Fate's Reversal: The Divines Return

As the voice commanded, a feeling of weightlessness engulfed both Kaiden and Snow Bunny. Slightly startled, they floated at a constant pace until finally, they reached up on the 1st of the 3 huge floating platforms. Now that they were up here, they observed the state of the platform for themselves.

The first thing they noticed was that the platforms were interconnected by 2 visually distorted bridges.

[Quest Alert! Trial by Fire - Flames of Rebirth (Hidden Quest)

This is the true phase of the Secret Dungeon. A trial left behind by an ancient who once traveled the path of flames. Complete the three stages of the Trial by Fire to claim unknown rewards.

Complete-

-Clear the 99 steps of the Torment of the Inner Flames. (0/1)

-Survive the assessment of the Purifying Hell Flames. (0/1)

-Overcome the flame of one owns Spirit. (0/1)

Time Limit: None

Reward: ????, ????

Consequences: -8,000 Reputation, -3 Levels, 20% Attribute Reduction.

"This is the first of the trial, the Torment of the Inner Flames." said the grand voice.

"Do you see the footprints located on this platform before you?"

"Yes." replied Kaiden.

"Well, this will be the first part of your trial. Expunge your physique and show your mettle. Walk among the imprints while enduring the pain of the Scorched Golden Earth Flames. A soul weak in spirit can never travel far through destiny. For this world has already been stricken with a plague."

Staring at the indented footprints, Kaiden noticed it was the only notable thing on this platform. It was completely barren otherwise, there were no adornments, no additions. It was simply a cracked stone type platform with magma views.

"Step first, I'll be behind you." said Kaiden.

Nodding, Snow Bunny exhaled—her worries traveling along with her breath. Taking a step, in the next instant, her body convulsed and then tensed. Her face began to contort as there was now pain seeping through her mind. What's more, although not indirectly this pain was specially designed.

As stated in the beginning, the game recorded and translated brainwaves into information for your character. As a result, there existed some type of rudimentary form of your brainwaves stored in the system. What did that mean? It meant the system possessed the basic information of your past.

Dissecting the words the majestic voice uttered, "A soul weak in spirit can never travel far through destiny"—this segment of the trial attacked spirit. It was an ethereal concept, however, when attributed to a user it annotated the state of their mind. This was a mental trial.

Using its uniqueness, the system recreated the information provided by your brain to inflict certain amounts of stress on your body. In essence, the system interpreted the information provided by your memory waves to make elementary data. However, because this trial was elevated to the Asura grading—the pain inflicted would be one of the highest degrees. Meaning, you were placed in a situation wherein you are subject to the pain of some of your deepest trauma.

Of course, it would start from the lightest experience first, moving along to the most dreaded. Unfortunately, when pairing this trial with the current state of Snow Bunny's mind the effects were horrid.

Even though she was only experiencing her slightest failures—it wasn't something she wanted to see right now. Slowly but surely, overcoming her mindset, the terrors subsided as she overcame them. Taking her step, she braced herself for the succeeding advance. Nonetheless, it was never that easy.

Taking notice of her changes in appearance but the unaffected status of her Health. Kaiden tried to hypothesize the answer to her expression. But due to the nature of the trial—Kaiden fell short of an explanation.

As a result, Kaiden shrugged it off as he also took his first step. Unlike Snow Bunny, Kaiden only trembled momentarily as he felt slight mental discomfort. Additionally, for a brief period, Kaiden felt he was transported back to the day he was rejected in middle school.

'Hmm, interesting. It seems that this trial recreates the pain felt by past experiences. But wait, if that is so then...oh F.u.c.k!'

Opening his eyes, Kaiden looked at the 99th step with apprehension. He had no doubt the last step would recreate something dreadful—to the point it might use mental dysfunction.

Taking quick successive steps all the way to the 21st step right behind Snow Bunny, Kaiden gritted his teeth as this action caused concurrent pain to assail him at once. As a result, he felt more torment than he should've. However, he found it to be incomparable to the pain of that fruit or Energy refinement performed by Kairo.

Rather than himself, he focused a majority of his attention on Snow Bunny, for this trial could prove to be more dangerous than he previously thought. Closely examining Snow Bunny, he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Bunny...Ms.Blair, overcome the pain." spoke Kaiden in the most soothing tone possible.

Trembling, Snow Bunny bit her lips as she was experiencing an uncomfortable load of spiritual pain. Even so, despite the pain when she heard the calming voice it felt as if a weight was being lifted off her shoulders.

Opening her trembling lilac eyes, Snow Bunny seemed to have a sense of incomplete clarity as if she came to terms with whatever difficulties she was dealing with.

"Are you ok?" asked Kaiden.

"Mn, thank you for that." said Snow Bunny as she turned back toward Kaiden. Due to the closeness of the step, Kaiden looked down into her eyes and discerned the absence of a shred of coldness.

"Continue your journey. In the end, I promise you'll be a brand new person. If you can't succeed then I shall help you. After all, we're partners. I think we can rely on each other."

Looking into Kaiden's pale golden eyes for a moment, Snow Bunny was lost. "Although I'm cold, why are you acting with such warmth? In the meeting, you weren't like this."

"Eh heh, if I told you why. It would probably defy common sense. But, the personal reason? Well, I felt pain when I learned I inflicted anguish upon you. I'm not a heartless villain. I can't completely bury my feelings if I deem you to be a part of my future. Besides, I don't think you were always like this."

"Mn, maybe afterward...I'll tell you my story." said Snow Bunny as she turned around clutching the c.h.e.s.t of her leather tunic, taking a step. She didn't understand why at this moment she offered to share her history.

However, this small exchange did prove to subtly change her mindset as she found it easier to face the pain of different time frames in her past. Moreover, Kaiden always stuck one step behind. His will wasn't something that trivial experiences could tamper with. Of course, it also wasn't an absolute walk in the park. He was still overcoming.

"It seems your souls are tenacious and you serve to mitigate the pressure felt upon each other's souls. Perhaps you don't know it but you have soul compatibility. Remember, everyone finds their light within the darkness."

(Wait a minute, is this grand spirit giving love advice? Hack...puht! Take that back you ancient thing, how dare you claim to understand hoomans!)

The grand spirit's voice fell on attentive ears as there was a light blush that accompanied Kaiden's countenance but he didn't mind it. This older lady was indeed his cup of tea.

Soon enough Kaiden reached the 97th step as Snow Bunny stood on the 98th step with a troubled expression. She was scared to face what was to come—the 98th step. She had already faced the loneliness she felt in her younger days so she understood what was to come. Conversely, Kaiden experienced the depression of his 'older' days to which he chuckled. He already steeled himself to take a different path after the training with Practice.

"Go ahead. Confront what you need to overcome. Blossom into the radiant flower from a damaged lily." said Kaiden as he crossed his arms.

Still nervous, Snow Bunny held her hands together as he stared at that 99th step. It was nigh impossible for her to accomplish this on her own.

"I-I can't...I know what's coming…*sob* I can't do it…" trembled Snow Bunny.

"Turn."

With a vulnerable appearance, Snow Bunny turned and looked at Kaiden with pure defenselessness. This, in turn, made Kaiden empathetic.

"Tell me, are you strong or are you weak?" asked Kaiden as he tilted her head up.

"I want...to be strong." trembled Snow Bunny.

"No, are you strong, or are you weak?" as he asked, his gaze softened.

"I...I-...Do you think I am strong?" asked Snow Bunny with an impuissant expression.

"I see strength in you, so yes, I believe you are strong."

"But I was abandoned, I was lonely. He didn't comfort me, *sob* he ran away. *HIC* He left me. It hurt… my world was never the same." cried Snow Bunny as she lightly pounded Kaiden's c.h.e.s.t armor.

"For too long, you have let something undeserving torment your mind. Reach for your happiness and grasp it. In fact, you are more deserving." consoled Kaiden.

"It's *sobs*... not that easy. *sob* There's history and-"

"So create your future. Your past can't be changed, however, your reaction can. Your smile can empower you. Chin up."

Raising her chin once again, Snow Bunny looked like a fragile kitten looking for consolation in something dependable.

"...Do you d.e.s.i.r.e to be strong? If so, abandon him. Someone whose mind is completely oblivious towards your pain holds a draining clutch over you? NO! Grip your mantle and sow your own story. A beauty such as yourself, I promise it will be vibrant. Did you not prove yourself working to your current CEO position?"

"Yes…but-"

"No buts, you are your own excellence. In your future, you will tower above whoever previously wronged you. Watch as they grovel at your celestial feet. Now...take that step." commanded Kaiden solemnly as a faint majestic presence leaked from him.

"Y-Yes! I will become great." said Snow Bunny as she reassured herself looking into Kaiden's eyes.

Proffering his hand, Kaiden chuckled before shaking his head, "No… You are already great. You will become irrefutable. Walk this path with me."

Faltering, Snow Bunny looked at Kaiden. "Don't wrong my trust. If so… I'll hurt you."

"Me? I have no need to do so. Take that step and we step together. My partner."

As they took their respective steps, a mutually dependent bond formed between them. Was it love? No. It was simply the relationship forged within the embrace of vulnerability.

"You have cleared the Torment of the Inner Flames and it seems you have reaped prem.a.t.u.r.e benefits. I can sense your spirits have further condensed and even more so, slightly attuned. Excellent."

"You have been deemed worthy, whereas your spirit is commendable. As such, proceed forth to undergo the next phase of this trial. However, heed this warning. This past trial was physical pain. But this next one… it is truly the embrace of hell itself. You will understand once you step across the first Bridge of Passage."

As they looked at the bridge, Kaiden and Snow Bunny's eyes glinted with d.e.s.i.r.e. It was the d.e.s.i.r.e of the future brought upon by the confrontation of their past. To prevail you must first fall. Only when strengthened by tribulations will you be able to call yourself strong. Shifting their gazes, they looked at each other.

"Call me Kassandra...or call me Bunny. But, only you can." said Snow Bunny with a slight glare. However, within those icy lilac eyes was a budding warmth directed towards Kaiden.

"Okay, Kassy heh...Oof" chuckled Kaiden only to be hit in the arm.

"I guess that works, but hm?" turning Kaiden and Snow Bunny both noticed a change in the bridge that laid before them. If before the bridge lacked any type of significant presence then now it was exuding multiple.

'The appearance of the bridge hasn't changed but what is this feeling?'

"The second trial, the Hell Fire's Purification, will soon begin. Any last preparations should now be taken care of as once you enter—either you fail or complete. There is no pausing." commanded the majestic voice.

"What is the purpose of this second trial?" inquired Kaiden.

"Unfortunately young lad, that is something you must experience yourself. Only if you possess the braveheart of the unknown will you seek boundless improvement. Do not be confined by worries but always remain cognizant. Needless worries will constrict your growth. Will you let that happen? If so, how can you be that one's successor?"

"You know?!"

"Of course, young one. Now step forth. He was once my comrade. So my ways should further improve what he has done to you." vaguely spoke the majestic voice.