The Forest Race Begins
The vast hall buzzed with voices, footsteps, and the electric hum of tension as hundreds of young warriors from the Five Nations gathered beneath it. Murals of past knights lined the walls, each etched with glowing inscriptions of honor and sacrifice. The air was thick with the weight of competition and pride.
Dan stood at the edge of the hall, eyes scanning the crowded space filled with confident, posturing teenagers. Each of them bore the crest of their nation on their uniforms—flames for Fire, icy shards for Ice, gusting wings for Air, silver-edged blades for Weapons, and blue bolts for Lightning.
(Dan: What the hell… why are those three guys glaring at each other like they're about to start a war?)
In the center, three imposing figures stood locked in a heated triangle.
Alexis, tall boy with short blond hair and a permanent sneer, stepped forward and pointed accusingly at the dark-haired, stone-faced Steven.
"Fuck off, Ash. This is between me and this asshole Steven," Alexis growled.
Steven narrowed his eyes. His muscular arms folded, veins slightly popping. "Who are you calling an asshole, fuck face?"
Ash, the tallest of the trio with snow-white hair, a half-buttoned coat, and a devil-may-care grin, raised both hands. "Now, now… let's all just get along. It's been a long time since we saw each other."
"I don't care," Alexis snapped.
"Same here," Steven added, his voice as flat as his expression.
(Dan: These three egos… I don't think I can intervene. I'd probably get knocked into a wall.)
Alexis took a step closer to Steven, mocking him. "So, Steven, still the loyal little dog's tail? Or have you finally learned to lead without a leash?"
Steven's eyes widened slightly, the insult landing hard.
Ash sighed. "I swear, I can't deal with you two. I'm too handsome for this stress."
Before the tension could explode, a young black girl with radiant brown skin and long braided hair bounded into the scene. Her air nation badge shimmered against her cloth
"Stop it, you guys! No violence!" she said firmly.
Esther, a candidate from the 2nd branch of the Air Nation, stood between them like a calming breeze.
Ash's face brightened instantly. "Awwwnnn, it's you, Esther. Still so cute! Ah—my mistake—Lady Esther." He bowed dramatically.
Steven chuckled. "Baby chick… you qualified?"
Alexis's anger faded for a moment. "Okay, okay, Esther. Anything for you." He even smiled.
(Dan: Wait… they can stop just because of her? What kind of charm does she have?)
"Hey, stop calling me 'Lady Esther'!" she pouted.
"Why?" Ash grinned. "Everyone does."
Dan, feeling increasingly out of place, drifted to a quiet corner of the hall.
Dan: I don't know anyone here… How do I even start a conversation?
As if on cue, a warm voice broke through.
"It's easy," a boy said, stepping beside him. "You just say, 'Hi, my name is...'"
Dan turned to see a black boy with spiky brown hair and a friendly grin. He wore a red tunic emblazoned with the Fire Nation's flame.
"I—uh… Hi. My name is Dan," Dan stammered.
"Hello! I'm Agi, Fire Nation, sixth sub-branch. Haven't seen you before. What's your Nation?"
"I'm from the Lightning Nation."
Agi tilted his head. "Weird. Never heard of you."
(Dan: Hehe… Maybe because I didn't know about me until recently.)
"So, what's the deal with those three in the center?" Dan asked, nodding toward the tense trio.
"Oh, them? That's Alexis, Steven, and Ash. From the Weapons, Fire, and Ice Nations respectively. They've got history," Agi explained.
"And the girl?"
"That's Esther. She's from the Air Nation. Pretty famous for her peaceful nature and insane agility."
"Cool. So why did they call us all here?"
"For a reunion. Also to announce the next qualifying exam."
"Wait, there's another exam?"
"Yup." Agi grinned. "It's never that easy."
"AGI!" Steven called sharply from the center.
"Coming!" Agi waved. "Later, Dan."
"Yeah, later."
As Agi walked away, Ash squinted in Dan's direction.
"Hey, Alexis, isn't that the boy your sword almost hit?"
Alexis gave Dan a quick glance. "Yeah. So?"
"I don't think we know him."
"True. And you know what else?"
"What?"
"I don't care."
Ash smirked and sauntered over to Dan, throwing an arm around his shoulder.
"Hey there, bud. Who are you? Never seen or heard of you before."
"Dan. From the Lightning Nation."
Ash's demeanor shifted slightly. "What branch? What's your family name?"
"Uh… I don't have one."
Ash's grin sharpened. (He's the special kid…)
Esther stepped forward again, beaming. "Wow! Cute boy."
Alexis immediately perked up. "Is it me, Esther?" he asked hopefully.
"As if. It's him. You are…?"
"Dan. From the Lightning Nation."
Alexis's smile vanished. "No wonder. I don't like you. Not because of your stupid face… but your damn nation."
"Huh?"
A sharp burst of static silenced the hall.
A woman in crimson armor stood atop a platform, holding a megaphone. Her red hair shimmered under the dome lights, and her presence commanded instant attention.
"Now that you're all quiet, I can talk," she said.
Dan recognized the symbol on her armor—the 8th branch of the Fire Nation.
"I am Catherina Ross, Vice-Commander of the Fire Nation. Congratulations to all of you who made it. But remember—failure is not an option."
(Dan: Wow. They really don't mess around.)
Catherina continued. "The next qualifying exam is… a forest race. You'll each begin in a different location. Navigate through the forest and reach the end before you're eliminated. You're free to knock others out along the way."
"Interesting," Alexis murmured.
Steven nodded. "Finishing quickly is best."
"Boring personality," Alexis teased. "Where's the fun in that?"
Catherina's eyes swept over the crowd. "This test will measure your survival instincts and battlefield awareness. You'll face tough terrain… and tougher enemies."
Dan turned to Ash. "What about the other non-nation contestants?"
"They're in another hall getting briefed," Ash replied.
"Okay…"
Catherina raised her voice again. "This year, 20 candidates from each of the 16 branches have qualified—1,600 in total. But there is one extra candidate this year… making 1,601."
A ripple of murmurs passed through the crowd.
Catherina continued "This individual comes from the Lightning Nation. He didn't qualify through the nations system but through the general worldwide bracket."
Alexis's face twisted in rage. "BULLSHIT!" he roared. "Eliminate him now or I will!" His sword was suddenly at Dan's throat.
"Whoa!" Dan gasped. "I didn't plan any of this!"
A boy from the Weapons Nation—tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing silver clothes—ran up and yanked the blade down.
"Stop, Alexis!" he barked.
"Henry… Get out of the way."
Ash stepped in and grabbed Alexis's hand tightly. "He's right. You can't just cut down a kid like that."
"Yeah," Dan muttered. "Like you Weapons Nation people are all that strong anyway."
The moment the words left his mouth, every Weapon Nation candidate turned toward him, bloodlust radiating off them like heatwaves.
Ash leaned close and whispered, "Not the smartest thing to say."
"Oh… shit."
"Enough, Alexis," came a sharp voice. A white girl with silver-blue hair—Rebecca—stepped forward.
Chase, poised and calm, added, "If the officials didn't kick him out, you don't get to either."
Alexis scoffed. "Fine. I'm not stopping because of you clowns. I just figured… what could a bozo from the Lightning Nation possibly do?"
Dan stepped forward, eyes crackling. "Watch and find out."
"Enough," Catherina snapped. "That's all for now. Prepare for tomorrow. Dismissed!"
"YES MA!" the hall echoed.
As Dan turned to leave, Alexis bumped him with his shoulder.
"Be ready, bozo."
"Damn you," Dan muttered.
Henry offered a small smile. "Sorry about that. Alexis isn't all bad. He's just… rough."
Dan sighed. "Thanks. Who are you?"
"Henry. Alexis's closest friend."
(Dan: I'll show him. No… I'll show all of them. I have to train harder.)
Later That Evening – In a Forest Outside Town
Sweat dripped from Dan's brow as he slammed his fists into a wooden post, then spun into a kick. Lightning flickered faintly along his arms.
"I have two special moves… but Greg said I'm still not using my power right. What more can I do?" he muttered.
"Maybe train with me," a familiar voice said.
Samuel emerged from the shadows, smirking.
"Hey, Sam. Tomorrow's the big day."
"Yeah. They told us it's a race. You running or fighting?"
"Both."
"Smart. Me too. Let's spar."
Dan smiled. "Alright."
They clashed under moonlight. Sparks and wind whipped the trees as fists collided. It ended with Dan standing over Samuel, panting.
"You good?" he asked.
Samuel groaned. "What the hell did you just do with your legs at the end?"
"I don't know… it just happened."
"Train that. As for me—I need a lot more work."
"We've still got time." Dan extended a hand. "Let's continue."
Meanwhile – In Ash's Room
Ash poured wine lazily into two cups, lounging on a couch.
"Thanks for the drink… and the outfit," he teased.
Catherina rolled her eyes. "Shut up, perv."
"I liked your pink hair better."
"Deal with it."
Catherina continues "You should've taken the exam two years ago with me. Why didn't you?"
"I was lazy. Figured they'd force me eventually. This is my final chance—after all, all 18-year-olds must qualify."
"You're an idiot," Catherina muttered. "Where do you think you will finish"
Ash smirked. "I'll finish at the top."
"And the others?"
"Alexis and Steven look better than ever. Esther keeps improving. Agi and Henry are solid. Rebecca's decent. Chase is perfect as always."
"What about Dan?"
Ash hesitated, looking away. "Disappointing. He still uses his power like a child. Hopefully, he survives."
Catherina chuckled. "We'll see."
He leaned closer. "So, should we—?"
Catherina slugged him in the gut.
The Next Morning – Forest Exam Begins
The sky glowed gold as the sun crested the horizon. Deep in the sprawling forest, trees swayed as wind whispered through the branches. Birds fled as the candidates took their positions, tension crackling in the air.
Dan crouched in the underbrush, fingers twitching.
"This is it," he whispered. "Time to show them all."
A low rumble echoed as lightning danced faintly in his iris.
To Be Continued…