The speech of Gaelux echoed across the plain like a distant thunder.
And when it finally ended… the silence lasted only a second.
Then, the first young contender took a step.
Then another.
Then another.
And suddenly—
—WOOOOW! ORB VALLEY!
—IT'S NOW!
—LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO!
A wave of euphoria swept through the crowd.
Thousands of young people ran, buzzing as if about to witness a living legend. The massive gates, separating the city from the forest's vastness, creaked open with a monumental groan.
Laughter.
Shouts.
Adrenaline.
Courage…
And hidden fear.
Angelo ran with his heart pounding.
Tocre kept a steady pace, eyes alert to everything.
Aura Lana clapped her hands as she ran, eyes shining in anticipation of the adventure.
But then… they stopped.
Before them, the gates of Orb Valley rose like a living wall: ancient wood intertwined with dark stone, overgrown with thick roots, engraved with symbols worn by time. The forest behind seemed to breathe slowly — as if waiting.
On the faces around them was everything:
admiration,
awe,
excitement…
and fear.
Some smiled nervously.
Others clenched their fists.
Some just stared, in absolute silence.
Firm footsteps echoed.
A Royal Guard officer approached. His armor barely gleamed; his weathered face betrayed no empathy. He stopped in front of the crowd.
The murmurs ceased.
His gaze swept over the young people — not as individuals, but as potential survivors.
"My name is Ysolde Nerissa Frostmar Oceara," he said.
Thirty-nine years old.
A voice firm. Cold. Commanding.
"The information you were given before… that was for the public.
To calm families.
To maintain order."
Some of the young exchanged suspicious glances.
"But you…" he pointed at them, "…you are the ones who will enter.
You are the ones who will stay inside.
So the information for you is different."
The air seemed heavier.
"The Orb Valley challenge has been running for generations.
In the beginning, there was no clear objective.
Young people entered to survive.
Some did.
Others… didn't."
No one laughed.
No one exhaled.
"This is part of the process.
And you accepted it when you crossed this boundary."
He walked slowly.
"Inside, you will have to learn to build societies.
Some are already friends.
Others will become allies.
It doesn't matter.
But understand one thing.
Among you… there are spies."
A collective shiver ran through the crowd.
"They work for me.
They will report problems.
And yes… they might cause problems on purpose."
Eyes met, suspicion born.
"Do not try to find out who they are.
Do not investigate.
Do not accuse anyone."
The officer raised a small blue capsule.
"This pill erases the last five minutes of memory.
But if, during those five minutes, you commit to something…
Even without remembering it…
You will fulfill it."
Some swallowed hard.
"Promises made in secret… will remain secret."
He put the capsule away.
"Focus on survival.
The challenge lasts thirty days.
Do not approach the Ghost Zone.
We are not authorized to intervene.
Even in case of illness.
Even in case of death."
The shock was visible.
"The forest has resources.
It's up to you to find them.
It's up to you to live."
He stepped back.
"Be strong.
Be smart.
And remember…"
A cold smile appeared.
"This is a competition."
The gates swung open completely.
It wasn't an invitation.
It was a sentence.
One by one, the young crossed the threshold.
The air shifted.
The silence became alert.
The ground… seemed to be watching.
"Did you feel that?" whispered Angelo.
"Nothing here is neutral," replied Tocre.
The gates slammed shut. CLANG.
There was no turning back.
Ragnar, however, slowly turned to Kall, his voice trembling, almost a desperate whisper.
"Kall… I know you gave me motivation… I know. But… what he just said… that doesn't motivate anyone. It just makes me want to leave. I… I don't think I can. I better get out while I still can."
Ragnar took half a step back.
Before he could move away, Kall grabbed his arm firmly — not aggressively, but decisively. His eyes were serious, different from the confident tone he had before.
"Did you hear what he said?" Kall spoke low, but strong. "We've already crossed the boundary, Ragnar. You can't just turn your back now and run."
Ragnar tried to pull away.
"You don't understand! I… I'll die in there!"
Kall held him by the shoulders, firm but gentle.
"Look around, Ragnar. No one is born ready. Only some are lucky from birth. And us? We have to fight for our place."
Ragnar breathed rapidly, nearly panicking.
"You will enter that forest. You will crawl, fight, scream, fall, and rise. And you will come out a champion."
"My name is Kall. And this is who I am."
Ragnar finally went quiet.
For the first time, he stopped retreating.
On the stage, Gaelux raised his voice even more.
"You've had your fun. Your celebrations. Now it's over."
Instantly, waiters, staff, and attendants removed tables, chairs, and decorations — as if the party had never existed.
The darkness of the forest behind the stage seemed to grow.
Gaelux looked at the sky, nostalgic for a moment.
"Ten years ago… I stood exactly where you are.
It was the experience that defined my life. And it will define yours as well."
He extended his arm toward the forest.
"Go. Go into Orb Valley Forest.
Do not give up your dreams. Do not look back."
The crowd held its breath.
"Because from this moment… you are entering a new world."
The silence that followed was so deep it seemed to swallow even the wind.