Stranded Beyond Worlds

Secrets of the Summit

Morning came with an unsettling quiet, broken only by the occasional birdcall and the rustling of leaves in the wind. The cliff loomed above them, jagged and treacherous, seeming almost alive in the way it towered over the jungle. Izuku studied it with unease as the group gathered their supplies, ready to climb.

"Hope none of you are afraid of heights," Dabi muttered, glancing at the cliffside.

Toga grinned, tightening her pack. "The higher we go, the closer we are to finding something interesting! Besides," she added, giving Dabi a playful nudge, "you can always fly up with your flames if you get tired."

Dabi rolled his eyes, but he looked up at the cliff with a wary gaze. "Yeah, well, I'm not carrying anyone."

The climb was slow and grueling. The rock face was steep, and the path was narrow and unstable, forcing them to stay alert with each step. Izuku led the way, using One For All sparingly to boost himself up difficult sections, while Toga and Shigaraki followed close behind. Dabi brought up the rear, using his flames sparingly to steady himself on crumbling footholds.

After what felt like hours, they finally reached the summit, breathless and covered in dust. As they crested the final ledge, they were met with an astonishing sight: an ancient temple, larger and grander than the one they'd explored before, nestled within a vast, open plateau. It was made of dark stone, covered in more of the strange symbols that seemed to shift and pulse with a faint, eerie glow.

Izuku's heart pounded as they approached. "This place... it feels like the heart of the island."

Shigaraki narrowed his eyes, a calculating look on his face. "If there's any clue to getting out of here, it's in there."

Without another word, he strode forward, and the rest followed, their steps echoing in the still air. As they approached the entrance, they noticed intricate carvings on the doors—symbols of a language none of them could understand, swirling patterns that seemed to pulse with energy.

The door creaked open as Shigaraki pushed against it, revealing a dark, cavernous hall. The air was cold and stale, heavy with the weight of centuries. Flickering torches lined the walls, casting shadows that seemed to dance and shift.

"Anyone else getting a bad feeling?" Dabi muttered, glancing around.

Toga's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I think it's fun! A little adventure with new friends!"

Izuku couldn't help but roll his eyes, but he kept his focus on their surroundings. There was something ominous about the temple, a feeling that they were being watched. The walls were lined with murals depicting battles and strange creatures, similar to those they'd seen in the first temple, but here the figures looked more detailed, almost lifelike.

In the center of the hall stood a pedestal, much like the one with the orb they'd seen before, but this one held a large, ancient-looking book, bound in black leather with silver engravings. The air around it hummed with power.

Izuku took a cautious step forward, inspecting the book. "This must be what's controlling the island..."

Shigaraki scoffed. "Or it's a trap. Why else would it be out in the open?"

Ignoring him, Izuku opened the book. The pages were covered in the same strange symbols, but as he looked closer, they seemed to rearrange themselves, forming words he could understand.

"The Keeper's Trial..." Izuku read aloud, his voice echoing. "It says something about proving worth to escape... but there's no map or instructions."

Dabi groaned. "Of course there's a catch. It's never as simple as just picking up the treasure."

Shigaraki's eyes narrowed. "Then we take the trial. Whatever it is, we're ready."

As if in response to his words, the ground beneath them began to tremble. The walls shifted, the temple rearranging itself. Torches flared to life, illuminating an archway at the end of the hall that led into a dark corridor.

Toga clapped her hands in excitement. "Looks like the island wants to play with us!"

With no other choice, they followed the corridor, moving deeper into the temple. The air grew colder, the darkness thicker. At the end of the corridor, they entered a vast room illuminated by strange blue crystals embedded in the walls.

In the center of the room, a massive creature stood, unlike anything they had seen before. It was vaguely humanoid but covered in shimmering scales, with sharp claws and piercing, glowing eyes. Its deep, rumbling voice echoed through the room.

"Who dares attempt the Keeper's Trial?"

Izuku tensed, activating One For All. "We do. We're looking for a way off this island."

The creature's eyes narrowed, and it let out a low, guttural laugh. "Then prove yourselves. Only those who can face their deepest fears and survive shall earn their freedom."

Without warning, the creature raised its hand, and the blue crystals around the room flared to life, casting an intense light. The light surrounded each of them, and suddenly, Izuku found himself alone, the others nowhere in sight.

He looked around, his heart racing. "Shigaraki? Toga? Dabi?!"

There was no response. Instead, shadows began to swirl around him, taking shape. Figures emerged—familiar faces, but twisted, distorted versions of people he cared about. His mother, his friends from UA, even All Might. Their eyes glowed with an unnatural light as they advanced toward him, accusations and blame filling the air.

"This is your fault, Izuku," All Might's voice echoed, deep and condemning. "You're the reason we're all suffering. You failed us."

Izuku shook his head, clenching his fists. "No! This... this isn't real!"

But the figures kept approaching, their faces twisted in anger and disappointment. He struggled to stay calm, his mind racing. This was the trial—he had to face his fears, his insecurities. He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing, grounding himself in the reality that his friends were depending on him.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. The figures faded, and he was alone once more.

Meanwhile, Dabi, Toga, and Shigaraki each faced their own visions. Dabi stood in a burning forest, haunted by the faces of his past, his family's voices echoing, mocking him. Toga faced a world of isolation, her "friends" abandoning her, leaving her in complete darkness. Shigaraki, however, found himself in a cold, empty void, a place where his power meant nothing, a life stripped of purpose.

Each of them struggled, confronted by their own darkest fears. But one by one, they overcame them, each finding the strength to break free from the illusions.

When they emerged, they found themselves back in the room with the creature, battered but triumphant. The creature nodded, a hint of respect in its eyes.

"You have faced your fears and survived. Few accomplish this feat. Take your reward, and leave this cursed place."

The creature stepped aside, revealing a shimmering portal at the far end of the room. The air around it pulsed with energy, a gateway back to their world.

Izuku looked at the others, each of them silent but sharing a mutual understanding. For now, their conflict was set aside, replaced by the simple will to survive.

Together, they stepped through the portal, leaving the island and its secrets behind.

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To be continued ...