The next day arrived with a heavy, oppressive silence hanging in the air. Ethan sat by his cot in the dimly lit barracks, staring at the walls. The haunting weight of his newfound power, the responsibility it carried, felt like a living thing inside him. The path ahead was uncertain, the trials only growing more brutal as time went on. But he had made it this far—surviving the first round, navigating the Werewolf game, and ascending to the Awakened stage.
But now, a new challenge awaited him.
The room was filled with the sound of footsteps, heavy and deliberate, as Kael entered. The Ascendant looked calm as ever, but there was a glint of something more—something akin to knowing what the next stage entailed. He had been through this before, after all.
"Ready for what's next?" Kael asked, leaning against the doorframe.
Ethan looked up, his gaze piercing. "Is anyone ever really ready for what's coming next?" he replied, his voice low and steady.
Kael smiled faintly. "Fair enough. The trials don't care about readiness, though. They're coming for you whether you're prepared or not."
The Awakened had seen the worst already, but Kael knew better than anyone that the worst was still to come.
"You should understand something," Kael began, his tone shifting to something more serious, "the Awakened are still at the bottom of the pyramid. What you've experienced so far is just a prelude. The real tests happen once you've proven yourself worthy of being Chosen."
Ethan's mind raced with questions. Chosen—that was the next step in his journey. What would it take to get there? More trials? More people to defeat? More bloodshed?
"How do I prove myself?" Ethan asked.
Kael studied him for a long moment before answering. "You need to fight. And not just with strength. The Chosen trials are about adaptability. Strategy. Mastering what you've been given. You will need to compete against others who've also been Awakened, who have powers of their own."
Ethan nodded slowly. He had felt the surge of power when he first awakened. Healing abilities that surpassed anything humanly possible. But Chosen—that was the real leap. Mastery. Strategy. He wasn't sure what kind of trials awaited him, but he knew it wouldn't be easy.
Kael continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. "There are other levels too. Don't forget that. The next level after Chosen is Ascendant—but getting there is no small feat. Only those who've survived the most brutal trials, who've outsmarted or overpowered others, make it. You'll face opponents who are stronger, faster, and more ruthless than you can imagine."
"Then what?" Ethan asked.
"Ascendant means you've mastered your power. You've survived the worst. But there's always someone higher. Someone who can challenge you. Wardens are next. The enforcers of divine law. But to even think about defeating them, you must first learn everything about your powers, push yourself beyond what you believe is possible. After Wardens come the Demigods—beings who are no longer human, who shape fate itself. And if you somehow survive all of that, you'll be face-to-face with the Gods."
Ethan frowned, trying to process the sheer scale of what Kael was saying. To go from Awakened to God was a journey that could take years—or a lifetime. But he wasn't afraid. He couldn't afford to be.
🧬 Hierarchy of Power (Lowest to Highest)
Human – Ordinary people with no awareness of the supernatural.
Awakened – Those who have been touched by divine essence but have no powers yet. They become sensitive to the supernatural.
Chosen – Individuals selected to receive a supernatural power after proving themselves (like Ethan). They are granted one core ability.
Ascendant – Those who have mastered their power and survived further trials. Their abilities evolve, and they gain partial immortality and enhanced senses.
Warden – Enforcers of divine law in the mortal world. Each Warden serves a god and has multiple abilities. They can oversee realms or trials.
Demigod – Beings who are no longer considered mortal in any sense. They may challenge gods, influence fate, or rule over worlds.
God – True immortals who create, destroy, and shape entire realities. Each god has a domain (war, death, time, etc.) and watches over the competitions to find worthy champions.
"If I can make it, what happens at the end?" Ethan asked, already knowing the answer but needing to hear it anyway.
Kael's eyes glinted with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "It's different for everyone. But one thing is certain: the Gods don't choose randomly. You will be tested beyond your limits. The challenges won't just test your body. They'll test your mind. Your soul."
Ethan stood up, feeling a surge of determination. He had made it this far, and he wasn't going to stop. Not now, not when he was so close. Whatever came next, he would face it head-on.
"I'll do it," Ethan said, his voice hardening with resolve. "I'll make it to the top."
Kael nodded approvingly, though there was a flash of something in his eyes—a mixture of respect and pity. "That's the spirit. But remember, the trials are not kind to the overconfident. You must be vigilant. Trust no one. And above all, don't forget why you're here. Stay true to yourself, or you'll lose more than just your humanity."
Ethan's mind flashed back to everything that had brought him here—the betrayal, the loss, the crushing debt, the despair. This was his chance to reclaim his life, his future, his worth. The billion dollars were tempting, yes, but it was the power—the potential to transcend his limitations—that fueled him.
As he left the room, ready to face the next trial, the weight of Kael's words echoed in his mind. Don't forget why you're here. What did that really mean? Was it just about survival? Or was there something more to this power, something deeper that he would need to unlock in order to truly ascend?
Outside, the harsh reality of the arena awaited him. The Chosen trials would begin soon. The competitors—those who had survived up to this point—were gathering. But they weren't just survivors anymore. They were becoming something far more dangerous.
Ethan would need every ounce of his healing power, every scrap of his wit, and every drop of his blood to win. And the worst part? There was no guarantee he would survive the trials ahead.
As the arena doors opened, the harsh light of the trials blinded him momentarily. This was it. The beginning of the end. Or the end of the beginning.