The morning sun bathed the base of Mount Arjuna in golden light as hundreds of candidates gathered in the courtyard of Panularan village. The air was filled with the scent of incense and sandalwood flowers. This sacred place only opened once every two years: to host the selection for the brightest youths of the Nusantara continent to enter the Nusantara Academy, a sanctioned branch of the All Worlds Academy.
Among the crowd stood a silent boy. His sharp black eyes pierced through the noise; his hair tied back simply. He was Aji Saka, the last heir of the Majapahit lineage, whose life changed forever when his family was massacred for refusing to bow to the "gods" of this world.
"Today is not just a trial. It is a step toward the Axis... and the hidden truth."
🌍 The Seven Continents of All Worlds
Before the trials began, the candidates were gathered in a great circular stone plaza. At its center was engraved a map of All Worlds, displaying seven major territories:
Aetherion – Northern Continent, homeland of the angels. Land of eternal snow and crystal, governed by divine moral law.
Dravhark – Western Continent, realm of ancient dragons. Volcanoes, molten rivers, and a culture of strength and honor duels.
Umbra – Southern Continent, domain of darkness. Eternal night, home to demons and living nightmares.
Solari – Eastern Continent, the empire of false gods. Golden splendor veils deception and control.
Verdantia – Southeast, jungle of spirits and elves. Living trees, elemental beings, and ancient natural laws.
Nusantara – Equatorial belt. The tropical archipelago of Majapahit, where humans protect ancient legacy and semi-modern technology.
The Axis – The world's center. A floating academy above an eternal ocean. Only top graduates from each branch may enter.
🧑⚖️ The Examiners: Representatives of the World
This test wasn't merely overseen by local instructors. Seven high-ranking examiners each representing one global power were present:
Eldrael (Aetherion): The Observing Angel. Robes of crystal, silver eyes. Judges purity of intent and moral clarity.
Vaekhul (Dravhark): Dragon General. Body of lava, craves combat. Assesses strength and endurance.
Lirazel (Umbra): The Shadowcaller. Wears a silver mask, sees through illusions. Evaluates mental resilience.
Sorena Vaal (Solari): High Priestess. Alluring and deadly. Seeks those loyal to the gods.
Talyen Moer (Verdantia): Forest Envoy. Elf with root-like hair. Seeks balance and respect for nature.
Ki Rengga Brahmana (Nusantara): Headmaster of the Academy. Keeper of the Etheric Scrolls of Majapahit. Secret sympathizer of the Fourth Sky.
The Shadow Figure: Origins unknown. Sat silently in the rear. Eyes locked on Aji from the start.
🏯 First Gate: The Gate of the Body (Ancestral Heritage)
This gate tested physical strength, combat technique, and cultural legacy. Each candidate showcased martial arts, spells, or techniques rooted in their homeland.
When Aji's turn came, whispers circled the crowd:
"That village boy? He won't last…"
But Aji stood firm. He calmed his breath and began moving with precise, flowing motions:
Tiger Step of the Mountain
Garuda's Aerial Evasion
Javanese Dragon Fang Thrust
With each move, he channeled an inner force etheric energy fused with the Majapahit Guardian Mantra, a secret bloodline technique. The air around him twisted, forming a swirling vortex of light.
Vaekhul's eyes widened. Lirazel narrowed her gaze. Even Eldrael paused to take notes in his glowing scripture.
Sorena Vaal smiled slightly.
"His blood… is not entirely human."
🧠 Second Gate: The Mind (Mirror of Logic and Etheric Knowledge)
Candidates were led into the Etheric Labyrinth of Nusantara, each chamber presenting illusions and puzzles to test logic, creativity, and energy understanding.
Aji stepped into the first room.
A voice echoed:
"If light is used to deceive, and shadow saves, which one is truth?"
He answered:
"That which frees the soul not what merely shines."
Suddenly, the walls shifted. A hidden chamber opened, revealing an altar marked with a softly glowing black lotus symbol.
As Aji touched it, the symbol burned itself into his palm. A voice whispered within his mind:
"The Fourth Sky sees you heir of the silenced past."
⚖️ Third Gate: The Heart (Moral Trial and Living Illusion)
The final trial tested the soul. Each candidate entered a mind illusion and faced a difficult moral choice.
Aji found himself in a burning city. On one side: a sacred scripture of Solari said to hold the laws of the world. On the other: a young girl trapped beneath rubble.
The Axis system would reward those who saved the scripture not the life.
But Aji didn't hesitate. He dashed into the flames, lifting the girl out, letting the scripture turn to ash.
After the trial, Sorena Vaal watched him silently, then whispered to Lirazel:
"He's dangerous. He puts humanity above the gods' law."
🤝 Friends, Rivals, and Hidden Allies
Only four participants passed all three gates:
Aji Saka
Larasati – Descendant of Siliwangi. Master of forest magic and ether. Gentle and wise.
Raga – Son of a military general. Tough and proud, but respects Aji's choices.
Mimir – Silent contender from Dravhark. Mysterious. Possibly able to read others' intentions.
They were assigned to Team Arunika, an elite unit trained for the final selection to The Axis.
☁️ The Fourth Sky: Path of Truth
That night, Aji sat beside a river. The black lotus on his palm glowed faintly.
From the shadows emerged an old man in grey robes.
"You've been seen. But they don't know who you truly are."
Aji asked, "You're from the Fourth Sky?"
The man nodded.
"We are the remnants who never bowed. We believe in the One True Creator, not the false gods."
He handed Aji a scroll a secret map to The Axis.
"If you continue, it won't just be the gods who hunt you it'll be the world. Are you ready, Aji Saka?"
🎓 End of Chapter 4
The next morning, Aji Saka was officially declared a student of Nusantara Academy. He received a white-grey robe marked "Candidate of Arunika" a symbol of both honor and peril.
As the academy flag rose and officials sang praises to the gods, Aji gazed up at the flawless blue sky.
"Their sky is not mine. But I will pierce through it. For my family. For the truth. For a world greater than seven continents."
To be continued...