The moment the hatch doors of the spaceships slid open, a wave of excitement and tension washed over the group of candidates. The trial had finally begun. One by one, the students were dropped off into different Green Zones scattered across the planet PX-739. Ray stepped out of his ship, the harsh gravity of the planet tugging at his limbs, his senses sharpening instantly as the hot, humid air filled his lungs. The forest before him stretched endlessly, thick with towering trees and dense underbrush, the perfect hiding place for the creatures lurking in the shadows.
The rules were simple: survive, collect points, and don't die. As the ships dispersed, the candidates began moving quickly into their assigned regions, aware that the longer they stayed exposed, the more vulnerable they would be to both monsters and other competitors. Ray adjusted his grip on his staff, feeling the familiar surge of lightning coursing through him. The first night would be the hardest—monsters were more active during these hours, and survival required sharp instincts and quick thinking.
Ray's POV
Ray's heart raced as he stepped deeper into the dense forest of the Green Zone. The trees loomed overhead, casting long shadows across the ground, while strange alien creatures scuttled between the underbrush. His breath came in short bursts, his mind focused on staying alert. He knew this zone wasn't as dangerous as the Yellow or Red Zones, but the danger was real nonetheless. The low growls of distant creatures echoed through the air, setting his nerves on edge.
Ray gripped his staff tightly, the energy within it pulsing as his lightning abilities hummed beneath the surface. He was ready—he had to be. Monsters lurked in these woods, and they wouldn't hesitate to attack if they sensed weakness. He took a deep breath, his mind clearing as his eyes swept across the area. The trees were too thick to see far ahead, but the sounds of creatures skittering around him kept him on edge. The first few hours would determine everything.
As he moved cautiously through the forest, his senses heightened, Ray became more aware of his surroundings. The rustling in the underbrush grew louder, the sound of snapping twigs and scurrying feet growing more distinct. His heart rate quickened, and without warning, a dark shadow dashed toward him—a giant, beetle-like creature with massive pincers.
With no time to waste, Ray reacted instantly. He thrust his hand forward, sending a bolt of lightning straight at the creature's head. It screeched in pain as the energy coursed through it, sizzling its carapace. The creature staggered back, clearly weakened by the attack, but still very much alive.
Ray wasn't about to let it recover. He leaped forward, his staff crackling with more energy as he closed the gap. His heart pounded as he slammed the staff against the creature's side, sending another powerful surge of lightning through its body. The beetle-like creature convulsed, its legs twitching before it collapsed in a heap at his feet.
The monster disintegrated into a cloud of shimmering particles, leaving behind a badge that attached itself to his chest. Ray had gained his first points.
But as he stood there, catching his breath, he knew this was just the beginning. His heart continued to race as the hum of the forest surrounded him, the night far from over. He could hear the occasional growl in the distance, and he knew there were more battles ahead.
Ray had to keep moving, keep fighting. And as he walked deeper into the forest, a feeling tugged at him—something stronger, more primal. It was the same feeling that had drawn him into the Ethereal Quarry.
Lyra's POV
The wind howled through the dense trees of the Green Zone, the branches creaking and groaning under its pressure. Lyra stepped out of the spaceship, her boots sinking into the soft, muddy soil beneath her. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, the air tingling with the residual energy from the trial's start.
It was a new environment, yet she felt strangely at home in the chaos. The creatures in this zone were weaker, but there were more of them—small, dangerous swarms, perfect for a show of her abilities.
Her ice powers surged, cold mist rising from her skin as she took a deep breath, steadying herself. Lyra's gaze swept across the towering trees, their branches stretching like fingers, blocking out most of the sky. Despite the beauty of the forest, the eerie silence that lingered made her uneasy. It was too quiet—until it wasn't.
Suddenly, the bushes rustled nearby. Lyra whipped her head in the direction of the sound, her body already in motion. From the darkness emerged a creature—a large, four-legged beast with glowing yellow eyes and sharp claws. It snarled, its long fangs bared as it advanced toward her.
Lyra didn't hesitate. She lifted her hand, and in an instant, the temperature around her dropped. A blast of ice shot from her palm, freezing the beast mid-step. The creature let out a strangled roar as it struggled against the encasing frost, but Lyra didn't give it a chance. With a swift motion, she extended her hand again, a jagged spike of ice forming and launching toward the frozen beast. It shattered with a sickening crack, disintegrating into a flurry of icy shards.
She watched the points attached to her chest as they counted, the small victory providing a brief but satisfying sense of achievement. Lyra's powers were growing stronger with every battle.
As she moved forward, she felt the presence of other creatures lurking in the shadows, the sounds of their growls and skittering feet all around her. But she wasn't afraid. She had trained for this moment. And more than that, she had Ray to think about. The thought of him, wherever he was, kept her moving through the night, her determination never wavering.
Her breath formed clouds in the cold air as she navigated deeper into the zone. Lyra's focus was unwavering. This trial was about survival—and she would do whatever it took to make it through.
Meanwhile, Ray was facing his own battles, the night only beginning for both of them. Each would find their own path in the darkness. And as the trials stretched on, they would be tested in ways they had never imagined.