The Gathering Storm
Once the first trial was completed, George immediately sought out his friends. The central assembly hub was a sea of thousands, yet the trio found each other near the designated rallying point as if drawn by an invisible tether. They huddled together in the midst of the competition, each appearing weathered and breathless, but their eyes remained fixed on the path ahead. Despite the array of impressive skills and raw power displayed by their fellow competitors—some of whom possessed a physical finesse that made George's chest tighten—the three friends drew strength from their bond. They pressed on with unwavering resolve, knowing each successful step brought them closer to the next daunting challenges: the magic proficiency test and the deviously clever City of Mazes. For a flickering moment, it felt as though they were truly excelling. The adrenaline of surviving the physical course gave them a fleeting sense of momentum. However, that moment of triumph turned sour as they scanned the remaining field. They found themselves face-to-face with some of the most formidable competitors in the tournament—older, seasoned aspirants from across the world who looked at the younger tributes with cold, predatory indifference. The gap in experience was a physical weight in the air, a reminder that the Harvest was a global trial, not a local game. The noise and chaos of the ongoing evaluations faded into the background as the group focused on the immediate task: honing their remaining strengths and supporting one another through the mounting pressure. In rare moments of respite, sitting on the cold stone ledges of the hub, they shared stories of their individual trials and small bursts of laughter. They were forging ever deeper bonds—the kind of connection that would be the only thing to sustain them in the inevitable moments of separation yet to come. As they looked toward the next training zone, George gripped his Tele-stone. The reality of the Harvest was setting in; success would not be granted by chance or sudden fortune. There were no shortcuts here, and progress would not be fast-forwarded. Every inch of ground would have to be earned through their own merit as they prepared to move toward the tests of magic and wit.