Everyone had to make choices, sometimes minor, sometimes important, and sometimes there was no choice at all.
"Hah... Funny joke," Kain gulped. "You're suggesting I voluntarily die? Who would even agree to give up their life?!"
Kserx grinned widely. "You lost everything for the second time today, but you still want to live? Commendable."
Loir frowned. "Kid, stop wasting our time. You think the Astral Dimension is a joke? Half, if not more, of the applicants, would wish to return home and get a quick death, but it's too late, a far worse fate awaited them. You can't get out of the Astral Dimension at will."
"Pretty harsh, but Loir is right," Kserx nodded. "Any Contender poses a danger to others if the Rune Brand is destabilized."
Kain nodded deeply. He realized he had a choice to make.
'Damn, as if it wasn't obvious. Reina... she gave me this opportunity. Max and Daniel... If I had been a Keeper this wouldn't have happened to them.'
Then, he raised his head, staring at Kserx. "I will go to the Astral Dimension and find the Rune of Exaltation.
"I will become a Keeper."
"Good."
Kserx waved his hand. "Private Misa, feed and clothe Kain. He must be in Obsidian Chamber No. 5 in three hours. He must be ready for anything and have fire in his eyes."
"Yes, it will be fulfilled!"
…
Misa knocked.
"Contender Kain, get out of the shower, or I will personally take you out! You have a warm-up and meal waiting for you, and then training!"
'Argh! How annoying she is!' Kain gritted his teeth as he soaped himself with the sponge.
As fast as he could he rinsed off all the foam and brushed his teeth. His green eyes with a cold tint and wet brown hair reflected in the fogged mirror.
"Cursed Blood, right? Is this a family thing? Did I get this 'gift' from my parents or... did they die because their child was cursed?" Kain frowned heavily.
Misa stormed into the bathroom. Kain turned around abruptly, the towel fell.
Her eyes traveled over his body, stopping at the part below his waist for a few seconds.
"Not bad, not bad at all. Khm..." she coughed. "I expect you in the dining hall in three minutes."
Soon, Kain saw a picture he wouldn't forget for a long time: meat, fish, pasta, sauces, and various drinks. He didn't remember well what he ate when his parents were alive, but clearly, it was not as good. When he was alone, a simple stuffed bun was a delicacy.
"I can eat all of this...?" Kain stammered, saliva collecting in his mouth.
"You have to. You have to be strong so you don't die in the first few seconds. Eat."
Unable to hold back any longer, Kain pounced on the food. As much as he tried to hide it, his eyes shone with the taste exploding in his mouth and happiness that he was finally eating something delicious.
Misa stood quietly behind him, her face darkening.
'Poor guy. He eats ordinary food with such fervor... He had a hard life, and pretty soon he'll have an even worse.'
...
Kain wasn't the first Contender who Misa helped get in shape, but he was the first with an activated Rune Brand. Time was short, but she did what she could.
Kain stood in front of the cold stone door in the usual but clean clothes, well-fed and vigorous.
In the dark room, lit for some reason by torches rather than lamps, Sylvia and Neil were already waiting for him.
"Look at him," Sylvia smirked. "He's on time. Come on in, poor guy."
"Tsk," Kain frowned. "What do you want from me? I don't even know you."
Sylvia bit down on her pinky finger with a mocking look. "I'm just amused to watch you not realize what's going on. Pray you don't die in the first minute in the Astral Dimension."
'Pffft. You'd think you'd have a better chance,' Kain rolled his eyes demonstratively.
"Silence."
A deep voice interrupted her. Kserx stepped out of the shadows like a secret passageway, Loir was behind.
He placed a massive crate on the table. Kain didn't know why, but he was sure this metal was not from their world.
Kserx pulled the handle, and the crate opened like a capsule, revealing a strange, shimmering crystal. Runes showed in the white mist trapped inside, while purple waves traveled along the edges of the crystal.
"This is the Destabilized Crystal," Kserx declared. "Once you touch it, your Rune Brands will synchronize and you will find yourself in the Astral Dimension. You will do so after a short explanation."
"Wait!" Kain stood up abruptly. "We're going to go to another world, and you won't even give us weapons?"
Sylvia chuckled wryly, looking at him like he was an idiot. Neil awkwardly looked away.
"It won't do you any good. It's only you and your training that makes any difference. Sylvia is acting so confident because she comes from a wealthy family and has been preparing for this moment since childhood. Neil had basic training. Unlike you, they had two more days, so you're in a vulnerable position.
"But. There's another factor that will affect whether you die or become a Keeper.
"Luck."
Loir unfolded the map on the table, Kserx pointing to a round object with a diamond near the edge.
"As you can see, the Orlion Tower is close to the border of ours, the third dome, not far from the forbidden lands. From this quadrant, you can only access three places in the Astral Dimension.
"Rainbow Flower Field and Broken Peak Village are the best options. These are places of the First Threat Rank - Peaceful. If you end up in Shining Caverns, it's worse, it's an Unstable Rank. Some of you may end up in the same place together. Help each other out, that way you'll increase your chances of survival."
Kserx took a step back, pointing at the Destabilized Crystal.
"Go ahead. Touch it. The effect is comparable to an open Rift but much safer."
Sylvia, Neil, and Kain exchanged a glance. With a unified nod, they extended their hands forward. Runes shimmered, running down their bodies that quickly filled with light.
"Good luck to you, and once you enter the Astral Dimension, pay attention to the information runes will give you. It's important."
'Wait...!' Kain wanted to scream, but it was too late. 'So I wasn't supposed to see it until now?!'
A bright flash blinded them.
[Tainted... Welcome to the Astral Dimension. Your Rune Brand progression has been stopped. Find the Ascension Rune or die.]
Deep breath.
Trying to come to his senses, Kain breathed heavily, slowly raising his head.
No flowers, no village houses, much less the bright crystals of the caves could be seen around.
Crimson light from the blood moon illuminated the dark plateau, sharp stone peaks stretched upward among countless swords thrust into the ground next to bodies in black cloaks. Only a cruel wind passed along the cliff, cutting across Kain's stunned face.
Ahead, settled a huge stone throne, empty.