The walls of the ice chamber were cold, damp, and unforgiving. Arata's lungs iced with every breath of the freezing air, but he refused to cry. Not because he was unafraid, but because crying would only validate their cruel methods of "discipline."
His family name, Shujaa, carried a weight that could crush even the strongest. The Shujaa clan was legendary—a lineage born from the harshest deserts, masters of survival, cunning, and war. Their ancestors had lived in shadows and heat, perfecting the art of outlasting and outmaneuvering any opponent. For Arata, failing to uphold this name was the worst dishonor imaginable.
Finally, the ice chamber's door creaked open, and Arata stumbled out, coughing, his body trembling from the cold. Standing there, arms crossed, was his older brother, Anesh. Tall and disciplined, Anesh's piercing eyes flicked over him with disapproval.
"Get up, Arata," Anesh said coldly, his voice a sharp command. "You have seven months until the Trials. If you fail, don't come back."
Arata glared at him, wiping his frostbitten lips. "I didn't ask for your help."
"You didn't have to. Father's given you one last chance. You're lucky. Others wouldn't have survived the chamber."
The Divided World of Strider As Arata trudged back to the barracks, his thoughts drifted to Strider, their fractured world. While every clan talked about unity, the truth was simple: alliances were paper-thin, and the races trusted no one but their own. The Jades: Arata's closest rivals. Known for their rigid discipline, Jades lived by the blade, excelling in precision and order. Their warriors were respected, but their cold demeanor made them difficult to ally with. Las Grandes, passionate and bold, the warriors of Las Grandes were as fiery as their spirits. Their strength and unshakable loyalty gave them an edge in open combat, but their emotions often clouded their judgment. The Striders Towering giants from the northern tundra, the Striders were unrivaled in raw physical power. Their enormous size and near-invincible durability made them fearsome, though their slow-thinking nature often left them outwitted. The Uni The most adaptable of all, the Uni drew from every culture, mastering what others specialized in. What they lacked in deep tradition, they made up for in creativity and ingenuity. The Shujaa: Stealth, survival, and adaptability defined Arata's people. They were masters of resilience, able to endure the harshest conditions and turn disadvantage into opportunity. To be Shujaa was to be relentless. The Trials, an annual event, were designed to test and unify these groups. Every young candidate was required to take part. It wasn't just about survival—it was a statement of identity and strength. Winning brought glory to one's clan. Losing? That wasn't an option. The Structure of the TrialsThe Trials weren't just a competition; they were a crucible. Each section tested a different skill crucial to survival in Strider. Written Test Though it seemed tame, the written exam separated the thinkers from the fools. It focused on strategy, tactics, and critical thinking. For the Shujaa, this section was about proving they could adapt to any situation, whether through knowledge of geography, resource management, or combat theory. Field Challenge: Capture the Captain A team-based battle that forced candidates to work across clan lines. Each team had a "captain" to protect while trying to outmaneuver and capture the enemy captain. It tested loyalty, adaptability, and leadership. The Shujaa often shined here, their cunning and resourcefulness unmatched. Endurance Gauntlet**: This section pitted candidates against the harshest elements Strider offered. From deserts to frozen wastelands, candidates were thrown into the wild with nothing but the bare essentials, forced to survive for three days while completing objectives. This was where the Shujaa excelled. 1v1 Combat The final and most brutal stage. Candidates fought one-on-one, no tricks or weapons, until submission or victory. For the Striders, this was their chance to dominate, while the Shujaa relied on their speed and technique to outwit larger opponents. Back in his quarters, Arata sat cross-legged on the floor, staring at a map of the Strider regions. His hands shook, not from the cold, but from exhaustion and the weight of expectation. "You're hopeless," a voice snapped behind him. He turned to see Teresa, her arms filled with scrolls and her face stern. At just ten, she carried the same intensity as their ancestors. The fire Arata often lacked. "If you fail, I'll never forgive you," she said, her voice sharp. She dropped the scrolls at his feet. "You think this is about you? It's about all of us. You embarrass the Shujaa, and we all pay for it." "I didn't ask to be born a Shujaa," Arata muttered under his breath. Teresa's hand cracked across his face, leaving a stinging welt. "Then prove you deserve to live as one," she hissed. Her words stung more than her slap, but Arata couldn't argue. He grabbed the nearest scroll and began to read. The next three months became a blur of sweat and pain. Anesh supervised his combat drills, Dai forced him through strategic exercises for the field challenge, and Teresa drilled him on every detail of Strider's geography, history, and weaponry. Even Maani, the quietest of his siblings, helped by silently observing his sparring sessions, pointing out weaknesses he hadn't noticed. Slowly, Arata changed. The ice chamber hadn't broken him—it had reminded him of what he was capable of. By the time the Trials loomed on the horizon, Arata stood taller. His resolve hardened. But as he looked out over the frozen fields where the event would begin, he couldn't shake the feeling that something darker awaited. This wasn't just about proving his worth—it was about survival.