Perform an act that would be considered evil irrespective of perspective.
Nadia knelt in silence as Lilith’s words echoed in her ears.
She’d long since prepared for this from the moment she decided to become a member of the Devil Wheel.
Having studied it the most, learned of its ins and outs, its highs and lows... she was naturally privy to how best to complete each Trial Lilith offered... all but one.
No matter how she looked at it, there was no way around it, no way to preserve her humanity... no way to spare the innocent.
The trial required one to embrace the most depraved evil man was capable of, putting them on a path one could never escape.
When her mother had told her what she had to do to complete the Trial, she had nightmares for days while trying to imagine it.
It was, in truth, one of the reasons she never wished to become a Mystic.
Alas, now a denizen of the Devil Wheel, she knew she would one day be forced to carry out the Trial... unless there was a means to escape it.
Gulping hard, she bowed until her forehead was pressed against the cold floors of the Underworld and then, taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she intoned. "Great Mother, I would like to make a request."
Lilith, curious as she was, replied.
"... I would like to skip the fifth Trial."
"You once told me, Great Mother, that if I asked anything of you, you would do it. At that time, I wanted nothing... and so, I asked for the offer to be kept aside. Now I wish to make use of that offer."
"Great Mother, please!" Nadia raised her head only to bash it against the cold hard floor. "I implore you, grant me this and I promise to make you proud."
What would you have me do, child?... You would prefer I cancel the Trial?... That I grant you the title with nothing to prove you are worthy?... You truly have grown petulant, child. Perhaps I have been too lenient.
"I would rather die, Great Mother." Nadia suddenly said, shocking Lilith in the process.
"... Please, Great Mother, there has to be a way, a way that I may prove myself worthy of the title."
No one has ever dared to do what you are doing.
But perhaps, that is what makes you worthy to be my champion... what makes you an Error. Your capability to break the rules with little to no repercussions.
Nadia remained silent, unsure of what was next.
Death was on the table, same as eternal torment and existence erasure.
Regardless, she knew that if she carried out the fifth Trial, there would be no coming back.
Forget having to use an Ability to numb her emotions, she wouldn’t have any once she was done.
The silence grew oppressive and Lilith’s gaze weighed heavily on her, leaving Nadia struggling to breathe properly.
Finally, the Mother of Devils spoke up.
I shall grant you your request. However, you must prove yourself worthy of the title and so for that, as of this moment, you shall house one of my many Authorities.
Almost immediately, the entire cavern began to tremble violently, causing Nadia to instinctively curl in on herself while expecting to be crushed by a falling rock.
That didn’t happen and after a while, the shaking stopped.
It wasn’t until several seconds later that Nadia dared to inspect herself and her surroundings, quickly discovering that there was no damage.
The only difference between before the quake and after was the fact that there was now an altar made of bones a few meters away from her, and placed on the altar was a large, white bone bowl.
Lilith said with Nadia nodding in response before rising to her feet and approaching the altar.
Once she was close enough, she found that the bowl contained black water.
Indeed, water so black it could be mistaken for ink if not that it flowed like water.
Nadia glanced at Lilith.
Drink of it and you may share in the Evil I represent, child.
Nadia didn’t know what this meant for her but then again, there was no other choice.
It was either this or the Trial.
Faced with those two options, she did not hesitate to shove her face into the water and drink, ensuring that she had finished everything before pulling away.
As she gasped for breath, black veins appeared on her skin.
She gagged while scratching rabidly at her throat, her eyes wide as she struggled to come to terms with what was happening to her.
It was not just her Pneuma, even her Soma and Avatar were affected as well.
Tripping on herself, she fell to the ground and continued to gag before finally passing out.
Then, almost like clockwork, she gasped for air as she regained consciousness.
Congratulations, child, you have drunk of me and thus proven yourself worthy to be granted the fifth Title.
After saying that, Nadia’s Gate appeared, revealing four open Locks in her sephiroth.
A fifth Lock gave way, revealing the floating title, Evil Incarnate.
Upon seeing that title, a disbelieving smile graced Nadia’s lips.
She immediately dropped her knees and in a reverent tone, loudly said. "Thank you, Great Mother!"
You are welcome, child. Now then, you may leave, rest for a while. The water you have drunk needs time to settle in.
"Understood, Great Mother."
With that, Nadia was spirited away from the Underworld while Lilith remained, her expression obscured by the veil placed over her visage.
After several seconds of silence, she pondered aloud.
Perhaps, this is a sign.
Meanwhile, Nadia opened her eyes expecting to be back in the real world only to find herself in a strange space filled with an innumerable number of mouths, opening and closing in a certain rhythm.
Just as she began to wonder where she was, she heard a voice.