The morning air was dry and sharp, filled with the scent of dust and anticipation. Twin moons still touched in the pale sky, one bleeding into the other. The entire tribe had gathered around the ancient stone circle, watching in reverent silence. Today, the child reborn from another world would face his first trial.
James stood barefoot on the cracked earth of the arena, his hands wrapped in thin leather. The training staff felt worn and warm in his grip. It had once felt impossibly heavy, but after days of relentless drills, it now moved as an extension of himself.
Across from him stood Tharak, a seventeen-year-old warrior with deep scars across his chest and back. Tharak was no novice. He had fought Skarn raiders, hunted wild tusks in the Iron Sands, and broken the arms of two other challengers during his own trial. He towered over James by two full heads, lean muscle rippling under faded tribal paint.
There was no formal announcement. No speeches. Only the call of the horn.
The duel had begun.
James didn't wait.
He launched forward, swinging the staff low toward Tharak's knees. The older boy shifted with practiced ease, parrying with the end of his longer spear and answering with a downward strike aimed to break James' shoulder.
James rolled sideways. Dust exploded around him. He came up on one knee and jabbed again, this time for Tharak's ribs.
The strike connected.
Tharak grunted and staggered half a step, but he didn't retreat. Instead, he surged forward, bringing the blunt end of his spear down in a savage arc.
James blocked.
Bone jarred against wood.
He gritted his teeth as the shock rattled through his arms.
[Pain Resistance: 27% → 30%]
[Staff Combat: 34%]
The crowd murmured. They hadn't expected him to last even a minute.
James backed away, breathing hard, eyes locked on Tharak's stance. The older boy adjusted, shifting weight to his back foot—a sign of an overhead strike. James remembered the pattern. He'd watched older fighters do it during evening drills.
He baited it.
Then when the strike came, he sidestepped and slammed the butt of his staff into Tharak's exposed hip.
Tharak stumbled.
[New Tactical Insight: Opening Strike—Precision +1]
James didn't follow up. He held his ground.
Tharak turned, face tight with frustration. His pride was wounded, and wounded pride made warriors reckless.
James needed that.
This time, Tharak charged. His spear came like a thunderbolt.
James dodged left. The spear missed.
But Tharak had feinted.
He pivoted, caught James by the wrist, and flung him across the ring.
James hit the earth hard. His breath exploded from his lungs. Dust filled his mouth. His vision blurred.
[HP: -17]
[Minor Injury: Bruised ribs]
He coughed and struggled to his feet, vision swimming. Tharak was approaching slowly now, spear spinning casually in one hand.
"Stay down, boy," Tharak growled. "This isn't your place."
James wiped blood from his lip. He raised his staff.
[Force Body Activation Opportunity: 7% resonance triggered by willpower.]
Something flickered in his veins. A sudden warmth. A pulse that didn't feel like adrenaline. It surged through his limbs, dulled the pain, sharpened his focus.
His vision cleared.
He charged.
Their weapons clashed. Wood against wood. James ducked under a wild swing, jabbed upward, caught Tharak under the jaw. Not a knockout hit, but enough to shock.
He pressed the advantage.
Strike.
Spin.
Elbow to ribs.
[Staff Combat: 42%]
[Combo Chain Recognized: Momentum Branch Skill Unlocked – Fluid Assault (Level 1)]
The system buzzed in the back of his mind, but James didn't stop to read. He let his body move.
Tharak growled and kicked James in the stomach. James flew back again, landing hard. Pain rippled through him, but the warmth—the Force, he realized—was still flowing.
He stood up slowly, dragging his staff behind him.
Tharak panted. "You fight like a shadow beast."
James said nothing.
They clashed again.
This time, it wasn't raw instinct. It was rhythm. Flow.
Strike, block, strike, spin, duck, jab.
Each move smoother. Each response faster.
[Pain Resistance: 35%]
[Force Body: Level 1 Unlocked. Passive Bonus: +5% physical durability.]
At last, James found the opening. He faked a high swing. Tharak raised his spear to block.
Too slow.
James dropped to one knee and swept his staff behind Tharak's ankles.
The older warrior fell.
James leapt, planting the end of his staff just inches from Tharak's throat.
Silence fell over the arena.
Dust swirled.
Tharak stared up at him, breathing ragged.
He didn't move.
Ataka stepped forward.
"It is done."
The horn sounded again.
And the tribe erupted.
Cheers, chants, war cries.
James lowered his staff. His body shook, every limb aching, ribs screaming, but he remained standing.
He had passed.
He had won.
[Trial Complete: Combat Challenge Passed. Reward: +2 Strength, +1 Agility, +1 Endurance.]
[Title Unlocked: "Flame Survivor" – Tribal Reputation Increased]
His mother appeared at the edge of the arena. She didn't cheer. She didn't rush to embrace him.
She simply nodded.
And for James, that meant everything.
He had proven himself.
But more importantly—
He had begun.