The morning sun cast a golden hue over the horizon, marking the dawn of the final game Celestina had forewarned us about. Her words echoed in my mind: "The most challenging is when you are together and yet you are lost." A cryptic caution that unsettled even the most steadfast among us.
After a hearty lunch, we made our way to the grounds. The arena bore resemblance to the first one we encountered, yet there was a stark difference—the absence of the intricate chase board design. The hall was teeming with masked spectators, their cheers resonating through the air, creating an atmosphere thick with anticipation.
The stakes were clear: locate the Treasure Hall, and we would earn the freedom to live in Danish as we desired. Fail, and the joyous moments we've cherished would dissipate, fading with our final breaths.
As these thoughts swirled in my mind, we proceeded to the changing room, awaiting further instructions from Celestina. The weight of the impending challenge settled upon us, a silent reminder of the trials that lay ahead.
Just as the tension began to coil tightly in the pit of our stomachs, Celestina entered the room, her presence bringing with it a weight of certainty that this moment was real—there was no backing out now.
"Any notice?" Sota asked, his voice edged with both anticipation and unease.
Celestina gave a half-smile, folding a slip of parchment in her hands. "Yeah. Not a helpful one, though. But even if it's not, I'll read it to you anyway."
Everyone turned their full attention toward her, the air thickening with seriousness. Even the most playful among us had gone silent.
"The final game, 'Find the Treasure hall'," Celestina began, her tone now clear and formal. "It will take place in a magical place. No contact from the outside is allowed. You'll face magical beasts and creatures—obstacles both vicious and cunning. Your goal is to locate a hidden hall filled with treasure. Time is limited, and you'll be given specific dress codes and equipment from the system directly."
Brother Cheng Hao raised an eyebrow. "We all know that's the official notice. So what is it you want to say personally?"
Celestina hesitated for a moment before replying. "I've done some digging… and I believe the magical place is a forest—thick, unpredictable, and alive. If I'm right, the beasts mentioned are likely from 'Aurora Aether'."
Sota frowned. "We don't even know how they operate…"
"They're dangerous," she admitted. "But they have hearts. If you can reach them—earn their loyalty—you win. That might be your only chance against them."
She then handed each of us a slim, black bracelet—light but clearly enchanted. "Wrap these around your wrist. They'll sync with the system and trigger your dress code: Jedi-black robes, two swords, one tactical knife, and two rose-gold Ruger LCP Max pistols."
We stared at the bracelets, silent for a moment. The weight of what was coming had settled completely.
"And one last thing," Celestina added gently. "You're in this together. Whatever happens, do not separate. Respect each other's decisions, trust your instincts. If you agree, I suggest making Satoru your team leader… and Inaya, your vice leader."
Her voice softened into something warm and steady. "Now go get changed. I'll be here—waiting for all of you to come back home."
With that, she stepped aside. We exchanged looks, then turned toward the lockers. It was time to suit up—for what could be our final journey.
After we had suited up in our assigned Jedi-black robes, the atmosphere around us shifted. A shimmering blue interface materialized mid-air, casting a soft glow on our faces. We all turned our eyes to the skyborne message as it slowly etched itself into existence:
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
FIND THE TREASURE HALL
DRESS CODE: Jedi Black Robes
MEMBERS: Shin, Cheng Hao, Hana, Inaya, Satoru, Sota (Total: Six)
TIME LIMIT: 720 Hours
WEAPONRY: Swords, Knives, Pistols
REWARD: Citizenship in Danish
NOTE: No Help From Outside
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
As the last line faded into the air, the ground beneath our feet rippled like water. In a blink, the light swallowed us—and the world we knew was gone.
A cold breeze struck first, followed by the crisp scent of bark and damp earth. We stood at the edge of an ancient forest, trees looming like silent guardians, thick with vines and mystery. Shafts of golden light pierced through the dense canopy, dancing over moss-covered stones and tangled roots.
Just as Celestina had warned—this was no ordinary terrain And now, our final game had truly begun.
The moment our boots touched the forest floor, an invisible force gripped our lungs. The air, though surrounded by verdant trees, felt devoid of oxygen. We gasped, each breath more labored than the last, and soon, we collapsed to our knees, clutching our chests in desperation.
"Guys, the more you breathe heavily, the harder it gets," Satoru managed between ragged breaths. "Slow down... breathe slowly."
I squinted through the thick fog, my vision blurring. "Is it... the fog?" I wheezed, barely able to keep my eyes open. The forest, despite its lushness, seemed to sap the very air from our lungs. Oddly, the light filtering through the canopy suggested morning, not the noon we had anticipated.
Turning to Inaya, I was startled to see her standing upright, breathing effortlessly.
"What's happening to you all?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
"How are you... unaffected?" I rasped.
"I don't know," she replied, her brow furrowing. "I feel fine. Breathing normally."
"Is it the fog??" I questioned.
"The forest is rich in oxygen. The fog isn't the issue; it's your perception. Think of this forest as any other on Earth. Breathe slowly, and don't panic. I'll look for a specific tree that can help."
Satoru, taking her advice, began to regulate his breathing. "You're right... it's all in our minds."
"I'll accompany you," Hana offered, her breathing steadier now.
Together, Inaya and Hana ventured deeper into the forest, leaving us to confront our own minds and the illusions they conjured.
After Inaya and Hana returned with a handful of blue leaves, they urged us to eat them. Hana, having consumed two herself, assured us, "These will help curb our hunger and suppress the hallucinations." Trusting her, the four of us took the leaves. Within five minutes, clarity returned, and the oppressive fog seemed to lift from our minds.
We resumed our journey through the forest, but hours passed without any sign . The silence was unsettling.
"Don't you think it's too quiet for a deep forest?" Brother Cheng Hao finally voiced our collective unease. "No beasts, no birds, not even the rustle of small creatures. How does that work?"
"You're right," Satoru agreed, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "We need to be careful. We might be in a trap."
As we continued, I happened to glance upward and froze. My eyes widened in alarm. "Guys..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"Guys?" I repeated, slightly louder.
"Oh my god, Shin, what?" Sota exclaimed.
"Shhh... up... look up," I said nervously.
Perched silently among the branches above were massive black panthers, each larger than any normal feline. They had been resting, hidden from our view. Now, stirred by our presence, one began to stir.
Everyone looked up, their eyes widening in shock. Hana, startled, let out a scream. "Ahhhh!"
The panther, now fully awake, growled menacingly. The others began to rouse as well.
"Run!" Satoru shouted.
We scattered. Sota and Brother Cheng Hao veered to the right, while Inaya and I took the left path. Hana and Satoru moved straight ahead. The panthers, now fully alert, leaped from the trees, pursuing us.
Suddenly, I tripped a hidden trap and fell. A panther lunged toward me, but Inaya swiftly drew her weapon and shot it down. The gunshot echoed through the forest, drawing the attention of the other panthers.
They turned their focus toward us, their eyes glowing with predatory intent. Meanwhile, Satoru and Hana, having taken cover behind a nearby tree, watched the unfolding chaos, ready to assist.
"Inaya!" I shouted, panic tightening my throat.
She turned, a smirk playing on her lips as she fired another shot at the encroaching panthers. "Hey Shin, did you really think I'd leave you behind? What kind of companion would I be if I did that?"
"You can't take them all on alone," I protested, watching as more panthers emerged from the shadows.
"Maybe not," she admitted, reloading swiftly. "But atleast I gotta to try."
Meanwhile, Satoru clenched his fists, ready to spring into action. Hana grabbed his arm, eyes wide with fear. "Are you really going? It's dangerous. I'm scared."
"I have to," he replied, his voice resolute. "Celestina didn't make me leader for nothing. It's my responsibility."
He picked up a handful of rocks and hurled them into the underbrush, creating noise to distract the panthers. As they turned toward the sound, he darted in the opposite direction, drawing their attention away from Hana and the others.
Sota, seeing Satoru's tactic, joined in. Together, they led the panthers on a wild chase, weaving through the trees and leaping over roots. They lured the beasts toward a series of concealed pits—traps set for just such an occasion. One by one, the panthers fell into the holes, snarling and clawing at the walls.
Back at the clearing, Inaya extended a hand to me. "Come on, we need to move."
I grasped her hand, and she pulled me to my feet. We regrouped with Hana and Brother Cheng Hao, who had discovered a cave nestled among the rocks. Large boulders surrounded the entrance, and we quickly devised a plan.
"We can use these to seal the cave," Brother Cheng Hao suggested. "We'll tie vines around the biggest one and pull it down once everyone is inside."
As Inaya and Hana prepared torches from tree branches and some dry leaves, Brother Cheng Hao and I set up the mechanism. Once ready, we whistled sharply, signaling Satoru and Sota.
They broke away from the remaining panthers and sprinted toward us. As they neared the cave, we began pulling the vines, the massive boulder inching into place.
"Inside, now!" I shouted.
Satoru and Sota dove into the cave just as the boulder thudded into position, sealing the entrance. The panthers skidded to a halt outside, snarling in frustration.
Inside the cave, the flickering torchlight revealed damp walls and a narrow passage leading deeper into the darkness. We had escaped—for now.