Aeliana awoke to the familiar chime of the program team's loud notification system echoing across the trees. The floating drone camera zoomed in on her drowsy face as she slowly sat up in her tent, blinking away sleep.
It was early, and the island mist had not yet cleared. She rubbed her eyes and reached for the tablet placed beside her. Today's instructions had already been uploaded.
[Survival Update: Participants will now be grouped into teams of three for the next set of challenges. Cooperation and teamwork are required. Safety is best ensured by staying together.]
Aeliana sighed softly.
I will have companions from this moment. I just hope they are kind people.
She had gotten used to working alone, carefully navigating her way through survival with mastery. But the new twist meant she would need to guide or adapt. And somehow, her instincts told her she'd need to lead.
Within the hour, she met the two women who would complete her team. The first was Roselyn, tall and fit, with sun-kissed skin and sharp eyes that didn't miss a detail. She was known to the public as the gold medalist in archery, confident, quick, and fierce.
The second was Farrah, a warm and cheerful vlogger famous for her videos on culture, travel, and life in nature. Farrah's spirit was bright, but her skills in survival were limited.
"Hi, I'm Roselyn," the athlete greeted with a short nod.
Farrah offered a hand and a smile. "I've seen you before! You're Aeliana, right? The one who caught a fish and killed a snake in season one?"
Aeliana nodded. "Let's stick together. Living in the forest isn't easy, and there are dangers everywhere."
Without hesitation, she took the lead, scanning the thick growth for a safe place to set up camp. The new island had slightly different terrain compared to the last. It had rocky patches and tall trees with thick vines, but still had plenty of useful materials if one knew how to look.
Aeliana led them deeper into the woods, finding a small clearing near a flowing stream. It had high ground, making it safe from flooding, and nearby trees provided natural shade.
"We'll build our camp here," she said, her voice firm but pleasing. "Roselyn, can you find wild chickens? They roam in pairs. Be quiet and quick. Farrah, gather dry wood. Try to find some rocks to make a fire pit."
"What about you?" Roselyn asked.
"I'll handle the shelter and cook the food," Aeliana replied, already bending down to inspect the soil and plan their camp layout.
While the others went off to do their tasks, Aeliana worked consistently fast. Her hands moved with practiced ease, weaving together branches and leaves into a temporary hut. Her mind was focused, alert, yet peaceful. Being in nature was the only place where she didn't need to pretend.
Roselyn returned first, holding two wild chickens in a handmade net. She was flushed with excitement and pride.
"Got them," she grinned, dropping the chickens gently into a makeshift cage Aeliana had already set up from vines and sticks.
Farrah arrived next, her arms full of dry twigs and firewood. "Whew! That was harder than I thought," she panted. "But I did my best!"
Aeliana gave a rare, small smile. "You did well. Let's start cooking."
She built the fire with care, placing stones around the pit to trap heat. She skinned and cleaned the chickens with precise cuts, then boiled water from the stream using a metal bowl provided by the show. She added some wild herbs and leaves she had gathered earlier to make a rich, simple broth. The scent filled the air, making everyone's stomach growl.
Roselyn and Farrah sat near the fire, watching Aeliana work. There was something graceful in the way she moved, as if the wild trusted her and welcomed her.
"You've done this before," Farrah said, admiring her. "You're like… an all-time forest adventurer or something."
"I had to learn," Aeliana answered calmly, stirring the soup.
They ate together as the sun dipped low in the sky. The meal was warm, and for a moment, the worries of survival faded into laughter and shared stories. Farrah talked about her travels in Southeast Asia. Roselyn recalled her first archery competition. Aeliana listened, adding a few soft words now and then.
As the fire crackled and stars began to shine overhead, Aeliana sat back and looked at the two women beside her. This was different. Leading others felt like a heavier task than surviving alone. But for the first time in a long while, she didn't feel completely alone.
That night, while her teammates slept, Aeliana stayed awake. She added more wood to the fire and checked the area for signs of danger. She wasn't just surviving anymore, she was protecting others, guiding them through the same forest that once tried to swallow her whole.
She glanced at the floating camera blinking in the corner. The audience was surely watching. But this wasn't for show. It never had been.
As the firelight flickered across her face, Aeliana pulled her knees close to her chest, listening to the sounds of the forest, crickets singing, leaves rustling, and distant animal calls.
She stared at the stars, thinking of Reinhardt. He hadn't contacted her. Not even once. Maybe he didn't care. Or maybe he didn't know how to.
She touched the jade pendant that hung around her neck. Its surface was smooth and warm from her skin. Somehow, it gave her courage.
Aeliana knew tomorrow would test her again, but tonight, she allowed herself to feel peace, even if only for a little while.
But before she could fall asleep, something caught her eye.
A rustling sound came from the bushes near their camp. She sat up slowly, eyes narrowing in the direction of the noise. Her heart skipped a beat.
A wild boar?
She blinked, thinking her tired mind was playing tricks on her, but no. Two sharp tusks poked out from a massive snout, and its eyes gleamed under the moonlight.
How could a wild boar appear in these woods?
That thing is massive!
Shit!
Aeliana stood quickly and quietly, backing away while waving her hand toward the others' tents. "Roselyn, Farrah," she whispered urgently. "Wake up. Now."
The boar snorted and stomped the ground. It was preparing to charge.