In the world of Ethos There are creatures that are known for their strength, simple creatures like direbears, or mountain frogs, but past this simple stage of nature Ethosians are faced with many dire monsters known as Behemoths; A category of creatures as dangerous as natural disasters. There are three classes of Behemoths: Meager, Fair, and Colossal.

To begin with, Meager behemoths are typically much smaller in size when copmpared to they higher ranked counterparts. Often rugged with with drab or earthy colors they are but the first stage of their development. Due to this they are limited in their destructive capabilities, albeit still destructive.

Fair behemoths are far more complex than their lesser counterpart and will display a wild array of grotesque features, truly making themselves unique. Think of this as their ‘teenage’phase. At this level they may be determined as a threat to several ecosystems and will need to be dealt with before their final mutation. 

Colossal behemoths are truly devastating beasts toppoling civilizasions and worlds alike. Their boundless and chaotic potential causes one to be quickly contained and disposed of. Colossals are much more refined in terms of appearance due to their bodies regulating itself and understanding whwat it truly means to be a behemoth.  

 Now, dungeons are divided into several categories in terms of difficulty; D-A Rank houses your typical monsters and behemoths with the exception of increasing difficulty. The standard way of completing a dungeon is by eliminating the dungeon's source whether it be an item or entity; however, when considering ranks above A such as an S rank dungeon, a new issue arises, due to their staggering increased difficulty, S rank dungeons suffer from multiple catalysts. Despite this there is a type of dungeon much more terrifying than an S-Rank and that would be a Corrupted Dungeon, also known as a God-Rank dungeon. A God- Rank dungeon houses nothing but behemoth monsters wether that be meager, fair, or colossal. It is truly hell on Ethos. Only the brave may enter, but only the strong will survive. 

For the classes of Zenith however, they will be entering a T-rank dungeon– a dungeon of course for training.

Two days since have passed and the students stand ready outside the dungeon, their gear in hand. Each student is handed a backpack with several necessities, a sleeping bag, drinkable water, food, and a general survivors kit with medical supplies. The students are also out of uniform as it would be too restricting in such a place. Lizen for one chose to wear a standard issue adventurer’s outfit equiped with a breathable black linen shirt, a slim– yet comfortable pair of canva pants which of course have been reinforced at the seat and knees, and rugged mid calf boots with thick soles and buckle straps. Along with this Lizen also has on black gloves and a holster which resembles a tactical shoulder rig; however, instead of a gun it houses his blade. The holster is crafted form sturdy leather straps that criss cross snugly along his chest allowing for his sword to fit snugly underneath his right arm.

“Looking good right, Kara.” He proudly tugs on his harness snickering to himself.

Kara decidingly goes all out with her gear. Wearing a full set of amber armor she sets herself a blaze. Her crown is modified into a full helmet and her red hair furiously pours from her head. “Hey, Lizen why dont you get some armor, something more durable you know?”

“All that stuff gets in the way of me fighting, I’d rather just wear this.” 

Azurae lazily rubs his puffy eyes, the humming of birds in the surrounding trees slowly waken him along with the mixed chatter amongst the other students. He tighten’s the standard Zenith school uniform jacket around his waist before cracking his neck. He looks towards the entrance to the cave, a dark cavern at the center of a monsterous mountain.  “Is this that stupid dungeon thingy?” He yawns.

“Yup, this is the thing we’re going in, shouldn’t be too bad” He laughs. 

“Hey look its Lori,” She shouts while waving in his direction, “Hey, Lori over here!”

He looks around for a moment before his eyes lock onto her. Lizen on the other hand is less than grateful for towards his appearance, “Ah Kara, why is he coming toard us?” 

“Princess.”

“Hey, Lori you should join our party for the dungeon it’s dangerous to be alone.”

“I suppose,” Lori rubs his thumb along his chin

“Or not.” Lizen chimes in.

Lori scoffs, “I’m not sure, this one might slow me down.”

The two face eachother in an intense mental duel, Lori and Lizen’s self assured natures clearly dont mend well and Kara wa quick to notice. “Lori I'm sure we can work together, besides Lizen got an inside scoop on the dungeon.”

Lori’s face softens, he looks at Lizen with a slight scepticism before his loathing quickly returns, “Oh yea, how so, did he have a dream or something?”

“I’ll have you know I spoke with Zamir last night and he told me a bunch of things, thing I doubt you would know.” 

Lori seems to consider the deal however his reluctance wwas painfully visible, he looks back toward the dungeon before turning to face Kara, “Alright, Nipsy and I will assist you in the dungeon, you can count on us.”

Kara erupts in excitement, “Our party’s coming together Lizen,”

“However, this is but a one time thing,” His eyes shoot daggers toward Lizen, “I do not with to partner with him.”

Lizen replies, “Good, I wouldn't want a posh asshole like you on my team anyway.”

Lori’s eyes widen in shock and his voice quickly fills with anger, “Who the hell are you talking to?!”

“Who else you toothpick-in-the-body built–”

“Enough, they’re giving a speech.”

Lizen sticks his tongue out and in response Lori raises his middle finger. Ahead of everyone is the school’s headmaster, Vaun. He stands ahead of everyone, his poise stature ceases chatter among the students. He waits for complete silence before speaking. 

“Welcome students of Zenith. Today will be the first test of many to determine the capabilities of each of you. As you all know your seats in Zenith up until this point were nothing but temporary.” Murmurs spark amidst the crowds.

“Today will change that. Many of you will fail, many of you will leave, as for the rest, you will be put through much more exhausting trials in the future so dont think this is the end.  If you cant handle that then I advise for you to leave now. With that being said, everyone should have received a backpack with supplies lasting a week. If not, to my left will be Viole, the student body secretary, you may approach her for one then you may enter the dungeon, weather you enter or not in the next minute, the trial will begin. Best of luck.” Vaun marches away leaving the students rushing to the gate in a frenzy. People push and shove each other in hopes of being the first to enter. Lizen, Kara, Azurae, and Lori are squished together and move alongside the sea of students. Inside they are met with a large projection of the dungeon, its several layers of maps with winding tunnels and hotspots for creatures. The projection continued on with the main goal of the trial: Secure the red ribbon at the end.

“Alright everyone listen up,” Lizen begins, “Zamir told me the utmost important thing in today’s trial is sticking together. That’’s kind of boring though dont you think Azurae?”

Azurae furiously nods his head in agreement. “Oh, shut up Azurae, I think its better to listen to Zamir, think about it, he’s already done this before.”

“I guess.”

“Anything else we should know?” Lori asks.

“I’ll tell you guys the rest inside once we get somewhere safe, its a bit crowded in here.” Lizen could’ve sworn he felt a hand slap his backside.

The remaining kids make their way inside as the wall ahead begins to lift open. A wall of shadow sits between every student and the rest of the labrinth. A booming voice echoes in the cavern, “The dungeon expedition will begin in 3…” Lizen presses his boots into the ground, 

“2…”Azurae’s wings flare open. 

“1…” A flame circulates Kara’s eyes. 

An alarm blares, the catylist for the rushing of feet and summoning of spells. Lizen and the others slip through the veil, their sights bent on making it past the sea of other students in their path.

“Alright Lizen, Azurae, Lori, together-” Kara spins on her heel, surrounded by people she doesn’t know her brain does mental gyumnastics to piuece it all together. “Where… is everyone-” A sword arcs overhead forcing Kara to sidestep to the right, “Hino Ko Ko: Spear of Absolution!” Kara summons a spear of flame and jabs the boy in his side tossing him along the field with the spear. He crashes into another group of fighting students exploding their battle.

Kara looks around herself noticing nothing but fighting with no sign of her party. “Wait a minute, are they… somewhere else, damn it Zamir!” An explosion in the distance caught the attention of Kara, she rushes over to see a scuffle between dozens of students, her mind races, All of this fighting is getting us nowhere!

She lands at it’s center, her flame dances around her like a blazing halo before an explosion forces all in the area away. “Listen up you half-bit nobles, as your princess I command you all to follow me through this dungeon, we'll have strength in numbers which can guarantee our safety.”

She could tell they doubter her just as much as eachother. What started as a murmur quickly rose to a roaring dissent. Insults were used as weapons against the princess however, her courage never wavered. She scanned the area looking around like a beast before locking eyes with her target. A slight smirk set her off as fear struck her victim. In one swift motion she propelled herself forward grabbing hold of a student’s face and proceeds to drag him across the field. She lifts him by his maw, holding him overhead. An uncomfortable silence befell the others who had witnessed the display of authority and was punctuated by heavy breaths. She dropped the boys body, his body slumped over as his unconscious figure remained as an example. “Any objections?” After some time she roared to the classes, “All right then, wouldn’t want anymore accidents right?”

An unspoken consensus was clear– Kara was in charge.