Each step leaves behind no trail in the sea of red. Your steps make no sound except for the small breaths of air that you take in. In front of you lies a large citadel with blood dripping down from every tile. An old man stands between the doorway and is untouched by the surrounding blood, he beckons at you to come closer.

You feel hesitant at first but then realize that your body is moving on its own accord. As you reach closer to the strange old man, you see the citadel clearer, the blood that oozes from its tiles flow infinitely. The old man then points to the entrance of the temple, using his walking stick to usher you in.

You enter the temple structure and your body is guided by an unseen force pulling you in as if entwined by the strings of fate, unable to choose your path. Within the temple, you see strange markings on its pillars depicting different events throughout history. The markings depicting a falling star marks the Strife and the pillars before it the events before the Strife.

You continue deeper into the temple until you reach an altar whereby you see the same old man, this time he is smoking on a shish but instead of blowing out puffs of smoke, he blows out souls.

“A young blood comes before me yet again, how many centuries has it been since I have seen one as young as you reach all the way to the Altar of the Blooded. Your mind is unwavering, and yet I see that your soul is damaged. A contract with a demon at such a young age, I would call it wasted potential.”

You try to respond but the words will not come out, your body kneels in reverence as if it is before an almighty God. You assume that this is probably one of your forefathers of the Bloodcursed. You realize you have no choice but to experience this through and through,

“Your final test lies here, where like those before you, you shall face the Avatar of Carnage. As to whether you succeed or fail, it will depend on your Willpower” said the old man.

You move up towards the altar, and you prepare to lie down upon it. The old man places his palms upon your eyes creating a seal upon your soul.

“This seal will mark you as a trial taker, whereby failure will cause the seal to destroy your soul, may the Blood within you flow strong young one”

Your vision swims again as you feel as if you are transported to another realm. As your eyes open, you are now in a familiar village, it is your home village of Cvaste, you see your townsfolk up and about. Suddenly, from the horizon, and an explosion erupts creating a wave of fire that eviscerates everyone within the village. Your siblings appear before you before being destroyed by the flames. You scream in agony at the sight before the vision changes again.

This time you awaken in a camp, whereby you fought alongside the Zealots. You are in bed and beside you is Zelinas. She turns towards you and you see the mark of the Succubi on your right arm. It glows in the barely lit tent. Zelinas whispers inaudibly into your ears. You head out of your tent only to see death and destruction outside, as the war rages on. Boborygos is seen half knelt with defeat on his face. A sharp pain suddenly sears throughout your body as you see a sword emerging from your mid-section. You look behind to see Zelinas in her full demon form.

Again and again, your vision changes each with more calamity and betrayal within, the cycle continues for what seems like aeons. Until at one particular scene, you see the red-haired girl, and she comes towards you. You can barely make out the features on her face but you can hear the words that she is whispering to you.

“With the Tempest Dawn, the Celestials will finally fall, the fool shall rise and the earth shall burn”.

You finally awaken in the real world. Zelinas instantly comes over checking your physical state, while Boborygos begins to place protective wards around your bed.

“Are you able to recognize us?” Zelinas asked

“Yeah sure, I am a bit fuzzy but I am pretty sure I know you” you reply.

“How do you feel?” Asked Boborygos

You look at your body to find that your wounds are gone, and your body is brimming with untold levels of magical energy. Your leylines have grown more attuned to the senses. As you touch Zelinas on her face, you can feel every pulse, and you can feel her entire physiology. You feel more connected now than you have ever been.

“I think it worked,” you say before a surge of energy from your body knocks you out again.