One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

The jungle stretched endlessly before us, its thick canopy filtering the moonlight into faint silver streaks. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and distant rain.

Despite the eerie quiet, I could still feel it—the lingering energy in my veins, the faint aftershock of the power I had just unleashed.

Selene walked ahead, her stride confident, as if she knew exactly where she was going.

"Where are we headed?" I finally asked, my voice breaking the silence.

She didn't look back. "To someone who can answer your questions."

I frowned. "And who would that be?"

"A ghost," she said simply.

Smoker scoffed. "Fantastic. Just what we needed—another cryptic clue."

Shira sighed, adjusting the strap of her scabbard. "Can't you ever give a straight answer, Selene?"

Selene chuckled. "Where's the fun in that?"

I was about to press her further when something shifted in the trees above us.

Instinct kicked in.

I stopped, my muscles tensing.

The others noticed too.

Shira's hand went to her sword. Smoker's fingers tightened around his jitte. Even Selene, usually so composed, paused.

Then—

A whisper.

Not from a voice.

Not from the wind.

From inside my mind.

You are not alone.

A chill ran down my spine.

And then—

They appeared.

Figures in the trees, shrouded in darkness. No sound. No movement. Just watching.

Shira's grip on her sword tightened. "Who are they?"

Selene sighed. "Took them long enough."

I looked at her, my heart pounding. "You were expecting this?"

She smirked. "Of course."

The figures moved as one, stepping down from the trees, their bodies wrapped in dark cloaks, masks obscuring their faces. Their leader, taller than the rest, stepped forward.

"You bear the mark," he said, his voice deep and emotionless. "And yet, you do not understand it."

I clenched my fists. "Then maybe you should start explaining."

He tilted his head slightly. "You are not ready for the truth."

Frustration burned inside me. "Then why are you here?"

His golden eyes glowed beneath the mask. "To test you."

Before I could react, he vanished.

A split second later—

He was behind me.

I barely twisted in time as a blade sliced through the air, inches from my neck.

Fast.

Too fast.

I jumped back, my instincts screaming, my body moving before my mind could catch up.

But he was already there.

A blur of movement. A flash of steel.

My pulse roared in my ears.

And then—

Something clicked inside me.

My mark burned.

The golden fire surged to life.

I moved.

This time, I wasn't just reacting—I was anticipating.

I dodged, twisting my body at the last second, my instincts sharper than before.

I countered.

My fist collided with his blade—

And instead of cutting me—

It shattered.

Silence.

The masked figures stiffened.

The leader took a slow step back, staring at his broken weapon.

For the first time, his voice wavered.

"The fire has awakened."

Selene crossed her arms, smirking. "Told you he was interesting."

The leader studied me for a long moment. Then, finally, he spoke.

"Come with us," he said. "Your real trial begins now."

I exhaled, my hands still glowing faintly.

I didn't know who they were.

I didn't know what this trial was.

But I had come too far to stop now.

I took a step forward.

And walked into the unknown.