The Psyconic Legacy (might be changed later)

Chapter: 8 

The group and I strolled toward Arena Alpha, the final battleground for the entrance exams. The setting sun painted the horizon in hues of amber and crimson, casting long shadows across the campus. The air buzzed with anticipation, a mixture of nervous chatter and muffled footsteps filling the atmosphere as examinees hurried along the path.

"Damn, it's getting late," Kevaughn muttered, glancing at the dimming sky. "Are we sure this thing's still going on?"

"Yep," I replied, shoving my hands into my pockets as the cool evening breeze brushed against us. "This exam sometimes drags well into the night. It's all part of the drama."

"Oh," Kevaughn said with a shrug, kicking a loose pebble along the path like he had all the time in the world.

"Since we're on the topic of the exams," Daniel chimed in, his tone edged with curiosity, "any clue what to expect for the final test? We know it's a team thing, but that's about it."

I shook my head, sighing. "Your guess is as good as mine. They love keeping things vague to mess with us."

"Who cares?" Sarah interjected, her tone brimming with confidence. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and smirked. "We'll crush it like we always do. No big deal."

Kevaughn grinned, clapping her on the back. "Can't argue with that."

As we turned the corner, Arena Alpha came into view, and every single one of us stopped dead in our tracks. The sheer size of the place was breathtaking. It loomed like a monument to human ambition and ingenuity, radiating an aura of significance.

The base was a sprawling circular platform made of an alloy that shimmered under the arena's built-in lighting system, casting a soft, golden glow. Towering pillars spiraled upwards, etched with intricate designs that pulsed faintly, almost as if the structure itself were alive. Above, an enormous dome of reinforced glass reflected the first stars of the evening, blending technology and nature in seamless harmony. The dome could shift between transparent and opaque, adapting to the needs of the event.

Surrounding the arena were multiple observation decks packed with monitors displaying live feeds of the action, as well as students buzzing with excitement, eager to see what we, the hopefuls, were made of.

"Whoa," Sarah muttered, her usual bravado replaced by awe. "They really went all out with this place."

"Yeah," Daniel agreed, nodding slowly. "This is on a whole different level."

We made our way inside, joining the mass of other examinees. The tension in the air was thick, nearly suffocating. Some students fidgeted nervously, others whispered frantically, strategizing for the test ahead. But not us—we thrived in chaos, and this was just another Tuesday.

We pushed through the crowd until we found a good spot to observe the massive platform. Standing tall in the center was Mrs. Leon, her sharp gaze sweeping over us.

"Hello again, student hopefuls," she began, her voice amplified by the arena's sound system. "This is your last test—or at least the opening stage of it. But before we get to the details, I need you all to form groups of five. You have ten minutes. Go."

The group and I exchanged grins, no words needed. We were already a team, and we knew it. Around us, chaos broke loose as students scrambled to form alliances, shouting over one another in a desperate bid to secure a spot.

After the ten-minute mark, Mrs. Leon glanced at her watch, satisfied. "On time. Wonderful," she said, snapping her fingers.

Suddenly, the platform beneath us glowed blue, and a wave of energy surged upward. Startled gasps rippled through the crowd, though none of us reacted—not even Shaheem, who lazily glanced at the light as if it were a minor inconvenience.

"What the—?" Kevaughn started, looking down at the shimmering platform.

"Relax," I said calmly, not bothering to look back as the glow enveloped us.

When the light faded, we were standing in a dense forest bathed in moonlight. The trees towered over us, their leaves rustling softly in the cool night breeze. Shafts of pale light filtered through the canopy, casting eerie patterns on the forest floor.

"Where are we?" Daniel asked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and unease.

"You're about to find out," I replied, scanning the surroundings.

Before anyone could say more, Mrs. Leon's voice crackled over a hidden PA system. "Now, student hopefuls, allow me to explain the test and your current location. First, you now reside in one of the many pocket dimensions owned by the school."

"Well, that answers that," Sarah said, crossing her arms.

"Aren't pocket dimensions, like, ridiculously expensive?" Kevaughn asked, his brows furrowed.

"Yeah," I confirmed, nodding. "Even the smallest ones cost a fortune."

"This school must be loaded," Shaheem added lazily, stretching his arms.

"They are," I said simply.

"Second," Mrs. Leon continued, "this test is as simple as all the ones you've done so far. Scattered throughout this dimension are approximately one hundred and forty flags. Your goal is simple: your team must collect at least one flag to pass. You have one hour and thirty minutes. Good luck."

The PA system clicked off, leaving us in silence. For a moment, no one moved.

"So… it's a giant game of capture the flag," Kevaughn said, breaking the tension.

"Seems like it," Daniel agreed.

"What's the plan?" Sarah asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

I grinned. "We're going to do what we do best."

"And that is…?" Shaheem drawled, raising an eyebrow.

"Cause chaos," I said, my grin widening.

Kevaughn groaned, though the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement. "Of course. And what exactly does that entail?"

"Go have fun," I said, shrugging. "As long as one of us has a flag by the end of this, we'll figure it out."

Shaheem stretched lazily, yawning. "So, run wild and grab a flag. Got it."

Sarah smirked, practically bouncing on her toes. "Finally, some freedom. I was starting to get bored."

Kevaughn shook his head, chuckling. "You do realize this 'plan' is just an excuse to mess with people, right?"

"Exactly," I replied, unapologetic. "It's what we're good at."

"Don't get too reckless," Daniel warned, his tone serious.

"Who, us?" Sarah asked innocently, batting her lashes in mock sweetness. Her act only earned a collective snort from the group.

"Who am I kidding?" Daniel muttered, shaking his head.

"Good. Now that that's settled, let's have some fun," I said, turning away.

Without another word, we split up, each heading in a different direction. The forest seemed to come alive with potential, every rustling leaf and distant sound promising excitement. As I moved deeper into the woods, a smirk tugged at my lips. 

This is going to be fun.

Chapter 8: End