CHAPTER 3: THE DESERT TRIAL
The 3 groups stood at the edge of the concrete platform, staring out into the massive desert before them. The stepping stones stretched far into the distance, each one about 10 feet apart. The sand below rippled and shifted, as if something beneath was waiting. "Alright, everyone ready?" Alice asked, gripping her sword tightly. "Ready as I'll ever be," Miriam said, adjusting her spear on her back. "Let's just get this over with," Ace said, cracking his knuckles. "Be careful, everyone," CJ said. "We don't know what those worms can do or what they are even made of." "Yeah, yeah. Let's move," David said.
Alice took a deep breath and jumped. Her enhanced speed and strength carried her across the gap easily, landing perfectly on the first stepping stone. Miriam followed right behind her, landing with grace. "Not bad," Miriam said with a smile. On the other hand, CJ and David made their first jump. CJ, of course, used his aura hands to give himself a little boost, while David landed a bit awkwardly but managed to stay on the stone. "Okay, that wasn't so hard," David said, catching his breath. Ace, going solo, leaped across with confidence. He landed smoothly, smirking to himself. "Piece of cake."
They continued jumping, stone by stone. The sun beat down on them mercilessly, and the heat was intense. It was as if they were in a hot oven with deadly worms beneath them. Alice could feel sweat dripping down her face, but she pushed forward. Miriam stayed close behind her, keeping watch for any movement in the sand below. "You good?" Alice asked. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just keeping an eye out," Miriam responded.
Meanwhile, CJ and David were making steady progress. "You know, this isn't as bad as I thought it would be," David said. "Don't jinx it," CJ warned. And just like that, David jinxed it.
As Ace prepared to make his next jump, the sand beneath him erupted. A massive worm, easily 15 feet long, shot up from the ground, its mouth wide open, lined with rows of sharp teeth. Ace barely had time to react. He used his construction power, slamming his hand onto the stepping stone and creating a spike that shot upward, stabbing the worm in the mouth. The worm screeched and fell back into the sand, writhing in pain. "Shit!" Ace shouted, breathing heavily. "These things are no joke!" "Ace! You good?" Alice yelled from her stone. "Yeah, I'm fine! Just keep moving!" Ace yelled back.
But the worm's attack had alerted the others. The sand began to churn violently, and more worms started emerging, circling the stepping stones like sharks in water. "Everyone, move faster! Don't stop!" Miriam shouted.Alice picked up the pace, leaping from stone to stone with precision. Miriam followed, her flames flickering at her fingertips, ready to strike if needed. CJ and David moved quicker too, but David was struggling to keep up. His jumps weren't as clean, and he nearly slipped off one of the stones. "David, focus!" CJ shouted, grabbing him with an aura hand and pulling him back onto the stone. "Thanks, man," David said, panting. "Don't mention it. Just keep moving," CJ replied.
Ace, now fully alert, was jumping with more aggression. Every time a worm got close, he would use his construction power to create barriers or spikes, keeping them at bay. But the worms were relentless. One of them lunged at him from the side, and Ace barely dodged, rolling onto the next stone and immediately creating a shield to block another attack. "These things are everywhere!" Ace yelled.
Alice looked ahead and saw the desert castle in the distance. It was still far, but they were getting closer. "We're almost there! Just a little more!" she shouted.
But then, disaster struck.
David miscalculated a jump. His foot slipped, and he fell. "No!" CJ screamed, reaching out with his aura hands. He managed to grab David's arm just before he hit the sand, but the impact caused the sand to shift violently. Three worms erupted from below, jaws snapping. CJ pulled with all his strength, hoisting David back onto the stone. David scrambled up, gasping for air. "Oh my goodness, I almost died!" "You're fine, just keep moving!" CJ said, his heart racing.
One of the worms lunged at them, and CJ formed a barrier with his aura hands, blocking the attack. The worm slammed into the barrier and fell back, but two more were already circling. "CJ, we gotta go!" David shouted. "I know!" CJ released the barrier, and they both jumped to the next stone, barely avoiding another worm's strike.
On Alice and Miriam's path, things were going smoother. Alice's speed allowed her to outpace most of the worms, and whenever one got too close, Miriam would launch a fireball, forcing it back into the sand. "Nice shot!" Alice said. "Thanks! Just keep moving!" Miriam responded.
Ace, still solo, was holding his own. He had figured out the worms' pattern ,they only attacked when someone hesitated or moved too slowly. So he kept his momentum, never stopping, always jumping. His construction power gave him an edge, allowing him to create platforms or spikes whenever needed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Alice and Miriam reached the other side. They landed on solid ground in front of the massive desert castle. The castle was made of sandstone, towering high into the sky, with large gates at the entrance. "We made it," Alice said, relieved. "Yeah, but where are the others?" Miriam asked, looking back.
CJ and David were close behind, making their final jumps. They landed hard but safely. "We're good! We're good!" David shouted, hands on his knees, catching his breath. Ace was the last one. He made one final leap, landing smoothly beside the group. "Told you I could handle it," he said, though he was clearly exhausted.
"Alright, everyone's here," Alice said, looking up at the castle. "Now we just have to deal with whatever's inside."
The massive gates of the desert castle slowly began to open, creaking loudly. A voice echoed from within. "Welcome, players. You have survived the desert trial. Now face the 5 of Spades!"