Elias was off to the side, arms crossed and leaning against the wall in a shadowy corner of the waiting room. In the centre of the vast space, a massive holographic screen showcased the team battles. His gaze was fixed on the screen, intently analysing every match. He looked pretty isolated, not chatting with anyone, dressed in a black hoodie and jeans, giving him a creepy look.
The announcer's voice echoed through the high-tech speakers, energising the audience with his enthusiastic tone.
"Up next, we have Team Apex going head-to-head with one of the simulation's deadliest beasts: Luminara! Will they rise to the challenge or crumble under its radiant might? Stay tuned!"
This second trial was streamed all over the globe, and honestly, it felt more like a reality show than a real trial.
"Seriously? An announcer for a beast tamer trial? Am I on some kind of reality TV?" That's what was running through Elias's mind.
He glanced to the side and spotted Bartholomew Stark lounging against the wall, that trademark smirk plastered on his face. It was clear he found the whole situation hilarious, like he was watching the best comedy ever. Then, out of nowhere, Stark's eyes flicked over to him, almost like he could feel Elias staring.
That look was weird… was it curiosity? Elias always got a strange vibe from this guy. It felt like he was hiding something, and the face he showed to the world wasn't the real him.
---
The simulation room projected a vast desert landscape: heat shimmering on the horizon, endless expanses of golden sand. Team Apex stood in formation-three figures clad in sleek black combat suits-their weapons glinting under the artificial sun.
Their opponent materialised moments later. Luminara, a six-legged monstrosity of polished metal and gleaming armour stepped forward. Its crocodilian head swung left and right, scanning the battlefield. Red eyes locked onto its prey as its photon cannons began to charge.
The announcer's voice rang out. "And here we go! Luminara wastes no time, powering up its devastating photon cannons. Can Team Apex survive this?"
Vera, the team leader, barked orders. "Split up! Don't let it target all three of us at once!"
The team scattered just as twin beams of searing light erupted from Luminara's cannons. The beams carved through the sand, leaving molten glass in their wake.
As twin beams of searing light erupted from Luminara's cannons, the team scattered. The beams carved through the sand, leaving molten glass in their wake.
"That was close!" shouted Rex, diving behind a cluster of rocks, panting.
"Stop yelling and focus!" Vera snapped, her voice sharp.
---
Elias was glued to the scene, his brain dissecting every single move. "They're way too reactive," he whispered to himself.
"Really?"
Out of nowhere, a familiar voice chimed in his mind, and the sigil in his hand started to heat up.
Elias jumped, startled.
"Damn! You scared the hell out of me!"
He glanced to the side and spotted the familiar figure of Celestia, looking as elegant and graceful as ever. Just moments ago, he was convinced he was alone.
"How did you –?" Elias struggled to find the right words, but they just wouldn't come.
"Oh? This? Didn't I mention before that I can project a hologram of myself wherever you are as long as you have that sigil?" She said, blinking in confusion for a moment.
"Seriously? No way!" Elias shot back.
"Oh? Is that so? Well, now you know, right?"
"You –"
Elias couldn't believe what just happened; he shook his head in disbelief. In his mind, he could hear the catchy theme song from that popular TV show featuring two FBI agents tackling strange occurrences. It was all about some kind of files, right?
Celestia chuckled lightly, her voice soothing like a soft breeze. "Looks like you've been a bit too caught up in your fights. Can't really blame you for that."
Elias grinned, starting to feel a bit more at ease. "So, what's the deal, Celestia? Just here to chat, or do you have some advice to share?"
Her holographic eyes sparkled with mischief. "A bit of both, actually. I noticed you seemed a little on edge. Just wanted to remind you that you've got this handled."
Elias crossed his arms, his competitive side kicking in. "You really think so? Because right now, it feels like I'm just hanging on by a thread."
Celestia's expression softened, a touch of worry in her eyes. "Elias, think about how far you've come. All the obstacles you've tackled. This is just another part of your journey."
"Oh, and by the way, I think they're going to win." She pointed at the ongoing battle displayed on the screen.
Elias once again turned his attention towards the screen.
Dina, the team's sharpshooter, opened fire with a burst of energy rounds from a distance, aiming for Luminara's legs. The bullets pinged harmlessly off its solar shields, the protective barrier shimmering like liquid sunlight.
"My shots aren't penetrating!" Dina yelled.
"Then aim for weak points!" Vera shouted back, moving to flank the beast.
Rex, the team's brawler, growled in frustration. "I've got this." He hefted his massive hammer and charged straight at Luminara.
The crowd outside erupted as Rex closed the distance, swinging his weapon in a powerful arc. The hammer connected with one of Luminara's legs, sending a metallic echo across the battlefield.
The beast staggered slightly, but its response was immediate. A burst of radiant energy exploded from its core, sending Rex flying backward. He hit the ground hard, coughing up sand.
"Rex, get up!" Vera yelled, pulling him to his feet.
"I'm fine," Rex grunted, wiping blood from his lip.
Elias looked worried. "They're taking way too long. Do you really think they can pull off a win?"
"Absolutely! Sure, they've got some issues with their individual skills, but I believe they can take down that crocodile!" Celestia said, keeping her cool and flashing a slight grin.
"Croc – Crocodile, huh? "
"Yep, that's what we call them in my Astral Realm."
Luminara was a creature of light, so it was definitely from the Astral Realm, the domain ruled by Celestia. One could tell by the advanced cannons and tough armour it had.
Elias squinted, clearly puzzled. "How do you expect them to win if they're burning out like this? There's no way they can handle a long fight!"
"Yeah, that's what I was getting at with their little issues. But I still think they've got this!"
The battlefield was chaotic, but Vera rallied her team. "We need a new plan. Dina, can you find higher ground? We need a clean shot at its core."
Dina nodded. "I'll try."
"Rex, keep it distracted," Vera said.
Rex grumbled, "With what?, my stunning looks?" as he styled his hair to appear more dashing, but then picked up his hammer and charged forward once more.
Dina ran for a nearby rock formation and quickly climbed atop it. Meanwhile, Rex and Vera attempted to distract Luminara from her.
"Hey, you dumb looking smelly tin can!" Rex yelled, slamming his hammer to the ground making a dent on the floor. The screen vibrated in response, depicting the impact that clash carried. Luminara's cannons turned to him, firing another searing beam of light.
Rex dodged, the beam grazing his shoulder. "That's all you got?"
Vera flanked the beast and hurled a plasma grenade at its rear leg. The ear- deafening explosion made it stumble again, its movements slow.
From her height, Dina targeted the beast. Her rifle's scope fixed onto a small break in Luminara's armour, right under its head.
"Gotcha," she whispered, squeezing the trigger.
The bullet shot at a blinding speed, darting through the gap and destroying its inner vital organs. With a metallic roar, Luminara's solar shields dimly flickered.
"Time for our chance!" Vera yelled.
The team launched everything they had: plasma grenades, hammering shots, precision shots crashed down on the beast. Slowly, with the continuous bombardment, Luminara faltered, its movements lax.
Yet again, however, it wasn't quite over. The creature seemed to bend light around it, and then it was gone.
"What the-? Where'd it go?" Rex spun in circles, his hammer waving up.
"Stay sharp!" Vera shouted. "It's still here!"
The battlefield took on a very uneasy silence. Moving in close together, the team looked nervously around their horizon. Then, in an instant, Luminara reappeared behind them, jaws snapping.
"Move!" Vera shouted, shoving Rex out of the way.
Dina fired again, hitting one of its legs and forcing it back.
"Focus fire on its head!" Vera commanded. "That's its weak point!"
Rex roared, charging forward one last time. He slammed his hammer into the ground, creating a shockwave that made the beast flown away.
Vera hurled a high-powered grenade at its face. The blast ripped through its armour, and Luminara slumped into a heap of ash, smoke rising from it.
The simulation faded, returning the battlefield to a blank room. Team Apex stood victorious, though battered and bruised. The announcer's voice erupted over the speakers.
"And there you have it, folks! Team Apex conquers Luminara in an astonishing display of teamwork and grit!"
The crowd outside cheered in approval.
Elias turned away from the screen, his face giving nothing away.
"What the fuck!" Elias shouted, clearly taken aback.
"I told you!" Celestia shot him a teasing grin.
"But how did that happen?"
"It's their squad. They had a killer combo. Just look at how they took him down! In their group, the guy with the hammer had the highest damage and durability points. The only issue was he couldn't get close enough. But their shooter totally covered for him. With pinpoint accuracy, she landed the first hit and threw him off. After that, they just went for it! Great teamwork, if you ask me! I mean, the goal of this stage was all about teamwork, right?"
Elias thought over her explanation for a moment before saying, "Oh, right! Teamwork isn't exactly a walk in the park, is it?"
"Coming up next: the shadowy terror of Umbraclaw! Who will step into the darkness and emerge victorious? Stay tuned!"