Chapter 8: The Trial of Reflection
The deeper they ventured, the less the dungeon felt like a structure.
It breathed.
Alex could feel it now. The walls shimmered with lust-charged essence. The air hummed with whispered desires. With every step forward, the domain pulled memories from the edge of his soul—memories that weren't his, but Asmodeus'.
And tonight, it was hungry.
[Warning: Unknown magical formation detected ahead][Dungeon Trial Imminent – Soulbound Challenge]
Only the Reincarnated Vessel may proceed.Companions will be held in stasis until completion.
Sophia's hand tightened on Alex's wrist as they approached the glowing archway at the heart of the third floor.
"I don't like this," she said.
"You've said that every floor."
"This one's worse."
Her tail flicked, anxious. "I've seen Trials like this. They don't test strength or skill. They test the soul. If yours fractures…"
Alex nodded, understanding. "It has to be me."
Sophia looked like she wanted to argue—but stepped back.
"Be careful, Alex. And remember—you're not him anymore. You don't have to carry his guilt."
He smiled faintly.
"Maybe not. But I do have to face it."
He stepped through the light.
The Trial of Reflection
The world went white.
Alex blinked—and found himself in a throne room made of crimson glass and silver flame.
At the center stood a younger version of himself—taller, regal, draped in black robes embroidered with runes of lust. His eyes glowed like suns. His aura bent the world around him.
Asmodeus.
Across from him knelt a girl with golden hair, her skin bruised, her body chained in shadowsteel.
Her name echoed in Alex's mind without needing to be spoken.
Miriel.
She had been the first mortal priestess of the Lust Domain. The one who believed in Asmodeus. The one who gave him her soul in a pact made from love—not desire.
And the one he'd let die.
A voice spoke around Alex.
"This is the moment you failed. This is the bond you broke. To walk forward, you must accept the shadow within you."
Alex stood paralyzed, watching the scene unfold.
Asmodeus stared down at Miriel, his expression unreadable. She was crying—but her face was serene.
"You knew the cost," Asmodeus said coldly.
"And I paid it," she whispered. "Willingly."
Asmodeus clenched his fists.
"You should have run."
"I couldn't," she said. "You're my king."
Then the shadowsteel tightened.
She screamed.
Alex surged forward instinctively—but the illusion held him back. He was meant to watch, to remember.
Miriel's body convulsed, and then—
She was gone.
Just… gone.
Not slain. Not broken.
Erased.
Asmodeus stood frozen, unmoving.
A single tear fell from his eye—and scorched the throne beneath him.
He whispered only one word.
"Forgive me."
Alex dropped to his knees, breath ragged. The emotional weight crashed over him like a tidal wave.
His chest burned.
The system screamed.
[Trial Memory Accepted]
Emotional Lock UnsealedLust Stat +0.5New Passive Unlocked: Remorse of the King
Remorse of the King (Passive):When a bonded ally is in danger, your power increases. Pain becomes fuel. Love becomes rage.+15% stat boost when protecting those you share a bond with.
He stood slowly, heart thudding.
"I won't let it happen again," he whispered.
And the Trial faded.
Return
Sophia gasped as Alex stepped back into the real world.
His aura flared—wider, deeper, heavier. Not just seductive anymore.
It was regal.
"You passed," she said softly.
Alex didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked to her, took both her hands in his, and looked her in the eyes.
"I saw her. Miriel. One of Asmodeus' first true loves. She died because he couldn't choose love over war."
Sophia's eyes softened. "And now?"
Alex pulled her close.
"I'll always choose those I bond with."
She kissed him.
It wasn't a teasing kiss this time. Not a test or game.
It was earned.
Their auras intertwined, the bond pulsing between them like a living flame.
The system flared.
[Bond Update: Sophia Liane – Tier I → Tier II]
Trust Threshold PassedEmotional Synchronization AchievedNew Ability Unlocked: Bond Channeling
Bond Channeling (Active):
You may channel a bonded partner's energy, abilities, or elemental affinity for 30 seconds. Shared costs. 2-minute cooldown.
Sophia stepped back, a little breathless.
"Be careful with that," she whispered. "Sharing energy goes both ways. You draw from me—but I'll feel your pain."
Alex nodded.
"I'll make it worth your while."
She smirked. "You already have."
Deeper Still
They descended to the fourth floor later that day, joined by Kyra once more.
She noticed the shift instantly.
"You two finally stopped pretending," she said, arching an eyebrow.
Alex blinked. "We weren't—"
Sophia smirked. "Yes. We did."
Kyra laughed. "Good. Then maybe now you're ready for what's waiting down there."
"What do you mean?"
She pointed to the sealed portal at the base of the floor.
"That," she said. "Isn't just a path forward."
She looked him dead in the eyes.
"It's a gate to the core of your old sanctum."
The system chimed again.
[New Objective Unlocked: Core Reclamation]
The heart of the Lust Domain lies beneath. Sealed. Broken.Reclaim it to unlock your first Domain Core.
Reward: Territory Claim System, Dungeon Control Functions, Essence Fountain Access
Alex stared at the portal.
His path was no longer just a journey of growth.
It was reclamation.