The dawn broke late.
The fog lingered longer.
And for the three boys inside the sacred grounds, Day Two felt heavier than the last.
🌤️ Morning: Second Day Begins
They stood again in the clearing. No words. Just breath misting in the cold air. The Guardian Spirit floated above them, hands crossed behind his back, watching quietly.
Guardian Spirit:
"Let's begin."
The ground shifted again. Today's test would be more brutal.
Stage 2: Endurance & Strength.
🥇 Shintarō – Trial 2
The boy stepped forward again — silent, sharp-eyed. This time, the field turned into a rotating arena filled with heavy stone blocks, swinging hammers, and rising platforms that demanded both timing and resilience.
Shintarō began running.
He leapt across falling stone slabs.
He rolled under spinning logs.
He got hit once — blood at the corner of his mouth.
But he didn't flinch.
He got up — faster.
He punched through the resistance wall.
His arms bruised. Shoulders aching.
But he didn't stop.
Guardian Spirit (low voice):
"Today… was not easy. But accepted."
Shintarō fell to his knees at the end. His fingers trembling. Chest heaving.
But in his eyes — that same fire.
🥈 Sumiyoshi – Still Stage 1
He stepped forward again, clearly limping.
Sumiyoshi:
"I'm not dead yet, so that's something."
Today, the speed trial had doubled in pace.
Spikes were faster. Platforms blinked quicker. One mistake — death.
Sumiyoshi tried.
And failed.
Twice.
He tripped again — but this time, he caught himself before falling.
He dodged one blade — and got hit by the next.
But he wasn't as bad as yesterday.
Sumiyoshi (panting, coughing):
"I only screamed twice today. That's... improvement."
Guardian Spirit (calmly):
"Your effort is noted. You're not ready yet."
He collapsed in the mud again — but he smiled.
🧠 Akito – Stage 4: Weapon Synergy
Akito's test wasn't physical. He sat cross-legged again, his eyes distant.
Stage 4 was about bonding with your weapon.
The test required the mind to enter the spirit realm — to feel the heartbeat of the weapon itself.
Whispers.
Flickering shadows.
He stood inside a cold black room. His fangs floated before him, glowing dimly.
The weapon's aura was distant… unfamiliar.
Akito reached out.
"You are not ready," a voice echoed.
Suddenly, spikes shot up around him. Chains wrapped his ankles.
His body twisted. His memories returned.
He screamed once — then stopped.
Akito (gasping, in real world):
"I… failed again."
Guardian Spirit (gently):
"You're rushing. Your fear is loud. The weapon listens."
🌙 Night — Inside the Cabin
The fire was warmer tonight.
Shintarō sat shirtless, binding a bruise across his ribs.
Sumiyoshi winced while soaking his feet in cold water.
Akito stared at the ceiling.
Sumiyoshi:
"Okay, I admit… this is harder than I thought."
Shintarō (without looking up):
"You're improving."
Sumiyoshi blinked.
Sumiyoshi:
"Was that… a compliment?"
Shintarō:
"No. An observation."
Sumiyoshi laughed weakly.
Akito (softly):
"The weapon doesn't trust me. Still."
Sumiyoshi (teasing):
"Maybe it doesn't like your attitude."
Akito:
"Maybe it's right."
Silence. For a moment, just the fire crackling and the wind whistling outside.