The first rays of dawn crept slowly over the horizon, casting a muted light across the camp. The embers of the fire from the previous night had dwindled to glowing ashes, their warmth a faint memory in the cool morning air. Ezra sat quietly, staring into the faint mist that blanketed the area as the others began stirring, preparing for the trial Merlin had promised him.
He felt it—this time, more than ever—like an impending storm. The weight of the countdown pressed heavily against him, an invisible force that steadily ticked away toward something he couldn't quite understand.
[Countdown to the Main Story: 135,408 Hours]
Ezra couldn't ignore it. The numbers seemed too precise to be arbitrary, too deliberate. Each hour, each passing moment, pushed him closer to a moment he couldn't predict, a fate he hadn't chosen. Whatever it was, it felt wrong.
As Meliodas and Escanor began their morning preparations, Ezra's thoughts were occupied by the recent revelation—the presence of an unknown entity, The Watcher, monitoring his every move. Merlin's words echoed in his mind.
"It's connected to a higher-dimensional intelligence. One that observes... and influences."
Was the system a mere tool, or was it part of something far more complex? Something that didn't just give him power, but sought to shape his path? The notion made his skin crawl.
Meliodas walked over to him, wiping his hands on his cloak. "Ready for today?" His tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness.
Ezra nodded, forcing a smile. "Ready as I'll ever be."
"Good. Let's get started then." Meliodas gestured for him to follow, his smile turning into a grin as he led Ezra to a large, open area just beyond the camp.
The space had been chosen with intent—large enough for movement, isolated enough to avoid distractions. The sun had fully risen now, its rays warming the land, making it the perfect environment for a battle.
Escanor, standing just beyond them, didn't look as enthusiastic. He stood tall, his golden armor gleaming under the sunlight. His gaze, however, was distant, like he was contemplating something far beyond the upcoming trial.
Diane, King, Ban, and Merlin had already taken their positions at the edges of the clearing, observing quietly. The weight of their stares added an extra layer of pressure.
Merlin gave a nod. "Let's begin."
Ezra took a deep breath, his hand instinctively brushing against the system interface in his mind. His fingers flexed, and the familiar hum of the system thrummed through him.
[System Notification: Challenge Accepted] [Title: Trial of Flame and Pride] [Objective: Defeat Meliodas and Escanor in combat.]
Ezra glanced at the two, the heavy burden of the task ahead settling on him. Both of them were formidable fighters—Meliodas with his agile swordplay and Escanor with his overwhelming strength. If they were taking the time to test him, they were not going to hold back.
"This trial," Ezra muttered under his breath, "this isn't just about strength, is it?"
"Not at all," Meliodas replied, his grin widening. "We need to see if you have the heart of a warrior. Your mind, your will, your capacity to grow. Can you handle what's coming? We'll find out today."
Ezra's gaze shifted to Escanor, who stood quietly, arms folded, but a faint flicker of something deeper in his eyes—the same thing Ezra had felt in him during their quieter moments. Regret. But also... hope.
The wind began to pick up, rustling the leaves and making the entire clearing feel charged, as if nature itself was preparing for what was to come.
"Whenever you're ready," Escanor said softly, his voice calm yet tinged with seriousness.
Ezra straightened, took another deep breath, and drew the sword at his side. He had no choice now. The countdown to the unknown future was relentlessly ticking away.
[Countdown to the Main Story: 135,402 Hours]
He moved first.
Ezra dashed forward, his sword held low in a defensive stance. His training had been intense, but this was different. Meliodas wasn't just an opponent—he was a mentor. A friend. The weight of their bond hung heavy in the air as Ezra closed the gap between them, only to be met by the quick, almost impossible speed of Meliodas's attack. The sword flashed like lightning, and Ezra barely had time to deflect it with his own blade.
The clash of metal rang out, and Ezra staggered back, his hands shaking slightly from the impact. He didn't expect it to be easy, but the force behind Meliodas's strikes was something else entirely.
"Don't hold back, Ezra!" Meliodas shouted, his grin widening with every move. "We want to see what you've got!"
Ezra grit his teeth and adjusted his stance. He couldn't afford to hesitate—not now.
Escanor moved then, with the elegance of a warrior who had mastered control over his body and mind. He stepped forward slowly, almost as though testing Ezra's reaction. The intensity in his eyes mirrored the rising heat of the sun, and Ezra knew he had to move quickly.
[System Notification: Labyrinth Mode Activated] [Labyrinth Mode: Battle Initiated] [Character Slots: Main: Dungeon Raider Gamer Shin, Sub 1: Prisoner Ban, Sub 2: Twigo the Brave, Sub 3: Tristan (Passive Locked)]
Ezra's body reacted instinctively. The system flooded him with combat knowledge, and he instinctively called on his characters. Twigo appeared, a massive figure that absorbed a portion of the incoming damage from Escanor's strike, while Ban's lifesteal filled Ezra's reserves. But the real advantage came from Tristan—despite his passive being locked, Ezra could feel the hybrid's influence, the pulse of both light and dark coursing through him.
For a moment, time slowed. Ezra locked eyes with Escanor, and in that instant, he understood. This wasn't just a trial. This was a test of his resolve. Would he give in to the weight of the system, or would he fight to forge his own path?
Escanor's attack came in a flash. Ezra was too slow to block it completely, and the blow sent him tumbling across the ground. Pain shot through him, but his resolve hardened.
He had to prove something to himself. He wasn't just a tool for the system. He had a will of his own, and it was time to fight for it.
Ezra staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his side. His body was aching, but the fire in his chest burned brighter than the pain.
"I'm not done yet," he gritted out.
Merlin's voice broke the intensity of the moment. "Enough. This is what we needed to see."
Ezra's breath came in ragged gasps, and he looked up to see the others nodding in approval.
"You've got potential," Meliodas said, his voice more serious now. "But the battle isn't over yet. You'll need more than strength to overcome what's coming."
Escanor nodded as well, though there was something softer in his gaze now. "I'll help you. But you'll have to learn to stand on your own two feet."
Ezra stood tall, despite his exhaustion. He wasn't sure what the future held, but one thing was clear: he would no longer let the system dictate who he was. He had his own path to follow.
The ticking of the clock continued, but for the first time in a long while, Ezra didn't feel as though he was running out of time.
[Countdown to the Main Story: 135,397 Hours]