them began to shift, its crystalline surface glowing as it descended into a new expanse. Kei glanced at Mia, his tone light despite the weight of their ordeal.


    “Think we’ll finally get that break?”


    Mia smirked faintly, gripping her scythe. “Doubtful.”


    Kei chuckled, twirling the dagger’s string around his finger. “Good. I’d hate to get rusty.”


    The light around them intensified, the unknown stretching ahead like an uncharted melody waiting to be composed.


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