Challenge Two - The Split Path

[Opening Scene – Project Earth Academy Dorms]

The pale orange glow of dawn creeps through the high-rise dorm window. Inside, Zeno sits perfectly still on the floor — cross-legged, eyes closed, silent.

His breathing is calm, but his mind races — simulating hundreds of outcomes.

“Split the team. Increase unpredictability. Target emotional bonds. That’s what they’ll do…”

His eyes open slowly — sharp, focused, calculating.

He stands, dresses, and straps on his Project Earth gear with quiet precision. No hesitation. No doubt. Just clarity.

[Scene – Hero Trial Grounds: The Crucible, Sector B]

Students buzz with energy, their eyes locked on the high-altitude screens replaying highlights from the last trial. Zeno’s team dominates the headlines — now fan favorites across campus.

But there’s no time to bask.

Two figures take the stage:

Colton Briggs, his stoic presence familiar.

Beside him, a sharp-jawed woman with short silver hair and violet eyes — clad in sleek tactical armor.

Elyse Vanta, also known as Dissector — former Division 0 strategist.

Her voice cuts like a blade.

“Challenge Two is designed to push you individually. Your powers mean little without synergy. Today… we split you.”

A murmur spreads through the crowd.

Zeno exchanges glances with his original squad. Mira frowns. Calen clenches his jaw.

Zeno just smiles faintly, thinking:

“Perfect. I can underperform with strangers. Less suspicion… more shadows.”

[Trial Setup – Challenge Two: The Split Path]

Each student is teleported to a randomized arena quadrant, paired with new recruits.

The objective appears mid-air as glowing text:

“DEFEND THE CORE. 2 WAVES. SURVIVE.”

Rules:

Protect the energy core from enemy waves.

3 K.O.s = failure.

If the core is destroyed = failure.

Zeno materializes with his new squad:

Rye Ortega – arrogant, volatile magnetism user.

Jenla Vee – shrill-voiced sonic-type with low self-esteem.

Brem – minor shapeshifter, prefers hiding.

Taj Alzon – jittery telekinetic, completely green.

It’s chaos from the start.

Rye barks orders. Taj panics. Brem hides. Jenla is already unsure of her own power.

Zeno’s voice remains calm, measured.

“We each cover one quadrant. I’ll float center. If you’re overloaded, call it. Keep line of sight.”

Rye narrows his eyes.

“Who died and made you leader?”

Zeno shrugs.

“Just a guy who doesn’t wanna lose.”

[Wave One – Drainers]

The sky darkens. The first enemies appear — Drainers, shriveled husks with crackling spines and power-leeching claws. They scatter in all directions.

Taj immediately stumbles back, psychic pressure crippling his focus.

Jenla screams — a raw burst of sound that unexpectedly sends a group of Drainers flying backward.

Even she’s surprised.

“I… I didn’t know I could do that…”

Zeno, having subtly thinned the oxygen in her quadrant to amplify resonance, just smirks.

“Maybe you’re evolving.”

[Wave Two – Droner Storm]

The skies split open with the next wave — Droners, hundreds of mini bomb-droppers that rain down with mechanical precision.

Rye’s magnetism spikes erratically under stress, misfiring.

Zeno fakes a staggered step — his hands trembling. A ruse.

In secret, he manipulates the air’s density, slowing the shockwave of explosions just enough to protect the core.

No one notices.

Taj screams, pushing up a final kinetic wall, then collapses.

The core is nearly struck.

Zeno exhales — and unleashes a compressed air dome, a barely visible barrier that absorbs the blast and shields the team.

The attack stops instantly.

Rye stares at the dome, dumbfounded.

“What the hell kind of air move was that…?”

Zeno just adjusts his sleeves.

“An old wind guard technique. Rare. Not that strong.”

The judges, hidden in the towers above, lean forward. Replaying the moment. Slowing it down.

It wasn’t just precise — it was surgical.

[Cut Scene – Calen’s Trial Group]

Elsewhere in another arena, Calen leads a different squad. His teamwork is impressive, his combat crisp — but his eyes keep drifting to the broadcast board.

Zeno’s quadrant. Glitching.

Something’s off.

[Mira – Solo Trial Room]

Mira wipes sweat from her forehead, glancing at the side feeds. She notices the static jumps around Zeno’s footage every time things escalate.

“That’s not a drone glitch…”

Her eyes narrow.

[End of Challenge – Review Room]

Zeno’s new squad sits in silence.

They’re bruised, exhausted — but alive.

2nd fastest time of the day.

Rye approaches, extending a fist.

“You’re weird. But you saved us. Respect.”