The sun of the Sixth Citadel was grey—

  Not illuminating, but watching.

  The air was heavier than within the state’s borders.

  No birds. No signs of life.

  In the stone courtyard, the trainees stood scattered in tense lines.

  Anxiety clung to them like mist.

  Levan stood at the end of one row, his eyes observing the tiniest of details.

  Whispering Trainee:

  “They say some who enter these trials… never have their bodies returned.”

  Another:

  “The Sixth doesn’t train you…

  It breaks you—

  So you can rebuild yourself, if you survive.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 6–10: Declaration from Stone

  Atop a raised platform stood the Sub-Commander, draped in a dark robe.

  His face was hidden.

  His voice was calm—

  But each word fell like a hammer.

  > “You are raw materials.

  Today’s test isn’t just about survival…

  It’s about exposing the lies within you.”

  One trainee took a step back.

  > “Those who survive move to the next floor.

  Those who fall… are erased.”

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  > “This isn’t the true Abyss.

  It’s one we built ourselves—

  Ten floors of artificial hell,

  Reflecting the horrors we’ll face in the real depths.”

  > “Your first trial…

  Survive the chaos.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 11–15: Descent to the First Floor

  A spiral staircase led downward.

  The walls pulsed with eerie blue light.

  Humidity increased.

  A mix of metal and rot filled the air.

  The trainees were split into groups—

  Except Levan…

  He was left alone.

  Military Escort (coldly):

  “You’re under observation.

  We’re not here to help you.

  We’re here to understand why you’re still alive.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 16–20: The Shadows Stir

  Metal doors slammed shut behind them.

  Silence.

  Then—scratching.

  Slithering in the distance.

  A metallic moan.

  Levan glanced around, breathing slow and controlled.

  Levan (whispering):

  “This isn’t a training ground…

  This is an execution notice.”

  Behind him—

  A shadow moved.

  ---

  ?? Pages 21–25: First Confrontation

  A formless fog-like entity emerged from the far corner.

  Levan stepped back.

  He grabbed a small stone and hurled it into the mist’s center.

  The fog rippled—

  Reacted.

  Levan (steady voice):

  “Whoever you are…

  I’m not ready to die today.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 26–30: The Strange Spark

  The creature lunged.

  Levan dodged, but got wounded.

  He sprinted toward a rusted pillar—

  Lifted it despite its weight.

  He struck the fog—

  And in that instant…

  A faint light flashed.

  The fog unraveled.

  Breathing heavily, Levan stared at his hand.

  Levan:

  “What… was that?”

  ---

  ?? Pages 31–35: The Eye of the Citadel

  Inside the watchtower’s observation room, the Sub-Commander reviewed the screens.

  Assistant:

  “The light that came out of him…

  It wasn’t any known type of Will.”

  Sub-Commander (muttering):

  “We know humans can’t survive without Will.

  Since the Catastrophe…

  Not a single true anomaly has ever been confirmed.”

  > “Could this… be the first?”

  > “Watch him closely.

  What he carries might not be a Will…

  But a fracture in logic itself.”

  ---

  ?? Pages 36–40: An Unlikely Survivor

  The metal gates opened.

  The survivors emerged—

  Some screaming.

  Some collapsing.

  Some carried out on shoulders.

  But Levan…

  Walked out alone.

  His clothes torn.

  His body dirtied.

  But he was standing.

  Everyone stared.

  Whispering Soldier:

  “He survived?

  But… he has no Will?”

  High above, the Sub-Commander raised his head.

  > “The first true anomaly…

  Since the fall of our world.”

  ---

  ?? Special Scene: The Tenth Citadel’s Commander – Daryoval

  Within a dimly lit stone chamber, flickering with blue fire—

  The air was thick, like every breath was swallowed by the walls.

  Daryoval, the Tenth Citadel’s Commander, stood before a massive stone mirror.

  His eyes were hidden beneath a veil—

  But his presence suffocated the room.

  A delegate knelt before him.

  Delegate:

  “Sir… urgent report from the Sixth Citadel.

  A boy with no Will survived the First Floor’s trial.”

  Daryoval didn’t move.

  He inhaled—once.

  > “Will? Without Will?

  That hasn’t been recorded… in three centuries.”

  He stepped forward—

  The walls trembled.

  > “Is this the first anomaly…

  Since the beginning of the Catastrophe?”

  > “Were we living under the illusion of stability all along?”

  He fell silent.

  Then whispered:

  > “If this is real…

  Then the end begins again.”

  > “Everything will be revealed—

  When the king falls…

  And his truth with him.”

  ---

  End of Chapter 4