Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 52: The Final Selection Trial

The massive circular chamber remained quiet.

Ancient runes across the stone floor glowed softly, forming a vast circular pattern at the center of the hall. The symbols intertwined like a complex ancient formation, their faint golden light illuminating the chamber with a mystical glow that pulsed slowly with hidden power.

Four glowing pathways stretched outward from the central circle, each connecting to one of the entrances surrounding the chamber. The pathways resembled rivers of light cutting through the ancient stone floor.

Aether stepped forward slowly.

The moment he crossed the threshold and entered the chamber, the glowing pathway behind him dimmed slightly before fading almost completely.

The ruins had acknowledged his arrival.

The Flame Sovereign Pup walked quietly beside him, its crimson flames flickering steadily as it observed the vast chamber. The small beast’s fire illuminated the nearby runes, casting faint red reflections across the engraved symbols beneath their feet.

For a moment, the chamber remained empty.

Only the quiet hum of ancient energy echoed softly in the hall.

Then—

Footsteps broke the silence.

They echoed clearly from another entrance across the chamber.

Aether turned his head slightly.

Rylan walked into the chamber with his usual relaxed posture, as though he had simply wandered into a marketplace rather than the final trial of an ancient ruin. His serpent was loosely coiled around his arm, its blue scales reflecting the glowing runes around the room.

The moment Rylan saw Aether, a grin appeared on his face.

"Well, look who made it."

Aether nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Rylan walked further into the chamber while looking around with visible curiosity.

His eyes moved across the massive stone hall, examining the glowing symbols across the floor and the towering walls surrounding them.

"So this must be the final waiting room."

He pointed toward the glowing patterns beneath his feet.

"These ruins really love dramatic entrances."

Aether didn’t respond.

Because another presence had already entered the chamber.

---

From the opposite entrance, the silver-armored woman stepped into the hall.

Her stone panther moved silently beside her, its heavy paws barely making any sound against the stone floor despite its massive body.

The armor covering the woman’s body still carried the marks of earlier battles. Scratches and dents covered several sections of the polished silver plates, evidence of the brutal trials she had already endured to reach this point.

Her eyes, however, remained sharp.

Alert.

Carefully analyzing the two challengers already standing inside the chamber.

"So you both survived."

Her voice carried calm confidence.

Rylan shrugged casually.

"Barely."

He glanced down at the stone panther standing beside her.

"Your pet looks like it had a rough day too."

The woman ignored the remark completely.

Instead, her gaze shifted toward the final unopened entrance of the chamber.

"Then only one remains."

The atmosphere inside the chamber grew heavier.

All three challengers already knew who the final arrival would be.

---

Footsteps echoed slowly from the last entrance.

Calm.

Unhurried.

Lucien walked into the chamber.

His silver wolf followed closely behind him, its elegant body moving with silent precision as its golden eyes scanned the room.

Unlike the other challengers, neither Lucien nor his beast appeared injured.

They looked completely untouched by the chaos of the labyrinth.

Lucien’s eyes moved across the chamber the moment he entered.

First he glanced toward Rylan.

Then toward the armored woman.

And finally—

His gaze settled on Aether.

For a brief moment, the two simply looked at each other across the chamber.

Lucien’s lips curled slightly into a faint smile.

"So you’re still alive."

Rylan crossed his arms.

"Disappointed?"

Lucien ignored him completely.

His attention remained fixed on Aether.

"I was wondering if the rumors were exaggerated."

His wolf stepped forward slightly, its glowing eyes locking onto the Flame Sovereign Pup.

"Apparently not."

Aether remained silent.

But the air between them grew noticeably tense.

The other two challengers sensed it immediately.

There was something unusual about the interaction between these two.

Neither of them showed hostility.

But the quiet tension felt like two powerful predators silently measuring each other before a hunt.

---

Before anyone could speak again—

The chamber suddenly trembled.

A deep vibration traveled through the massive hall as ancient mechanisms awakened beneath the floor.

The glowing runes across the chamber ignited brighter than before.

Light surged across the circular patterns carved into the stone.

Then the deep voice of the ruins echoed across the hall once again.

"Final Candidates Confirmed."

"Four challengers remain."

The large circular rune pattern at the center of the floor began rotating slowly, each engraved symbol shifting position like the gears of an enormous ancient machine.

Ancient energy surged through the chamber.

The voice continued.

"Final Selection Trial... initiating."

The stone floor split open.

A deep rumbling echoed through the chamber as massive stone segments slowly separated from one another.

From the center of the chamber, a large circular platform began rising upward.

Dust and fragments of ancient stone fell away as the platform lifted higher and higher.

Atop the platform stood four tall stone pillars.

Each pillar was carved from a different type of stone, and each carried a glowing symbol engraved deeply into its surface.

The symbols began shining brighter as the platform finished rising into place.

Then the ancient voice spoke again.

"Final Trial Objective."

"Only three challengers may advance."

Silence immediately filled the chamber.

Rylan blinked.

"...Wait."

He looked around the room slowly.

"There are four of us."

The silver-armored woman frowned slightly.

"So one must be eliminated."

Lucien chuckled quietly.

"That simplifies things."

His silver wolf stepped forward slightly as if preparing to attack.

But before anyone could make a move—

The voice continued.

"Trial rules."

"No direct combat between challengers."

Everyone paused.

Rylan let out a disappointed sigh.

"Oh. That would’ve been easier."

The ancient voice continued explaining.

"Each challenger must activate one trial pillar."

"Pillars will summon guardian beasts."

"Defeat the guardian to claim the pillar."

"Last challenger remaining without a pillar... will be eliminated."

The glowing symbols on the pillars began shining intensely.

Each pillar represented a separate trial.

Rylan whistled softly.

"So basically musical chairs... but with monsters."

The silver-armored woman moved first.

She stepped toward one of the pillars without hesitation.

Lucien walked toward another pillar on the opposite side of the platform.

Rylan glanced over at Aether.

"Well."

He cracked his neck as his serpent uncoiled slightly from his arm.

"Time for round two with whatever nightmare these ruins throw at us."

Aether stepped toward the final remaining pillar.

The Flame Sovereign Pup’s crimson flames flared slightly brighter as they approached.

The moment Aether’s hand touched the stone surface—

The runes across the pillar erupted with brilliant light.

The entire chamber trembled violently.

Ancient energy surged across the hall like a powerful storm awakening within the ruins.

Then the voice spoke one final time.

"Trial Guardians... released."

Four massive summoning circles appeared across the chamber floor.

Each circle formed beneath one of the pillars.

The runes within the circles glowed with intense energy.

Rylan stared at the glowing formations forming beneath them.

His grin slowly faded.

"Oh... those look big."

Stone cracked loudly.

Energy exploded outward from the summoning circles.

The chamber filled with blinding light as powerful creatures began emerging from the glowing formations.

Ancient guardian beasts slowly took shape within each circle.

The final selection trial had begun.

---

Far below the ruins...

Inside a sealed chamber hidden deep within the labyrinth...

The mysterious observer watched the projections carefully.

The four challengers had finally gathered.

Exactly as the ruins had originally intended.

The final selection trial had begun.

Soon only three would remain.

But the observer’s attention remained fixed on one challenger.

Aether.

The strange golden energy surrounding him had grown noticeably stronger during the previous trials.

Even now—

The runes around his pillar flickered slightly.

The ancient systems were reacting again.

Curiosity deepened.

Because if this challenger continued interfering with the ancient laws of the ruins...

The final stage of the labyrinth might not unfold exactly as it was designed.

For now, the observer remained silent.

Watching.

Waiting.

The coming battle would determine which three challengers advanced toward the Inner Sanctum Gate.

And which one would be left behind forever within the ruins.

In upper world,

In huge castle throne room, a middle aged but handsome man is sitting with closed eyes.

As soon as the final trial is begin, he open his eyes and turn then around that world. As he can see through time and space.

He said, " Interesting in all those centuries many challgers were came but no one can make the ruin that interesting. I should send some one to find out what is that special even or person."

He raise his hand. And a black figure cover in smoke came and kneeled in front him.

That Man, looked to black figure and said, " Go to lower world Mystic Ruin and find whats happening there, if any variable is find then search about it and give full detailed report. Now go"

That figure just nod his head. And vanished from the location.

That man once again closed his eyes, as he sleep into deep slumber.

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Thaks everyone for the support you show to my novel.

Also please donate power stons and gifts. So i can be motivated for writing new Chapter for all off you guys.

I know most of not no the power level of this world till now.

So i can explain and elaborate the ranks and beast master contracts in next Chapter. As i am lazy now to do because of Saturday.

Also if you guys want to change in some writing formats for your better reading experience, you can comment it.

As i am a new writer who also a huge fictional novel reader.