"We have noticed that several participants are performing above expectations," replied an officer seated at one of the terminals in the central console.
"How so?" enquired the Admiral.
"Well, sir, no data about their abilities was collected by the Immersive reality devices released on their worlds. We can only assume that they did not purchase one or declined to use one. However, their physical combat ability is relatively high, and they are showing a remarkable talent for mana."
"Hmm, species and world classification?" the Admiral asked.
"Eight are Lumynar from the awakened world Lumerith, and four are Veralyn from a dormant world called Verdalith."
"Four from a dormant world, you say… hmm, interesting. Keep an eye on them and update me regularly on developments," he instructed before turning and walking back across the smooth metal floors, the same doors he entered hissing closed as he left.
****************
Lucas had been walking in the direction of his closest teammate, according to his AI, Aelion, for a while now. As a bow user and healer, he knew that if the Void Spawn got close, he was essentially done for.
So he devised a plan using the larger boulders and his AI. He would move as quickly as possible from one large boulder to the next, towards his teammate.
Aelion would update him on the Void Spawn movements using old clock directions. He would then decide whether to climb the boulder and snipe, or if the pack was too big, head as fast as he could in the opposite direction.
His plan had been working… mostly. He had a few scares, though, and was forced to use Radiant Coat once when he was unable to avoid a confrontation.
His bow gave him an advantage against the small Void swarm; he was able to take them out before they reached him or knew he was there. Still, he moved with caution.
"How much further, Aelion?" he inquired, his primary goal to unite with the others.
[Roughly 2 kilometres]
Aelion telepathically intoned in his head… not much further then… "Any Void Spawn in the area?" Lucas asked.
[There are several swarms a few kilometres away, but they are not heading in this direction]
"Ok, thanks. Let me know if one gets close."
[I will]
Lucas continued traversing the eerie landscape between boulders, the flashes of lightning and crystals on the boulders lighting his way… might as well use this chance while I'm not fighting… "Aelion, I'm curious. These mana suits, can you tell where they came from? The tech is amazing," he asked while taking cover.
[They were made by the Galaxy Alliance]
Aelion telepathically responded… same as the game, the tech is better though… thought Lucas. "Can you tell me about the Galaxy Alliance?" he asked.
[I'm sorry, that information is restricted until after the trial's conclusion]
"Ok…" muttered Lucas. "Then what about the mana cores? How are they made?"
[While the exact method of creation is classified, the components are mana crystals mined from the world Lumerith and luminescent orbs from Solthara]
Lucas' mind was ticking as he sorted the information… other worlds… they are not the worlds mentioned in the game… but then a thought exploded in his mind. "Aelion, can you tell me if these components are from inhabited worlds?"
[Yes, the worlds are inhabited]
Excitement coursed through Lucas despite the situation as he asked rapid-fire questions. "Will I meet them in this trial? What are their worlds like? What tech do they use?" He stopped, waiting in anticipation for the answers.
[To answer your questions, yes, you may meet them.
As for what the worlds are like, Lumerith is hot and lit by binary stars. It has a crystalline desert covered in quartz dunes where mana crystal mines are built. They have rich, mana-charged oases and cities that are built like crystal spires. Tech is based on mana crystals.
Solthara is lit by a bright star and multicoloured auroras; the planet's fauna and flora are speckled with gold that, as a metal, is abundant in the soil. Clear lakes cover the surface, are numerous, and produce luminescent orbs. The cities are made of gold and other precious metals, and their tech is based on the orbs.]
Lucas absorbed the information like a sponge. "Oh, wow, that is so cool. I really want to see their worlds and the tech… especially the tech," he voiced quietly.
Aelion's telepathic voice echoed in his mind.
[No Void Spawn within 500 meters. You can move to the next boulder, 30 meters, 2 o'clock]
Aelion's earlier revelations about Lumerith's and Solthara's worlds and tech fuelled his curiosity, but survival demanded focus, so for now, he put his thoughts on hold.
Lucas gripped his bow as he sprinted, boots crunching the pebbles, reaching and hiding behind the next boulder. Lightning cracked, illuminating the area briefly.
[Small swarm, four Void Spawn, 600 meters, 7 o'clock, moving parallel,]
Aelion reported telepathically. He was about to move when Aelion's tone sharpened.
[Alert: Swarm redirecting, six, 300 meters, closing fast.]
"Options?" Lucas whispered, breath hitching.
[Too many to engage. Retreat 6 o'clock, now.]
He bolted, weaving past rocks, the ground vibrating as the Void Spawn closed in, growls echoing in the wind.
Their forms emerged as the lightning flashed, six wolf-like beasts, their void crystals glittering like purple stars.
Lucas dove behind a massive boulder, his heart pounding.
[Swarm 80 meters, splitting to flank. Climb to snipe or prepare for melee,]
Aelion urged. Lucas' stomach twisted. Climbing risked exposure; melee fights for a archer were not recommended.
He summoned and nocked an arrow, peeked, and saw the Void Spawn circling. No choice. He scrambled up the boulder, crystals biting into his palms, at the top he took aim.
Twang. An arrow pierced a Void Spawn's crystal, disintegrating it. A second fell after, but then four charged, leaping.
Lucas fired, grazing one, but another lunged, claws raking his calf. Pain seared through his leg as blood seeped into his mana suit. He stumbled, bow slipping, as he fell on his knees. Pain and fear gripped his thoughts… no… I can't…
[Teammate approaching, 50 meters.]
Aelion's telepathic voice sounded in his ear, and hope flared as he saw Aura vault onto the bolder, swords flashing.
"Lucas, stay down!" she shouted.
Lucas dropped lower, Aura stood in front, shielding him as she activated Object Weave. She gestured, broken crystal shards rising into a jagged spear, impaling a Void Spawn's crystal core.
[Two remaining]
Chloe's voice warned. A Spawn lunged… shit, there is no room to dodge here… but I can't move, or I'll leave Lucas exposed… thought Aura as teeth tore her suit at the forearm, blood dripping.
She slashed back, but another Spawn caught her side, ripping fabric and grazing flesh. She grunted, stance rigid.
[Use Chrono Shift]
Chloe urged. Aura triggered it, time slowing for five seconds, her swords and three pebbles piercing one Spawn's core.
The last Spawn charged. Lucas, calf burning, fired his bow point-blank, shattering its core.
Lightning flashed, followed by distant rolling thunder. Lucas crawled to Aura, calf throbbing, his suit's nanotech slowly mending.
"You okay?" he rasped.
"Barely," Aura muttered, clutching her side, blood seeping.
[Moderate lacerations, recommend med kit bio-gel, suit repairing minor damage, mana core at 80.21%, 11.9 casts remaining]
Chloe reported to Aura.
"I'll use Luminous Recovery," said Lucas, pain visible in his voice.
Aura shook her head. "No, med kits first. Save that spell for when we really need it."
Lucas retrieved one from his suit and applied bio-gel to his calf, pain dulling. While Aura attended to her forearm and side, wounds sealing as the gel took effect.
[No hostiles within 1 kilometre, picking up 2 teammates, 3 kilometres, 9 o'clock]
Aelion's voice informed Lucas. Aura stood up and sheathed her swords, steadying Lucas as he rose. "Nice shot at the end. You held up well."
Lucas slung his bow, smirking. "You're the one that took the hits for me. Your sword skills are insane."
"Years of practice," she said, memories of her father's lessons echoing.
"Now, if only you could have played like that in the game," teased Lucas, "no carrying needed."
"Tsk… I'm beginning to regret saving you," retorted Aura in mock annoyance.
Lucas chuckled. "Come on, let's go rescue Kai and Navi."
Aura nodded in agreement, still sore from the battle. The gel might have patched the worst of it, but it didn't do much for the bruises.
They limped off, Aelion and Chloe guiding telepathically while thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, constant companions in the alien landscape.
**********************
In the area designated as the pickup point, beings of different races dressed in military attire scurried about.
A constant symphony of voices echoed through the gusts of wind as orders were shouted and responded to.
A deep voice called over the chaos, "Who's responsible for monitoring the rifts?"