The atmosphere in the vast examination hall was thick with anticipation. Kaiden stood among the other participants, each of them a young, eager individual from various corners of the land. Most of them were looking around nervously, trying to figure out what to expect next. The buzz of whispers filled the room, and Kaiden found himself fighting the urge to zone out. He had seen this all before, but this time felt different. His body had gone through the motions—training, testing his limits, but now this was the real deal.
The examiners, clad in dark uniforms with badges of the Empire clearly marked, stood in front of the group, their eyes scanning the participants as though they were cattle being herded for the slaughter. One of the examiners, a tall, gaunt man with an intimidating presence, spoke to the crowd with a voice that cut through the tension.
"Listen up! You will each be given a wristband. This wristband will track your progress throughout the exam and provide the data we need to evaluate your capabilities. Once you have it on, you are to prepare for the first part of the trial."
He paused for dramatic effect, and Kaiden could see the other participants bristle, already feeling the weight of what was coming.
"Remember," the examiner continued, "this is not about how you start, but how you finish. Those who cannot keep up will be eliminated. That means if you fall behind, you won't get another chance."
The group stiffened at the words. Kaiden, though, stood unfazed, his mind already shifting into the mindset of survival. The rest of them could panic. He just needed to stay focused.
The Unexpected Speed
The examiner handed out the wristbands, and Kaiden strapped his to his wrist without hesitation. The moment the wristband clicked into place, a strange, almost magnetic force rippled through the air. Everyone in the group stiffened as the examiner gave the signal, and suddenly, the world around Kaiden felt as though it was being sucked away from him.
Before he could comprehend what was happening, a blast of speed shot through the entire facility. His body jerked forward, the sensation overwhelming his senses. His feet barely touched the ground, and it was as if an invisible force had thrown him into the air.
What the hell? Kaiden thought as the world blurred around him.
It felt like gravity had completely altered its course. His body was soaring forward, as if it had been propelled by an immense gust of wind. He couldn't stop himself, couldn't control the speed that overtook him. His body felt weightless, like he was flying through the air with nothing holding him down.
Kaiden's mind raced as his surroundings rushed past him. This is insane.
It wasn't just a burst of speed—it was pure, unrelenting momentum. His body felt like it was being thrown down a never-ending hill, the wind screaming in his ears. The sensation was exhilarating but terrifying, like being swept away by a storm that had no end.
As soon as it began, the motion stopped. Kaiden found himself stumbling, his feet unsteady beneath him as the world slowly returned to normal. The strange speed had suddenly vanished, leaving Kaiden standing in the middle of the examination grounds with several other participants.
It wasn't just the speed that shocked him—it was the aftermath. Half of the participants were on the ground, either unconscious or struggling to get back up. Some were even so disoriented that they had lost control of their bodies and had pissed themselves. The sight made Kaiden feel a strange mix of empathy and annoyance.
A test of endurance? Kaiden thought, glancing around at the mess of bodies and the disappointed looks from the examiners. Weak. So weak.
The Observation
As the participants were rounded up and carried away, Kaiden noticed something strange. While most of the group was either passed out or recovering, there was a small group still standing off to the side. They seemed to be laughing, jeering at another participant who had barely made it through the ordeal. The kid, an older boy, was slumped against the wall, his hands shaking as he tried to catch his breath.
"Hey, nice job back there," one of the kids in the group sneered. "You really thought you could keep up with us?"
The group laughed cruelly, their voices harsh in the otherwise quiet room. Kaiden watched as the boy tried to stand up but stumbled. The other participants snickered at his pain, enjoying the moment at his expense.
Kaiden felt a flicker of irritation, but his face remained unreadable. Weak. If you're going to get beaten down this easily, you don't belong here.
It wasn't like he had any sympathy for the guy. But watching someone get bullied during such an intense time of stress just seemed… pointless.
As Kaiden turned to leave, something unexpected happened. The boy who had been taunted suddenly rose to his feet, his fists clenched. Without warning, he charged at the group of bullies, his movements wild and desperate. He swung at one of the boys in the front, landing a punch to his stomach.
The other kids were momentarily shocked, but they quickly retaliated. One grabbed the boy by the neck, slamming him into the wall. The others joined in, their laughter echoing through the room as they pummeled him.
Kaiden didn't move. He didn't even feel the need to intervene. He just kept walking, his steps slow and deliberate as he passed the scene.
If you're weak enough to get picked on during something like this, you don't belong here. You're just wasting your time, Kaiden thought, his gaze cool as he continued exploring the facility.
Exploring the Facility
After walking a few more paces, Kaiden continued to explore the examination facility. He couldn't help himself. His curiosity pushed him forward, and with most of the participants either knocked out or recovering, he had a bit of time to kill.
The facility was massive, like a small city all on its own. There were enormous training areas, obstacle courses that seemed almost impossible, and rooms filled with strange equipment Kaiden had never seen before. There was a buzz of energy, the air thick with anticipation. Kaiden wasn't sure what to make of the place yet. It was impressive, sure, but there was something unsettling about the cold, sterile atmosphere.
He passed by several more rooms, each one more bizarre than the last. Some had equipment that Kaiden couldn't even begin to understand. A few rooms seemed to be filled with strange machinery and wires, while others were dedicated to physical tests, with various apparatuses set up for participants to use.
It was only when Kaiden started to feel the temperature rising that he began to get uneasy.
The Intense Heat
The air inside the facility had grown stifling, the temperature rising rapidly. Kaiden wiped his forehead, sweat beginning to bead as he glanced around. People were starting to complain.
"Hey, what's going on? It's getting way too hot in here!" someone called from across the room.
Another participant, clearly frustrated, started shouting. "Why the hell is it so damn hot? What's happening?!"
The examiners remained silent, watching the chaos unfold.
Kaiden stood still, the heat pressing down on him as his discomfort grew. This isn't normal...
It wasn't until a loud voice came from one of the windows that Kaiden realized just how bad it was. A man with a thick beard and a look of disbelief shouted over the growing noise in the room.
"We're over a fucking volcano," he yelled, his voice filled with panic. "The heat—it's coming from below us! We're standing on top of an active volcano!"
The revelation hit like a shockwave. The temperature that had felt like an inconvenience was now the least of their worries.
End of Chapter 44
The tension in the facility grows as Kaiden faces unexpected challenges, with the heat rising and dangers lurking beneath the surface. As the trial intensifies, Kaiden's curiosity leads him into even more unpredictable situations, and his resolve to survive is tested in ways he never imagined.
To be continued...