"Enough of that," he barked. "There's one last test you all must complete before you can finally become Decimators. Follow me."

Darius led the group deeper inside the Decimator Academy, to another room they had never visited before. The lighting in the area was dimmer than the main floor, the kind of light that seemed to cloak the academy’s sinister secrets and terrible truths. The room itself appeared unremarkable at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it resembled a depressing dog pound. There was ample space for the group to move comfortably, yet cages were stacked from floor to ceiling, half of them housing strange, grotesque creatures. The room was quiet, save for the occasional hissing and guttural sounds that echoed intermittently from within the cages.

What the fuck? What the actual fucking fuck! All of… these monsters had been here all along? Words failed him, and he even forgot to breathe. Glancing around, he noticed Jax and Kael wore expressions of disgust, while Sophia appeared terrified. Brian reached out and grabbed her arm, a silent reassurance that she wasn't alone.

He spotted the dreaded stalactgoyle. There was also some raptor-like creature, barely fitting in its cage. It boasted a reptilian head, equipped with rows of sharp teeth that seemed to phase in and out of existence. Next to it was a thing with iridescent scales that shimmered under the dim light. This creature was enclosed within a cage that appeared to be soundproof. The beast had a long, thin body and large, sweeping wings. Its slender head featured a single horn-like protrusion that seemed to only fit when pointed toward the cage's corner.

"For your final test, there must be no hesitation, I want you to kill a monster. In Valteria, hesitation means death. And we must ensure you're ready to walk the path of a decimator.”

Darius fetched a snare pole and carefully extracted a small creature from one of the cages.

"Here's your chance to redeem yourself, Brian. Show us you're worthy of becoming a Decimator for Arcasium."

It was a small lesser grivaxian, snarling and screeching in fear. As the grivaxian struggled, Brian listened to his frightened cries, his Valtite Linguistics ability allowed him to understand his pleas. "Please, don't hurt me! I'm scared. I want to go home."

As Darius violently shook the grivaxian child in a chilling attempt to silence it, Brian could feel his own breath hitching. “Please, please, please, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” the youth whimpered.

Closing his eyes, Brian tilted his head up momentarily. This was something he’d never done, but at that moment, he found himself praying. All he wished for was courage.

Exhaling deeply, Brian looked directly at the grivaxian. "Everything will be alright. I’ll take you to Reptiscale Caverns."

“Valtwood, what are you going on about now for fuck’s sake?”

Sophia’s eyes quickly fell on Brian, and she had a worried look that screamed 'let it go. I know it sucks, but we have to endure it and move on.' Brian couldn’t do that.

He fully understood that challenging Darius and his ‘glow’ energy rank in combat would not end well. The mere thought of confronting someone whose strength likely surpassed even Zarkon's seemed absurd. Attempting to seize the grivaxian and flee would only put him at odds with the Arcasium government. Moreover, considering Zarkon's speed, it was reasonable to assume that Darius would be incredibly fast and catch him in an instant.

The idea that an aestari could possess that level of superhuman speed wasn't far-fetched, especially since Brian’s physical abilities were on the verge of being above human - his reflexes certainly were. He had also witnessed Mandrix's exceptional strength, and his energy signature was only at a ‘trace’ rank.

He contemplated seeking Sophia's help and having her teleport them away, but he knew that would only lead to the same dire consequences.

It became clear that the only viable option was to persuade Darius to release the grivaxian. Above all, Brian felt a strong resolve to protect the young creature, remembering the promise he made to Sylas about improving relations between the aestari and grivaxians. Only one thing was certain; the kid was not going to die. If he took the grivaxian's life just to become a Decimator, what would that say about the worth of his promise?

Brian locked eyes with Darius. "Commander, this grivaxian is just a child. Please reconsider, let’s release him back to his home, to Reptiscale Caverns."

“What nonsense are you spitting now? These creatures will not think twice before tearing your stomach apart with their claws. So, are you going to kill it or not?”

"Well, boss, the boy's got a point. I've met a few aestari that were scarier than this little guy. Maybe we could just put it back and call it a lum, huh?" Jax shrugged.

The usual feeling crept up Brian's legs. His hands began to tremble, and it felt like his heart wanted to burst from his chest. This planet… Can I truly live here? I want to…

He pushed through by clenching his fists and hoping for the best. “I haven’t seen all of the horrors that Valteria has to offer, but the grivaxians no longer wish to be at war with the aestari.”

"He's right, Commander. If we're truly fighting for a better Valteria, then we need to change the way we approach our enemies. Let's start with this youngling," said Sophia.

Darius’s face reached a new level of red. “LOOK AT IT! IT IS A FUCKING MONSTER! Why did I even put up with you all this time? You are useless. You know what, CONGRATULATIONS you are a fucking decimator now. Go head, go on a mission. As soon as you walk out of Arcasium you will be dead–”

Brian cut him off mid-sentence. “I want to become a Decimator to make this shit planet better, but not at the cost of innocent lives! You know what, I have tried to learn from you and be respectful… But Darius, I am going to be honest, you’re astronomically antiquated. So Fuck you, and this is nonnegotiable. "Brian knew that he was probably dead, but he moved toward the Grivaxian, anyway.

Brian understood why he said that. He had always been methodical, calculating every step in his life with precision. His friends back home had nicknamed him "Spreadsheet Guy" due to his unyielding need to organize and plan every aspect of his life, down to the tiniest detail. From daily schedules to shopping for the perfect microwave, Brian always had a spreadsheet ready to guide him towards the optimal outcome.

Yet here, in this moment, Brian realized he had strayed far from the path of his meticulously calculated choices. On Earth, he would have complied with Darius, avoiding unfavorable situations and expertly suppressing his emotions. But something within him had changed, and he was not on Earth.

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He knew why he had chosen to act. It was not only the moral tug-of-war, torn between the desire to do the right thing and the fear of facing Darius's wrath, but also the hunger for strength. Two cycles at the academy had granted him knowledge of valtite and basic combat skills, but it wasn't enough. His own insecurities had stymied his progress, leaving him craving the strength that Valteria demanded. In his mental spreadsheet, acquiring the might to survive and thrive in this alien world was paramount, and if he wasn’t willing to take a single risk, he wasn’t going to survive.

Every fiber of his being screamed that he was making the worst possible choice, but he knew deep down that he had to challenge himself, push beyond the boundaries of his carefully constructed world, and forge a new destiny in this unforgiving land.

Kael noticed Brian’s resolve and subtly shifted his weight, preparing to act.

Surprisingly Darious seemed to have calmed down. “Nonnegotiable?”

He tightened the snare pole around the grivaxian's neck. Desperate gasps for breath escaped the little one, his limbs flailing wildly, seeking any form of respite. Darius watched the youth's agony, indifferent to his tortured cries. Brian heard the hatchling’s desperate pleas for mercy. Yet, Darius only smirked and raised his left hand above the struggling grivaxian, staring at Brian.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I won’t bother any of you ever, I promise, I pro–”

In an instant, an invisible pressure crushed the creature into a nauseating, tangled mess of purple gore. Bits of bone, flesh, and viscera were visibly mingled together amidst the unpleasant slurry.

The sheer force of Brian's scream made Sophia, Kael, and Jax flinch. "YOU FUCKING PSYCHO!" Without hesitation, he instinctively readied his Event Horizon Grasp in his left hand, while brandishing his unthreatening dagger in his right hand while dashing towards Darius.

"Valtwood, please," Darius said, his gaze slumping. "Who do you think you are?" Dropping the now-empty snare pole off to the side, he aimed his right palm toward Brian.

As Darius unleashed his immense power, a suffocating aura engulfed the room, the air itself seeming to tremble under its weight.

Brian, who had been dashing towards him, suddenly lost momentum and crashed onto the floor with incredible force.

“This is what the Dominion Affinity looks like! Do you understand now? I should crush you right here, it would be a good lesson for you,” Darius said.

Brian's face collided with the pristine tile floor, the impact shattered his nose and sent a shockwave of pain through his skull. Blood poured from his nostrils, pooling around the corners of his mouth and staining red the once immaculate surface. He squinted, feeling the relentless pressure crushing his chest, making every breath a struggle.

At the exact same moment, Sophia teleported behind Darius, her katana expertly positioned at his throat, while Kael materialized at Darius's left side with his twin daggers targeting the commander’s vital organs. Meanwhile, Jax took his place at Darius's right side, his hands wreathed in burning crimson energy that scorched the man's skin with the merest touch. Their bodies moved without second thought, each one driven by an unshakable loyalty to Brian.

Every muscle in his neck strained as he lifted his head, fighting against the immense pressure pinning him down. When he was finally able to look forward, his heart swelled with pride and gratitude at the sight of Sophia, Kael, and Jax, who in the blink of an eye had already surrounded their instructor.

“Let him go, right now.” Sophia’s sword pressed against Darius’s neck, a single drop of blood rolled down her blade.

“Are you for real? Try again in 20 phases!” The space around him crackled with untamed energy. In a sudden explosion of force, Darius unleashed a shockwave of valtite rippling through the room. The atmosphere seemed to distort, bending and twisting as if reality itself was struggling to maintain its hold.

Sophia, Kael, and Jax were powerless against the sudden surge of power. They found themselves hurtling backward, their bodies flung like ragdolls through the air. The crushing influence of Darius's power made the walls tremble and objects quiver, as if they were on the verge of shattering.

With a last-minutiae swooshing teleport, Sophia landed safely on the opposite side of the room. Meanwhile, Kael nimbly maneuvered his body, landing with his feet on the wall before performing a backflip onto the floor. As for Jax, he dug his fingers into the ground, melting the tile with his ability. His leg muscles tensed while he fought against the pushing force, and the ground beneath him cracked and buckled under the strain of his resistance.

“What is this?” Caelia’s voice cut through the tension and drew all attention. “Commander, you are disgracing yourself. Must I remind you that Mr. Valtwood is a person of interest to High Director Creslin?” She gently tapped her clipboard with her fingers. “If you don’t stop this immediately, I’ll be forced to report you to HQ.”

Darius lowered his arms, and the gravity went back to normal, making everyone stumble and lose their balance. “Whatever, I am done here.” Darius spat and stormed out, everyone automatically shuffling out of his way.

Brian struggled to his feet, blood cascading down his battered face. “I am not doing anything like that ever again.”

Sophia approached him gently, dabbing his cheeks with a soft cloth, wiping away some of the crimson stains. In that moment, the harsh reality of Valteria was confirmed: strength meant everything here, and there was no room for half-measures.

"Are you alright, Brian?" Sophia asked, her soft voice calmed his nerves.

Brian winced as he touched his bruised face. "Everything hurts, but I think a nap will fix it." He turned to Caelia. "Thanks for stepping in."

Caelia tapped her clipboard. "I was merely trying to maintain order."

Jax and Kael, dusting themselves off, joined the group. Brian looked at Caelia curiously. "How did you know we needed help?"

"I didn't," Caelia admitted. "But you were supposed to be done soon, and remember, I'm the Decimator Assignments Coordinator. I need to send three decimators to Serpent's Pools to extract a decimator in trouble, there isn’t anyone available so I am forced to send some of you."

Back on Earth, Brian was an engineer, a cog in the wheel of a colossal tech firm. It was a world of high stakes, tight deadlines, and an incessant pressure to multi-task. That style of work was the antithesis of what Brian thrived on.

However, there was one project, an exception, that defined his career. It was the development of a highly complex, innovative system that had the potential to revolutionize their industry. This was not a project for multi-taskers; it required intense focus, and the one who was to lead it had to delve into its complexities, obsess over its every detail, and develop it from the ground up.

Management gave Brian the helm. His colleagues doubted him, said it was too vast for one man. But Brian was in his element. Every day, he found himself lost in the labyrinth of code, working late into the night, every line of code a piece of the grand puzzle. The project consumed him, and he thrived. Months later, Brian unveiled a system that left both the management and the industry stunned.

Now in Valteria, Brian was faced with a challenge akin to the project of his career, only this one was life or death. He had to become stronger, to surpass even the formidable Darius. It was a monumental task, as complex and consuming as his career-defining project, but this time, failure wasn't an option.

So, just as he had done with his engineering project, Brian pledged his every waking moment to his goal: to stand at the top of the power scale in Valteria. It was a colossal challenge, but he had been there before. He knew how to navigate the complexities, and he was ready to get to work.

"Brian and I will accept the assignment." Without skipping a beat, Sophia volunteered.

"You signed us up pretty quickly there, Sophia."

Sophia giggled and nudged him. "I was sure that’s what you wanted."

"Wait, how did you know?" Brian asked.

"It’s written all over your face," she said with a smile.

Jax meticulously inspected Brian’s face, "Where is it written? And why would you write something like that on your face?"

Kael rolled his eyes but then spoke up. "I'll join you as the third member on this mission."