Hope didn't want to enter the building. The coliseum-like structure brought back terrible memories, and he didn't want to go through the same thing.

The moment they first looked at him with disappointed eyes, his memory held a strong image of the building.

Today was already tense, and the prospect of facing the monsters was hitting his last nerve.

The corridors hadn't changed in three years, and the majestic stone walls seemed to last forever. Shon led the boy to the hall, where Don and Bugator were waiting.

They both offered him a subtle smile, remaining silent because they weren't alone. The Chancellor was also in the room.

As Ave's father, Hope had met him more than once.

He stood in the room, watching them. Sharing the same hair and deep emerald eyes that captivated all who dared to gaze upon them, the resemblance was unmistakable, a testament to the inextricable bond between father and daughter.

The city lord was the only Resonant in the entire region. This was the fifth and final stage in the Binder hierarchy. The world had seen very few like him. Beyond Resonant, people only thought of monsters, cosmic forces, and gods.

The Chancellor's name was also unknown. He looked like a young boy with decades of history hidden behind his face. He wore the Mark of God on his ear, and after Shon, he was the only one whose mark was visible to Hope.

The man belonged to the upper echelon of humanity, was synonymous with power, and was also called a Demigod. He was the kind of leader the boy wanted to become. Despite all this, he didn't show harshness towards Hope.

The Chancellor's mood this time wasn't gentle.

'He spoke to Don and Bugator.'

Hope already knew from Avi, but there was urgency in the man's expression. The prophecies they brought contained crucial information. Unfortunately, it didn't bode well for humanity. Their entire three-year journey concluded that the Day of judgment was approaching.

The day when the mortal struggle for life and death of humans wouldn't only resume, but would bring even grimmer consequences. Against this, the fragments also spoke of the chosen one and its significance.

That was why the Chancellor was about to conduct the last test, and the Don and Bugator couldn't say anything.

"Hope, I am glad to see you." The Chancellor said, putting a noticeable emphasis on the name.

"I know you weren't expecting this, and I am sorry for that, but I want to conduct one more assessment before the oath tomorrow."

"I understand, Chancellor." The boy replied and stood before him.

"Good!" the man said, patting the boy on the head. "I know you are well-informed about the significance of tomorrow's ritual. You've heard it a thousand times, but I'll tell you anyway."

He was serious, and his tone showed it. "Based on the deity's suggestions, choose the one that comes closest to the prophecies. Listen to their fragments and reflect deeply. As long as you follow them, everything will be fine."

"I understand, Chancellor," Hope agreed, having heard such instructions since birth.

The man wasn't done, though. "The fragments suggest that a Wraith oath might be best suited for you, and my advice is to take that path."

There were two types of oaths. Wraith, which obliged one to destroy monsters and collect certain fragments.

The second was Serenity, which was more mysterious. It forbade you from spreading the fragments. You can't get fragments from others by telling them, and you can't share them with others.

"As for the Covenants, tomorrow they'll explain them better than I could." He sighed and turned. "This is enough before I make you deaf with all my rumblings. The rest is up to you, and good luck." He said and left the hall. The others followed suit, leaving Hope alone.

"Wait, everyone left?" the boy asked because he always needed protection from monsters. He only had a small dagger in his hand, and how well he could use it was a question.

They didn't answer and locked him in four walls. Hope remained in his thoughts for a few minutes and was on the verge of fear. Then he remembered his training; his body and mind were ready. Especially since the monster he always confronted was a representative of the lowest level, the Exarchs.

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As his mind circled back to his training, he remembered the hopes they had placed on him. Despite this difficult situation, there were still people who called him Hope. It was sometimes an extra burden, along with motivation, but the boy was born with this weight, and dragging and carrying it was part of who he was.

After a couple of minutes, the doors opened and the familiar abomination entered. They called the monster Humpborn. The grey animal walked on four legs and had a large hump on its back. Its mouth was constantly open, and drool was continuously dripping from its forked tongue.

'I'll make it through this. I can do it.'

Hope tried to gather his confidence.

'Just this once… please, just this once.'

He took out his dagger and pointed it at his opponent. The monster walked in circles around him as if examining the food that it would soon crush with its sharp teeth.

As a result of watching the creature, the boy saw something that not everyone could notice. Fragments were emerging from the monster's body and flying into space. It was floating around the monster but fluttered towards Hope with a change of colour.

It was part of the prophecy. Fragments that changed everything.

Hope could feel his heart beating throughout his body. The blood circulation in all his limbs became a phenomenon to be observed. He fixed his eyes on Humpborn and continued to wait.

Up until now, he had tried to attack first, but this time he switched to defence since he had no one to help him.

He gripped his dagger and waited. His reflexes and observation skills were exceptional. By observing the opponent's muscles, he always knew their moves in advance.

His body's strength was added to his experience, and except for the Binders, he would be invincible in the city.

But here, against the Humpborn, his strength and skill didn't seem to matter.

The monster didn't care. It turned out that neither did Hope's uncontrolled strength. And right then, just as he was gearing up for the fight, Hope felt that spasms were approaching.

'Not now. He's getting closer, not now!'

Panic bubbled up as his body betrayed him. Hope screamed in his mind with every ounce of energy he could find. First, his neck jerked to the side, then his knees buckled, and he collapsed, hitting the stone floor with a painful thud.

His muscles atrophied, his eyes lost focus, and his stomach felt numb.

His face was on the stone surface. Hope began to empty his stomach. He lay with his head down, and even the monster was watching in surprise.

Hope himself lay in despair, and no thought could stop his body from vomiting. He had other worries, which were expressed by the approaching monster.

The animal saw the condition of its prey and instinctively flew towards it. It opened its already half-open mouth, eager to sink its teeth into its helpless prey.

'Is this where my life ends?'

The victim himself saw everything in a blur. His eyes looked in different directions, yet he couldn't close them. Instead, Hope understood what was happening but was powerless to stop it.

'The prophecies never mentioned this. They spoke of a hero—someone strong, flawless, and never defeated.'

He thought bitterly. But right now, lying on the dirty ground, he felt like anything but a hero.

The creature's breath and voice were upon him. There was no hidden power in the boy. And if there was, it wouldn't wake up even at the cost of his death.

The monster decided to be careful. It first used its claws to catch the food, instead of grabbing him with its mouth.

Hope couldn't even scream from the pain. Even his vocal cords were beyond control. Blood was gushing from his legs and shoulders.

This was it. He was going to die here, in this cold, empty room. Without accomplishing anything.

But as the Humpborn was about to finish him, he felt a sudden warmth spreading across him. It wasn't his blood.

It was thick, smelly, and sticky, yet oddly comforting.

The resistance in his body immediately disappeared, but the wounds were in place. He had received nothing like this. His life had been preserved with the utmost precision, and during training, he had received at most minor bruises.

Strength slowly returned, and he was able to lift his head from the puddle. He turned his eyes and looked at the sounds of footsteps coming toward him.

Don was running ahead, his face panicked. Bugator followed behind, with Shon next to him, and the Chancellor was coming last. It was the latter's ear and the Mark placed on him that were lightly illuminated.

Hope then looked around the hall and saw nothing but blood and pieces of flesh. Humpborn had burst like a balloon, and all of its contents were spilling out around him. There was a lot of blood, heavy, with a metallic smell that made the boy's head hurt.

Don rushed over first.

"I need to drink your blood quickly," he warned and placed his hand on the wound.

The pain immediately intensified and became more extreme.

"Sorry, sorry." The man said and brought the blood gathered in his hand to his lips.

He drank it and waited for two seconds. His wrist emitted a brilliant light. More than the Chancellor's Mark emitted. Then he took out a knife, cut his wrist, and held it to the boy's face.

"You need to drink it. It will help you heal," he said and smiled at him.

The boy tried to stand up, but he couldn't. He obeyed the man's advice and, strange as it may seem, drank his blood.

Whether he swallowed the liquid or not, he felt the results immediately. His open wound closed up with a speed that was noticeable to the eye. The pain was fading. But the incident was still playing in his head as memories.

Then, Don drank his own blood, and his open wrist healed immediately.

Bugator stepped forward to help the boy up and leaned on his shoulder. No words were exchanged.

Hope looked at them, feeling a mix of gratitude and shame. It tore at him even more deeply, knowing he had let them down.

Shon stood back, his eyes fixed on Hope with no expression. He didn't move, didn't speak.

The Chancellor stood farther away. His face was hard to read. Based on the result, Hope knew that he wouldn't be satisfied. He turned and left the hall without saying anything.

He didn't give any more warnings or any more advice.

The boy bowed his head. His already shaken confidence was dealt a new blow.

Don wanted to say something, but no words came out. He put his arm around his shoulders and led him to the exit.

Then, without looking him in the face, he said lightly, "I'm taking you home. You need to rest. Tomorrow is an important day."

Hope didn't get any encouragement. His future, his leadership, was in doubt. He would have given anything for just a hint of reassurance, a sign that they still believed in him.

But none of them offered the words he longed for.