The next morning, Ren awoke to the sound of blaring alarms and red lights flashing across the Citadel's dormitory walls.
"—All Crimson Initiates report to Sector 7! Repeat, emergency deployment in Sector 7!"
Ren tumbled out of bed in a tangle of sheets, still half-dreaming about Kaela in her bodysuit.
"Oh god, I forgot to breathe again…"
He rushed into his uniform and bolted down the corridor, weaving past squads of armored women sprinting toward transport gates.
Outside, Kaela stood waiting, already geared up and flawless as ever. Her black battle cloak fluttered behind her, and her glowing core pulsed in sync with the Crimson energy building in her hand.
Ren skidded to a stop next to her.
"What's going on? Another Vile outbreak?"
Kaela didn't look at him. "Worse."
A hologram bloomed in front of them, showing a mountainous wasteland filled with massive crystalline structures. Crimson lightning crackled between them like nerve endings in the world's nervous system.
Kaela finally turned to him, eyes serious.
"This… is the Crimson Trial Grounds. And you've been summoned."
Ren blinked. "Summoned? By who?"
"By the Council of Matriarchs. They want to test the limits of our Pact. Officially."
Unofficially, she didn't need to say it: they were trying to humiliate her—and him.
"Great," Ren muttered. "Let me guess: they're gonna throw me in a pit with murder-waifus and hope I break?"
Kaela smirked. "Not quite. You'll be facing her."
The image shifted.
A tall woman with icy blue hair and golden armor stood at the center of the field. She looked like a battle goddess—regal, flawless, and utterly terrifying.
Commander Veyla Rhyne. The youngest Crimson General and the Council's golden child.
"Oh come on," Ren groaned. "She looks like she eats people for breakfast."
"She does," Kaela said flatly. "But don't worry. I'll be holding the sword."
He relaxed slightly.
Then tensed again when Kaela leaned down and whispered, "Just don't get too excited if she steps on you."
"...No promises."
Crimson Trial Grounds – Combat Chamber Theta
Dozens of Crimson officers watched from a floating gallery above as Ren and Kaela stepped into the ring. Across from them, Veyla stood calm, arms folded behind her back.
Her weapon—a sleek, scythe-like blade with glowing runes—hovered beside her, humming.
"Commander Kaela," Veyla said coldly. "The Council still questions the validity of your… pet project. If your Pact fails to impress, both of you will be reclassified."
Kaela's eyes narrowed. "I'm not here to impress you."
"Then entertain me."
A chime sounded—and the duel began.
Kaela launched forward with Ren in blade form, their combined energy spiking. Veyla countered instantly, her scythe sweeping through the air with ruthless precision.
Ren's thoughts blurred. "She's fast—faster than Arva!"
Kaela gritted her teeth. "Stay sharp. Don't drift!"
They clashed midair, crimson sparks showering the field. The audience gasped as shockwaves rattled the observation platform.
Ren's form began to distort—Kaela was drawing too much power, and he couldn't keep up.
"I—I'm losing shape!"
Kaela faltered.
Veyla capitalized—vanishing in a streak of light and slamming her scythe into Kaela's side, sending her crashing into the dirt.
The blade flew from her hand—Ren's form reverting midair, tumbling into the ground next to her.
The crowd murmured. Veyla approached, blade glowing ominously.
"This is your champion?" she scoffed. "He's just a boy."
Ren groaned, dragging himself to his knees. His ribs ached. His pride stung.
But when he looked at Kaela—bloody lip, hair messy, still defiant—he felt something click.
He stood.
Slowly.
"I might not be a soldier… or a Crimson Core user… or even a proper weapon."
He clenched his fists, blood running down his arm.
"But she chose me. That means something. So if you want to look down on me, fine. But don't disrespect her."
Veyla blinked.
Kaela raised her head, shocked.
The Crimson Pact flared.
Ren's body glowed—and for the first time, he shifted forms without Kaela summoning him.
He became the blade on his own.
The entire arena fell silent.
Kaela caught him as he materialized, instinctively swinging in a wide arc as Ren's energy surged through her like wildfire.
The blow connected.
Veyla was sent flying, skidding across the combat field in a shower of sparks.
Silence.
Then—cheers erupted from the observation deck.
Later, back in the Citadel infirmary…
Ren sat on a medical bench, shirtless, his chest covered in healing patches. Kaela sat beside him, unusually quiet.
He turned to her, grinning.
"So… did I pass?"
She looked at him. "You summoned the weapon form yourself. That's impossible without the Crimson Core."
"I guess I'm just built different."
She didn't smile. But her eyes softened.
"You surprised me," she admitted. "And them."
"Do I get a Resonance Reward?"
She leaned in slowly, teasing.
"You want one?"
He nodded, hopeful.
She grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him forward.
Her lips brushed his ear.
"Earn it next time."
Then she walked out, hips swaying.
Ren collapsed back onto the bench, grinning like a fool.
"Totally worth the bruises…"