Before either could reply or even process what he meant, the boat beneath them lurched violently. The river's calm flow suddenly transformed as the water ahead disappeared, revealing what looked like a steep drop-off.
"Wait- what's happening?!" Aiden shouted, gripping the sides of the boat.
"Adrian!" he yelled, panic creeping into his voice.
But Adrian wasn't in much better shape.
His knuckles turned white as he clutched the edge of the boat, his face a mixture of fear and shock. "Holy shit! We're going down!"
And then they fell.
The boat tipped over the edge of the cascading water and plummeted into what felt like an endless abyss. Both boys screamed, their voices echoing in the cavernous descent. Aiden's yells were raw with panic, while Adrian's screams held an undertone of despair for his beloved leather jacket, if nothing else.
Am I gonna die?, Aiden thought to himself.
Holy mother of fuck, my leather jacket!, Adrian thought.
The plunge ended with a thunderous splash as the boat hit a hidden reservoir at the base of the fall. Water sprayed everywhere, drenching the boys from head to toe. For a moment, the world felt like chaos- waves slapping against the sides of the boat, cold water soaking through their clothes, and the sharp taste of panic lingering in the air.
Adrian coughed and sputtered, shaking droplets off his face. His hand flew instinctively to his leather jacket, his voice breaking as he muttered, "If this jacket is ruined, I swear—"
Aiden, in total fear, clutched his heart like it's about to be ripped out of his skin and detonate.
"Am I still alive..." Aiden mutters to himself as he patted himself, inspecting if every piece of him is still there.
The old man at the boat let out a hearty laugh, his voice booming over the rushing water. "Ah, don't worry about your jacket, boy! It'll dry faster than you think. Always does."
Adrian shot him a glare but said nothing, sulking as he patted down his drenched clothing. Aiden, meanwhile, sat wide-eyed, his hands still gripping the sides of the boat as though it might suddenly plunge again.
"You... could've warned us!" Aiden finally snapped, turning to the old man.
"Where's the fun in that?" Aeos replied, grinning mischievously. "A little excitement keeps the spirit sharp. Besides, you're not the first to get wet, and you won't be the last. Take it as a rite of passage."
As the minutes passed, the boat steadied, gliding effortlessly through a narrow, winding cave. The rushing of the waterfall faded behind them, replaced by a growing sense of anticipation. A faint light ahead marked the cave's exit, and as they emerged into open air, the boys were greeted by a breathtaking sight.
The river wound its way through a massive forest, its canopy thick with emerald leaves that seemed to shimmer under the sunlight filtering through. Trees stretched high into the sky, their trunks wide enough to rival small houses, their roots twisting like ancient, gnarled veins across the ground.
Clustered along the riverbank were groups of students, all just as soaked as Adrian and Aiden. Some stood awkwardly, wringing water out of their clothes, while others chatted easily, laughing at their drenched appearances.
Adrian scanned the scene, his mood lifting slightly as he spotted a few students already dressed in Genvah uniforms, looking sour as their uniforms are now drenched. The sight filled him with renewed excitement, though he was still discreetly checking his jacket for damage.
Aiden, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a little out of place. He watched as some students formed small groups, their chatter filling the air with an easy camaraderie. Others leaned against trees or sat on the grassy banks, staring curiously at the incoming boats.
"See?" Adrian said, nudging Aiden. "Told you Espera doesn't follow Earth's rules. This place is... unreal."
"And you still shouted like a madman for your jacket. I thought you knew what would happen?"
"If I did, I wouldn't have worn my jacket, Chase."
As their boat slowed to a stop at the riverbank, Aeos turned to them one last time, his grin never fading. "Off you go, lads. Welcome to the beginning of your Genvah journey. And remember- this is just the start."
Aiden tried to take their suitcases but the old man shook his head. "No need boy, it will be easily transported to your rooms."
The boys stepped onto the soft, damp grass, their shoes squelching with each step. Adrian took a deep breath, his earlier irritation forgotten as he looked around.
"This is it, Aiden," he said, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "We're really here. Genvah."
The last boat glided to the shore, and two soaked students stepped out, their nervous laughter quickly silenced by the hushed anticipation in the air. The riverbank fell eerily still as the sound of rustling leaves and murmured whispers died down.
Suddenly, a low hum vibrated through the clearing, pulling everyone's attention to a large karatula stone that stood at the forest's edge.
A ripple of light spread across its surface, and then a shimmering screen projected into the air above it. The glowing title "Genvah Trials" appeared in bold, gleaming letters, casting a faint golden glow onto the awestruck students.
Before anyone could process what it meant, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the clearing, carrying an authority that demanded attention.
"Welcome, future students of Genvah Academy. Your journey begins now."
Murmurs broke among the students, but the voice continued.
"Genvah Academy lies at the end of this dense forest. To reach it, you must complete your first trial. You will be grouped into pairs, or you may choose to go alone. Your task is to enter the forest and reach the academy within two hours. But beware for the forest is not as it seems. Beasts lurk within, each with its own challenges. Your wits, courage, and skill will be tested."
The voice paused, and then a low, guttural rumble shook the ground beneath their feet. Gasps and frightened exclamations rippled through the students as the forest came alive with the faint sounds of growling, distant roars, and the rustling of something large moving among the trees.
The glowing screen flickered, and the title dissolved, replaced by images of terrifying creatures along with their difficulty ratings and point values. The voice returned, calm yet imposing.
"Behold your obstacles:
Tendisils – Difficulty: 2/10, 5 points.
Shards – Difficulty: 4/10, 10 points.
Circe Traps – Difficulty: 7/10, 20 points.
Trolls – Difficulty: 8/10, 40 points.
Defeating beasts will earn you points, which may prove useful later. However, the choice is yours: fight, avoid, or run. But remember- every second counts."
The images faded, replaced by a glowing countdown timer that began ticking down from 2:00:00.
"Thank you, and welcome to Genvah. The brightest paths are lit by those brave enough to follow the sun."
The last words had barely faded before chaos erupted. Students began running toward the forest, their weapons unsheathed and determination- for some, panic- etched on their faces. Others hesitated, frantically discussing strategies with their partner. The once-calm clearing now buzzed with urgency and adrenaline.
Adrian grabbed Aiden's arm, steadying him. "We need to move," he said firmly.
Aiden, still bewildered, hesitated. "Adrian, we're not even in Genvah yet. Why are they already throwing beasts at us?"
Adrian sighed, half-laughing as he adjusted his jacket. "Because they want to weed out the weak before we even step foot on campus. Now, come on, unless you want to be left behind!"
Grumbling, Aiden followed as Adrian led the way into the forest. The air inside was thick and humid, the light dim as the dense canopy blocked out most of the sun. Shadows danced across the ground, and distant rustles hinted at movement deeper within the trees.
"Stay sharp. If we run into one of those things, we're going to have to deal with it fast."
The two moved deeper into the forest, their senses on high alert. The roar of the other students faded behind them, replaced by the eerie quiet of the woods. Somewhere in the distance, a faint roar echoed.
Aiden clenched his fists, his fire magic flickering faintly at his fingertips. "Let's just get to the academy in one piece," he muttered.
Adrian smirked, his figure blending seamlessly into the shadows as he moved. "That's the plan."