Swamp of Blood

The Swamp of Blood (血の沼) is the preliminary Ring of Rebirth (known unofficially as Ring Zero) featured in Ellipsis.

Description
The Swamp of Blood is a massive circular quarry spanning at least one kilometer in length. Within the quarry is a bog of coagulated blood and viscera with remnants of nature littered about, such as dead trees and fallen logs. Above the quarry is the castle Thaumiel, suspended above by gargantuan chains. One-hundred grooves are cut around the circumference of the quarry walls, within each is a single chain. At the end of one of the quarry walls is a large door sealed shut, which is impossible to access. The gate is guarded by two Fiends, the blind Gozu and the stationary mute Mezu who disguise themselves as statues until the Rings of Rebirth begin.

Rules
The rules for the Swamp of Blood are simple yet slightly vague, proving more as a test of patience and problem-solving for the Reprobates than anything else. The objective is simply to escape the Swamp, which can be challenging to figure out. A hint is given, telling all that "salvation can be found on the cusp of despair".

While most would immediately try for the sealed door, it proves to be a red herring. Instead, the Reprobates can only escape by finding one of the chains located in the grooves around the quarry's walls (i.e. backed into a corner, equaling the despair hinted at). However, for every Reprobate that is killed in the Swamp, one chain disappears. This makes it increasingly harder to locate a remaining chain as more Reprobates escape, and equally harder trying to navigate through the Swamp with the Fiend Mezu running about.

Outcome
After the Swamp of Blood is completed, eighty-five Reprobates remain. They are immediately teleported to Thaumiel for their initiation and assignment to the ten Divisions.

Trivia

 * The Swamp of Blood is based on the, the "Blood Pond Hell".
 * Sixteen casualties occur within the Swamp of Blood.