Marcus sat on the cold ground, his eyes fixed on the void ahead while his mind swirled in confusion. Something inside him felt off—as if a weight pressed against his chest. Thoughts clashed violently within him as he tried to understand whether this place, the one he had been pulled into, was truly where he belonged.
In this bleak atmosphere, no one seemed different from the other. The faces around him were calm, their emotions a blend of anticipation and quiet patience. No one showed signs of nervousness—except Marcus. He alone seemed unsettled.
But what if it was this very power that had brought him here?
Could it be the same force that once disturbed his father's peace? The power that altered their lives and pushed Marcus onto this path? A strange feeling crept into him—the power he had discovered within himself felt eerily similar to the one spoken of in legends and theories. It was vast, overwhelming, and painful—so much so that his father couldn't bear it. It was this same force that drove him to old tomes, chasing secrets in silence. Marcus feared that this power could bring him the same burden.
If this power was truly so immense and dangerous, why wasn't everyone searching for it? Why didn't people seek to possess it? Was it too dangerous? Or had they chosen to ignore it? How did Marcus stumble upon it, and why had no one else noticed? Wasn't this the same "system" people whispered about? The one some pursued and others avoided? A force that unlocked doors but offered no easy return?
A voice interrupted his thoughts—firm and clear, echoing across the space through a loudspeaker:
"Welcome to the Walkers' Trial. No one among you was forced to be here. You chose to come. You chose to face the challenges that await you. If you succeed, you will earn the Walkers' License and gain access to higher levels of power."
The words fell upon Marcus like rain, soaking into his skin. Though the speaker's tone was calm, the final phrase—Walkers' License—clung to him like a key to something immense and unknown.
He glanced around. Those seated near him showed no signs of hesitation. Their eyes were steady, their faces composed. Perhaps they had walked this road before—or maybe they were simply prepared.
But Marcus wasn't. He still didn't know what had brought him here. Was it curiosity? Or the power he had uncovered? Maybe. But even now, he wasn't sure.
He wasn't as knowledgeable as he had thought. Until now, all he had studied was a single book. He'd read it for just one day, applied its contents once—and then was suddenly dragged here. He knew nothing about the different patterns they spoke of, or what they truly did. All he knew was that there were six of them—and even that, barely.
Could this power be greater than he imagined?
As the thought settled, he felt a strange sensation—like something beyond his control was steering his fate. Could this be the beginning of the end? Or the start of something far bigger? And what would happen if he failed? Could he return to his old life? Or would he remain trapped in this dark place forever?
Another voice cut through his thoughts—this time firmer, more decisive.
"For those who feel fear—now is the time to leave. This is not a place for the faint-hearted."
A hush fell over the room. Footsteps echoed softly against the floor. Marcus listened, lost in his turmoil. Should he leave? Was this worth the risk? Yet something deep inside told him it was already too late to go back. Could he truly escape his fate so easily?
"You're here by your own will. And in the end, you'll have a choice: to become a Walker—or remain stuck where you are, forever behind."
As he reflected, a new realization dawned upon him: he wasn't alone in this. There were others like him, fighting for something greater than they ever imagined.
He had no choice now. He had to move forward.