With only a few minutes left before the trial, Kane sat down and went over the absolute insanity that had just occurred.

Based on the words of the God, Verinath, he had called himself, earth had been “integrated.” Apparently that integration had been done by something called the divine alliance, and, because of earth’s “low grade,” all the citizens of earth were being forced to take extremely dangerous trials.

Now that he thought about it, this whole situation sounded like crap to Kane and he felt a spark of anger burn in his chest. As far as he knew, no one on earth had either choice or desire to join this alliance. Most people (though admittedly not Kane) were just living happy lives. Had this alliance just forcefully integrated his entire planet without even caring about what anyone thought?

The reason didn’t even make sense. What reason did godlike beings such as Verinath have to waste time on earth. Not even Verinath seemed excited about wasting time on Earth, and repeatedly called it trash.

So why was he doing it?

Kane could only think of two reasons.

Reason one was that there was some sort of benefit the alliance would gain from integrating earth. Maybe planets had some kind of inherent energy that was a benefit even to Gods? But that didn’t make sense, because why wouldn’t a God just take what it wanted, why waste time integrating “earthlings?””

Reason two somehow seemed to both make more sense and be way more far-fetched. Maybe this integration was some kind of automatic process. That would explain why earth was integrated in the first place and why all the people of earth were being forced to take trials. He remembered Verinath had mentioned something called the true heavens. It had said “the true heavens does not go around wasting its energy bestowing rewards, no matter how pitiful, upon billions of weaklings like yourself.” Maybe the true heavens was some kind of ultimate authority that expanded its influence automatically…

He didn’t have much proof of this theory other than a hunch and a brief mention of the true heavens, but he felt that he was close to being on the right track.

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Kane glanced at his watch, briefly wondering how long it would last before breaking in the trial, five minutes left. There was no use in dwelling further; he knew nothing except what he had heard from the voice.

Kane got up and did some slow stretches. Who knew what kind of trial this would be? Physical preparation was a good idea in case he had to exert himself.

Soon, with loose muscles and a racing heart, Kane watched the last second tick away on his stopwatch, and instantaneously, felt something invade his body.

-

He felt a warmth spread through him, permeating every cell of his body. Every single atom of his body was simultaneously taking a hot bath of energy. The feeling gradually increased in intensity. At first it was pleasant, then uncomfortable, then painful, and then agonizing. Just as Kane felt like he was going to die he felt something inside of him BURST open and the feeling disappeared.

Kane let out a massive breath and shakily got up from his knees. He wondered what kind of hellish recovery period he would experience. But with a shock, he realized that felt exactly as he had felt before. He felt like he had run a marathon and been prepared to pass out at the finish line, only to realize he was completely fresh.

For a second Kane wondered what that burning energy had changed. But then Kane felt a strange tug on his mind, and abruptly looked down at his hands, eyes bloodshot.

He was holding a red book in his hands.

The tome was plain and unadorned, with only his name on the cover, engraved in gold. It felt oddly smooth and cool, almost like glass. Even more oddly, it had no weight. But the strange properties of this “book” were not what gave Kane chills and had him staring at it more intensely than anything he had ever stared at before.

No, what shocked him was that he had a connection to the book. The feeling was hard to describe. It almost felt like the book was a part of him. He had the same connection to it that he had to his limbs… or even his mind. Somehow the connection was not foreign to Kane. He knew that he had always been connected to this book, it just hadn’t always looked like a book.

Unconsciously, Kane willed it and the tome opened itself to the first page. The page was a smooth and reflective marble-white with gold outlines, and in the center he saw a single paragraph.

Your soul has been opened to the great path by the true heavens. You will be given a choice of how you wish to diverge. Mark your soul wisely, and prevail in the trial ahead, Kane Caddel.