The sprawling expanse of the Dungeon Trials loomed before Aamir and his team. Towering ancient trees with gnarled roots covered the dense jungle, their canopies so thick they blocked out the sunlight. The air was heavy with the scent of earth and a faint tinge of magic. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the group stared into the shadowy abyss.
"This place is massive," Riya whispered, her voice tinged with awe.
"And dangerous," added Kiran, scanning the area with a wary eye. "We can't afford any mistakes."
"Which brings us to an important question," Riya said, turning to face the group. "Who's going to lead us?"
All eyes turned to Aamir. He stood slightly apart, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, seemingly indifferent to the discussion.
"I think Aamir should be our leader," Riya declared.
Aamir raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Leadership wasn't something he aspired to; his only goal was to pass the trials and move forward.
Kiran scoffed. "Aamir? No offense, but does he even have leadership qualities? We need someone who can strategize and make tough decisions."
Rahul nodded in agreement. "Kiran's right. Leadership isn't just about fighting ability. We need someone experienced."
"I nominate Rajiv," Kiran continued. "He's got the tactical mind for this."
Rajiv, a tall, broad-shouldered young man with a confident air, stepped forward. He nodded solemnly. "I'll take the responsibility if the group agrees."
Aamir gave a small shrug. "Fine by me. I don't care who leads, as long as we pass the trials."
With that, the matter was settled.
Standing at the center of the group, Rajiv laid out his plan.
"We'll move in formation to cover all angles. Riya and Rahul, as magic users, you stay in the middle where you're safest." Both nodded their heads in unison. "Kiran and I will take the front to handle any immediate threats. Aamir, you'll guard the rear. You're strong, and we'll need someone reliable to cover our backs."
Aamir nodded slightly. "No problem."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Stay sharp and stick to your roles," Rajiv added. "The jungle's going to test us at every turn."
The team ventured into the jungle, their senses heightened. The first hour passed uneventfully, but the ominous silence was unsettling. Suddenly, the undergrowth rustled, and a pack of Feral-class beasts lunged at them.
Kiran and Rajiv met the charge head-on, their swords flashing in the dim light. Riya chanted a spell, her hands glowing as she unleashed a burst of fire, incinerating two beasts. Rahul supported her with a barrage of magical projectiles.
Aamir stayed at the rear, cutting down any creature that tried to flank them. The beasts were strong, but the team's coordination was stronger.
As the last beast fell, Riya wiped her brow. "Good work, everyone. Let's keep moving."
They pressed on, but the jungle only grew denser. The air felt heavier, and the sounds of distant creatures echoed ominously.
Without warning, the ground beneath Riya shifted. A mole-like beast erupted from the soil, its claws aimed at her.
"Riya, watch out!" Aamir shouted.
Riya reacted instinctively, summoning a surge of fire magic. Flames engulfed the beast, reducing it to ashes before it could strike. She let out a shaky breath.
"Thanks for the warning," she said, glancing at Aamir.
He nodded but remained silent, his gaze fixed on the surroundings.
As they ventured deeper, the team encountered their first real challenge. A shadow darted through the trees, too fast to track.
"What was that?" Rahul asked, his voice tinged with fear.
"A Predator-class beast," Rajiv said grimly, gripping his sword tightly.
The creature revealed itself—a grotesque amalgamation of dog and cheetah, its body rippling with muscle and unnatural speed. It lunged at Rajiv, who swung his sword with precision, slicing through its form.
But instead of blood, the beast's body shimmered and dispersed like smoke.
"It's a decoy!" Riya realized, her eyes widening.
The real beast shot through the jungle, its speed creating ghostly afterimages that merged with the shifting shadows. The longer it moved, the harder it became to track. Within moments, its presence seemed to vanish entirely.
"Stay together!" Rajiv ordered, his grip tightening on his sword. "Don't let it divide us!"
Riya and Rahul fired spells into the shifting shadows, but every strike hit nothing but air. Kiran slashed wildly, his frustration mounting.
Aamir, however, didn't move. His stance was loose, relaxed—but his gaze was locked onto the shifting blurs. He wasn't watching the afterimages. He was watching the rhythm of the beast's movement.
There.
A fraction of a second—a ripple in the shadows where the real creature's weight disturbed the ground. A barely perceptible distortion in the air.
"I'll handle it," Aamir said, stepping forward.
"What?" Rajiv snapped. "This isn't the time for heroics!"
Ignoring him, Aamir exhaled slowly, channeling his energy. His heartbeat steadied, his mind sharpening. If it relied on speed, then he just had to strike faster.
The beast lunged.
Aamir didn't dodge. Instead, he stepped into the attack.
His blade moved with surgical precision—a single, lightning-fast strike through the distortion in the air.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then—
The creature's momentum carried it forward, its body split cleanly in half before it even registered the strike. It collapsed, lifeless, its unnatural speed failing it in the end.
Silence fell.
"Whoa," Kiran muttered, breaking the stunned quiet. "You just took it out in one strike."
Riya let out a low whistle, grinning. "Told you he was good."
Rajiv's grip on his sword loosened slightly as he exhaled. "...Not bad."
Rahul looked at Aamir, newfound respect in his eyes. "You've fought these things before, haven't you?"
Riya answered before Aamir could. "A Predator-class beast attacked Purushottampuri during the invasion. Aamir killed it back then, too."
Rahul's eyes widened. "Wait—you two are from Purushottampuri? I heard about that attack."
Before anyone could press further, Aamir turned away. "We should keep moving. We've only taken down five Feral-class and one Predator-class beast. The trial's not over."
No one argued.
The group pressed on, their confidence bolstered by Aamir's display of strength. Over the next two hours, they encountered numerous Feral-class beasts, dispatching them with ease.
Yet, as they ventured further, a sense of unease settled over them. The jungle seemed too quiet, as if the higher-level beasts were deliberately avoiding them.
"Something's not right," Rajiv muttered. "We should've faced another Predator-class by now."
"Stay alert," Aamir said, his hand never leaving his sword.
The group moved cautiously, their senses on edge. The true danger of the trials was still ahead, waiting in the shadows of the labyrinthine jungle.