The late afternoon sun poured gold across the academy's main arena, casting long shadows over the rows of trainees assembled on the concrete floor. The air was heavy with the smell of sweat, dust, and the faint metallic tang from weapons and armor recently cleaned. Om and Dev stood among the fifty trainees, their expressions a mixture of anticipation and subtle tension. Around them, other young inheritors whispered to each other, speculation and nerves palpable in every movement.
At the front, Captain Bhanu stood tall and unyielding, his dark uniform pressed neatly, insignia gleaming faintly in the fading light. His gaze swept methodically over the crowd, eyes sharp and commanding. No one dared move unnecessarily or whisper in his presence.
"Listen up!" His voice cut through the murmurs, strong and deliberate. "The next phase of your training will take place in one of the most challenging and dangerous environments you've faced yet—the Chinese-maintained sector of the Forbidden Zone."
A ripple of murmured surprise passed through the trainees.
Bhanu continued without pause. "The sector spans over five hundred kilometers. It contains every kind of terrain imaginable: jagged mountains, scorching deserts, dense forests, and swamps that can swallow a man whole in a single step. You will face extreme conditions and creatures adapted to each environment. Any misstep could be fatal."
Om listened silently, his face calm, eyes scanning the crowd for reactions. Beside him, Dev's grin widened. "Finally," he whispered, almost gleeful, "real action."
Bhanu's eyes flicked briefly toward them before returning to the trainees. "You will be staying there for two months. At the end of that period, a Chinese inheritor-led search party will extract you. Until then, you are on your own. No support. No reinforcements."
He further explained, "Your training till now is sufficient for your survival there."
The magnitude of the statement settled over the crowd. For some, it was exhilarating. For others, terrifying.
"The mission is simple to state but impossible to ignore—you are to defeat at least five thousand monsters or beasts in that time. Each of you will be judged on survival, adaptability, and mastery of your inheritance. Teamwork is permitted, but personal initiative will determine your progression. Every action will be tracked, every success logged, every failure noted."
A quiet stir passed among the trainees. Five thousand was more than just a number. It was a trial by fire, a test of not just strength but endurance, strategy, and control under extreme conditions.
Beside Om, Dawon shifted nervously. The scarred lion's golden eyes reflected the sunlight, ears twitching at the noise of excited voices, feet shuffling, and distant engines. His tail flicked low, signaling unease. Om bent down and placed a steady hand over Dawon's mane, feeling the tension beneath his fingers.
"Easy," Om murmured. "I've faced worse odds before. I will protect you." His tone was low, calm, filled with certainty. Dawon blinked, breathing easing slightly under the touch of his master's hand.
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The Tactical Briefing
Bhanu continued, pacing slowly before the assembled group. "While you are in the Forbidden Zone, there are rules. First, avoid known Chinese patrol routes unless otherwise instructed. Second, maintain distance from any foreign trainees you encounter. Third, creatures here reproduce quickly and travel in packs. They are intelligent enough to ambush, surround, and coordinate attacks. Respect that. Underestimating them is fatal."
He paused, letting the words sink in, then added, "You will have limited supplies. Your inheritance is your main tool. Use it wisely. Waste it, and it may be the last decision you make alive."
Om's mind flickered for a moment to Zero, the AI consciousness quietly calculating probabilities in the background.
[Expected density of hostile entities per 50 km²: 47–53.]
Om nodded subtly to himself. Zero's input was brief but sufficient.
Dev's voice broke the silence beside him, barely audible. "Two months of non-stop hunting? This is going to be incredible."
Om gave a small smile but didn't respond aloud.
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Preparation and Departure
When the briefing ended, Bhanu gestured toward the flight bay. A line of sleek, high-tech aircraft stood ready. Their surfaces gleamed under the fading sun, engines humming with a low, steady vibration. Each craft was armed with basic defensive systems but designed for speed and stealth rather than attack.
"Load up," Bhanu ordered.
The trainees moved in organized chaos, packing their personal gear and checking weapons. Dev practically bounced as he secured his weapons, while Om methodically checked his preparation. Dawon, though visibly uneasy, followed Om closely, his low growls quiet but audible to anyone listening.
Inside the transport, the engines roared to life. The vibration thrummed through the floor, a reminder that the journey ahead would be as much about endurance as combat. Trainees found their seats, some whispering nervously, others silently preparing their strategies.
Bhanu stood at the front of Om's compartment, hands clasped behind his back. "Listen carefully. Terrain will change drastically over the course of the flight. Mountains, deserts, forests, swamps—each poses unique challenges. Creature behavior adapts with terrain, so plan accordingly."
He scanned the compartment, eyes locking briefly with Om and Dev. "You will have to think faster than you've ever thought. Move faster than you've ever moved. Any hesitation could be your last."
Dawon's ears twitched at the word "creatures," tail flicking nervously. Om laid a hand gently on his mane again, quietly acknowledging the lion's fear. Dawon's body relaxed slightly, reassured by the steady presence of his master.
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Flight Over Shifting Terrain
The aircraft rose above the school, leaving familiar grounds behind. As they climbed, the terrain below shifted gradually. Cities gave way to empty plains, then jagged hills and snow-capped mountains. The sun dipped lower, turning the horizon into a deep orange band that reflected off the snow and sand in the distance.
Om observed quietly, noting choke points, possible ambush zones, and terrain hazards. Zero's voice flickered in his mind again for an instant:
[Master, Estimated engagement probability: high in mountainous passes; moderate in plains; variable in swamp regions.]
The calculation was brief, almost imperceptible, but enough to let Om begin planning silently.
Dev, by contrast, pressed his face to the viewport, exhilaration written across every feature. "Look at that! The Forbidden Zone is even bigger than I imagined."
Om didn't reply, only letting his gaze move across the land, mentally mapping it, connecting probabilities and contingencies.
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Final Approach to the Sector
By dawn, the aircraft began its final descent toward the perimeter. Watchtowers and defensive outposts came into view, Chinese soldiers moving with precise efficiency. The trainees' excitement was tempered by the visible readiness of the guards. The Forbidden Zone loomed beyond—a dense wall of forest and misted valleys, seemingly endless, waiting.
Bhanu's voice broke the tense silence. "Weapons ready. Remember the rules. You step in there as trainees, not heroes. Every movement counts."
Om's hand went to Dawon's mane again, a quiet, firm acknowledgment. The lion's head rose slightly, golden eyes meeting Om's with understanding. He would follow, even into the memories of fear he had once known.
The aircraft landed smoothly near the Chinese-controlled checkpoint. Guards moved around, inspecting the transport and its passengers with strict efficiency. Bhanu exchanged clipped words with the commanding officer before the trainees were waved through.
Stepping out onto the earth, Om felt the weight of the mission settle across the shoulders of every trainee. The air smelled of damp earth and faint ozone from distant storms. Mist curled through the trees at the edge of the Forbidden Zone, hiding whatever waited beyond.
And there, just beyond the treeline, the Forbidden Zone awaited, dark and infinite.
Om's lips moved in a whisper only Dawon could hear:
"We'll face it together."