After the intense battle in Phase 2, Nibiru and Aiwa were among the remaining 30 children who survived. They were both relieved to have made it to the next stage, but they knew that their journey was far from over.
The Demonic Masters gathered the remaining children & explained to them that for Phase 3, they'd be transferred to Mount Xiang to survive in the wilderness for a month.
Those who prove their worth by surviving, will begin being taught martial arts in the fourth phase. The words filled the children with the passion and hope that the possibility of them defending themselves & escaping wasn't all but a fantasy.
As they were led to the Mountains of Xiang Tian, the Demonic Masters reminded them of the consequences of attempting to escape. Nibiru shuddered at the thought of being hunted down like an animal, and he knew that Aiwa shared his fear.
The two of them stuck close together as they traversed the rocky terrain. They talked about their strategy for survival, and Nibiru was impressed by how practical and resourceful Aiwa was. He knew that he could rely on her if they ever found themselves in a dangerous situation.
As they set up camp for the night, Nibiru couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He knew that they were completely exposed out in the wilderness, and the thought of being vulnerable to the elements and any potential attackers made his heart race.
Aiwa noticed his apprehension and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll make it through this," she said firmly. "We have to."
Nibiru nodded, grateful for her reassurance. They spent the night huddled together for warmth, taking turns keeping watch for any signs of danger.
The next few days were a blur of harsh weather conditions and scarce resources. They were forced to rely on their survival skills, scrounging for food and shelter in the unforgiving terrain.
Despite the difficulties, Nibiru found himself growing closer to Aiwa. They shared their hopes and dreams for the future, discussing what they would do if they ever managed to escape from the cult's grasp.
But as the days wore on, their situation became increasingly dire. They were both weakened from the lack of food and water, and Nibiru felt himself growing delirious from exhaustion.
One day, as they were searching for water, they stumbled upon a group of children who had attempted to escape from the mountain. They were all dead, their bodies strewn across the rocky terrain.
Nibiru felt sick to his stomach at the sight, but Aiwa's expression hardened. "We have to keep going," she said firmly. "We can't end up like them."
With renewed determination, they pressed on, navigating the treacherous mountain trails with a new sense of purpose. Nibiru felt a sense of pride in how far they had come, but he also knew that they still had a long way to go.
As they settled down for another night, Nibiru felt a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't quite place it, but he felt as though they were being watched.
He whispered his concerns to Aiwa, and she nodded, unsheathing her knife. They huddled together, tense and alert, waiting for any sign of danger.
Suddenly, they heard a rustling in the bushes nearby. Nibiru's heart raced as he prepared to fight, but to his surprise, a small group of children emerged from the foliage.
They were all gaunt and battered, but their eyes held a fierce determination. "We've been watching you," one of them said. "We know you're trying to escape. We want to help."
Nibiru felt a sense of relief flood through him. For the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope.
As they huddled together, strategizing their next move, Nibiru couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with his fellow captives. They were all in this together, and they would do whatever it takes to survive.