Kael stood at the entrance of the arena, his breath shallow and quick. The massive gate loomed before him, its heavy iron bars glistening in the early morning light. Beyond it, the sounds of growling, scratching, and shifting echoed through the thick walls of the complex. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the faint outline of the Beast Simulation.
The arena was designed to simulate real-life encounters with the mutated creatures that had overrun the world. The simulation would test not only combat ability but the quick decision-making needed to survive when surrounded by threats that were more than just physical—they were unpredictable and often deadly. Kael had heard stories of past candidates who had entered these trials with high hopes, only to be overwhelmed by the horrors inside.
"Kael Strade." The voice of Ravelle, the Chief Examiner, rang out from behind him, sharp and commanding. Kael turned to see her standing at the edge of the arena, her piercing gaze focused on him. "Prepare yourself. The creatures inside are real enough to tear you apart if you let them. You will be tested on your ability to fight, think, and survive. Do not hesitate."
Kael nodded, though his heart hammered in his chest. He glanced to his left and right, spotting the other candidates. Each one wore the same expression—determined, but aware of the grave nature of what they were about to face. Some had trained for years to face this moment, others with less preparation, but all were equally at risk.
The gate groaned as it slowly creaked open, the sound sharp in the quiet air. With one last look at his fellow candidates, Kael stepped forward and into the arena.
The world seemed to shift as he entered. The dim lighting and harsh stone underfoot gave way to a dense forest environment, where the sounds of birds and rustling leaves filled the air. The temperature dropped as he moved deeper into the simulation zone. His senses were on high alert. Kael knew the first rule: Trust no one but yourself.
A crack echoed behind him, and his body tensed. He spun around to see a massive shadow darting between the trees. His breath caught in his throat. The creature—something with four legs, a long tail, and too many teeth—was enormous, its eyes glowing faintly in the darkened space. It was no illusion. This was real.
Without thinking, Kael reached for his weapon—a reinforced spear with a gleaming, jagged blade. He'd been trained to wield it, but the beast's sheer size made it seem inadequate. Still, there was no time for hesitation. The creature lunged, and Kael barely managed to sidestep, narrowly avoiding its sharp claws.
His heart pounded in his chest as he instinctively tightened his grip on the spear, taking a defensive stance. The beast circled him, its growls vibrating in the air. Kael's mind raced, weighing his options. He could attack, but the creature was fast and powerful. He could try to outmaneuver it, but he couldn't afford to slip up.
"Focus," Kael muttered to himself, pushing the fear aside. He needed a plan—quickly.
The beast lunged again, this time aiming for his side. Kael sidestepped, thrusting the spear forward, aiming for the creature's exposed underbelly. The blade sank deep into the flesh, but the creature howled in pain, and with a vicious swipe of its tail, Kael was sent crashing to the ground.
Pain shot through his body, but he gritted his teeth, using the force of the fall to roll away, springing back to his feet. The beast circled, its eyes narrowing. This time, it hesitated, seemingly to study its prey. Kael, using this moment of reprieve, wiped the sweat from his brow. He couldn't keep running from this thing. He had to finish it.
He feigned a move to his left, then dashed to his right, slamming his spear into the creature's side with all his strength. The beast let out a deafening screech, and Kael took the opportunity to drive the blade deeper into its vulnerable side. The creature collapsed, its massive form twitching in the final throes of death.
For a moment, everything was still. Kael stood over the creature, chest heaving, his body sore but alive. The simulation was brutal, but he had survived—barely.
A voice crackled over the loudspeakers, signaling the end of the trial. "Kael Strade, successful. Proceed to the Mental Endurance Test."
Kael didn't celebrate. The fight was only one part of the examination. The real challenge was still ahead.
As he walked toward the exit, Kael couldn't shake the image of the beast's glowing eyes, still lingering in his mind. He knew he was one step closer to his goal, but what awaited him next was far more uncertain.