Heavenly Gate: Trials of Survival

50 Minutes Later

As they followed the mountain roads leading to the countryside, they group encountered their first challenge:

[Bandit 1]:

"Freeze! Drop your money and supplies, and we'll let you go. That's our word as mountain bandits!"

The group found themselves facing ten bandits armed with swords, and one wielding a flintlock pistol.

Ethan and Levi exchanged a glance and nodded. In sync, they fired a single rock each at the gun weilding bandit aiming to incapacitate him and as luck would have it they succeded,

Continuing without losing the element of surprise they swiftly eliminating two bandits on the spot. One was pierced through the neck by a rusty knife that they have found and the other was hit in the neck by a pipe leaving him convolsing on the ground in pain.

While continuing their assault the group managed to the spots five more bandits quickly and as they two bandits remaining one tried to run but was killed with a rock in the back of his head killing him while the other just stood there in shock trembling

seeing his companions' lifeless bodies, he dropped the cutlass that he had on the ground,while begging for his life.

[Bandit 2]:

"Please! I beg you—don't kill me! I'm too young to die!"

[Ethan Cross]:

"Why should we care? But you've piqued my interest. Let's make a deal: tell us where your hideout is and where the loot is hidden, and we might let you go."

[Bandit 2]:

"How can I trust you to spare me?"

[Ethan Cross]:

"That's the fun part. Take the deal and have a chance at life—or die here. Your choice."

The bandit hesitated before stammering, "I-I'll take the deal."

Ethan smirked. "Good. Rosalie,bring the rope that bandit was wearing in his back and tie his hands behind his back.And remember guys, if he resists, jump him."

As Rosalie tied the bandit's hands behind his back,Levi scoured the fallen bandits for weapons, ammunition, and valuables. Within minutes, the bandit was secured, and the group was ready to move.

Ethan Cross: Excellent. Now, lead the way. And remember—no tricks.

[1 Hour Later]

After navigating the mountainous terrain for an hour, we reached a hidden hut concealed by overgrown weeds and trees.The group then approached cautiously.Inside another bandit lay asleep. Without hesitation, Ethan unsheathed a cutlass he'd looted, a sharp, durable single-edged sword. With a swift motion,he ended the sleeping bandit's life.His blood sprayed and the bandit convulsed briefly in his own blood before succumbing to his injuries.

The young, captured bandit watched in horror as Ethan cleaned the blood from his blade. His fear was palpable.

Bandit 2: So… will you let me go now?

Ethan didn't answer instead, he approached slowly the bloodied cutlass gleaming in his hand,

Ethan's silence was unnerving to the captive as he advanced toward the him.

Bandit 2: Please! I honored my part of the deal. Let me go!

Ignoring the pleas, Ethan addressed his companions.

Ethan Cross: Listen closely. Your first lesson in this world: mercy to your enemies is cruelty to yourselves. The second lesson: everything you do must have a purpose. And right now, my purpose is to test a theory