The Start of the Trial

Stark got up from his bed, feeling refreshed and slightly more awake.

Checking the date on his phone and based on the fact the Domination Trial was now in 3 days, Stark guessed that he had truly slept for two entire days, something no normal person should be doing.

After taking a shower and changing his clothes into ones he had bought two days ago, he felt extremely hungry, and went outside to eat.

And so, just like that, Stark passed the time.

…

[The first Domination Trial is in 2 days, good luck.]

…

[The first Domination Trial is in 1 days, good luck.]

…

[The first Domination Trial is in 12 hours, good luck.]

…

The last days went on smoothly without anything happening, Stark spent them mostly outside exploring Fellarburg to familiarize himself and have fun before the big day.

Lana didn't contact him anymore either, maybe because she truly had things to do, or because she felt like it would be too obvious she was stalking him if she did that.

Any how, these days passed peacefully while Stark regained his strenght, now able to confidently fight through another rift if possible.

Based on the timer shown in his status window, the Domination Trial would start at exactly midnight of the next day, and even though he had no idea how this trial worked and how he would even go there, Stark still waited.

***

On his last night of sleep, Stark dreamt yet again of that void with the other Stark looking at him, a blank expression on his face

And surprisingly, he was able to talk.

"Is this… an obligation?" he asked.

"Yes," the doppelganger nodded, "Everyone with the 'Domination' class that successfully awakened will go through it, and as you know, those who succeed are granted an amazing reward."

"Okay, and what are my chances of actually completing it?"

"Hm…" he put his hands against his chin, "I would give you a good 1/10000 chance of you getting out of there alive."

"A 1/10000 chance?" Stark's eyes widened in disbelief.

The other Stark simply nodded, a solemn expression on his face.

"But don't worry," he continued, "It's a fair challenge. It's just that only a small amount of people complete it."

Stark frowned, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. This trial might be nearly impossible, but he was a 'Domination' class fighter. He had to give it his best shot.

As the doppelganger vanished once more, the world around Stark began to shake violently, and he woke up, his heart pounding in his chest.

"21:37…" he checked the time on his phone as he decided to sleep the entire day to be in perfect condition.

[The First Domination Trial is in 2 hours 23 minutes]

Stark looked out of the window, the streets of Fellarburg were starting to fill with the bustling nightlife. He took a deep breath, calming his nerves.

Tonight, everything would change.

…

[The First Domination Trial is in 1 hours 52 minutes]

In the two hours leading to the Domination Trial, Stark found himself restlessly pacing around his apartment.

[The First Domination Trial is in 1 hours 15 minutes]

The anticipation of the unknown was almost too much to handle, but he couldn't afford to lose focus now.

[The First Domination Trial is in 30 minutes]

No information, nothing but himself and his class to survive.

[The First Domination Trial is in 10 minutes]

Once the ten minutes mark was reached, more panels began to appear around Stark as he kept going back and forth in his room.

[Upon the timer reaching 0, you will be forcibly put to sleep, in a state of unconsciousness nothing will be able to get you out of: it is either you complete the trial or… become one of 'them']

[The level of the trial will be decided the moment you enter it, each trial has a different theme and different challenges, so use your brain]

It was almost as if the class in itself was giving him a tutorial to increase his chances of survival.

…

[The First Domination Trial is in 1 minute]

The timer ticked down to its final seconds, and Stark felt a sudden surge of energy coursing through his veins.

It was time.

As the last second struck, the room around Stark dissolved into a swirling vortex of darkness.

He struggled to keep his eyes opened even though he had slept the entire day, almost as if a curse had been put on him.

[Do not fight it.]

'…'

Stark's consciousness faded.

***

And then he opened his eyes again, finding himself in a competely different realm.

But there was nothing around him, it was just black void again, almost making him believe if he wasn't in the dream world again.

He was soon proven to be wrong as a panel appeared.

[Information every classifier gets before the trial! Please read carefully!]

[Stark Heartsouls; Code Name: "The Chosen"]

'…'

[Your goal: get to the end of the trial alive, do not die (you aren't affected by hunger and thirst inside)]

The screen faded away, and Stark was left standing in complete darkness, unsure of what to do or where to go.

[Good luck, it will be needed.]

'Okay,' he nodded.

And suddenly, his surroundings began to change, the black void beginning to be replaced by a small clearing, surrounded by impenetrable walls and flowers everywhere.

For a second, it almost felt like he was sent somewhere peaceful.

But the crimson text that appeared afterward brought him back to reality.

[Domination Trial: Glass Purgatory]

[Difficulty: DEATH]

'Ah shit…'

This was the most difficult category of them all.

As he stood in the center of the clearing, Stark couldn't believe what was happening. His surroundings were no longer just a black void, but now a strange and surreal landscape.

The ground beneath his feet was made up of gravel and dirt, leading up to towering walls that boxed him in.

Pillars rose up to the sky, casting long shadows across the area.

But what caught Stark's attention even more were the skeletons scattered at the base of each pillar, dozens upon dozens of them, their bones bleached white by some unknown force.

It was an eerie sight.

And in the middle of it all, there was a giant mirror, reflecting everything around it, its frame made out of human bones.

Just as he was trying to make sense of it all, Stark heard a voice behind him. Turning around, he saw four figures resting against a pillar, their eyes fixed on him.

"Looks like the last one is here," one of them said, breaking the silence.

"Hm… Is it time to start the trial then?"

"I guess so… but don't be too hasty, it is a 'Death' difficulty one after all…"

Stark was confused: why wasn't he alone.

And just as he thought of that, a panel appeared.

[The five most promising new 'Domination' class users have been chosen to participate in this trial, have fun =)]

'Ah shit…' Stark looked at the four figures, not trusting them at all as they were just like him: people who would do anything to survive this trial and its challenges.

And so just like that, the Domination Trial began.