Arc 3.15: To The Stars

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The next morning, the sound of birds chirping softly in the distance woke me. The early morning air was cool and crisp, a welcome contrast to the warmth of my sleeping bag. I stretched, feeling the aches from yesterday's activities, but also a sense of calm. The others were still stirring, the camp slowly coming to life.

Lily groaned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Anyone else feel like they got run over by a truck?"

I laughed softly. "Yeah, but that's the camping life."

Andromeda was already awake, quietly tending to the fire. She nodded at us as we began to rise, her usual serene presence giving the morning a peaceful vibe. Alastair was sitting nearby, flipping through a notebook, while Kai sat cross-legged looking at Andromeda.

Adrian was the last to emerge from his tent, his hair sticking up in all directions. "Morning, everyone. Did I miss breakfast?"

"Nope, you're just in time," Andromeda replied with a smile, handing him a mug of instant coffee.

As we settled into our morning routine, Yu Lin suddenly appeared, her tablet in hand and a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Alright, folks, rise and shine! The viewers have spoken, and you've got a brand-new quest for today!"

We exchanged curious glances, a mix of excitement and dread building in the air.

"What kind of quest?" I asked, half-expecting something ridiculous like bear wrestling or finding a hidden treasure.

Yu Lin smirked. "You're about to find out. Gather around!"

We circled up as Yu Lin read from her tablet. "Your mission today is called 'The Great Wilderness Challenge.' The viewers want to see how well you all work together to complete a series of tasks. You'll have to rely on each other's strengths and use the environment around you to succeed."

Kai perked up. "Sounds interesting. What kind of tasks are we talking about?"

Yu Lin's smile widened. "Glad you asked. First, you'll need to find your own food—no using the supplies you've brought. You'll be foraging, fishing, or hunting, depending on what you decide. Next, you'll have to build a functional shelter using only natural materials. Lastly, the most important part—there's a secret bonus challenge you'll discover once you finish the first two tasks."

Lily groaned but laughed. "Of course there's a secret bonus challenge. There's always a catch."

I glanced around at the group, already mentally preparing for the day ahead. "Alright, we've got this. We've done harder things, right?"

Andromeda nodded, her face calmer than usual. "We'll just need to divide the tasks based on who's best suited for each one. I'll help with foraging, if that's okay."

"Perfect," I said, appreciating her level-headedness.

Alastair looked a bit nervous but tried to hide it. "I can help with the shelter. I've watched enough survival shows to know a thing or two."

"I'll try fishing," I volunteered. "I grew up doing it, so I've got a little experience."

Kai held up his hand. "I'll help build a fire so we can cook, but I can help wherever I'm needed as well."

Adrian, always the joker, grinned. "Guess I'll be the morale booster! But seriously, I'll help build the shelter."

Lily stretched and shook out her limbs. "I'm down for foraging with Andromeda. Let's make sure we don't pick anything poisonous, yeah?"

Yu Lin clapped her hands, clearly enjoying the anticipation. "That's the spirit! Remember, the viewers are watching live, so make it entertaining."

With that, the quest was set. The Great Wilderness Challenge was about to begin, and as we all gathered our gear and mentally prepared, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This wasn't just about surviving anymore—it was about proving to ourselves, and to each other, that we were capable of more than we thought.

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