Dune awoke with a sharp gasp, his body lurching forward before collapsing onto the ground. His breath came ragged, uneven, as if his own lungs were struggling to accept that he was back.
The weight of his memories crashed down on him all at once. Every scar, every decision, every lesson learned in blood. He was whole again. It all came flooding back: childhood, the loss of Ned and Atlas, his own death, and the humiliation at the hands of Matiane. He remembered his past and present selves, his parents, his father... and with that, a consuming anger.
His fists clenched, nails digging into his palms as his teeth ground together. Useless idiot. The words hissed through his mind like venom. You made mistakes. You trusted the wrong people. You let yourself become weak.
The trial had stripped him of everything, his past, his instincts, his identity. What remained had been a hollow shell.
A naive fool who sought friendship, who believed in allies, who fought with some misguided sense of righteousness instead of survival.
Dune was not that person. He had never been that person.
He was cold. Calculated. A person who understood that survival was not about kindness, it was about strength, about control.
And yet, for a time, he had been reduced to something pitiful, something fragile.
The thought made his stomach twist with disgust.
He took a slow, steadying breath, forcing his rage into something sharper, more precise.
Hatred coursed through him, hatred for the world, for everything in it. He wanted to destroy it all, to burn it to ashes. But something held him back. His memories stopped him. His own self, born in trials, stood in his way like a barrier of water against a raging inferno.
It was as if two different personas warred within him. The original Dune, cold, calculating, willing to sacrifice anyone to survive, clashed with a new self, one born without memories, who felt a strange urge to protect the innocent.
It didn't make sense. This internal battle was tearing him apart, the ceaseless conflict pounding in his head like a thousand whispered arguments.
He thought of Nely and the twins. But his emotions were still fragmented, disjointed.
That version of me is dead now. And good riddance. Through the discomfort, a chuckle escaped his lips, a bitter, humorless sound.
"Am I interrupting?"
Dune jolted, spinning around to see Nely standing there.
She was different now, unlike the Nely in his memories. She looked more serious, mature, she radiated a quiet confidence, a complete aura that hadn't been there before. She wasn't the uncertain, puzzled girl he remembered.
Nely wore a black, high-necked crop top that left her shoulders bare, paired with loose high-waisted joggers that gave her both comfort and ease of movement. Her black hair was now tied back, though a few strands framed her face. silver rings and dark earrings added a subtle edge to her look.
"Hey, bunny," she said with a teasing chuckle.
Dune's emotions churned. Relief, happiness, and something else washed over him. She was alive, here, with him. But deep down, a darker thought simmered, she was just another step toward his goal. He needed to survive, to save Atlas and Ned. And if it came down to it, he wouldn't hesitate to use her, or anyone else, for his benefit.
His priority was clear. Nely and the twins didn't matter as much as finding Ned and Atlas. He had to push past them, but the memories and feelings from his trials wouldn't let him. They slowed him down, making every decision harder.
Nely shook his shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Hey, are you okay?"
Dune blinked at her, the old nickname stirring a pang of something he couldn't place. "Ah, yeah... it's just... my memories are back. It's confusing."
"I understand," Nely said with a nod. "It was the same for me. I had some time to think. You'll get used to it."
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. Dune could see it, the regret she was trying to hide behind that mask of cheerfulness.
"Alright, where are we?" he asked, trying to change the subject.
"We're in the last trial, come this way," she replied simply.
Together, they walked toward a gate that groaned open before them. As they stepped inside, the world shifted. Nely disappeared, leaving Dune alone in a long, empty chamber.
A light glowed ahead, beckoning him.
[ Touch the light ] a voice urged.
Dune hesitated for only a moment before reaching out. The instant his hand connected, the light engulfed him.
Dune's clothes transformed, he now wore a dark, fitted outfit built for movement, A hood resting on his back. A black scarf wrapped around his neck, shielding him from the cold and prying eyes. His hands now were bandaged, his belt lined with pouches, and a blade hung at his waist, ready to be drawn in an instant.
[ This attire is designed from your previous trial experiences. It is the perfect clothing for you. ]
Dune inspected himself, pulling the hood up experimentally. It was soft, surprisingly comfortable.
Ahead of him, another portal shimmered into existence, bright and pulsating. Without hesitation, he stepped through.
The world changed again.
Dune found himself standing in a massive space surrounded by towering, cold silver statues that started them down from above. Hundreds, no, thousands, of people were scattered around, all dressed in unique battle attire. Some were chatting, others glowing faintly, and a few were even sparring for fun.
"Are these all Zetens?" Dune muttered to himself, scanning the strange gathering.
"They are," Nely answered behind him.
"And apparently It's a sealed space," she continued. "We can't escape. And we can't get near that gate behind us either." She pointed to an enormous gate far in the distance, shimmering behind an invisible barrier.
"What are these statues?" he asked, gesturing to the towering stone figures.
"I don't know. I've only been here a few minutes."
Dune sighed, his gaze drifting across the crowd. Nely walked toward him and smirked. "You look cool, by the way."
Dune exhaled heavily. *If this really is the last trial, making friends is a bad idea,* he thought grimly. His focus had to be on surviving, on finding Ned and Atlas.
But before he could think further, the ground trembled.
The very air seemed to shake as a massive statue near the front of the chamber began to move. It towered above them, its stone body cracking and groaning as it came to life.
Golden light flared from its eyes as it took a thunderous step forward.
Its imposing figure cast a shadow over everyone, with only two glowing eyes and a mouth visible in the darkness of its face.
As the other statues followed suit, revealing their golden eyes, tension filled the air. The central statue began to speak, its voice echoing with commanding presence.
[ Mortals, Zetens, ] it boomed, dripping with disdain.
[ You lowly beings, striving to eke out your pitiful existence. Weak and pathetic, unable to best even the weakest apostles of the gods. Your frailty is a curse.]
A hushed silence fell over the crowd as the god continued.
[ But today marks a turning point. The gods, in their benevolence, have decided to answer your prayers. Ten of you, chosen by fate, will be blessed by ten gods. ]
The god's words instilled awe and fear in the hearts of the mortals below.
[ Though you may receive only a fraction of our blessings, it will elevate you beyond your wildest dreams. Be grateful, mortals, for the gods that have deemed you worthy. Praise the one true God, the Lord, the arbiter of justice and fairness, Zeus. ]
As the god finished speaking, silence fell again, only to be shattered by mockery and insults from the humans below. "Gods? Don't make me laugh!" they jeered. "Let us go, you pieces of shit!"
Amidst the chaos, a figure in a black robe and mask emerged from shadows. He raised both hands, glowing with a purple Neba. In an instant, shock rippled through the crowd as humans began to explode, their heads bursting one after another.
Panic swept through the masses, but the god's voice boomed, commanding attention. [ Enough! ]it thundered, freezing everyone in place. [ You poor things brought this upon yourselves by disrespecting the gods' kindness. ]
With grim satisfaction, the god proclaimed, [ Now the gods will revel in the spectacle. Remember, I only need ten of you. ]
The figure in the black robe raised his hands again, enveloped in a purple Neba. With a gesture, he summoned hundreds of deadly creatures, some taller than him, others as tall as the god itself. They crashed against the barrier surrounding the crowd with thunderous force.
[ In one minute, the barrier will deactivate, ] the god's voice boomed. [ Then the creatures will feast on all of you. ]
Shockwaves of fear and desperation swept through the crowd. Some ran, others cried, while some stood frozen. Amidst the chaos, voices rose, pleading for guidance.
"What do we do?!" cried one terrified soul.
The god offered only one word in response:
[ Survive ]
As people scattered, a massive gate swung open, revealing a beautiful sky beyond. The fleeing masses surged toward the open gateway. Amidst the chaos, Dune searched frantically for his friends.. he knew that Ned and Atlas were here.
Nely grabbed his arm, shaking him from his thoughts. "Wake up Bunny! We need to run!" she urged.
They sprinted forward, but Dune struggled to keep up, falling behind Nely. "Why are you so slow? Use Nebaastep dummy"
Yeah yeah i forgot.. Hesitant but with no other choice, Dune tried to use Nebastep and dashed forward. "That's better!" Nely shouted.
They quickly reached the edge of the land, where the building sat atop a floating island. Below was another vast island covered in dense forest.
"That's our escape." With resolve, Nely leaped from the edge, plunging toward the forest below.
Dune had no other choice but to jump too. He watched in awe as they descended.
Dune and Nely plunged through the sky, the wind roaring around them. Above, the battlefield was chaos, Zetens clashed mid-air, their abilities colliding in bursts of light and fire. Explosions rippled through the sky as some fought desperately, while others were cut down in an instant.
Dune barely had time to take it in before a silver blur tore through the air.
He saw it, an arrow shaped figure slicing straight through a group of Zetens. Blood splattered, bodies severed clean in half. No one could react. It was too fast.
"What the—?" Dune's breath caught.
Nely grabbed his arm, yanking him aside just as the silver streak curved back around.
"Dune! Use nebastep, now!"
His mind snapped into action. He focused his Neba, then used Nebastep and pushed off. The arrow whistled past, slicing through where he had been.
Dune's heart pounded. Too fast!
The sky was a death zone. Blasts of energy and fire erupted as Zetens fought for their lives. Some tried to strike the silver blur, but they were too slow, each one cut down before their attacks even landed.
Dune zigzagged through the air, jumping between platforms. The arrow wasn't stopping, it was circling back. "Damn it! Who the hell is this guy"
Another explosion sent shockwaves through the sky. A flaming Zeten rocketed toward them, colliding with another in a burst of sparks.
Dune barely dodged, only to feel it again, that pressure.
He turned, the arrow was locked onto him.
"Nely, dive!" he shouted.
They plunged downward, weaving through the battlefield. The arrow followed.
A Zeten wielding lightning lashed out, sending a bolt crackling toward it, but missed. The silver blur twisted, pierced through the attacker's chest, and shot forward without slowing.
Dune's stomach twisted. It's hunting us.
Another fighter tried to block its path, conjuring a massive Neba wall mid-air.
The arrow didn't stop.
It pierced through the wall like paper, cutting the Zeten behind it in half.
Dune gritted his teeth. He was running out of Neba. He couldn't keep dodging forever.
"We are close, the trees!" Nely pointed. Below, the thick forest stretched endlessly.
Dune knew their only chance was to lose it in the terrain. "Go!" he yelled.
Nely dived first. Dune hesitated, then kicked off one last platform, launching himself toward the treetops. The silver streak followed.
At the last second, Dune twisted mid-air, forcing out a final Nebaastep to change direction. The arrow shot past, missing him by inches.
Then, he crashed through the trees, hitting the ground hard. Despite the dizzying drop, Nely landed gracefully, unscathed. Dune used nebastep to slow down himself to the ground.
Hundreds of other Zetens leaped from the main island, desperate to survive.
As Dune landed in a forest, a figure emerged from the bushes, wielding an axe crackling with green Neba. With quick reflexes, Dune dodged the attack and punched him in the stomach, but it had no effect.
Nely swiftly intervened, kicking the attacker in the chest and sending him crashing into a nearby tree.
"Damn it! We can't stop, go."
"Just run!" Dune shouted, his voice sharp with urgency.
With the immediate threat behind them, he and Nely sprinted forward, their hearts pounding like drums. Their breaths came in ragged gasps, but they didn't stop. The forest around them blurred as they pushed through, driven by nothing but the instinct to survive.
After what felt like an eternity, they burst through the treeline and skidded to a halt. Before them stretched a vast river, its dark waters rushing relentlessly forward. It was massive, so wide that neither of them could see the other side, only a distant mist hovering over the horizon.
Dune's chest tightened. How the hell are we supposed to cross this?
Before he could voice his doubt, Nely extended her hands, and the green glow of her Neba flared to life. Within moments, the energy swirled and solidified, forming a small but sturdy boat right before his eyes. Dune stared, momentarily speechless.
She smirked at his expression. "Close your mouth, Bunny," she teased. "Get on."
Shaking off his awe, Dune climbed into the makeshift vessel, and together, they pushed off into the current. The boat wobbled slightly before steadying, carried swiftly by the river's powerful flow.