The leopards leaped through the underbrush, but Aramith didn't flinch.

Before Mozrael could even lift a finger, threads of shadow burst from the ground like fangs. They impaled the first leopard mid-pounce, drilling through it until its ribs cracked apart.

The second one disappeared just before reaching them, then it reappeared behind Aramith, aiming for his neck.

He didn't turn. All he did was lift one hand slightly, and the beast froze midair, its body writhing against invisible pressure before it split cleanly down the middle.

Mozrael took a step forward, but his voice stopped her."Stay behind me."

It wasn't just the cold way he said it, but rather the way it left no room for discussion that made her freeze.

The last leopard tried to flee, but Aramith didn't give it that chance.

It could have others it's going to for backup.

Darkness chased it like a tide, wrapping around its legs and dragging it back, inch by inch. Aramith clenched his fist, and the darkness compressed, and the sound that followed was like bone grinding through sand.

When it ended, the forest was quiet again.

Each beast just disappeared, not leaving even a trace of blood.

Mozrael watched him, noting the calm way he stood and the silence in his breathing. He wasn't fighting anymore; he was executing.

His control over his powers frightened her more than it amazed her.

Then Lynnor's voice crackled from above, bright and careless as ever.

"Good job, everyone! Hmm... looks like we've already lost twenty-three students to the beasts! Oh, make that twenty-eight! That's fast!"

Her voice carried laughter, like she was reading scores from a game.

"In brighter news, five teams have already completed their eliminations! They'll be receiving bonus rewards soon! And some of you are just targeting humans instead."

The death toll kept increasing.

Mozrael's hands trembled. Aramith didn't move.

"Don't they realize?" she whispered. "Those crystals... they don't—"

"They believe they'll wake up," Aramith said flatly, his gaze fixed over the trees. "That's why they're smiling while killing their friends."

Another flicker from the orb above, and Lynnor's voice rang out in all casualness.

"Oh, and by the way," Lynnor chirped, "The team with the most eliminations will get a great reward at the end of all this."

Mozrael felt her stomach twist.

All around, far away in other parts of the forest, faint echoes of battle filled the air—screams, fire, and the crunch of bones. Somewhere, a team begged for mercy. Somewhere else, laughter turned to choking silence.

Aramith brushed dirt from his sleeve and started walking again."Come on," he said. "The night's not over."

They continued till...

Aramith slowed. Mozrael followed his gaze and noticed five figures standing ahead.

Their faces were streaked with dirt and blood, but they were smiling. Laughing, even.

When they noticed the two, one of them waved."Hey! You're alive too! Great, let's stick together!"

Mozrael hesitated. "Wait—"

But Aramith's expression didn't change. "They have more than one key."

Four keys total.

The group didn't seem alarmed. One of them, a tall boy with a torn sleeve, held up his crystal proudly."It's fine. We can work together till this ends. These stones'll bring us back if anything happens, right? So let's not kill each other for nothing."

Mozrael's throat tightened.They actually believed it.

Aramith's eyes flicked to the sky. The orb floated far above, dim but still pulsing faintly, and watching."You trust that?" he asked.

The tall boy frowned. "Why wouldn't we? It's an exam, not a massacre."

Something in Aramith's expression shifted. He wasn't angry, but rather disappointed."Then you're already dead," he muttered.

"We work alone," he said and turned away, grabbing Mozrael's hand.

She also noticed they had ulterior motives and was prepared to stop them.

"Wait," the tall one spoke out again, but Aramith turned a deaf ear.

The boy called out again, and this time, Aramith stopped.

Mozrael looked at him. "Why?" She asked, feeling his change of expression to disgust.

"They'll target more people," he said and turned around.

"So you finally—"

Before they could react, the ground beneath them rippled.

Darkness surged like water bursting through cracks, forming countless spears that spiraled upward.The screams came and went in seconds.

When it ended, the five lay scattered and lifeless, crystals still clutched tight.

Mozrael looked at them, then back at Aramith. "You didn't have to—"

"Yes, I did." Aramith's tone stayed calm and detached. "They would have attacked once they thought we weren't on guard. And if they lost us, they'd only look for more targets. I'm sure after the truth is revealed, they'll suffer from the guilt. This was best."

He looked down at the boy's body, his voice lowering. "And now... they'll finally rest."

Lynnor's voice echoed again, light as silk."Another group down! Seventy-four gone already!"

Mozrael clenched her fists till her nails drew blood.Aramith's gaze lifted toward the orb."Keep talking," he murmured. "Let's see how long your game lasts."

He had so much, Lynnor would have to answer when this was all over.

And so they continued.

The forest reeked of blood and decay.Beast after beast had fallen, their bodies dissolving into dust beneath the weight of Aramith's darkness.

Mozrael could barely catch her breath between battles. Not that she fought, but just that her mind couldn't keep up.

Every time he swung his arm, what appeared was serpents of ink that devoured flesh and light alike.

She wanted to fight beside him, but every time she tried—

"Stay back," he would say, and his tone was always calm and cold.

And each time, the words dug deeper.

The next ambush came like thunder. Five students burst through the trees, weapons drawn.

"Give us your key!" one shouted, as a streak of red fire arced toward them.

Aramith raised his hand, and a black wall swallowed the blast whole.

When the darkness cleared, his eyes were glowing purple, but darkness swirled underneath.

"You're attacking me," he said quietly. "I suppose that saves me the trouble," he added.

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