Amongst those waiting to participate in Blade Sacrament Ruin’s Disciple Acceptance Trial was Ancient Guardian-37, a hulking mass of stone plate armor more than twice as tall as the average human. Ancient Guardian-37’s stone armor was dark grey, covered in moss, lichen, and leafy vines. In its right hand rested a matching greatsword, the dull blade a to-scale bastard sword with a cracked pommel. Its left arm was much larger than the right, more heavily armored and devoid of the plant growth that spread over the rest of the exterior. The left arm’s gauntlet had eight holes of equal diameter that seemed to absorb all light that entered them. Notably, the mysterious being’s helmet was skewed towards its right side, with a miniature tree growing out of the gap between the helmet and left shoulder. The small tree’s roots spread over the upper portion of the left arm, the breastplate, and helmet, with some of the roots plugging one of the helmet’s three eyeholes. The other two glowed with a soft, blue light.

Ancient Guardian-37 observed the conclusion of the first part of the Blade Sacrament Ruin’s Gate Opening Ceremony with a combination of impatience and relief. It cared not for such matters, having interest more in gaining access to the opportunities the Sect could provide should it successfully become a member. Still, it wasn’t fond of the fact that the Disciple Acceptance Trials were to be displayed to an audience of guests as well as the Sect’s own Elders.

Based off of what it knew, this entire Disciple Acceptance Trial was in part a battle for influence between major powers, a way of measuring their youths against each other without much risk beyond potential damage to one’s reputation. In other words, this Disciple Acceptance Trial was littered with strong competitors who were motivated to perform well and show off for their respective factions.

Nonetheless, I will achieve my objective.

Casting its perception about, Ancient Guardian-37 observed the area the trial’s future participants waited in. It was a large, hexagonal plaza, with an intricate teleportation formation inlaid into the tiles. The plaza was filled with trial goers, who were mostly grouped together based off of what faction or power they represented. Most groups had roughly five to seven people and there were at least a few hundred groups by Ancient Guardian-37’s estimate. Observing the edges of the plaza, Ancient Guardian-37 noticed they were walled off and while the plaza appeared open to the sky, it clearly wasn’t given the presence of various types of Vampires amongst those waiting to participate in the Trials.

Given one of Blade Sacrament Ruin’s specialties is said to be Formation Dao, the scenery could be generated by a formation, perhaps even the same teleportation formation engraved on the tiles. Actually, if some kind of illusory formation is active. . .

Ancient Guardian-37 activated [Resist Tampering], [Sensory Amplification], and [Empowered Scan]. [Resist Tampering] should stop or at least reduce any effects that altered Ancient Guardian-37’s internal functions, [Sensory Amplification] would do as its name suggested, enhancing Ancient Guardian-37’s senses for a time, and [Empowered Scan] consumed some Mana and Spiritual Force in order to seek out any threats or other items of significance. In order to avoid causing unnecessary problems, Ancient Guardian-37 limited the duration of [Sensory Amplification] to half a second and [Empowered Scan]’s area of effect to as small an area as possible without rendering the Ability useless. The results revealed nothing new, which confirmed that there was an illusory formation at work.

Based off of Ancient Guardian-37’s experience, the combination of [Sensory Amplification] and [Empowered Scan] always produced some amount of new data, even if that data was irrelevant to whatever its current objective was. The fact that those Abilities had no effect proved that something was happening, though Ancient Guardian-37 didn’t know with certainty that the cause was an illusory formation. It could also be from someone’s Ability, Technique, or even an item’s effect. Regardless, it was clear that action was required.

“You noticed too, huh? Took you a little while but you’re way ahead of most of these people.”

Though it was unnecessary, Ancient Guardian-37 turned so that its ‘face’ was directed towards the entity that had spoken.

<<<>>>

Iex smiled as he observed the being in front of him. It was much more interesting than most of the fools thinking the Trial hadn’t already begun.

I mean sure, that transition was really, really smooth. Realllly smooth. Still, c’mon, most of you guys are supposed to be elites, yeah? Even if you have an all-Body Archetype build, you oughta at least have an Item, Augment, Mod, Aspect, or teammate to let you know something’s up. Then again, these guys aren’t truly the cream of the crop for this Tier, so maybe my expectations are too high. Also, most of these people are actually fakes, so there’s probably multiple groups, each running their own trial. Still though, why do the folks in my trial have to be so boring?

Even as Iex’s idle thoughts steamed ahead like a runaway train, he made use of his various perception Abilities to investigate the strange being ahead of him. [Fate Sight] showed that it had a strong Destiny, especially for the Exotic Tier, though it only had middling luck. The results from Karma were more intriguing. Gazing at the innumerable Karmic threads attached to the entity, Iex filtered his vision, removing those without sufficient thickness. The vast majority of Karmic threads a person formed in life were these, results of inconsequential actions that held little meaning. Instead, Iex focused on the thicker threads, those that had real substance. Overall, most seemed to link to violent actions, ambushes, defensive battles, and furious charges. Iex didn’t focus much on any of the visions of the past the Karmic threads offered, simply taking quick glances at each. After surveying many of the threads, he skipped over to the most interesting one, the largest thread. He looked at it. . . and saw nothing. Something was blocking his inspection.

Hoh, now that’s something. I wonder, did you do that? No, likely not, you don’t seem adept at using Fate or any of its Lesser Elements. I’m not even sure this guy has a Fate Aspect. Maybe someone that thread connects to didn’t want someone spying on them. I suppose it could also be a side effect from some other effect too. Hmm, I might just poke my nose into this later.

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“For what reason have you approached me?”

Iex shook his head, smiling. He hadn’t expected such a humorous question or for the towering being in front of him to have such a tranquil, musical voice. Birdsong, that’s what it reminds me of.

“Isn’t it obvious? I wanna work together. They haven’t told us about the rules for this trial, so I’m betting improvisation is one of the traits they’re testing here. In other words, there shouldn’t be any restrictions against teaming up. Also, the two of us are both loners who didn’t come here with a group, so we’re a natural fit. So, whaddaya say? You in?”

The armored entity only paused for a fraction of a second before replying. “Yes. Know that should you betray me, I will retaliate with full force.”

“I dunno, betrayal here doesn’t seem like a winning move. They may not’ve told us the rules but we do know that the trials are being actively watched by both the Sect Elders and the guests. Most factions wouldn’t look kindly on that and it’d send a bad signal to Blade Sacrament Ruin. They might even disqualify a person for it just on principle. Oh, and I forgot, my name is Iex, Iex Dursorro Ackez Oculrinth Valgrund, a dhampir. Pleased to meet your acquaintance,” as Iex concluded his speech, he made an exaggerated bow.

“Greetings, I am Ancient Guardian-37. What do you propose we do next, Iex Dursorro Ackez Oculrinth Valgrund? I had intended to launch a deeper investigation into the area before either approaching other trial participants or attempting to leave the area.”

“Hmm, well there is another person here who seems to be on her own, so perhaps we could pull her into our current group. She hasn’t caught on to the situation, but my senses suggest she might prove herself useful. Also, we don’t know what kind of challenges this trial has, it might even be that all of the trials will take place inside this illusion, so having an extra person could be valuable. The more the merrier, right? Oh, and please, just call me Iex in the future, if you would be so kind.”

“Understood, Iex, I will do so. I too believe that an extra ally could yield better results. Let us proceed with this course of action.”

“Sure, sure, she’s right over this way.”

<<<>>>

Deenaya Otchik watched the two figures approach with suspicion. The larger one she’d seen earlier and taken note off, both because of its unusual appearance and because, like her, it was on its own. The smaller figure she hadn’t noticed before though. It was a man, a Human, Vampire, Elf, or some other type of humanoid. Based off of the white hair, black and red eyes, pale skin, and confident swagger, she suspected the man was a Vampire or dhampir. Not a Vrylrinth or Pizarrinth, since those Bloodlines were never handsome and likely not a Mamrinth since they tended to have some bestial features, though it couldn’t be ruled out. Hierrinth, Oculrinth, and Sulrinth seemed the most likely options.

As the two drew closer, Deenaya turned her gaze towards the robes the man wore. They were clearly expensive, with intricate geometric designs in a variety of different shades of blue and purple. Unfortunately, the robes had clearly seen better days. The left sleeve appeared to have been burned off at some point and there were several cuts and holes in various places, though most were located on the remaining sleeve and legs. With a quick application of the [Shapeshifter] Class Ability [Form Manipulation], Deenaya enhanced her eyes, allowing her to examine the damage in greater detail. Upon doing so, it became clear that the robes were slowly repairing themselves, which suggested a passive enchantment or Ability was likely at work.

So, they’re basically a couple of oddballs from the looks of it.

“Hey there,” the maybe-Vampire called out jovially, waving his hand without an ounce of subtlety. Deenaya suppressed a sigh and nodded in response.

“I—"

“We’re here to ask for your cooperation in the Disciple Acceptance Trials” the big guy said, interrupting the shorter fellow. If you accept, know that betrayal won’t be tolerated.”

The other one laughed. “I told you before that I thought betrayal was a bad idea in this situation but maybe I should’ve said that anyone who does decide to betray their group is going to expect retaliation. They’ll plan around it, provided they don’t act out of impulse. So, your warning doesn’t do a lot of good, y’know?”

“In my experience, such warnings are effective often enough to be used when possible.”

“I mean sure, most people would be intimidated when something twice as tall as the average dude with a mean-looking sword like that in general, let alone when the thing is making a clear threat. The folks here aren’t exactly normal though. Most of ‘em, they’ll see you as a challenge to be won or an opportunity to show off.”

Yup, a pair of oddballs. Whatever though, beggars can’t be choosers and it is a good idea.

Deenaya coughed rather loudly, drawing the attention of the two in front of her, and spoke. “I’m not strictly opposed to an alliance, especially sense most of the people here are already grouped up, but we don’t know what the rules for the trials will be yet. There’s no knowing whether it’ll be possible or beneficial to team up.”

“Actually,” the white-haired man remarked, “we’ve already started the trial. We’re in some kind of illusory effect, one which seems to operate mostly on a mental level, though it does have magical effects too.”

Deenaya frowned, pulled an item from her belt, a spherical, metallic object with runic markings, and activated it. The [Osrillan Sphere] was completely incapable of detecting illusions but for its cost it was quite effective at breaking them. The runes on the sphere lit up with a white light, which began to fluctuate rapidly as it continued working. After a full 60 second cycle, the device entered a cooldown phase.

“Well, that was useless,” Deenaya muttered.

Shit, I should’ve gotten something else for dealing with illusions. I was already over budget though. . .

“I realize we’re strangers so taking us at our word may seem a bit risky but it’s the truth. Actually, I bet I could prove it to you.”

As he finished speaking, the robed man’s smirk widened, revealing fangs. He turned, looked around briefly at the groups nearby, and then began walking towards one. The group he approached, a collection of four cloaked and hooded figures with unnatural darkness where their faces ought to have been visible, stopped gazing at each other. They turned in unison and stood straighter, revealing themselves to be quite tall, though nowhere near the armored figure standing beside her. By now, many of the groups in this section of the plaza had also begun watching to see what was going to happen.

The white-haired man stopped directly in front of one of the four figures, stared at it for a second, and then slugged it in the face. Rather than meeting any resistance though, his fist simply phased through the cloaked figure. At once, most of the “people” in the plaza dissipated, as if they’d never existed in the first place.

Everything else changed too. The sky, once sunny with a handful of clouds, became crimson, with no sun in sight. The plaza retained its shape for the most part, but it was now a cracked, ancient ruin with toppled walls and piles of skeletal remains scattered about. In the distance, Deenaya heard something release a heart-stopping screech.

The robed man turned to face Deenaya and said, still smirking, “see, I was right. You can trust me now, can’t you?”

This guy. . .