Jun stood at the edge of the EDF Academy's training facility, his heart pounding as he watched a massive steel door slide open, revealing a shadowed, labyrinthine space within. Today marked the start of The Crucible, the final trial for candidates who dared to join the Earth Defense Force.
Commander Rhea Volkov, the unyielding, legendary head of the Academy, surveyed the line of recruits with cold, calculating eyes. Her gaze fell on Jun, the only recruit without powers, and for a brief moment, he could swear he saw her eyebrow twitch.
"Jun," she called out, her voice steely and precise. "You showed resilience in the combat simulations yesterday. But The Crucible will test far more than physical endurance."
The other candidates shuffled, casting Jun skeptical, almost mocking glances. He wasn't like them—no powers, no flashy abilities, nothing but sheer determination and skill. It made him stand out, and not in a way most candidates respected.
"The Crucible is a live trial," Commander Volkov continued. "It will push you to the edge. Only those who make it through will become EDF soldiers."
She motioned toward a group of five standing a short distance away. Jun's new team. Among them were:
Derek: tall and muscular, with sparks of electricity dancing between his fingertips and a smirk that practically dared anyone to challenge him.Lyra: silent and intense, with a stoic expression and the ability to manipulate gravity.Kai: lean and agile, with heightened reflexes and a sharp gaze, ready for anything.
"Each of you has skills that could benefit your team," Volkov continued. "But you'll only succeed if you work together. The Crucible will test that unity—among other things."
Jun approached his new teammates, feeling their gazes weigh on him. Derek looked him up and down, unimpressed.
"Looks like we've got a regular with us," Derek sneered, crossing his arms. "Hope you can keep up."
Jun ignored the jab. He wasn't here for their approval; he was here to survive, just like everyone else.
Commander Volkov's voice cut through the tension. "Your first challenge: The Maze of the Lost."
The massive doors slid shut, leaving the team enclosed in darkness. After a few seconds, a series of lights flickered on, illuminating the maze's twisting corridors. The walls shifted constantly, creating dead ends, narrow passages, and hidden traps. The overhead speakers crackled to life, Volkov's voice echoing through the maze.
"This maze is filled with robotic enemies and unpredictable hazards," she said. "Your goal is simple: survive and reach the center. Teamwork is your only chance."
Jun squared his shoulders, feeling the weight of what lay ahead. He didn't have powers like the others, but he wasn't helpless, either.
"Let's get this over with," Derek muttered, a spark of electricity crackling through his fingers as he glanced down one of the corridors.
Without waiting for a response, Derek and the others started forward, their powered abilities lighting up in the dark. Jun followed, sticking to the shadows and keeping his mind sharp. He wasn't here to match their power—he was here to outthink the maze.
The first ambush came fast. Around a blind corner, three enemy drones appeared, their red, glowing eyes zeroing in on the group. Before Jun could react, Derek stepped forward, a smirk on his face as he unleashed a bolt of electricity, frying the drones with a flash of blue light.
"Easy," he said, turning back with a smug grin. "Just stay behind me, 'regular.' I'll take care of the big stuff."
Jun rolled his eyes but said nothing. The rest of the team pushed forward, taking out enemies with quick blasts of their powers. But soon, as they ventured deeper, the maze began to shift. Walls slid into place, blocking their path and separating team members.
"Split up and find alternate routes!" Kai shouted, using his speed to dart down a side path.
Jun ran along a narrow passage, his footsteps echoing off the walls. As he rounded a corner, a heavy thud resonated behind him—another drone, bigger than the last, with multiple arms and glowing blades for hands.
The drone advanced, blades whirling as it closed in. Jun knew he didn't have powers to rely on, but he had his instincts. He sidestepped the first strike, ducked the second, and sprang forward, landing a powerful kick on the drone's sensor core. It staggered, but quickly recalibrated, advancing again with ruthless precision.
But Jun was faster. He leaped back, grabbing a fallen metal pipe from the ground, and jammed it into the drone's sensor core with a twist. Sparks flew as the drone collapsed in a heap, deactivated.
Jun breathed heavily, adrenaline flooding his veins. He wasn't flashy, but he was effective.