Louis wiped the sweat from his forehead as he sat on the bench in the training chamber, wrapping fresh bandages around his bruised hands.
Two days of relentless training. No mercy. Just brutal endurance Adrian had been putting him through and the crushing effort of attempting to control the alien Core power burning inside him.
"Louis." Adrian suddenly said, exhaling sharply as he re-entered the training chamber.
Louis looked up. "Something wrong, Master Adrian?"
Adrian's gaze was serious. "You need to know this. The Earth Defenders are giving you a chance to prove you're more than a walking weapon."
"What?"
"The Trial of the Worthy starts tonight. You're a part of it."
Louis froze. "I'm… a part of what?"
"It's a test," Adrian said. "A brutal contest where you will fight other powerful candidates. If you win, the Earth Defenders will accept you. But if you fail… you die."
Louis's heart skipped a beat. A chance to prove he wasn't a weapon? Was this for real?
"You... you agreed to this?" Louis choked. "You're sending me to die?"
"No." Adrian said calmly. " You're going to show them that you can control the Core and not let it control you. That you're more than what they fear."
Louis rose slowly, fists clenched."You have been communicating with the Earth Defenders this whole time?"
Adrian held his chin. "I can't keep you hidden forever. Sooner or later, they would find you and try to kill you. I had to bargain with them under their own law, where you have to prove your worth as a hero like them, not a villian."
Louis clenched his fist even tighter, his angry eyes flashing green. "You're forcing me into a death match, And you think I'm fine with that?"
Adrian's molten gaze eyes locked with his. "If anyone should fear death, it's your competitors. Not you."
Adrian stepped closer, his voice low."You don't have to be okay with this idea. But the decision has been made. I'm giving you a chance to fight."
Louis stood there for a moment. His mind was a swirling panic, anger and confusion.
He almost wanted to whisper but Adrian placed his hand on his shoulder, halting him.
"Get ready," Adrian said."You need to be at your best."
****
That evening, Adrian's sleek vehicle glided through the forest toward the Earth Defenders' fortress.
Spotlights scanned them as the main gate opened.
He drove straight to the Trial Dome, while Louis sat beside him, his heart pounding in his chest.
As the vehicle pulled up, dozens of high-ranking Earth Defenders already stood waiting.
Louis stepped out of the car first and he could feel the Earth Defenders eyes on him, their gaze sharp and calculating.
"The prey," Louis thought as he simply avoided eye contact with them.
Adrian then stepped out, his crimson cloak billowing behind him as he walked toward the group. Louis followed.
At the head of the group was Warrior Nicholas, the leader of the Earth Defenders, robust but strong, his sharp uniform pristine, his golden insignia gleaming.
Commander Arthur stood beside him, his face hard, while Tara and Dan lingered in the background, silent but watchful.
"Look who crawled out of the shadows." Nicholas smirked. "The infamous Adrian Velas. I must admit, I'm surprised you had the nerve to show your face here."
Adrian's gaze didn't shift. "I'm not here for pleasantries, Nicholas. I'm here to ensure the boy survives."
Louis' stomach churned as he stood there. He gaze flicked from one face to another, finally landing on Arthur.
This guy initially seems like his only chance for safety but he was never kind, the fact that Louis had begged the Commander and he thought Arthur believed in him. Yet he ignored him, almost allowing him to get hurt, ready to be discarded since he was too dangerous.
The Earth Defenders? Or just a bunch of jokes. Puppets of their fear, afraid of what they couldn't understand.
Adrian's gaze never left Nicholas. What a tension.
Nicholas chuckled darkly. "Survives? You mean if he's worthy."
"He has worth than any of your lapdogs." Adrian shot back.
Arthur stepped forward, moved closer to Adrian, Louis eyes fixed on this motherfucker.
He muttered close to Adrian's ear.. "If he dies, Adrian, I swear I'll kill you myself. I'll drag your body through the ruins of this city for everyone to see."
Louis heart skipped a beat. What the hell was going on here?
Adrian smirked. "If Louis dies, Arthur, it won't be because of me—it'll be because of your cowardice and fear."
Arthur reached for his sword, but Nicholas raised a hand. "Enough. Let the boy prove himself.. or fall."
Dan stepped forward, addressing Louis. "Louis Lee. It's time to suit up."
****
Louis heart pounded as he was led to a small sterile changing room; a polished black defense suit awaited him on a pedestal.
He hesitated, staring at his reflection in the polished armor: the too thin boy, bruised knuckles, fearful eyes. Is he really doing this?
He wore the armor suit and was led down the corridor toward the arena gates. His mind spinning with every footsteps. This isn't just a test. His life is on the line.
Soon he emerged towards the arena.
A sudden blinding light swallowed him as the doors opened. Louis gasped as he stepped into the huge roaring stadium filled with spectators. Above, screens displayed views from every angle. Nowhere to hide now.
To Louis's surprise, he recognized the academy students and instructors gathered in the circular dome.
Confused, he soon realized this was a graduation event, a proving ground for young warriors ready to join the Earth Defenders.
But for Louis... This event predicts his life.
High above, a commentator's voice rang out."Welcome, citizens and students, to the Graduation Gauntlet of the Earth Defenders Academy!" Cheers erupted.
"In a rare twist," the voice continued, " Louis Lee, an unexpected entrant is joining us today"
As Louis stepped into the light, the crowd hushed.
Students stared in disbelief, murmuring about his rumored death during the Veltrix attack.
"Is that… Louis?"
"I thought he was dead."
"It can't be."
What? Louis's thought tumbled. They thought he had died?
A familiar voice called out from the stands. "Louis?!"
He turned—his eyes locked with Kathy.
He saw her standing on an higher ground, trapped in the crowd.
Shock and confusion were etched on her face.
"Louis?" she called softly.
Louis opened his mouth, but no words came.
Suddenly, a gate across the arena opened, and a prisoner was brought forth, shackled and immediately released.
The crowd gasped.
"First off, we will start with the Trial of the Worthy!" the announcer proclaimed. "Competitors will face off in deadly combat to prove their worthiness for redemption."
The announcer's voice dipped ominously. "This is a fight for survival."
Gasps continue to ripple across the stands.
Now the students understand that this day wasn't just a test.
It was a battlefield.
"Louis Lee," the announcer said, "is to face this superhuman criminal, Rex Garrison, the speed demon sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes. But if he wins this trial, he will be released."
Louis stared at him.
Rex Garrison was more animal than man, his frame unnaturally long and lean, his movements a blur as he crossed the distance with inhuman speed.
His eyes glowed faintly red, and a predatory grin stretched across his face.
Louis's core system screen appeared in front of his eyes:
[Core Alert: Host Threat Level: Critical.]
[Opponent Analysis: Enhanced Speed. High Combat Efficiency.]
[Probability of Survival: 12%]
Louis's stomach twisted. "Twelve percent? Are you kidding me?!"
[Directive: Focus. Use the core. Survive.]
"And now," the commentator announced, "the first match begins!"
Louis barely had time to react before Garrison blurred forward, moving faster than he could track.
A fist collided with his gut, sending Louis sprawling backward. Pain exploded through his ribs as he flew into the barricades.
Rex laughed, his voice cruel. "You're just a kid. What are you even doing here?"
Louis groaned, coughing as he struggled to his feet. His chest glowed faintly with the Core's energy, but his body felt sluggish and unprepared.
[Reminder: Pain is a distraction. Focus on survival.]
"Easy for you to say," Louis muttered, wiping blood from his mouth.