Kaiden's heart pounded as the ground beneath him trembled violently, molten rock spewing into the air from the erupting volcano behind him. The oppressive heat bore down on him, the acrid stench of sulfur choking the air. His body instinctively tensed, but he didn't let himself freeze for more than a second.
"Move," he muttered to himself, forcing his legs into action. "Don't stop. Keep moving."
Darting away from the shifting terrain, Kaiden focused on conserving his energy. Each step was calculated, his mismatched eyes scanning for safer ground while keeping an eye out for any potential traps or ambushes. The examiners had made it clear—this trial wasn't just about endurance. It was about survival against the unexpected.
Dodging the Chaos
The ground beneath him cracked, sending rivulets of molten rock snaking across his path. Kaiden leapt over the fissures, his boots landing with precision on jagged stones that barely offered any footing. A wave of molten rock flowed dangerously close to his left, forcing him to pivot sharply and weave through a narrow gap between two boulders.
A tremor nearly knocked him off balance, and he threw his weight forward, narrowly avoiding falling into a glowing pool of lava. The heat radiated against his skin, his black suit absorbing most of the intensity but doing little to make it bearable.
"This is ridiculous," he muttered, ducking under an overhanging rock as another stream of lava cascaded down behind him. "They really want us dead, don't they?"
Kaiden's mind raced. I can't keep expending energy like this. If there's an ambush up ahead, I'll be screwed.
He slowed his pace, carefully navigating the terrain while keeping his movements efficient. Each step was deliberate, his focus unwavering as he searched for a place to catch his breath.
The Cave
After what felt like an eternity, Kaiden spotted a dark opening nestled between two towering rock formations. A cave. Relief washed over him, but it was quickly replaced by caution.
He crouched by the entrance, peering into the dim interior. The faint smell of animals wafted out, mingling with the sulfuric air. Great, he thought, his lips curling into a grimace. Of course it's occupied.
Kaiden hesitated. The cave offered shelter, but it wasn't without risk. If it was occupied by creatures, he'd be forced to fight. But staying exposed on the open terrain wasn't an option either.
"Guess I don't have a choice," he muttered, gripping his shortsword tightly as he crept into the cave.
The Red Tigers
As Kaiden moved deeper into the cave, his mismatched eyes adjusted to the dim light. His stomach tightened as he caught sight of movement ahead. A family of Red Tigers lay scattered across the cave floor, their glowing red fur shimmering faintly in the darkness.
His breath hitched as his gaze landed on the largest of them—a towering beast that stood nearly 6'8", its massive frame rising and falling with each slow breath. The alpha tiger. It stirred slightly, its nose twitching as it caught Kaiden's scent.
"Well, this is fantastic," Kaiden whispered, his grip tightening on his sword.
The tiger's eyes snapped open, locking onto Kaiden's figure. With a low growl, it began to rise, its muscles rippling beneath its fur. Kaiden knew he couldn't wait for it to attack. He lunged forward, aiming a precise strike at the tiger's neck.
The blade cut deep, leaving a horrific scar across its flesh, but the beast's roar shook the cave as it swung a massive paw, knocking Kaiden off his feet and sending him skidding across the ground.
Before Kaiden could recover, the rest of the tigers sprang into action.
The Battle
Kaiden rolled to his feet just in time to dodge the first tiger's attack. Its claws raked through the air where his head had been moments before, and he countered with a quick slash, drawing blood but not enough to slow it down.
Another tiger lung