White clouds smudged the black sky like chalk on a blackboard. A bright red sun illuminated the world. No grey ash fell from the sky. The fresh air caressed Kai’s lungs.

  A flush of adrenaline surged. Unfamiliar strength coursed through him. Clarity sharpened his mind. His heart recognised home.

  A smile found its way onto his lips.

  Grey concrete walls boxed him in. His newfound spatial sense revealed the truth - he stood within a maze.

  Just like old times.

  He had an advantage here. With his spatial sense, he’d make quick work of the maze, and with teleportation, he could slip from any fight. His Father’s gift hadn’t been in vain.

  But Kai’s offensive capabilities were lacking.

  Two paths branched ahead; a dead-end behind. No reason to rush into danger. He leaned back against the concrete wall behind him and stayed alert.

  It wasn’t long before the sound of footsteps reached his ears. He stayed sharp, but the truth was clear - how could he fight a Marked without a weapon?

  The only viable option was escape.

  He didn’t move. He needed allies if he wanted to survive - or to know who his enemies were.

  The footsteps grew louder. Kai clenched his fists. A small silhouette emerged from the right-hand path - a woman clad in blue-tinted armour.

  Her pale blue eyes complemented the blue hair cresting her shoulders. She gripped a short sword, sculpted from ice, in her right gauntlet. A leather bag hung at her waist.

  Her chilling glare pierced Kai as she sized him up. She spoke in a calm tone:

  “Do we have a problem here?”

  His smile widened, relief washing over him. He’d made the right choice and found someone who didn’t attack on sight. A potential ally in this murderous first trial.

  He shook his head softly.

  “Not at all, miss. I’m Kai. Can I ask who you are?”

  Her tense demeanour softened slightly, though her guard remained firm. She stood ready to strike at any hint of deceit as her icy eyes analysed him.

  “Alira Vaen Nivisara.”

  A noble. Nobody else had surnames. Kai offered his best smile and a deep bow, right hand over his chest. Just like the books taught him.

  “Ah, please forgive my manners, Lady Alira.”

  Alira’s gaze locked onto his right hand, her eyes narrowed as she adopted a combat stance.

  Ashes, the curse!

  A wise Marked wore gloves or gauntlets to hide the Mark on their right hand. Kharon had neglected to give Kai either.

  Alira levelled her ice sword at Kai, her movements dripping with accusation.

  “What manner of abomination are you? How can you talk?”

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  Kai cleared his throat.

  “Oh, this.” He raised his right hand and glanced at it as though seeing it for the first time. “It might be hard for you to believe, but I’m a Marked.” He shrugged. “Thing is, my curse made me Markless.”

  The ice maiden’s grip tightened on her sword. Her aggression warred with her curiosity. “Do you think me a fool, creature?”

  Kai sighed inwardly and slowly raised his hands, hoping to show he wasn’t a threat.

  “Wait! I can prove I’m not an abomination. They don’t have Gifts in the first trial, right? Why don’t I show you my Gift?”

  Alira sneered at him and spoke with cold, undisguised malice.

  “I won’t give you the chance to attack me, abomination.”

  She dashed towards him with her teeth bared, striking downward with her frozen blade.

  Kai expected as much. He had prepared to activate his ability before he finished talking. He couldn’t blame her - he wouldn’t have believed him in her position. She made the best choice possible.

  When you cross the unknown, you’ve got to kill it or run like the wind. Who knew whether abominations could masquerade as humans and deceive humans with speech?

  Demons had cultivated paranoia among humans long ago.

  The space around Kai rippled. He stepped through space and emerged at the intersection of the two paths.

  “See? Please stop trying to kill me. The trial hasn’t even started yet.”

  Alira spun on her feet and faced Kai in an instant. He could see the emotions playing out on her face. Resolve. Surprise. Confusion. Reverence?

  A tremor escaped her voice: “H-how? I-it can’t be!”

  Kai scratched the stubble on his cheek, exasperated.

  “What’s the problem now?”

  “Y-you...who are you?!”

  Kai sighed and placed a hand on his forehead.

  “Didn’t I just introduce myself? I’m Kai.”

  Alira lowered her sword and attempted to compose herself.

  “Which family are you from?”

  My Father is the Death God, my brother a dreadful prince, and I’m an undead Demon.

  “I’m not from any of the noble families - I was an orphan.” Kai didn’t lie, but telling the full truth would invite more violence.

  Alira looked incredulous. “An orphan?” She threw her head back and laughed.

  Kai’s brows knitted in bewilderment.

  “What’s so funny?”

  The ice maiden’s intense stare settled on him again.

  “Your Gift - which God does it come from?”

  A troublesome question. It wasn’t his Gift. Without the ring, he’d be powerless. But only a fool revealed his weaknesses.

  Being chosen by Space God was more impressive, and less dangerous, than admitting he was the son of a devious thief who ruled death and plagued humanity.

  Besides, how could he hide it now? She saw him teleport.

  He answered in a solemn tone, injecting an appropriate amount of reverence into his voice:

  “Space God.”

  Alira took a deep breath and looked up at the black sky.

  “So, it’s true.” She exhaled, her gaze softening as it returned to Kai.

  “Nobody gets a Gift from the Fundamental Gods. Many families have tried to win their favour - they all failed.” A bitter smile grew on her lips. “The Fundamental Gods ignored humanity since the Dark Gates appeared. Until you.”

  Kai’s heart raced. Will I get caught in a lie already?

  He forced his face to remain calm.

  “It’s truly a blessing, my lady.”

  Alira’s eyes caressed him from head to toe. Her chilling gaze burned with both curiosity and suspicion. “What did you do before entering the Darklands?”

  Kai could smell the greed leaking from her soul.

  It smelled like opportunity.

  Surviving alone would be troublesome. But what if he had a bodyguard?

  Kai smirked. “Why should I give up my secrets? We’ve only just met. Shouldn’t you offer me a knighthood first?”

  Alira’s grip tightened around her sword hilt. “I could force you.”

  Kai raised his chin. “You could try…but why be enemies when we could be friends?”

  Alira raised a brow. “Friends?”

  “Yeah - friends, companions, teammates.” He shrugged his shoulders. “You’d learn more by teaming up with me for the first trial. I’m better as a friend than an enemy.”

  He gestured at her chilling blade. “You have the sword; I can get you in the best position to strike. Don’t we make a good couple?”

  He’d learned the first trial allowed multiple winners from stolen glimpses of Renzo’s restricted books. If that were true, his offer was enticing.

  If things went wrong, he could always stab her in the back later.

  Alira bit her lip, waging an inner battle between greed and caution.

  And, like most battles with greed, it won. Avarice clouded her enthralling eyes as she lowered her sword.

  “Hmph. I suppose we can be temporary allies.”

  Kai’s smile stretched wide. “It’s a deal.” He nodded at her sword. “Can I get one of those?”

  Alira shot him a frosty glare.

  “Why would I waste the soul essence?” she said, looking down her nose at him.

  Before Kai could celebrate gaining a bodyguard, complain about her attitude, or grasp the full extent of his stolen Gift - words streamed into his mind.

  [The First Trial: Initiated]

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