A loud thump echoed through the thick forest as the helicopter flew away. The wind it left behind stirred the trees, scattering dry leaves across the forest floor.
Aeliana stood completely still, blindfolded, instructed by the program team. Her heart beat calmly. The sounds of birds, insects, and distant running water filled the air. The program team had dropped her somewhere deep inside a rainforest.
She could smell the earth beneath her feet. It was damp and rich, the sunlight even warmed her arms. Aeliana took a deep breath and reached for the knot on her blindfold.
This was it!
The real game had begun!
So...
Where am I?
The moment the cloth came off, her eyes scanned everything around her. Tall trees, thick vines, and green all around. The sun peeked through the leaves above, making the ground sparkle with gold patches.
A camera drone floated above, following her every move. Another camera was hidden behind the bark of a tree, almost impossible to see.
She smiled lightly.
"Let's begin," she whispered.
The rules were simple.
Survive in the wild.
Each contestant was dropped in a different part of the island with a small bag of basic items, such as a lighter, a rope, a knife, and a water container. No phones, no help, and no comforts were allowed. Only skills could be the real deal.
Most people thought of Aeliana as just another beautiful face. A model, a young socialite, and a woman recently married to a rich man. She must be someone who brought money to the crew, relying on power to get in. But Aeliana Torres was none of those things, not here.
She started walking, moving carefully across the uneven land. Her footsteps were light and almost silent. She listened to everything, like the wind in the trees, the rustling of animals nearby, and the soft buzzing of insects.
After a few minutes, she found a stream. The water was clear, fast flowing, and cold. She knelt beside it, filling her water container and splashing some on her face. Then she stood and began scouting the area for a place to build her shelter.
She found the perfect spot near a hill, slightly raised from the forest floor. It would protect her from rain, bugs, and sudden flooding. There were trees nearby that could provide cover and strong branches for building.
Aeliana pulled a coil of rope from her bag and began to work. Her hands moved with ease, tying knots, measuring lengths, and testing branches. She didn't talk to the camera. She didn't smile or wave. She was here to survive, not perform.
Using fallen sticks and vines, she built a small frame between two trees. She tied leaves together to make a roof. Her actions were consistent and steady, like someone who had done this before. By noon, she had a simple but sturdy shelter that could protect her from wind and rain.
Next, she moved on to food. There were banana trees nearby, their fruits still green but edible. She climbed quickly, barefoot, and plucked a few. Then she searched the forest floor for roots and wild vegetables.
She checked every plant carefully before picking. Some were dangerous due to the toxins they contained. But Aeliana knew what she was doing. She had trained for this secretly, far from the spotlight.
Back in her teen years, before her world became full of rules, fame, and family pressure, she had spent summers with her mother's friend, a former survivalist and forest guide. Those days had taught her more than books or city life ever could.
Now, all those lessons were coming back.
She made a small fire near her shelter using dry twigs and the lighter. With a few large leaves and some water from the stream, she boiled her vegetables. Her movements were so natural that even the camera drone paused as if amazed.
By sunset, her camp was ready.
Fire crackling.
Food cooked.
Shelter built.
She sat cross-legged beside the fire, eating slowly and thinking. From what she had seen in the helicopter, the island was large and divided into several zones. Each contestant was truly alone. There would be no team-ups and no quick exits, only survival.
Aeliana had every intention to thrive.
The camera floating above zoomed in. Her face was calm, serious, yet graceful. She didn't speak much, but her actions spoke louder than words.
Somewhere, far away in the Imperial Capital, the viewers watching the live broadcast were stunned.
"Who is she?" one host whispered during the commentary.
"She's doing everything like a professional," another said.
"She's too calm. This isn't acting."
But Aeliana didn't hear any of it. She didn't need praise.
She sat quietly, poking the fire with a stick. Her eyes flickered with memories. She thought of Tamara, who wanted to use her image for power. She thought of Reinhardt, who never really saw her.
Let them watch.
Let them guess.
She would show them who she was, not with words, but through strength, silence, and skill.
A wild bird flew overhead, its call echoing through the trees. Night was falling fast. The forest grew darker, colder, and the shadows danced in the firelight.
Aeliana stood and checked her shelter one last time. She secured the rope, covered the fire with soil to keep it burning longer, and wrapped herself in a blanket made of leaves and vines. As the stars appeared in the sky, Aeliana closed her eyes.
Not to sleep, but to listen.
To the heartbeat of the forest. To the breath of the wind. To the silence that only the strong could understand.
She wasn't here to impress. She wasn't here to play like other people. She was here to survive and gain footing in the industry.
To her, this wasn't just a show that a celebrity participates. It was a message and a test of strength
She wanted to prove that she was not just the noble bride of Reinhardt Razalo. She was not just a woman forced to enter a contracted marriage.
She was Aeliana Torres, the queen of the wild.