The sun was high over Rivenfold, but inside the Trial Grounds, there was no warmth.
Harvie stood behind the iron gates, watching through the bars. Edna stepped into the wide arena, her long red cloak fluttering. The stone floor beneath her feet glowed with ancient runes. At the center, a swirling orb of corrupted flame pulsed like a heart, angry and alive.
This was the Elemental Trial.
Edna was chosen because her affinity was fire. The Academy wanted to test if she could purify a corruption using her own flame. It was dangerous. If she lost control, the corruption would spread into her.
Harvie's fingers curled into fists. He had begged the council to let someone else go.
"No," they said. "She is the only one qualified."
As the orb cracked open and the corrupted elemental roared to life, Harvie's heart dropped.
The creature looked like fire given shape, but its core was dark. It spat molten flames that turned the floor to lava. Edna summoned her magic, her hands glowing bright orange.
Flames met flames.
She fought well. Controlled. Brave. But Harvie saw it—the way her left leg trembled, the way her barrier flickered.
"She's burning herself again," he whispered.
His vision blurred. He saw her die. Again.
No. That hadn't happened yet. That was another timeline.
In this one, he still had a chance.
Suddenly, the elemental struck her square in the chest. Edna flew back, crashing into the runes. She coughed blood. Her flames dimmed.
Harvie didn't think. He ran through the gates, even as the guards shouted.
"STOP! It's her test!"
He didn't care.
He dashed forward, drawing out a blood needle. The elemental turned to him. Its fire cracked the air. Harvie dodged left, rolled, and threw the needle. It sank into the creature's chest. It roared, stumbling.
Edna tried to sit up. "Harvie, no… you'll—"
Too late. The elemental blasted him with flame.
He died.
[SYSTEM: Rewinding… Last checkpoint activated.]
---
He gasped.
He was back in the crowd. The gates were still closed. Edna had just stepped into the arena.
Harvie held his chest. It still hurt. Dying… still hurt.
He took a breath. Focus.
This time, he prepared.
As Edna fought, he activated the skill he copied two days ago.
[Crimson Barrier – One-time shield formed from blood energy.]
He timed it perfectly.
When the elemental fired the deadly blast, he jumped in front of Edna and summoned the barrier.
A red dome of energy blocked the flame. It cracked, groaned, and shattered—but the blast was gone.
Harvie turned, pulled Edna to her feet.
"Together," he said.
She nodded, wiping blood from her lips.
Their flames merged. His blood-red aura, her golden fire. The elemental screamed as their magic engulfed it.
Finally, it exploded into smoke and ash.
The arena went silent.
Harvie dropped to one knee. His head throbbed.
You are using death like a tool. How long until it stops hurting?
Edna crouched beside him. "You're shaking."
He looked at her. She was smiling. Alive.
That was enough.
But as he looked at his own trembling hands, he wondered—
Am I still human? Or just a rewinding ghost?