Dawn cracked with a tremor.
Campers gathered at the edge of the Colosseum field, now transformed into a circular arena surrounded by ancient archways glowing with runes. Chiron stood beside a stone gate swirling with light.
"Remember," he said, "five emblems scattered in five elemental zones. Retrieve them, survive, and escape before two hours pass."
Kenji gripped the hilt of *Frostbite Edge* tightly. Percy stood beside him, cracking his neck.
"Let's do this," Percy said. "I've got water. You?"
Kenji gave a faint grin. "Ice and wind."
"Show-off."
They stepped through the gate.
---
*System Prompt: Entering Instance – Olympus Trial I: Maze of Elements*
> *Timer: 2:00:00
> Objective: Collect 5 Elemental Emblems
> Sub-Objective: Defeat Optional Elite Monster
> Bonus: First Exit – +100 Drachmas, Rare Item Drop*
Kenji blinked as the world shifted. The sky vanished. Stone walls rose around him—white frost clinging to the surface. His breath misted.
The *Cryo Zone*.
---
*Zone 1: Cryo Maze*
Kenji dashed forward, activating *Arctic Step*—his boots gliding silently over ice. A Yeti-like monster emerged, thick with fur and teeth.
> *Lv. 10 – Icebound Brute
> HP: 350*
Kenji didn't hesitate.
*Frostbite Edge* hummed as he activated *Wind Thrust*, striking low and then high. He used the *Vision Stone*, enhancing his perception, watching for muscle tension, subtle shifts.
Two minutes later, the beast fell.
> *Drop: Cryo Emblem, Yeti Pelt x1*
> *XP Gained – Cryokinesis + Swordsmanship ↑*
---
*Zone 2: Fire Pits*
Walls melted into molten rock. Blistering heat.
Kenji moved swiftly, using wind to cool his body. Fire snakes attacked—blazing red creatures slithering through the air.
He slashed, using wind bursts to extinguish their flame trails.
> *Drop: Fire Emblem*
---
*Zone 3: Sandstorm Corridor*
Visibility: Near zero. Wind screeched.
Kenji activated *Observe*.
> *Enemies detected: Buried Scorpions, 3 Units*
He leaped, narrowly dodging a massive stinger. A quick series of slashes, timed with *Wind Pulse*, took them down.
He dug the emblem from the sand.
---
*Zone 4: Aqua Core*
Here, Percy was already in a battle with a *Tide Wraith*.
"Little help?" Percy shouted as the ghostlike creature lashed him with watery tendrils.
Kenji surged forward, combining wind with water in a spiral strike.
> *Combo Skill Activated: Spiral Torrent*
> *Tide Wraith Defeated*
They both panted, sharing a look.
> *Bond Skill Progression: +*
> *Shared Drop: Aqua Emblem*
---
*Zone 5: Storm Heights*
Lightning tore across the sky. Wind roared dangerously.
At the top of a jagged peak sat a glowing emblem guarded by an *Elite Trial Guardian*—a storm-forged golem with eyes of thunder.
> *Lv. 15 – Thunderborn Sentinel*
> *HP: 800*
Kenji knew he couldn't take this alone.
Percy stepped beside him. "One last dance?"
Kenji grinned. "Don't miss your cue."
The two launched a coordinated attack—Percy drawing lightning away with water conduction, Kenji soaring on wind to drive Frostbite Edge into the golem's weak point.
> *BOSS DEFEATED*
> *Drop: Storm Emblem, Rare Core, Bonus Loot Chest*
> *Achievement: First Completion – +100 Drachmas*
---
*System Prompt*
> *All Emblems Acquired. Exit Unlocked.*
> Time Remaining: *00:12:41*
Kenji and Percy exited through the golden gate that shimmered into view.
The Colosseum roared.
---
*End of Chapter 17*