Footsteps flurried forward as everyone stepped through the gate. Hollow sounds echoed as they made their way down the dark tunnel.
BOOM
Everyone shook in terror as though the monsters had begun their attack but it was only the gate that closed behind them.
No one uttered a word, but everyone instinctively knew what that meant.
"No turning back." Everyone echoed in their minds.
Light bulbs flickered above the tunnel. The raider logo etched on the steel walls and the tension in the air was dense.
"Hey, Agnar!"Ash called out.
Agnar flinched at the sudden voice. Instinctively, he swung his arm back but Ash ducked, dodging the attack.
"Ahh!" screamed Agnar. "Don't sneak up like that! I almost sent you to the hospital".
"That swing had no power behind it. Even if it landed, I'd be fine". Said Ash with a smile on his face, giving a double thumbs-up.
Agnar's eyebrows twitched.
"Why you!".
"Haha! Didn't know you had more than one facial expression". Ash teased.
Before matters could escalate, a white light flooded the tunnel's exit. Everyone raised their arms to shield their eyes and suddenly, they found themselves at a wasteland.
The sun glowed a bright orange color. Sand stretched endlessly in every direction.
Confusion rained on the group.
How were they suddenly outside?
Tsch... tsch...
A static noise was heared and soon after, a massive holographic 3D map of the simulation zone materialized.
"Congratulations," said the examiner's voice. "You've reached the first trial."
He continued.
"Before you is the map of this zone. This trial simulates the outer perimeter of the Gull Island. Rising heat levels, sandstorms and the presence of sand centipedes."
A few contestants swallowed hard. Others had sweat dripping from their face.
"You will all be provided with SMX gear. The gear is engineered to protect you from the harsh conditions and monster attacks".
A wave of relieved murmurs spread.
"SMX gear? I've heard of those," a man said. "They enhance physical abilities so we can have a fighting chance against monsters".
"Oh great! Some of you are familiar with what they are," the examiner replied.
Humanity struggled to exterminate the monsters with bullets, cannons, tanks; all proving useless against them. But when scientists discovered the hidden benefits of the monster hide, they forged weapons and military tech from it.
With the advancement in technology and human ingenuity a passage way into Gull Island was developed. Rare minerals were discovered and with that the blueprints for the manufacture of the SMX gears were found.
"The suits sync with your nervous system," the examiner continued. "They adapt to your body and respond to your movements. This trail will help you learn to use them."
Sparks crackled in thin air and a crate materialized in the sand. Inside were the SMX gears.
"Woah, that's what I'm talking about!" someone gasped.
"Mine is too big" a woman started, but the suit compressed with a soft suction sound, molding perfectly to her body. She stared in amazement.
One by one, contestants geared up.
"Excellent. Since you all are geared up I am authorized to let you start the exam.
His tone hardened.
"You have two hours to exterminate all the monsters and advance to the next trial. Once the time elapses and you fail to make it to the next trial. You fail". The voice faded into the air.
The hologram vanished.
In its place, a massive countdown appeared.
1:59:59
1:59:58
1:59:57...
Everyone dashed across the desert with confidence. Each step kicked up grains of sand, crackling beneath their boots.
"Whoo-hoo! This is awesome!" Ash yelled, sprinting ahead.
"At this rate we'll reach the finish line in no time!"
Blurs trailed behind contestants as they shot forward, their physical abilities boosted past human limits.
"Yeah! Whoa! Let's go!" several shouted as they stormed past Agnar.
"Move it, kid. Something wrong with your gear?" a voice growled beside him.
The voice sounded familiar. Agnar turned, it was the one-eyed, scarred man from before.
"Geezer? It's you," Agnar panted.
The man's eyebrow twitched. He exhaled slowly, steadying himself.
"My name is Bjorn. You can drop the 'old man' crap."
Agnar chuckled weakly. "Nah, old man suits you better."
Both of them breathed hard as they pushed forward across the desert.
"We need to catch up with the others," Bjorn said. "The best chance of survival is sticking together."
The crackling sand seemed louder as they dug their boots into the sand, the heat now pressing against them like a furnace.
"Is it just me, or did it get hotter?" Ash called somewhere ahead.
"We're in another creature's territory," Bjorn warned. "Stay alert. Out here, we're the prey."
Agnar swallowed dryly at that.
"Save your breath," Bjorn continued. "Just run. We can't fall behind."
Sparks flickered beneath Bjorn's feet as he lunged forward. He shot into the air like a cannon leaving a swirling dust cloud where he once stood.
Agnar frowned. "Why can't my gear do that? Maybe if I focus…"
He inhaled deeply, trying to concentrate, but the air burned his lungs.
He coughed. "Argh! Too hot to concentrate!" He ruffled his hair, frustrated. "I can't fall behind!"
He pushed himself into a sprint, though every step felt heavier than the last. Sand dragged at his feet.
You guys should slow down, he thought desperately, reaching out toward the shrinking figures ahead.
His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
He clutched his chest and stumbled.
"Shit… I'm losing consciousness."
Before his body hit the ground, the desert shook violently beneath him. The tremor threw him back, sand exploding around him.
Ahead, the others stopped.
"What was that?" someone whispered.
Silence followed. Sharp, tense. Everyone listened.
Bjorn turned, scanning the area. Agnar was gone.
His one eye narrowed then widened in realization. He sprinted back toward where he last saw him.
BOOM
A wave of sand erupted skyward in multiple directions.
Deep growls echoed beneath the rising dust. As the clouds cleared, armored bodies and countless legs wriggled into view.
"Giant centipedes!" someone shouted.
"Watch out!"