If you lose, you're thrown out."
The air grew tense.
"The first person to reach the top wins. No exceptions. No teamwork. No saving each other."
He took a step forward, voice low and commanding.
"This test isn't about how strong you think you are." His smirk widened. "It's about proving it. Alone."
No one spoke.
No one dared to.
"Because when you're standing at the top, there's only room for one."
---
(POV: Caspian)
A tower climb. One-on-one battles.
Orien wasn't testing skill.
He was testing who had the strongest will to win.
Caspian exhaled, rolling his shoulders.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward.
One by one, the others followed.
The entrance loomed before them.
.
The moment Caspian stepped inside, the entrance behind him sealed shut.
The air shifted.
A dim glow flickered to life, revealing a vast arena.
The space stretched endlessly in all directions, yet somehow, Caspian knew there were walls—hidden beyond the illusion of infinity.
