Stumbling in the dark

All I saw was white and for a few moments I just waited in silence until the white faded and I saw an open door. I couldn't see anything through the door, just pitch blackness.

"Based off the situation this must be the door to the tower. Seeing how the door is already open and I didn't open it myself it seems I'm a regular huh. Things would of been much easier if I had been an irregular." I said to myself.

I would be able to harm king Jahad and his 10 family leader buddies. You see king Jahad and his friends can't be harmed by regulars. It's one of the reasons they have been able to stay in control for so long. Of course they are really strong too.

'What are you waiting for? Go through the door already!' Sothis said to me in my head.

"Alright, Alright, I was just thinking for a second." I replied.

I walked through the door and I was suddenly teleported.

I found myself in a poorly lit room. There were pillars lining the walls with small lamps on some of them providing the only light in the room. Carvings of different people and creatures lied between each pillar. Then I heard footsteps and I turned to see someone walk out of the darkness. With large hands wielding a staff with a ball on both ends appeared Headon. It seems I can finally start my real journey.

Headon is the guardian of the lowest floor and tests all those you seek to climb the tower. He judges whether a person is worthy of climbing the tower and is the first person Baam meets outside of Racheal.

"Hello child, my name is Headon. I'm the guardian of the lowest floor of the tower. What's your name child?"

*Headon POV*

I stared at the child in front of me. He looked just like any other regular but for some reason I felt there was something special about him. My curiosity had now been piqued and I wanted to know who he was.

"My name is Byleth. I have no last name."

"And why is it that you have entered the tower Byleth?"

"Why?" He smiled.

"To grow stronger obviously. If one wants to live in peace the only option is to get so strong that no one will bother you."

"What is you goal? To live in peace or grow stronger?" I asked.

"Both."

"Then you will find whatever you want at the top." I pointed upwards as I talked.

"Money, glory, power, knowledge, you will find anything you want at the top of the tower." I continued.

"The road to the top is a long and dangerous journey. Let's see if you are ready to take the first step with a test." I grinned and I tapped my staff against the wall while letting shinsu flow through it.

An entrance to another room was revealed.

"The goal of this game is simple, defeat yourself opponent. One minute after you enter the room your opponent will appear. Do whatever it takes to defeat them."

Byleth looked over at the door before drawing his sword and stepping inside.

After he entered the room and the door closed behind him I opened a panel. It showed what was happening in the room. The room itself had no source of light so no one could see. Defeating your opponent in the dark is something one should expect to have to do at some point during their climb.

This test is normally too tough for an untrained regular like him but I feel there is something special about him. Well, there is only way way to find out as I stared at the panel.

*Byleth POV*

I walked in the dark. I couldn't see anything. How was I supposed to hit anything like this? You might as well just put a blindfold over me. The only thing I can do is wait how the time and see what my opponent does. If I'm in the dark like this there is a possibility my opponent has night vision. Otherwise there would be next to no point in this test if we were both stumbling in the dark.

1 minute has passed. I heard the sound of a gate opening and I heard some sort of creature for a couple seconds before it stopped and everything became silent again. I continued to wait sword in hand when I felt something slash across my back. I grimaced in pain and swung my sword behind me hoping to hit my opponent. I missed. My plan was to use the strategy kenpachi used against Tosen in Bleach. Let your opponent hit you then hit them back harder when blinded like this.

I felt a claw slash my waist and I swung my sword again hoping to hit it but failed again and hit empty air. I wasn't swinging fast enough before it could run away however I was adjusting to its speed.

"Next time I won't miss." I said not even knowing if my opponent was capable of understanding me.

I waited a couple more seconds before feeling a claw go run through the right side of my chest. I grinned and swung my sword down at them. I heard a shriek but then I felt another arm grab my throat and squeeze. Just before it could crush my windpipe suddenly everything froze and I found myself before Sothis who was sitting on her throne.

"What were you thinking doing something so reckless?! You could of gotten us killed! Taking the strikes of your opponent in order to strike them? That's the very meaning of recklessness." Sothis yelled at me clearly angry.

"Yeah, to be honest maybe I should of gotten you to rewind time after the first attack. Sorry." I apologized.

She sighed. "Whatever, just go ahead and fix what happened."

Then with a flick of her hand I disappeared and I watched as everything went in reverse.