[NOTICE-- I HAVE MERGED TWO CHAPTERS. SCROOL IF YOU HAVE READ THIS CHAPTER AND READ THE NEXT PART]
A fiery red figure stood in the heart of the jungle, her body surrounded by a tide of snarling beasts.
The creatures were five feet tall, humanoid in shape but twisted, their black hides rippling with muscle and veins. Their fangs dripped with hunger as they lunged for the girl.
But before they could even close the distance fire consumed them.
Columns of flame roared outward, devouring flesh and bone. Screams echoed only for a heartbeat before vanishing into ash. Some of the beasts tried to flee, but the fire hunted them, clinging to their backs like a curse until nothing remained but charred shadows dissolving into dust.
The wind carried their ashes away, leaving noting but silence.
From the haze, she emerged.
Her fiery red hair whipped wildly in the heat born wind, catching the glow of her flames. Her red eyes gleamed like molten rubies, sharp and unyielding. Her figure was graceful yet dangerous, the curve of her body like a ripe fruit but one touch meant death by fire.
Irina Emberheart. Heir to the East.
She lifted her hand, flames flickering along her fingertips before fading into sparks. The watch on her wrist buzzed. She glanced down.
Points: 220.
Her lips curled into a smile.
"So much for a challenge…" she murmured, brushing ash from her shoulder.
She opened her map. The glowing projection shimmered in the air, showing her position. Five kilometers from the main island. She could enter at any time.
Instead, she sat for a moment, resting against a half-burned tree. The flames licked harmlessly against her skin, bowing to her presence like loyal servants. After catching her breath, she rose again, eyes fixed on the beacon of the central island.
Her stride was confident, each step scattering embers.
---
On another of the ten scattered islands, the ground itself trembled.
A massive horde of direwolves surged forward, their eyes glowing with primal hunger, their claws tearing through the soil. Their howls shook the air like thunder.
But then, the earth betrayed them.
Huge stones surged upward, breaking free of the ground and floating into the sky. At a command, the boulders sharpened, edges glinting like steel.
The beasts barely had time to yelp.
The rocks rained down as spears. They pierced through fur, through bone, through life itself. Wolves were skewered mid-leap, pinned into the dirt like grotesque trophies. Others were crushed into bloody pulp as gravity itself bent to the will of one boy.
And there he stood.
A lone figure atop a floating slab of rock, calm amidst the massacre. His brown skin gleamed under the sunlight, his black eyes hard and focused. His body was lean yet powerful, sculpted like a warrior forged for battle.
Nathan Valaryon, heir of the South.
The remaining stones hung in the air around him, orbiting like silent moons. Then, with a mere flick of his fingers, they came crashing down. The jungle floor split under the force, a tremor rippling outwards. Silence followed, broken only by the whimper of the last dying wolf before it dissolved into light.
His watch buzzed.
Points: 175.
He studied it briefly, then dismissed it. A map unfolded in front of him, revealing his position 5 kilometers from the main island.
Nathan's expression didn't change. He lowered his hand, and the stones crumbled back into the earth. Then, stepping off the floating platform, he landed lightly, dust swirling around his boots.
The jungle road ahead stretched long, but he did not hesitate.
"Five kilometers," he muttered. "That's close."
With that, he began to walk, the weight of his power lingering in the air behind him.
Unseen by them, the main island pulsed with an ominous glow, as if waiting for the heirs to arrive. Soon fire, gravity, lightining and frost would collide and only one would decide the fate of the trial.
________________________________________
Later some time on another island
Azriel lingered on his path toward the main island cutting down beasts one after another. His points steadily climbed until his watch pulsed.
Points: 280.
He stopped, glancing at the glowing map projection. The distance to the main island had shrunk to just one kilometer.
Azriel's lips curled faintly, chaos energy already stirring in his veins. He bent slightly, preparing to sprint across the final stretch and he froze.
A figure moved through the trees ahead.
Silver-white hair cascaded down her back, swaying with every graceful step. Each motion was precise, balanced, carrying the aura of a blade unsheathed. Azriel recognized her instantly.
Lily.
Without hesitation, he poured chaos into his legs, the energy crackling faintly as his body blurred. In the span of a heartbeat, he was there, closing the distance between them.
Lily's hand snapped to her sword. Steel hissed from its scabbard as she turned, her eyes sharp. But the tension melted as soon as recognition dawned. She exhaled softly, sliding the blade back into its sheath, and bowed her head.
"Young master," she greeted, her tone calm and respectful.
Azriel's gaze lingered on her. "How are you, Lily?"
"Fine, young master" she replied, voice smooth as still water. Then, with a faint tilt of her head she spoke "I hope you are not uncomfortable here."
"None that I could think of." His answer was clipped, almost indifferent. But his crimson eyes studied her with quiet interest. "You look awfully fine for someone who's been wandering the forest alone for three days."
Her expression didn't waver. "I have been trained to survive in such environments."
Azriel gave no reply. His silence stretched a moment, then he asked, "Do you have enough?"
"Yes."
That was all.
Without another word, the two began walking side by side. The looming shadow of the main island rose before them, its forests dark, its mountains jagged against the sky. Neither spoke again. There was no need.
Their steps carried them to the threshold of what awaited.
---
As they drew closer, the trees thinned, and the edge of the island came into view.
The main island loomed ahead, vast and foreboding, separated by a stretch of dark water that churned with unseen currents. Its jagged cliffs and towering forests seemed to watch them, a silent guardian daring intruders to step forward.
Then...
Both of their watches buzzed.
Azriel and Lily raised their wrists at the same time. A glowing notification pulsed across the screens:
[Do you wish to proceed to the Final Island?]
[Yes / No]
For a moment, silence hung between them. Azriel's crimson eyes scanned the words, and then just briefly a smile tugged at his lips.
He glanced at Lily. She met his gaze, steady as ever, awaiting his signal.
With a faint nod, Azriel gave his answer without words.
Both of them pressed Yes.
A faint light flickered around their bodies. Their points plummeted from their watches, drained as payment.
The glow tightened, threads of silver coiling like chains. The world warped, their surroundings dissolving into nothingness. And then, with no trace left behind, they were gone claimed by the Final Island.
Their eyes caught a sudden burst of light. For an instant, it felt as though their bodies were being peeled away from reality itself the ocean stretching endlessly before them vanished into nothingness.
When the brilliance faded, they found themselves surrounded once more by dense jungle. Towering trees loomed above, their twisted branches blotting out the sky. It was eerily similar to the smaller islands they had crossed, yet there was something heavier here an oppressive pressure that seemed to settle into the very air.
Both of their watches buzzed at once. A glowing screen flickered into existence before their eyes:
Congratulations on entering the Main Island.
Arrival Number – 12
On Lily's watch, the number read 13.
Before either could comment, another notification blinked into place:
Objective: Reach the center of the island.
Reward: eligible for the final part of the exam
Map of the main island-50 points
Lily's eyes scanned the screen quickly. "I'll spend the points for the map, young master," she said without hesitation. A soft chime followed as she confirmed the purchase, and a large, shimmering projection of the island appeared before them.
Azriel studied it in silence. The map revealed a sprawling terrain of rivers, mountains, and ruins, all converging toward a glowing beacon at the heart of the island. His lips curved into the faintest smirk.
"There's no need to rush" he said finally, his crimson eyes narrowing. "We still have four days left. At this pace, even if the island throws monsters at us, we'll reach the center in a day and a half."
With that, the two of them stepped forward, the map fading into their minds like an invisible compass guiding their path.
The jungle shifted with their movements leaves rustling, unseen creatures stirring. Every step deeper felt less like a journey and more like walking into the maw of something alive.
---
As they pushed deeper into the main island, monsters emerged again and again sometimes alone, sometimes in vicious packs. Yet Azriel never moved. He stood still calml while Lily cut through them all.
Her blade flashed like silver arcs in the shadows, but after wave upon wave, her breath grew ragged. Finally, Azriel spoke, his voice quiet yet commanding.
"Take a break."
Grateful but disciplined, Lily obeyed. They both sat upon a massive rock, the forest whispering around them. Her chest still rose and fell rapidly, but slowly her breathing steadied. Only then did Azriel speak again, his crimson eyes watching her carefully.
"You fight well. I didn't expect you to be this strong when we first met."
Lily lowered her gaze. "You humble me, young master."
A faint smile tugged at Azriel's lips. He knew the truth they were still strangers, bound together by circumstance. But he also knew their it will get better inside the Academy
After a short silence, he asked, "Ready to go?"
"Yes, young master."
They rose and continued. More monsters appeared along their path, yet Azriel never lifted a hand. Lily alone struck them down, silent and tireless despite her exhaustion.
When at last the forest stilled and no new threat appeared, Azriel glanced sideways at her.
"You're wondering why I'm not fighting, aren't you?"
Lily shook her head quickly. "No, young master. I obey your command. If you choose not to fight them, then I will gladly clean them on your behalf."
Azriel's smile widened slightly at her perfect response so befitting of a shadow. Still, he chose to reveal the truth.
"I'm not fighting because of the point deduction penalty," Azriel said, his voice calm yet edged with quiet calculation. "Once we're on the main island, every battle matters. If I fight too early, my points will rise too quickly and the higher they climb, the fewer opponents I'll be allowed to face. At best, I'd get one or two chances. But with my points this low I can fight as many as I want."
Lily's eyes flickered in surprise at the revelation, though her expression stayed perfectly composed. She bowed her head slightly.
"Understood, young master."