Cole scanned his surroundings. The Abyss was an endless expanse of black, devoid of colour or definition. The only discernible forms were the three other figures plummeting alongside him, their silhouettes stark against the abyss. They had reached terminal velocity, the rush of air a relentless roar in his ears.

  A soft voice broke through the oppressive silence, cutting through the noise like a fragile thread. “I’m Bea,” it said.

  The three others turned their heads toward the source, their movements almost synchronized, like curious birds drawn to a sound. The girl’s tone was calm, almost unnervingly so, as though introducing oneself while free-falling into the unknown was the most natural thing in the world. “What are your names?” she asked, her words carrying an unexpected warmth. Her gaze stayed on Cole slightly longer than the others.

  The boy with jet-black hair was the first to respond, his voice steady and clipped. “I’m Jake.”

  The boy with brown hair followed, his tone more casual. “Hunter.”

  All eyes shifted to Cole. The weight of their gazes pressed on him, but he met them without faltering. “Cole,” he said simply.

  The girl parted her lips to speak again, but before a single word escaped, the distorted voice from earlier echoed through the void, its tone warped and inhuman.

  {Speak the word ‘Interface’—let it be a reminder of your current strength.}

  The group exchanged uncertain glances, the weight of the command hanging heavily in the air.

  Cole was the first to react, his resolve cutting through the hesitation. “Interface,” he said, his voice firm and unwavering.

  The word hung in the abyss for a moment before the air around him shifted, almost vibrating with energy. A translucent screen materialized in front of him, glowing faintly with lines of text. The others watched as the screen reflected in Cole’s eyes, curiosity and apprehension etched on their faces.

  Hunter raised a brow but said nothing. Jake glanced at Bea, who seemed unfazed, her black eyes fixed on the glowing display.

  “Interface,” Bea finally echoed, her tone calm and deliberate.

  Jake and Hunter followed in unison, their voices overlapping slightly as they spoke the word. As each of them did, similar screens manifested before them, the faint glow casting light on their features.

  Rank: Ashen

  "A flame that refuses to die, even when drowned in shadows.”

  Lifestream (Vitality): 1200 (Emberborn) — "The pulse that defies death."

  Resonance (Focus): 1050 (Emberborn) — "The voice of will heard beyond silence."

  Veilstep (Agility): 1250 (Emberborn) — "A ripple across still waters."

  Gravitas (Strength): 950 (Ashen) — "The weight of existence carried in clenched fists."

  Bastion (Resilience): 850 (Ashen) — "A fortress built from fractured truths."

  Essentia: 750 (Ashen- Architect’s Breath):

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  The ability known to create and destroy, allowing for constructs to be brought to reality.

  True self: (_____ __ _____)

  Fragment of Self: Through shadows he strides, in the clash of the waves, his truth resides.

  Forced Reality: "The Door is Closed. The Key Weeps." (Status: Inaccessible)

  Voidcraft: 900 (Ashen- Partial phasing):

  Your affinity with the void. You step where others cannot, slipping between the seams of reality.

  Progression through personal pocket dimension: 0%

  Abilities:

  Dancing Rhapsody:

  ("The ground sings with each step, echoing defiance in fleeting beats. Your enemies hear music; they do not hear death approaching."

  Effect: Your footwork transcends mere movement. Evade attacks with artistry that mocks the rigidity of fate.)

  Titles:

  {Anomaly} - The echo that slipped through fate’s cracks.

  {?????????} - "You ran until the path vanished—bravo, coward."

  Cole’s eyes darted over his interface. His gaze lingered on the rank displayed at the top, and his expression threatened to sour. Ashen—the lowest rank. However, since pathways matured at 18, true strength only began to manifest then. It was merely a matter of time.

  He forced himself to focus on the brighter aspects.

  His stats weren’t far off from Emberborn level. With a little more progress, he’d ascend in rank. The interface even acknowledged his evasive skills and noted it as a named ability.

  Still, the path ahead loomed long and treacherous. To reach the praised level of Vahnken, he would need to climb through Emberborn, Duskforged, Veilend, Echelon, Zenith and Vahnken itself. Each rank felt like a mountain standing between him and the strength he sought.

  Cole’s gaze fell to the interface, and his eyes lingered on the title that appeared: ‘Anomaly.’ His brow furrowed. What the hell did that even mean? He hadn’t heard of anyone getting a title like that, and he hadn't even done anything to earn a title. The word itself sent an unsettling chill down his spine. Was it a mistake? Or worse, some kind of warning?

  With a quiet sigh, he dismissed the interface, watching the glowing screen fade into nothingness. He glanced around, noticing the others were still absorbed in their own displays. As he waited, a sense of unease crept in, his thoughts drifting to the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

  It didn’t take long for Bea to break the silence. Her voice carried itself in a calm manner. “We don’t know if we’ll be working together or against each other,” she said, her black eyes embodying the emptiness of the abyss. “But it would be wise to learn a little about one another before the trial begins.”

  Her words hung in the air, drawing their attention.

  “Whatever’s waiting for us, we’re going to need every advantage we can get. Understanding each other’s strengths could fare us well.”

  Jake nodded slowly, breaking the silence. “Fair enough. I’m not sure what kind of trial we’re about to face, but if it’s anything like they say, we’re going to need all the help we can get.”

  “Assuming we don’t end up having to kill each other.” Hunter said, though his tone was more thoughtful than mocking.

  Bea didn’t react to his comment, her expression steady, harbouring a slight smile. “That’s exactly why we need to talk now. If trust is too much to ask, then at least mutual understanding isn’t.”

  Cole glanced between them, weighing the conversation. She had a point. Whether they’d be allies or enemies, knowing something about these strangers might help him navigate the chaos ahead. He gave a small nod.

  “I agree,” Cole said, his voice even. “If this trial’s meant to test us, I’d rather not go in completely blind. Knowing what we’re working with could make all the difference.”

  Bea’s lips curved into a faint smile, barely noticeable. “Then let’s begin. My pathway is Transference.”

  “Essentia,” Jake chimed in next, his voice level.

  “Valour,” Hunter said curtly.

  All eyes turned to Cole, waiting for his answer. He hesitated for only a moment before speaking. “Essentia and Voidcraft,” he said, his voice measured. He didn’t elaborate further, letting the weight of the words speak for themselves.

  Most of the population had one pathway, yet some would be born with two, and the very rare—to none—would have three, such as The Absolute.

  Jake’s eyebrows lifted slightly, a flicker of admiration crossing his face. “Two pathways—that’s impressive,” he remarked, his voice sincere but light, as if he didn’t want to make too much of it.

  Cole inclined his head, his response measured. “Thank you,” he replied simply, unwilling to let pride seep into his words—even though he really wanted to.

  Bea’s black eyes gleamed with interest, though her expression remained calm. “It’s rare to have two pathways,” she said. “Not everyone is born with the strength to handle it.”

  Cole shifted uncomfortably whilst falling, sensing the unspoken comparison hanging in the air. "I manage," he said.

  With that the conversation began to loosen as time stretched on, their initial formalities fading as if they all had found the space to become slightly more comfortable.