The silence of the night was shattered as the announcement blared across the world. Leon stood still, staring at the glowing sky, as the strange voice echoed in the air:
"The Origin Games begin now. All participants, please prepare for the first trial. The fate of your civilization and your future lies in your hands."
The Origin Games had arrived—an event that occurred once every hundred thousand years, where millions of participants from countless civilizations would fight for supremacy. The trials were more than a mere competition; they were a test of survival, wit, and willpower.
Leon had always been aware of the existence of the Origin Games, but he never thought he would be a part of it. His family was ordinary—no wealth, no great history. But fate, or perhaps the Will of the Universe, had chosen him. And now, with a wave of energy that felt as though the entire world had shifted around him, he had been drawn into the vast and mysterious competition.
The scene around him was unlike anything he had ever seen. He stood on a platform suspended in the void of space, surrounded by countless others. The participants numbered in the thousands, each with their own distinct features, some dressed in armor, others in tattered clothing, and many with expressions of fear, excitement, or determination. Leon was no different. His heart raced with the weight of the unknown.
Above him, a massive projection screen flickered to life, displaying the rules of the first trial.
Trial 1: The World Trial - Survival Challenge
Objective: Survive the dangers of the trial environment, gain points, and form alliances to progress to the next level.
Points System: Points will be awarded based on actions taken during the trial. Successful completion of objectives, defeating opponents, and strategic thinking will yield points.
Talent Unlock: Each participant will unlock their Talent at the beginning of the trial. Use it wisely.
Warning: Betrayal, alliances, and choices made here will shape your fate.
Leon's eyes scanned the screen, his pulse quickening. He had heard of Talents before—special abilities granted to each participant based on the will of the Universe. These abilities ranged from simple enhancements to devastating powers capable of altering the course of the game. Leon had no idea what his talent would be, but he knew it would make or break his chances of survival.
Suddenly, a light engulfed him, and he felt a rush of energy flood his senses. The world around him warped, and before he could comprehend what was happening, the landscape shifted entirely.
Leon found himself standing in a dense forest, towering trees casting long shadows over the rocky terrain. The air was thick with humidity, and the distant sounds of unknown creatures echoed from the depths of the woods. He was no longer on a platform in space—he was inside the trial.
His body felt different. Stronger, faster, more attuned to his surroundings. He instinctively flexed his muscles, feeling the surge of power coursing through him. Then, a voice echoed in his mind:
"Talent Activated: Cosmic Resonance."
Leon stood frozen for a moment, trying to understand what had just happened. He had never heard of Cosmic Resonance before. But as he focused, he felt the resonance—it was a connection to the universe itself. It was as though the very fabric of space and time was within his grasp, ready to be manipulated. He could feel its raw power, its potential. But how would he use it?
At that moment, a distant roar broke his concentration. Leon snapped his head toward the sound. Something large was moving through the forest, and it was heading in his direction.
The First Test: Survival
Without hesitation, Leon sprinted through the forest, his enhanced speed making him a blur in the underbrush. His heart pounded as the massive creature's roar grew louder. Whatever it was, it was big, and it wasn't friendly.
As he ran, he saw other participants, some already engaged in combat, others forming alliances. But Leon's focus was on surviving. He couldn't afford to trust anyone just yet. His only ally at the moment was his Talent.
Leon stumbled upon a clearing, and there it was: a creature from the depths of nightmares. Towering over him, with skin like jagged stone and eyes glowing a menacing red, it was a Galactic Beast, one of the most feared creatures in the Origin Games. It was massive, easily thirty feet tall, and its growl reverberated in the air like an earthquake.
Leon's instincts kicked in. He raised his hand, focusing on the Cosmic Resonance within him. With a deep breath, he released a pulse of energy that rippled through the air, disrupting the creature's senses. The beast staggered, momentarily disoriented.
This was his chance.
Using the energy flowing through him, Leon manipulated the terrain around him, sending rocks and debris flying into the creature's path. The Galactic Beast howled in frustration as it attempted to regain its balance. Leon knew it wouldn't stay down for long, but this moment of vulnerability was his opportunity to strike.
Just as he was about to make his move, a figure appeared from the shadows—a participant, a woman, dressed in sleek armor. She moved swiftly and silently, and before Leon could react, she threw a glowing spear directly at the beast, hitting it squarely in the chest. The creature screeched, then collapsed, its life extinguished in an instant.
The woman turned to Leon, her eyes sharp and calculating. "You're lucky I was here," she said. "But don't think for a second that we're allies. In the Origin Games, you need to learn one thing fast: trust no one."
With that, she turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving Leon standing alone, contemplating her words.
Leon stood there, breathing heavily, the realization sinking in. The Origin Games were no simple contest of strength. They were a battle of survival, where every choice—every alliance, every betrayal—mattered. He had to grow stronger, smarter, and faster if he was going to make it through the trials ahead.
The voice of the Will of the Universe once again echoed in the air:
"The first trial has begun. Complete your objective and earn points. Survive, and you will progress. Fail, and you will be eliminated."