One day, four friends—Ayaan, Aditya, Anshuman, and Anant—were making plans for their summer vacation. They decided it would be fun to spend the entire holiday together, exploring the city, playing games, and just enjoying their time off school.
As they were heading home that afternoon, something caught their eyes in a small, dusty shop they had never noticed before. There, sitting on a shelf, was a mysterious box with glowing symbols and a label that read, "The Gem Trials." Curious, they pooled their money and bought it, eager to see what it was all about.
That evening, back at Ayaan's house, the four gathered around the box. As soon as they opened it, a bright light engulfed them. Suddenly, they were no longer in the familiar room—they found themselves standing inside a world that looked and felt incredibly real. The air smelled fresh, the ground beneath them was solid, and everything around them was sharp and vivid like a perfect video game come to life.
Next to them lay a detailed map, showing a winding path leading to a distant, towering mountain. Beside the map was a small, worn book. It contained some information about the game—a warning about dangers, the main goal of finding a powerful gem locked under the deadly mountain, and a few rules. But the book didn't reveal everything. There were many mysteries left to uncover.
The adventure had begun.
The worn book had a new message glowing on its pages: "Tap your chest."
Without hesitation, each of the four friends reached out and touched their chests, feeling a strange warmth spread through them. Suddenly, numbers and symbols appeared in their minds, showing their individual stats—strength, speed, intelligence, and health—each measured in clear, glowing digits.
They stared at one another, eyes wide. Ayaan's stats were impressively high, making him clearly the strongest among them. Aditya flexed his muscles proudly, while Anshuman smirked, confident in his speed. Anant looked thoughtful, calculating his own numbers.
But pride soon turned into argument. Aditya teased Anant about his lower intelligence. Anshuman boasted about being the fastest. Ayaan reminded them that strategy mattered most, but even he felt a pang of doubt when others questioned him.
Suddenly, the book flickered, and a final message appeared in bold letters:
"Don't take the game easy."
Before they could say anything, the book vanished as mysteriously as it had appeared.
Now fully aware of their strengths and weaknesses, the four friends shared their stats aloud, preparing themselves for the challenges ahead. The game was real—and it was deadly serious.
As the four friends walked a little further from where they had landed, they came across a small, old wooden cabin hidden behind tall grass and trees. It looked abandoned, but safe. The door creaked as they pushed it open.
Inside, it was dusty but calm. On a table, they found a few cans of food, bottles of water, and some fruits in a basket that surprisingly looked fresh. Near the corner, there were some old blankets and basic supplies—just enough to survive for a few days.
Anshuman opened a side door—and grinned. "Guys… garage."
They all rushed in and saw an old jeep covered in vines and dust. Behind it were two large fuel tanks. They quickly filled one tank into the jeep. The engine roared to life after a few tries.
Excitement turned into chaos when the real argument began.
"I'll drive!" said Aditya, gripping the door.
"No way, you'll crash it in the first tree," Anshuman snapped. "Let me do it. I'm fast."
"But that doesn't mean you're a good driver!" Ayaan cut in. "I know the route better, let me handle it."
Anant stood near the map, quietly studying it. "You all are forgetting there's a jungle ahead. It's not about speed. It's about control and calm."
The engine hummed, and the jungle path ahead looked thick, dark, and full of unknown danger.
Only one of them could drive—and the choice could decide how their journey begins.
As the argument grew louder, they all paused for a moment—thinking.
"Wait…" Anshuman said, narrowing his eyes. "Who actually knows how to drive?"
There was a short silence.
Aditya scratched his head. "I mean… I've only driven a cycle…"
Anant laughed awkwardly. "I drove a toy car when I was six?"
Anshuman sighed. "I just run fast. Never drove anything."
Then slowly… all heads turned toward Ayaan.
He blinked. "What? Me?"
"You literally helped your uncle park his car last summer, remember?" Aditya said.
"And you played that driving simulator game for like months," Anshuman added.
"Yeah," Anant nodded. "You didn't even crash once in it!"
Ayaan smiled, slightly confused but proud. "Oh… right. I am kinda good."
The team agreed. No more arguments. Ayaan was the best driver.
He hopped into the driver's seat, started the engine again, and said, "Buckle up. Jungle adventure—here we come."
And with that, the jeep rolled forward into the unknown, as the thick green jungle slowly swallowed the dirt path ahead.
As they were moving straight through the narrow jungle trail, the thick trees suddenly opened into a small clearing. The jeep came to a slow halt.
Right in the center of the clearing stood an old stone gate—ancient, covered in vines, with strange glowing symbols carved into it. In front of it lay a flat stone platform, like a giant board… and beside it, a wooden sign that read:
"To move ahead, solve what tests your head."
Ayaan stepped out of the jeep, followed by Aditya, Anshuman, and Anant. All four stared at the puzzle.
It was a huge stone slab divided into tiles with numbers and symbols. Some tiles moved. Others clicked when pressed.
Aditya scratched his head. "Okay… what is this?"
Anshuman inspected the board. "It's like a sliding number puzzle… but it's weird. The numbers don't go in order."
Anant found another note carved on a rock nearby. "Listen to this: 'Add the numbers to match the key. But one wrong move, and you'll pay a fee.'"
Ayaan looked serious. "So it's a trap puzzle. We have to move the tiles to make the correct total… or something bad might happen."
The four friends stood there, thinking. This was the first real trial of the game—one that didn't need strength or speed, but brains.
And as they studied the puzzle, something clicked beneath their feet. The stone slab lit up red…
The timer had started.
They were all thinking hard. The pressure was intense—only 10 minutes to solve the puzzle. The red glow beneath the stone tiles pulsed faster with every second.
Sweat rolled down Aditya's forehead. "We're wasting time!"
Anant suddenly pointed. "Ayaan, I think we need to move this one here… and that one there."
Ayaan nodded, "Yeah… yeah, then we'll get the number it's asking for."
With careful moves and focused eyes, Ayaan and Anant began shifting the tiles. Aditya and Anshuman stood nearby, ready to jump in if needed. Every click echoed like a heartbeat in the silent jungle.
5 minutes left.
2 minutes.
1 minute.
10 seconds.
They made the final move with just 3 seconds left. The red glow turned green, and the gate creaked open slowly with a loud groan.
They all stared at it for a moment, breathing hard, their faces pale as death.
Aditya laughed nervously. "I thought we were going to die back there."
As they drove further ahead, the jungle became darker. Night had fallen. Crickets chirped, and distant animal howls echoed around them.
They found an old wooden shelter just off the path—safe-looking and dry. They parked the car and stepped inside. It wasn't much, but enough to rest.
Sitting around an old table, they finally began to talk.
Anshuman asked, "What do you think is happening in the real world right now? Are we... gone? Missing?"
Aditya leaned back. "Maybe time is frozen out there. Or maybe we'll wake up when this is over. But... who knows?"
Anant said, "Whoever wins this game might become the strongest. I mean—look at us. Stats, puzzles, this world. It's not just a game. It's a test."
They all turned to Ayaan.
He looked out the small wooden window and said quietly, "There was one thing written in the book before it vanished… We have to find a Gem. It's hidden in the deadliest mountain. If we want to survive... we need to get stronger, smarter, and stay together. That's the only way we'll escape this world."
The room fell silent.
They weren't just playing anymore.
They were fighting to return home.
And The Gem Trials... had only begun.
As the wind howled outside the old shelter and the jungle rustled in the shadows, the four friends decided to check the car one last time before resting.
"I'll get some food and water bottles," Aditya said, heading toward the back seat.
"I'll bring the map and flashlight," Anshuman added.
Ayaan and Anant grabbed the fuel tank and extra gear.
But just as they were shutting the trunk, a deep, chilling voice echoed through the darkness. It didn't come from any direction—they felt it inside their heads.
"You are not safe. Not for long."
All four of them froze.
A cold wave rushed through the air, making the trees creak and the shelter's wooden walls groan. Even the insects went silent.
Ayaan whispered, "Did… did you all hear that?"
Aditya nodded slowly. "Yeah. That… wasn't human."
Anant scanned the trees with the flashlight, but there was nothing. No eyes. No movement. Just black silence.
Anshuman closed the car door quietly. "Whatever this place is… we're being watched."
They didn't speak much after that. They took what they needed and locked themselves inside the shelter.
Their hearts were racing.
The silence was loud.
And outside, something was waiting…
Something that knew they had entered the Gem Trials.
As the soft light of morning broke through the cracks in the shelter, Ayaan was already up. He stretched, looked outside to make sure nothing was nearby, then clapped his hands loudly.
"Wake up, sleepyheads! We've got a mountain to find and a gem to steal before some monster eats us!"
One by one, the boys groaned and sat up.
Aditya rubbed his eyes. "Ugh… what time is it?"
"Adventure o'clock," Ayaan grinned. "Now let's move. Anshuman, grab water from the tank. Anant, check the car. Aditya, help me make something to eat."
After a few minutes of work and a simple breakfast cooked on the small burner they found in the garage, they all gathered around the car. Ayaan sat on the driver's seat, tapping the wheel confidently.
They were almost ready to leave when Anshuman laughed and said, "Hey… this feels like school. Ayaan giving orders like the class monitor."
Aditya grinned. "Then who's the smartest in our class?"
Everyone paused.
Ayaan looked back. "I think it's still me. Remember the science project?"
Anant smirked. "Yeah, but I beat you in the quiz once."
Anshuman nodded. "And I got full marks in history."
Aditya folded his arms. "Fine, we're all smart. But right now, we need brains and guts."
Ayaan smiled, but his eyes were serious. "Let's go, geniuses. The Gem Trials don't wait."
With that, the car engine roared, the wheels spun on the muddy path, and they drove deeper into the wild, toward the unknown…
As they drove through the dense jungle trail, the trees grew taller and thicker, and the road bumpier. Suddenly, Ayaan hit the brakes.
SCREECH!
The car skidded slightly and stopped just in time.
"What happened?" Aditya asked, looking around, half-alert.
Ayaan pointed ahead.
There, standing tall between two massive stone pillars, was a worn-out wooden board. Moss covered its edges, and vines curled around it, but the words carved in blood-red letters were clear:
"Strength Test Ahead – Only the Worthy May Pass."
Below the sign, the road ended abruptly at a huge stone gate — sealed shut.
Anant stepped out of the car. "Looks like we're not just driving through this part…"
Anshuman walked over to the board and noticed some smaller symbols glowing faintly beneath the main text. "It's a trial. Probably physical strength."
Ayaan narrowed his eyes. "Or maybe a mix of power and teamwork. This game wants to test us."
Aditya cracked his knuckles. "Finally, something I'm good at."
The air around them grew heavier. The trees went silent. Something big was about to begin. The trial of strength… had started.
A sharp click echoed through the jungle as soon as they stepped closer to the stone gate.
A glowing red countdown appeared above it:
00:10:00
THE TRIAL BEGINS
The timer started ticking.
All of them froze.
"Ten minutes?" Anshuman muttered.
"To prepare? Or to survive?" Anant asked, scanning the area nervously.
A strange hum vibrated through the ground. Birds fled. The jungle went dead silent again.
Aditya wiped sweat from his brow. "Who do you think we're fighting?"
Ayaan stayed calm but alert. "Doesn't matter. We'll face it head-on."
But Aditya smirked. "Okay but for real—who's the strongest among us?"
Anant looked at him. "Physically? Probably you. But Ayaan is the best fighter."
Anshuman added, "And I'm the fastest."
"True," Ayaan nodded. "But this isn't just about one of us being strong. We'll need all our strengths."
Aditya laughed nervously. "Still. If it's hand-to-hand, I better go first. Let me show off a bit."
Ayaan smiled slightly. "You show off. I'll make sure you don't die."
The countdown ticked:
00:07:03
They stood ready, every second heavier than the last… waiting to see what would walk out of that jungle to test their strength.
As the countdown hit 00:05:00, the board above the gate flashed again — this time with new words written in glowing, blood-red letters:
"FOUR ENEMIES WILL APPEAR.
EACH OF YOU MUST FACE ONE.
THE ONE WHO DEFEATS THEIR OPPONENT THE FASTEST
WILL EARN A POWERFUL GIFT.
THE LAST WILL ALSO GAIN A POWER…
BUT FAR WEAKER THAN THE TOP."
The air suddenly grew heavy.
Ayaan read it aloud. Everyone went silent.
"So… this is a race," Anshuman said slowly.
Aditya cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Finally. A proper challenge."
Anant looked tense but focused. "It's not just strength… it's speed, skill, brains… everything."
Ayaan's eyes narrowed. "We can't hold back. We've got 5 minutes. Let's use it smart."
Suddenly, four large circles glowed on the ground ahead — spaced out evenly like arenas. A faint mist began to swirl above them.
The voice returned, deep and echoing:
"CHOOSE YOUR SPOT. THE TRIAL BEGINS IN 60 SECONDS."
Without wasting a second, they all ran to separate glowing circles. Heartbeats racing.
Ayaan stood tall, his mind already planning every move.
Aditya cracked his neck. "Let's see who's fastest now."
Anshuman rolled his shoulders. "They won't even touch me."
Anant took a deep breath. "Let's survive… and win."
The countdown on the gate hit 00:04:00.
The real fight was about to begin.
The battle roared to life as the countdown ticked down.
Ayaan faced the fastest enemy — a blur of speed and fury. His mind raced as fast as his opponent, dodging lightning-fast strikes and countering with precise blows. After a fierce clash, Ayaan's strength and strategy overwhelmed the speedster, and he landed the final hit just seconds before anyone else.
Anant, on the other hand, found himself facing the slowest opponent — a lumbering but heavily armored brute. Though the fight was long and exhausting, Anant's agility and stealth allowed him to outmaneuver the slow giant. It took time and patience, but with careful strikes, Anant finally toppled his foe.
Meanwhile, Aditya and Anshuman fought with equal determination, both defeating their opponents in the middle of the pack.
When the dust settled, the scoreboard glowed:
Ayaan — Fastest Victory Anant — Last Victory Aditya & Anshuman — Strong Middle Finishers
The glowing voice echoed through the arena:
"All warriors fought well. Powers will be granted accordingly."
A brilliant light enveloped each of them, gifting new abilities — powers that would help them face the dangers ahead.
Though Ayaan received the strongest power, Anant's gift was far from weak — a reminder that every victory counted in The Gem Trials.
The journey was only getting harder, but now they had a fighting chance.
As the glowing light faded, the four friends gathered together, feeling a strange but thrilling energy coursing through their bodies.
Ayaan was the first to speak.
"My power feels like… I can sense the moves of others before they happen. Like seeing a few seconds into the future."
He clenched his fists, testing the newfound speed and precision.
Anshuman nodded, eyes wide.
"I got ultra-fast reflexes. It's like my body moves before I even think."
He made a quick darting motion, showing off his lightning-fast agility.
Aditya grinned, flexing.
"My punches now pack a punch with shockwave force. One hit can send enemies flying."
He threw a small jab into the air, and the ground trembled slightly.
Anant smiled quietly.
"I can blend into my surroundings now, like camouflage skin. I can move without making a sound."
He melted into the shadows near the trees, almost invisible.
They all looked at each other, impressed and a little competitive.
"So," Ayaan said, "who's the strongest now?"
Aditya laughed, "I'm definitely the toughest."
Anshuman smirked, "I'm still the fastest."
Anant shrugged, "Stealth wins fights too, you know."
Ayaan smiled. "We each have something special now. If we work together, there's no way we can lose."
The friends nodded in agreement, ready for whatever The Gem Trials would throw at them next.
As they were about to leave the trial area, a shimmering message appeared on the stone gate in glowing letters:
"THE FASTEST WARRIOR ALSO RECEIVES THE GIFT OF SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH."
Ayaan's eyes widened in surprise.
He flexed his arms slowly, feeling a new, incredible power coursing through his muscles.
Aditya whistled, impressed. "Looks like you just got even stronger, boss."
Anshuman nodded. "That means the fastest doesn't just get the best power—they get a serious upgrade."
Anant smiled quietly. "That'll make a huge difference on the path ahead."
Ayaan took a deep breath, feeling ready to face the deadliest mountain and whatever lay beyond.
The Gem Trials were no joke — and neither were they finished yet.
As they drove deeper into the jungle, a sudden roar echoed through the trees. A massive bear burst onto the path, growling fiercely and charging straight at the jeep.
"Whoa! Watch out!" Aditya shouted, gripping the door handle.
Panicked, they slammed on the brakes and scrambled out of the vehicle, forgetting for a moment that they now had powers.
The bear charged, and they instinctively prepared to fight—Aditya ready to punch, Anshuman poised to dodge, Anant crouched low, and Ayaan standing firm.
But as the bear came closer, something clicked in their minds.
"Wait… we have powers now," Ayaan said, eyes widening.
Slowly, their memories returned—the superhuman strength, the lightning-fast reflexes, the stealth and camouflage.
Ayaan took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's do this—for real this time."
Together, they moved with new speed and confidence, ready to take down the charging beast.
The bear snarled, but the friends were no longer afraid. Their powers were real—and so was the fight ahead.
After a fierce battle, the bear finally collapsed, defeated. Breathing heavily, the four friends gathered around, their hearts pounding but their spirits lifted.
Ayaan wiped sweat from his brow and looked toward the path ahead. "That was close, but we did it."
Anshuman nodded, still catching his breath. "We need to keep moving, but we can't keep rushing like this."
Aditya stretched his arms. "Yeah, let's find a safe place. We need rest if we want to be ready for whatever's next."
Not far ahead, through the trees, they spotted a small village—quiet and seemingly abandoned, but a perfect spot to rest.
As they entered the village, the friends walked slowly, eyes alert but hopeful.
Anant sighed softly, "We have to take care of ourselves now. Rest, plan, and prepare."
Ayaan agreed. "Tomorrow, the next challenge awaits. We don't know what it will be, but we have to be ready for anything."
Together, they settled down in the village, knowing this brief pause was only the calm before the storm. The Gem Trials were far from over.