Time: 6:47 AM — Right After Breakfast
“Would the all the students from the Shadow Division report to the Central Library immediately.”
The announcement rang out like a war siren.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRO5obPEsp
Avni, mid-bite into a suspiciously chewy croissant, froze.
Raiden muttered, “Oh no. Not the library. That place smells like mold and bad decisions.”
Luce stretched with a yawn. “Maybe we’re finally getting assigned dorm pets. I’m voting for a tarantula. Name it Guilt.”
Saira blinked. “I’m still processing the fact that breakfast didn’t explode.”
Dev, chewing cereal: “That was cereal?”
Veer held up his bowl. “Mine just twitched.”
Lev didn’t laugh. He just stared down at his untouched tray. His gut didn’t trust this sudden… peace. Not after everything that had gone down that morning — the 5 AM division selection, the petty fight, the breakfast served by masked chefs who definitely weren’t students.
Something was off.
Sayaka stood. “Let’s go, children. I want this over with before my nail polish chips.”
Ishaan groaned. “This better not be another fake test. I haven’t recovered from the trauma of choosing the same division as you psychos.”
They walked.
Location: Central Library, Valgrave Campus
The doors creaked open.
Instantly, that scent hit them.
Lavender.
Sweet. Flowery. Deceptively calming.
Avni’s face dropped. “No. No no no. Not this again—”
Lev’s voice was dry. “Why is it always lavender? Is Valgrave sponsored by a soap brand?”
Eri: (grimacing)22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ELy3GjHIn
“Why do they always drug us with flowers? What’s next, chamomile explosions?”
Raiden gagged. “If I knew I’d be knocked out twice in the same week, I’d have transferred to Force Division.”
Luce staggered dramatically. “Tell my future ex-husband I loved him.”
Saira: “Which one?”
Veer, spinning: “This time… we’re going down together!”
Ishaan held his breath. “I can hold it. I’ve been training. Watch me.”
Dev: inhales deeply “Smells like grandma’s funeral.”
Sayaka: “You people have issues.”
Then everyone fainted.
Location: Unknown Dense Forest — Hours Later
Fifty-five Shadow students woke up in the middle of hell.
The trees were tall. The ground was uneven. Fog choked the air. Something howled in the distance.
Erik sat up first. “I’m going to kill whoever invented lavender.”
Dev moaned, “My face met a pinecone. We’re enemies now.”
Avni blinked around. “Wait. Where are the instructors? Where are the medics? Where are the basic human rights?”
Luce said, " Come on, Shall we draft a constitution Avni".
A large screen flashed to life above them, hovering in mid-air like an ominous god.
“WELCOME, SHADOWS.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0KU68SZC0
YOU HAVE ONE MONTH.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoUyXKTTi0
OBJECTIVES:
LOCATE YOUR TWO MISSING TEAMMATES.
COLLECT RELICS FROM UMBRA AND ASTRYNOX ISLANDS.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4Hf2OEQsA
FAILURE = ELIMINATION.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg8UMBH296
IF EVEN ONE OF YOUR TWO MISSING TEAMMATES DIES, ALL 55 WILL BE EXECUTED.” <<
Silence.
Then—
Ishaan: “Did that say EXECUTED?”
Saira: “Cool cool cool. I was bored anyway.”
Raiden: “What kind of game show is this?”
Luce pointed. “Umbra and Astrynox... they're near each other. But we’re in the central forest, meaning we have to cross—”
Lev interrupted, voice tight: “A literal death zone.”
Sayaka shrugged. “Let’s go. I’ve been craving mortal peril.”
Dev: “Why not just mail us the corpses and call it a day?”
Another message pinged on the screen.
“REMINDER:22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwE7uCXBSz
NO SPLITTING UP.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVP4oxbnVZ
YOU MUST MOVE AS SHADOWS.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uF8csDxo8
STAY INVISIBLE.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGeEcAUtnK
STAY TOGETHER.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCz1dc8TmR
SURVIVE.” <<
Avni buried her face in her hands. “This isn’t school. This is psychological warfare with meal breaks.”
Veer clapped his hands together. “Okay! Let’s strategize. Food, water, shelter, snake repellent—”
Suddenly, a massive rustling sound came from the left.
Everyone screamed.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmPF6orKbz
Ishaan: “WHAT WAS THAT—A BEAR? A CREATURE? A VALGRAVE PROFESSOR?!”
Lev pulled out his combat knife. “We stay close. No more jokes. No more noise.”
Dev: “We’re Shadows, Lev. But like, emotionally unstable shadows.”
Luce laughed quietly, brushing dirt off his sleeve. “Let’s face it — this forest isn’t deadly.”
Pause.
A snake dropped from a branch and ate a squirrel whole in front of them.
Everyone: “…”
Luce: “Okay. Maybe a little deadly.”
And so began the Shadows’ true test.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDUG5WcpuD
Survive a forest. Retrieve lost friends. Retrieve stolen objects.22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYaIWbYieR
Avoid dying.
They had 30 days.
55 students.
Zero chances.
But at least, as Veer whispered dramatically,22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74KZxzYIVa
“We’re all delulu together.”
and then Add to home screen.