Raven couldn't take his eyes off the big double doors at the end of the room. They were shut tight, but he had a feeling they were about to open, leading him to the next challenge. He instinctively reached for his dagger, only to find it missing.
No weapons, he thought, realizing they'd have to rely on their skills—or figure out how to make their own weapons.
His mind turned to his Blood Chain ability, which he hadn't used much since discovering it. So far, it had only appeared briefly, with thin strands extending a few inches from his fingers before disappearing. He wasn't sure if it would work well in a real battle.
Eli seemed to catch on to his thoughts. "First time using your powers in a scrap?"
Raven nodded, a bit hesitant.
"A piece of advice," Eli said. "Don't think too much. The moment you hesitate, you're toast."
Suddenly, the chamber went dark, and a few people yelled in shock.
When the lights flickered back on moments later, a hooded figure appeared in the center of the room.
"The time for prep is over," the figure said, their voice echoing in an intoned way. "Only those with the will to survive will move forward. Show your strength or die, it's as simple at that."
Then, just like that, the hooded figure disappeared, leaving the double doors still shut. No way out.
Everything went quiet for a split second before all hell broke loose. A guy on the other side of the room suddenly grabbed his throat, gasping, before he hit the ground. A girl started screaming, scratching at her own skin like something was burning her from the inside.
"It's started," Eli said, getting up surprisingly fast. "They've kicked our darker instincts into gear."
Raven felt it too—a pressure building up inside him, like a dam ready to burst. His Blood Chain ability, which had shown up during his last trial, was calling to him. It promised power if he would just accept it. His vision started to turn red at the edges as his heart raced.
Over on the other side, Adrian's group was trying to form a defensive circle, but even they were cracking under pressure. Two members were about to go at it, wrestling on the ground with wild growls.
"Fight it," Raven said to himself, trying to resist the bloodlust. His hands shook as red threads appeared at his fingertips, reacting to his feelings instead of his control.
Eli squeezed his shoulder. "They're testing how well you can control yourself. Give in, and you'll just be their weapon. Resist and—"
His words cut off as an ice blade shot through his shoulder. He staggered back, eyes wide with shock before turning to fury. His veins bulged, and his skin turned almost ghostly pale.
"It's too late," he snarled. "Run."
Raven didn't need any convincing. He bolted just as Eli transformed in a terrifying way, his body twisting as bony spikes burst from his skin.
All around the room, similar weird changes were happening. Some people were holding onto their humanity, trying hard to fend off those who had fallen into madness. Meanwhile, others were fully embracing the chaos, turning on both friends and foes without hesitation.
A small group led by the woman who had approached Raven earlier had their act together, working in sync to fend off attackers. Adrian was in the middle, his hands glowing a pale blue as he cast barriers to protect the remaining members.
Raven found himself trapped, with three transformed fighters closing in on him. With nowhere to escape, he took a deep breath and focused on the blood coursing through his veins. I really hope this works, he thought desperately.
He stretched out his hand and envisioned the chain he needed. A thin red chain appeared—stronger than his last attempts but still not perfect—and it wrapped around one attacker's ankle, tripping them just in time.
```
[Blood Chain] experience gained!
Progress: 12/100
```
That little notification gave Raven a moment of clarity. It's not about taking lives—it's all about adapting and surviving.
He dodged the second attacker with some fancy footwork, leading them right into the path of the third. When they crashed together, Raven focused again, creating a slightly more powerful blood chain that helped him climb up a column for a better view.
From up there, he could see the chaos below. Only about half the participants were still on their feet, clearly split between those who surrendered to the bloodlust and those who were still resisting.
Raven spotted Adrian's group—they were his best shot at staying alive. Timing it just right, he jumped down, using a short blood chain to control his landing, ending up right next to the woman who had invited him earlier.
"Changed your mind?" she asked as she deflected an attack with an earthen shield.
"Just a temporary alliance," Raven replied, positioning himself back-to-back with her. "Until we get through this."
Together, they pushed through towards Adrian's dwindling group of allies. For every transformed creature they took down, it felt like another one popped up, even stronger and scarier than before.
Then, a colossal beast—completely unrecognizable as the person it used to be—smashed through Adrian's barrier, sending him crashing into a wall. The creature lunged at the stunned leader, claws ready to finish him off.
Raven made a quick decision. Channeling all his focus, he raised both hands, picturing not just a chain but multiple chains linked together like web. To his surprise, it actually worked, forming a solid trap that wrapped around the creature's legs.
"```
[Blood Chain] leveled up!
Level: 1 (25/100)
Effect: Can create stronger and more controlled blood manifestations
```
The creature struggled against its restraints, which quickly started to give way. Raven felt blood trickle from his nose, but he kept focusing on the technique, just buying enough time for Adrian to get back on his feet.
"Now!" Raven yelled.
Adrian shot his hands forward, unleashing a surge of energy that sent the creature smashing into the far wall, leaving it motionless.
The fight felt like it dragged on for ages, but it might have only been minutes. Eventually, those who had transformed in the chaos began to drop, their monstrous appearances fading as they lost consciousness.
Only seven people were still standing: Adrian, Raven, the earth-wielding woman, and four others from different groups. They eyed each other carefully, tired but on guard for any sign of betrayal.
The hooded figure reappeared, observing the scene with an unreadable expression.
"Seven survivors," they declared. "Acceptable."
Adrian stepped forward, a typically confident swagger replaced by barely concealed anger. "What was the point of all this? We almost killed each other!"
"Control," the figure responded plainly. "Those who succumbed to bloodlust failed. Those who kept it together while adapting... passed."
Raven glanced around at the bodies strewn across the chamber floor. Most were still breathing despite being unconscious, while a few lay unnaturally still. His hands trembled slightly as the adrenaline wore off, leaving a hollow sensation.
The figure pointed toward a previously concealed exit. "You can move on to the next stage now."
As the survivors headed for the exit, Raven approached one of the still forms on the ground—Eli, now back to his human self, breathing shallow but steady.
"He warned me," Raven whispered. "He knew what was coming."
The earth-art user joined him. "You saved lives today. That barrier technique of yours—"
"Blood Chain," Raven corrected reflexively, then regretted sharing that detail.
She nodded. "Whatever it is, you used it to protect, not just to destroy. Keep that in mind."
Raven pondered her words as they made their way to the exit—a narrow passage leading to the fresh air outside. As he stepped out, the cool night breeze hit him, a sharp contrast to the stale air inside.
Everything beyond felt different now. Or maybe it was just him who had changed.
"What's your name?" he asked the earth-art user as they walked into the starry night.
"Lyra," she answered. "And I still think you'd make a solid ally."
Raven didn't reply right away, watching as Adrian took charge of the survivors, already strategizing for whatever challenges lay ahead. His earlier jealousy had shifted to something more akin to respect.
"Maybe," he finally said. "For now."
A notification popped up in front of him:
```
[Trial Completed: Blood Control]
Reward: Blood Chain skill increased
New Ability: Blood Sense - Detect nearby living beings through their blood
Level increased: 2 → 3!
```
Raven closed the notification, realizing that the real test hadn't been about choosing poison or battling monsters. It had been about choice itself—the decision to either give in to bloodlust or find a way to maintain balance and survive.
*I'm changing*, he thought, feeling the new power flowing through him. *But I still get to decide who I become.*
He didn't look back at the chamber as he followed the others into the unknown, leaving yet another part of his transformation behind.