INVASION: Wildest Game

Ch, 8: Introduction

Davi's POV

"Damn!" I exclaimed as I realized It messed up.

The cave fell silent, except for the sound of my frantic footsteps echoing in every direction.

Also, I could sense a looming, oppressive presence behind me, as though the Kraken itself were fixated on me.

Suddenly, the ground trembles. A great indication that the Kraken began rushing toward me.

With a frustrated eye-roll, Ivy made a quick decision and leaped into the tunnel hole. She had no other choice; waiting for me would mean certain death.

Though I was only a mere few meters away from the tunnel's opening, considering the Kraken's immense size and speed, I couldn't outrun him.

At that moment, I resigned myself to my fate. I stopped. This is the end. I am doomed.

I'm feeling the phenomenon where the perception of time changes dramatically during a life-threatening situation. Everything around me is turning in slow motion.

As I glanced at Ivy, our eyes locked, and I managed to muster a smile, accepting the inevitable.

Suddenly, Ivy's expression shifted as she gazed past me.

"Faster!" She screamed, and a deafening explosion unleashed a shock wave that propelled me dangerously close to the tunnel opening.

The impact was excruciating, not just because of the force but also because of the shattering debris.

Amidst the chaos, I could hear ominous growls, piercing shrieks, and a resonating rumble coming from massive entities that seemed to shake the entire cave.

Questions swirled in my mind. What's happening? It was just one of many queries demanding answers.

Dizziness and weakness began to overtake me. This adventure was proving to be more than I had bargained for; I could barely maintain my balance.

"Quick, get up!" Fortunately, Ivy rushed over to assist me. I attempted to respond, but my throat was parched and sore. I managed a weak nod, though it sent a sharp pain coursing through my head.

She enveloped her arms around my waist, providing the support I needed to regain my footing with a forceful effort.

I cast one final glance behind us before we totally leave, and Ivy, equally intrigued, paused in tandem. The sight before our eyes was almost beyond belief, an uncanny coincidence, a cosmic jest, a twist of fate as cruel as it was astonishing.

A giant scorpion, exuding an air of hostility and territoriality, had apparently taken notice of the commotion and arrived to investigate and protect its domain. It locked eyes with the Kraken and initiated an attack, acting without hesitation or apprehension. My life was indebted to that scorpion, for it thwarted the Kraken's attempt to make a meal of me, or maybe he's the one that wants to eat me?

We watch in awe and terror, as the fight unfolded before our eyes.

The giant scorpion lunged at the Kraken, clamping its claws on its tentacles and stinging its head. It was smaller than the Kraken, but more agile and fierce. It fought with skill and courage.

Ivy started to move out without notifying me. I groaned as I felt a flash of pain in my legs.

Well, I can't complain because there's an ongoing beast fight behind us.

We seized the opportunity and escaped from the chamber. Ivy remained steadfast by my side as we painstakingly progressed toward the narrow tunnel's exit.

However, soon enough, we saw something that made our hearts skip a beat.

A ray of light!

It was faint and distant, but unmistakable. It was coming from a small opening at the end of the tunnel and it drew me like a moth to the flame. I only cared about reaching the light and escaping the darkness now.

I disregarded the pain, pushing myself to hasten our progress. Unconsciously, smiles and chuckles of relief crept onto our faces moving forward.

"Almost there," Ivy's voice, though weary and strained, carried a glimmer of hope.

At last, we reached the opening and squeezed ourselves through it.

I felt a gust of fresh air and a warmth on my skin. I blinked and squinted, as my eyes adjusted to the brightness.

I looked around and saw a beautiful landscape of trees, flowers, colors, sounds, and smells that filled my senses. I felt a surge of gratitude and wonder for being alive.

We made it. I made it! I may not be able to show expressions on my face right now, but my heart is full of gladness.

Out of nowhere, the other people who get out before us, rushed over, assisting me in taking a comfortable seat. Although they might have been hesitant to express their gratitude openly for the sacrifice I had made, their actions and warm genuine smiles spoke volumes. At that moment, I sensed a profound and heartfelt appreciation emanating from each of them.

It was heartwarming to witness these people as a newfound camaraderie blossomed among us while cheers and shouts of joy filled the air.

However, this pleasant atmosphere was short-lived as a holographic screen suddenly materialized in the air, featuring a woman who appeared to be a Pleiadian, the leading species of the Galactic Federation. She began to address us, her words resonating, "Welcome, Earth inhabitants!"

We all exchanged perplexed glances, and our activities came to an abrupt halt.

"I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you for passing the pre-qualification round. I understand that you may be feeling bewildered at this moment, but this step is crucial for you to become fully eligible for the selection process.

"Allow me to introduce myself; I am Herxia, a Pleiadian hailing from the Pleiades star system, a representative in behalf of the Galactic Federation. It is my duty to provide you with a comprehensive explanation of everything you need to know about this training—" Herxia's speech was interrupted as a man boldly stepped forward, raising his voice.

"We never asked to be here and now you say you're training us for something we don't approve of and more importantly a training we don't know about? Just get us out of here because we're in grave danger! Numerous lives have been lost! We refuse to listen to anything you—" His words were cut short as a colossal flying creature, resembling a cross between a half eagle and a lion, a Griffin, emerged and swiftly carried him into the sky.

We stood there in stunned silence, immobilized by the rapid turn of events. None of us knew how to react.

"Who among you wants to follow that nuisance?" Herxia announced.

I observed that panic was beginning to grip most of the group, and they seemed to have missed Herxia's words entirely. Worried that their anxiety might lead to dire consequences, I rose to my feet as I feel better now.

"Everyone! Please, keep calm!" I called out, ensuring my voice carried across the group. I was relieved to see their attention shift toward me as they fell silent, "place your trust in me once more. We should heed Herxia's instructions for the time being. It's clear that she holds all the power at this moment, and acting rashly could lead to dire consequences, possibly even the loss of all our lives. I wish to escape from this predicament too, but we're left with no other choice. Until we possess all the necessary information, we're powerless," I spoke calmly and persuasively, managing to soothe the growing tension among them. Thankfully they listened.

"You certainly possess a unique skill, Davi Gonzales," Herxia acknowledged, and I wasn't taken aback by how she figured out my name. Their technology was evidently far superior, allowing them to identify each of us in an instant.

She continued, "This stage serves as a prequalification process. Those who perish will perish, and the survivors will advance.

"As we speak, the other sets of participants are currently undergoing the same process but different challenges, with some having completed it, much like yourselves. We want all of you to understand that our universe is in great danger from a raging war. It will soon arrive here and you're here for that reason. To prepare this planet for what might happen, we need earth inhabitants to cooperate and contribute to victory in fighting the enemy, that are currently slaughtering planets after planets. This is for your planet's sake as well, and you have to help us in establishing peace and order."

To be honest, I don't blame others for their reactions. I'm just as frustrated and afraid. I want decisive action too, but if I want to survive, I'll have to stretch my patience tenfold. As I've told them, we have no other choice.

***

Alexa's POV

This AI lady talks so much. She's irritating me.

How did they even started this?

"By the time that we saved Earth in history, it's not just out of compassion. It is to monitor the situation and whether to start informing you about the crisis when the war is about to reach your galaxy. We were bothered to witness how incapable your kind are, and that's when we decided to test your ability to fight alongside us, using a technique frequently employed by our adversaries—mind manipulation.

"By the use of a nano-technology device, smaller at a grain of sand, we put it in foods you consume, and water you drink. Once ingested, these devices migrate to your brain, where they will reside. Their purpose is to gently influence your behavior in ways that are harmless to your physical well-being. Does this address your questions, Alexa?" Herxia inquired.

"Y-yes!" I stammered, my confusion growing, "w-wait! How?" I exclaimed, utterly perplexed. How the hell could she possibly read my thoughts?

"You need not worry about us reading your mind. We don't possess that ability as of right now. Instead, we have access to your brainwave data, allowing us to swiftly interpret your thoughts based on the information we collect. Your brainwave patterns heightened when I mentioned mind manipulation, indicating you already had some prior knowledge of the subject from your past records, which is why I inquired. To be candid, we hold high expectations for you and intend to capitalize on your potential," Herxia added, further confounding me. I struggled to make sense of her words.

I glanced at Cassandra and Nyx, but they were both deep in thought, absorbed in processing the influx of information provided by this AI lady.

"What do you mean—" I began, but she cut me off by raising her index finger.

"Moving forward, as mind manipulation is the widely used method of every being in the universe, including our adversaries, therefore, we should measure your participation in this aspect, whether you want it or not. We monitor each and every one of you until we are able to identify who among you is skilled in this expertise that will be placed in battle to create the strongest army. Let me now start discussing what you can expect from the training.

"This is no conventional training. Generally, If you want to live, then you have to do all possible ways necessary, even if it involves sacrifices." She paused a bit and then continued. "The suit you're wearing is constructed from the materials of Nanofibers, graphene nanotubes, quantum capacitors, biometric sensors, advanced energy converters, a quantum interface layer, and customizable software, which enables it to harness your body's unique frequency. The required energy threshold will be represented on the scale of light located on the chest part of your suit. That is called the frequency accumulator. It will grant you special abilities tailored to your desires and personality, based on the data it collects about each of you. Each of you have a chance to use it at least once.

"This marks an era of your kind's transcendence and evolution as humans. Your frequencies are exceptionally high, and we believe that this invention we've created will be put to good use. However, it demands strong determination, motivation, and an acute sense of urgency. Without these qualities, it won't function optimally. From our experiments on a few individuals lacking willpower and scenario validity, the success rate was unacceptably low.

"Additionally, you may be wondering about your current location; to clarify, you are no longer on Earth. Here, things differ as we are situated between your planet and its moon. The science you are familiar with has undergone some modifications, as this is an artificial lunar body known as 'Safira'. While most of you may be accustomed to modernity and technology, here, I encourage you to adapt and remain attuned to nature, as you will encounter the natural world, in contrast to the lifestyles you knew on Earth. As your ulterior task, this training consists of ten stages, each focused on life-and-death perspectives, or, in simpler terms, survival. You will receive instructions regarding the rules before the commencement of each stage.

"We will keep you updated at each step of your training via this holographic communication method. Your sole objective is to progress to stage 10, at which point you'll be cleared to exit the training arena. To conclude this briefing, your pre-qualification round is about to commence. Other candidates situated in various coordinates within Safira have already completed this task. The sooner you successfully pass this round, the more time you'll have to rest until nightfall. Tomorrow morning, those remaining will advance to stage 1. Best of luck." Herxia concluded and the holographic screen abruptly vanished.

We were left here in a state of bewilderment, uncertain if we had comprehended everything she had conveyed.

The only person I could think of to absorb everything it well could be Davi. But he's not here. And I really hope he's not here.

Then... Nyx, Cassandra, and I exchanged puzzled glances, fully aware that danger was on the horizon.

Suddenly, the ground reverberated with the thunderous noise of approaching footsteps. Bird-like creatures took to the skies, emitting piercing cries as they desperately fled from an impending threat.

The source of this commotion wasn't far from our location—it originated from the nearby woods. As it drew nearer, we observed trees being uprooted and demolished as if an immense force was wreaking havoc. Before long, the images we beheld were deeply unsettling.

"Run!" Nyx's voice thundered as we realized that the massive creatures were deliberately headed in our direction. Without hesitation, we sprinted as if our lives depended on it, desperately hoping to outpace the colossal...

"Don't look back! Just keep running!" Nyx shouted as we fled, indirectly urging us not to falter.

Despite the fear and urgency coursing through my veins, an irresistible curiosity gnawed at me.

I stole a glance over my shoulder and was met with an astonishing sight—a stampede of rhinoceros. When I say a stampede, I mean an immense gathering of mere hundreds.

Remarkably, despite their substantial size and weight, they were amazingly swift.

I knew we couldn't outrun them for long, but I am determined to survive this deadly pursuit. We needed a plan, even within the context of survival training. There had to be a solution. There must be a way!

As I ran, I could feel the ground trembling beneath my feet, a constant reminder of the unstoppable force closing in on me. The rhinos, with their armored hides and razor-sharp horns, were a force of nature, and I was just a tiny speck in their path. But I wasn't about to become their prey.

I have a crazy idea, a daring one that would require all the courage and cunning I could muster, but I don't know if my chaperones would approve of this.

With a quick glance over my shoulder, I gauged the distance between me and the stampeding giants. They were getting closer, their snorts and grunts filling the air.

"Alexa, pick up the pace!" Cassandra urgently called out, her concern for me is evident. But could we really outrun a group of charging rhinoceros?

"I have a plan! Just hear me out!" I yelled back, gasping for breath as we continued our sprint.

Few moments after...

"You're calling that a plan?!" Nyx's incredulous expression mirrored his confusion, though I could see how he was starting to grasp the idea.

"Yes! Runing won't save us on its own. But this plan hinges on precise timing. If we get it wrong, it could be fatal. This is our best shot," I explained.

"Let's give it a try! We're in a life-or-death situation anyway!" Cassandra seconded the notion, offering me a reassuring smile that brimmed with trust.

"Both of you are athletes, so timing shouldn't be a challenge," I exclaimed. I ended up with a plan that I am the one in disadvantage. "Get into position!"

We maintained a slight gap between us while keeping a steady pace.

The rhinoceros drew nearer, just a few meters away now.

Three meters... Two meters... One meter...

"When we're within half a meter, make your move!" I yelled, hoping that Nyx and Cassandra could hear me amidst the thundering gallop.

My heart raced, and my lungs burned with every breath I took. Behind me thundered a colossal herd of rhinoceros, their massive bodies shaking the ground with every thunderous step.

Without hesitation, I veered to the left, my legs pumping harder as I could see my target—a magnificent beast with a rugged, battle-scarred hide.

As I approached, I reached out and grabbed his horn near his head, yanking myself to it with all my strength.

I had no time for fear, only adrenaline-fueled determination. With a sharp, desperate leap, I soared through the air. This is not what I usually do so I can't ease my mind while everything turns slowly. But gladly, I landed squarely on the rhino's broad back.

The beast beneath me snorted in surprise, I clung to his rough hide, my fingers gripping tufts of coarse hair for dear life. I could feel his raw power and energy coursing through him, and I knew I had to tame this wild beast.

With every ounce of my will, I leaned forward and whispered soothing words into his massive ear. I am riding a rhinoceros—a creature that should have been my doom—like a true badass.

I checked on Cassandra and Nyx and as I expected, they made it as well. We exchanged smiles, feeling victorious.

But, however, the next obstacle loomed ahead—we're about to enter the woods. The trees were tall and imposing, their branches forming a formidable barrier. I knew that if we didn't navigate this treacherous terrain carefully, we risked being thrown from our powerful mount, or worse, colliding with the unforgiving trunks.

I tightened my grip on the rhino's rough hide. We had to thread our way through this maze of towering trees, avoiding branches and obstacles at breakneck speed. It was a heart-pounding race against time.

As we weaved through the labyrinth of the woods, my heart raced faster than ever. The rhino's agility surprised me, as he expertly maneuvered around trees, ducking under low branches, and leaping over fallen logs. However, the other rhinos were just banging on it like they won't get hurt or they're just so strong!

With each passing moment, the danger lessened. We emerged from the dense woods, the three of us unscathed, four including this rhino, and adrenaline coursing through our veins.

We're back to the grass field and we thought it's over, but this feels like a never ending.

We're now heading to a ravine.