The moment the trial's details were announced, a tense silence spread across the massive crowd gathered before the towering gate.
Karl, Celeste, and thousands of other awakeners stood frozen, staring at the enormous structure that separated them from the trial area.
The gate itself, an ancient construct of blackened steel and glowing runes, was nothing short of intimidating.
Then, without warning, it stirred to life.
A low hum vibrated through the air, the sigils adorning the gate pulsing with energy.
The immense doors, easily towering over even the tallest buildings in the [Awakened City], trembled as they began to shift.
A deep, echoing groan accompanied their slow but inevitable opening.
The energy radiating from within felt dense, almost suffocating, as if the very space beyond the threshold was different from the world they stood in.
A system message flashed before them all.
[You have ten minutes to enter the area. All those who do not will be disqualified.]
