Void Drop

The excitement in the air was palpable as the first official event of the festival began. Students filled the stadium-like area, their faces lit with a mix of excitement and nervous energy. Orion, Cas, and Rin stood at the edge of the designated competition zone, trying to shake off the feeling of anticipation that buzzed through the crowd.

"This is it," Cas murmured, adjusting the straps on her wristband, her usual calm demeanor replaced with a spark of excitement. "Time to show what we're made of."

Rin grinned, her usual cheeky energy present. "Of course. It's just a dream simulation. How hard can it be?"

Before Orion could respond, a tall figure stepped forward. It was a member of the Academy's board, her presence commanding the room. She wore the sleek uniform of the higher-ups and exuded authority. The crowd silenced, awaiting her instructions.

She raised her hand, signaling for quiet, and then spoke.

"Welcome to the Dream Battle Tournament, hosted as part of this year's Festival of Dreams," the professor began, her voice firm but welcoming. "I am Professor Reya, and I'll be overseeing the competition today. Eighteen teams, three participants each. You'll compete in a dream simulation designed to test your adaptability, your teamwork, and your ability to manipulate the dream world."

The crowd murmured, the buzz of anticipation rising again. Orion could feel his nerves creep in. It wasn't just about surviving anymore—it was about showing what they could do in front of their peers, on a stage like this.

Professor Reya continued, "The challenge for this first round is called the Void Drop simulation. In this simulation, there is no ground—only an endless fall. Your team's task is simple: survive, capture shelter points scattered throughout the simulation, and outmaneuver your opponents. You'll need to work together to ensure your success."

Orion raised an eyebrow. "Wait, we can't just land on solid ground?" he muttered to Rin, who shot him a knowing grin.

"Nope," she answered, her tone dripping with excitement. "Sounds fun, doesn't it?"

The professor raised a finger, as if emphasizing a key point. "There are no surfaces to stand on. You will fall endlessly. The only thing keeping you from falling into the void are floating shelters. To claim a shelter, you'll need to take control of it by entering its space. And don't forget—you'll have thirty minutes to secure as many shelters as you can. Should your team be overtaken by another team, or if you fail to reach a shelter, you'll be eliminated."

Cas looked up at the sky above them, where faint silhouettes of floating structures seemed to hang precariously. "Sounds challenging," she said. "But we've got this."

Professor Reya's eyes swept over the teams. "The real challenge here is not just surviving. It's how you cooperate with your teammates. In this dream world, teamwork will be your greatest strength." She nodded, and the crowd shifted with renewed excitement.

"Now," she said, "We're ready to begin. Please step into your designated areas. The timer will start in five minutes."

Rin gave Orion a quick look. "You ready?" she asked, a mischievous grin on her face.

Orion nodded, swallowing his nerves. "Ready as I'll ever be."

As the group moved to their starting position, Orion glanced over to Neil, who was standing a little further away, hands in his pockets. He smiled faintly at them. "You guys better win," he said. "But I'm not joining this round."

Rin chuckled. "Don't be a coward, Neil. You know you're just afraid of falling."

Neil grinned back, unbothered. "I'm more of a watcher than a player. I'll be cheering you on from here."

The three of them stepped up to the shimmering portal, where the dream simulation awaited. There was a brief moment of quiet before the world around them flickered, and Orion felt a slight pull—like a string tied to his chest—dragging him into the simulation.

---

The Void Drop Simulation

The moment Orion's eyes opened, he felt the shift in his body. His feet weren't planted on the ground. Instead, he was falling.

Falling through endless blackness.

The sensation was dizzying, and it took Orion a moment to orient himself. He glanced around, but there was nothing. No floor. No walls. Just the infinite descent into the void. The only source of light came from distant, floating platforms—shelters—that glowed softly, flickering in and out of view. They were scattered across the endless drop like islands in an abyss.

"Okay, this is... not what I expected," Rin said, her voice a little unsteady as she fell beside him.

Orion clenched his fists, trying to push past the disorientation. "Stay focused. We need to reach one of those shelters before other teams do."

Cas was already adjusting her trajectory, her body shifting through the air like she'd been falling for years. "Keep your eyes on the goal," she said. "We don't have time to waste."

Orion focused on one of the nearest shelters, a floating platform of shimmering blue light. "There," he pointed. "Let's move."

But the floating shelters weren't as simple as they seemed. As they approached, Orion noticed other teams falling through the void, aiming for the same shelters. The dream wasn't giving them an easy pass. They'd need to be quick—and smart—to stay ahead.

Suddenly, the simulation's voice crackled to life in their minds.

Timer started. You have 30 minutes. Get to the shelters. Survive.

Rin grinned. "Let's do this." She adjusted her body position, accelerating toward the nearest shelter.

Orion steeled himself, pushing through the strange sensation of endless falling. "Remember, we can't just land on these. We need to take control of them."

Cas raised an eyebrow. "I figured that part out already."

The team raced toward their first target, the floating shelter in their sights, as the timer in their minds started ticking down. They had no time to waste.

It was all about getting ahead—manipulating the dream, moving fast, and working together to secure their spot in this first tournament event. The battle for survival in the Void Drop had just begun.