It all began with groups of people walking into an empty room. The room was strong and made of metal, and guards locked the vaulted door. Everyone was surprised until they saw a woman walking out of an elevator.
“Hello, ladies and gentlemen,” she announced, her voice echoing in the room. “You are all probably wondering why I brought you here. I am pleased to announce that my team and I will select two participants to join Trial 11! ”
Nervousness spread through the crowd as they hoped it wouldn’t be them.
With a proud smile, the woman continued, “Now, let’s start with the ladies first, shall we?”
She reached into a large magical pen filled with everyone’s names and said, “This is a magical pen and will write your name on this paper. So, Pen, what is the first name? “Astra Vale! Come forward, my child!”
Astra stepped forward, her heart racing as she walked on the stage.
The woman then asked and smirked, “Now, for the gentlemen, do we have Kairo Mercer? There we have our contestants for Trial 11: Astra Vale and Kairo Mercer! ”
The guards escorted him along with Astra. As they walked into the room, they exchanged glances.
Astra thought, “Kairo? That name sounds familiar.”
Kairo also recognized her and thought, “I remember her very well; she was my childhood best friend, but then the government separated us.”
Astra asks, “Who are you? ”
The woman smiled warmly and replied, “Me? Well, I’m Seraphina Elise Montclair. People call me Lady Montclair.”
They went to a private bus and had a luxurious room, food, and even a bathroom! It showed that they were going to Canada because that is where the games will be held. Luckily, the trip was free because that might be the last time they will go on a trip together.
Astra said with curiosity, “So listen up, partner. I don’t know if you are actually Kairo, also known as my childhood best friend, with whom I have been friends for more than three years. So, I have one question. Are you actually the Kairo I know? ”
Kairo said, “Yes, I am the Kairo you know. The one you played with when you were seven.”
She hugged him because they hadn’t seen each other in a very long time. Kairo smiled and hugged back. Lady Montclair told them to rest, and in two days the games will begin, so she gave them plenty of rest. They were given each a room, perfect enough for 2 people. Of course, Kairo and Astra wanted to be dormmates. They chatted about each other’s lives and how strict or kind the environment was. Sometimes, Kairo even zoned out.
*The two days passed as they enjoyed spending time together after not reuniting for a long time, but will they survive Trial 11? Who knows?*
Lady Montclair told every player to go to room 505. They were each escorted by guards to room 505. When every player was there, they saw loads of weapons. No guns. A player asked why there were no guns.
The guard said with a loud voice, “Guns are not allowed because they would be unfair, as they are overpowered. No one should be mad or sad. And of course, no cheating. Unless you want to face the consequences of the wrongdoing.”
Astra looked at each one and picked a double-edged spear. She looked at a dummy and used her talent to destroy it. She found it useful. It had a unique design. Then she grabbed a dagger and imprinted her name on the spear. She also got some nunchucks. It was colored dark purple and navy blue.
As for Kairo, he got a retractable shotel that always comes back to him. He found it awesome and tested it. It had a maroon-like color at the handle. He also got grenades and kunai for traps later in the game.
Each of the players had a backpack with a name and a color of choice. Astra loves purple, so her bag was royal purple and blue. She appreciated it. On the other hand, Kairo likes red, so his backpack was wine and cherry-red. He was amazed by the color and liked it.
Astra saw Kairo zoning out again and said, “You really gotta stop zoning out! It’s quite funny to be honest, seeing you do that.”
“Oh, it’s nothing! Don’t worry. I am just thinking of a master plan! Haha. Kairo said nervously, his face turning to a bright cherry red.
Astra didn’t think much of it; it could be nothing or just a habit.
The host spoke in a deep voice, “Welcome to Trial 11. You will play a tough and deadly game that we prepared. It’s called “Until The Last Day.” You have one day to prepare. Good luck, Trial 11. May the best win.”
Kairo said worriedly, “Astra, the host bothered me; his voice sounds just like my dad’s, and he looks like him, too. I feel like it is him.
Astra replied, confused, “The host? He doesn’t look like your dad; you’re being paranoid. Calm down! Maybe you’re just nervous about the games. Don’t worry, we can win this!
Kairo said in disbelief, “Astra, that’s my stepdad. My real dad left when I was five and moved to Canada for ‘important’ work when I was seven. When I found out we were coming to Canada, I hoped we might find him. I kept wondering if he was in the game—or even the host. But seeing him here… why is he running a deadly game?”
Astra hugged Kairo to comfort him. That night, Kairo talked about his father, Kenneth Mercer, a kind and hardworking man who rarely replied to calls or messages from Kairo and his mother, Keira Mercer. After their long conversation, they both fell asleep.
The game began.
Each player was sent to a different location and appeared near their partner. Resources were scattered throughout the forest. Before the trial started, Kairo overheard his father mutter that no one had ever survived past Day 11.
From Days 1–3, Astra found a cave that was perfect for two people. Meanwhile, Kairo searched for food. He gathered fruits and vegetables. He used his kunai to hunt lambs for meat. He also found oranges, but left them behind because Astra was allergic to them.
On Day 4, Kairo searched for clean water. Most of the water he found was muddy, so it took him hours to find a safe source. At the same time, Astra used wood and stone to make furniture and improve their cave.
On Day 5, Astra built even more furniture. She made a sofa, a bed, chairs, a table, a shower, and a toilet using the materials they had. Kairo was so exhausted from gathering supplies that he fell asleep soon after helping finish the sofa.
Days 6–7 were a surprise. Four players died from starvation or attacks by other players. While collecting wood, Kairo was cornered by two players who thought he would be easy to defeat. Using his shotel, Kairo fought back and defeated both of them. When he returned to the cave hungry and tired, he found Astra cooking fried rice with vegetables he had gathered.
By Days 7–8, only seven players remained. Astra crafted sharp wooden daggers for traps around the cave. While outside, she saw two players attacking Kairo. Using Kairo’s grenades and her traps, she made an ambush. She eliminated one player with a kunai and lured the other into a trap. A thrown dagger triggered a grenade, defeating the second attacker. Only five players remained. Astra collected their loot and returned to Kairo.
On Day 9, Kairo went out to gather fruit so Astra could make snacks. While he was away, the last three players secretly jumped him with a sleeping bomb and carried him away unconscious. Astra secretly followed them through the trees when she saw Kairo being dragged.
When Kairo woke up, he was shocked to see his old friend, Lucian de Ville.
Lucian laughed. “You’ve already lost. Once I kill you, my friends will let me kill them so that I can win!”
Kairo smiled. “No, I haven’t. And for your information, there are still five players left, not four.”
At that moment, Astra stepped out and fought Lucian’s two allies with her nunchucks, defeating them quickly. Lucian’s plan failed because he underestimated the bond between Astra and Kairo. After reclaiming Kairo’s stolen food, they returned home.
Day 10 ended with neither Astra nor Kairo knowing what to do. They had survived every challenge together and protected each other. Then the game announced that only one of them could survive.
The next day, they were brought to the final arena. The host announced that the last stage of Trial 11 would begin and ordered them to fight. Astra held her spear while Kairo gripped his shotel, but neither moved.
Minutes passed in silence.
Finally, Astra lowered her weapon. Kairo looked at her and slowly lowered his own. Murmurs spread through the crowd.
“We’re not fighting,” Astra said firmly.
The host became furious and ordered the guards to prepare their punishment. Before anyone could move, Lady Montclair stepped forward. She had watched the two throughout the entire trial and saw how much they had sacrificed for each other.
After a moment of thought, she announced that Trial 11 was never truly about being the last survivor. It was about trust and loyalty. Astra and Kairo had shown both until the very end.
Because of that, they had both passed.
The crowd applauded as the gates opened. Astra smiled at Kairo, and for the first time since the trial began, neither of them felt afraid. Together, they walked out of the arena, leaving Trial 11 behind and looking forward to a future they never thought they would have.
Ma. Venice Andreia M. Ubaldo started Bubots when she was 9 years old. She began at the Basic level and wanted to learn more about writing. At first, she had difficulty understanding English and making sentences. She kept practicing and worked hard every day. Slowly, her writing skills improved. Now she is 11 years old and writes stories, essays, and articles. She has also finished many activities that helped her become a better writer.