Arden

A/N: I found an amazing site. Called Hiveword. It is used to organize various things about your novels. I am organizing it. Might take some more time. It is all for the future.

I also rewrote the chapters many times. That's why I am a bit late. I just didn't like the old version.

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The vast skyway stretched endlessly ahead, a ribbon of translucent energy cutting through the clouds. Far below, lush forests and winding rivers painted the landscape in vibrant hues of green and blue. Majestic mountains loomed in the distance, their snow-capped peaks piercing the horizon.

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A lone figure zipped along this ethereal highway, a speck of motion against the serene backdrop. As it drew closer, the form of a boy atop a sleek hoverboard came into focus. The wind whipped through his wild hair - a striking mix of brown and white - held back only by the goggles perched on his forehead.

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His white jacket with fur trim billowed open, revealing a cropped shirt beneath. An array of belts, pouches, and gadgets adorned his outfit, marking him as no ordinary traveler. The rushing air pressed against his face as he leaned into a turn, a look of exhilaration in his eyes.

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Suddenly, a subtle chime sounded in his ear.

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"Sir," came a disembodied voice, "a phone call from 'Leo' is coming. Do you wish to answer it?"

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Without breaking his concentration, the boy replied, "Leo? I wonder what he wants to say now. Answer it."

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As the call connected, a loud voice boomed through the earpiece, causing Arden to wince. "ARDEN! Are you stupid or what?"

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Arden's face contorted into a mix of annoyance and amusement. He shouted back, wind rushing past his ears, "Are you trying to make me deaf?! Again, what is it?"

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Meanwhile, in a spacious, futuristic room filled with towering bookshelves and cutting-edge technology, Leo paced anxiously. His blue skin contrasted sharply with his white lab coat, and his dark, messy hair framed a face twisted with worry. Large, curved horns protruded from his head, and a long, slender tail swished behind him in agitation.

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Leo's voice dripped with frustration as he spoke, "You tell me! I looked on the site and saw you chose a level 3 mission! Don't you understand how dangerous it is for you? You know we're average and we can't fight like those geniuses or hard workers no matter what. We Zephyrians and Novakins aren't fit for that. We're the brains, and besides, you're a genius at making cool and powerful gadgets. You shouldn't have any problems living right now!"

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Arden, still soaring through the sky, interjected, "I know, but before you say anything, hear me out..."

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After a brief moment of silence, Arden abruptly said, "See ya later," and cut the call.

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In the room, Leo stood frozen, mouth agape. After a few seconds of stunned silence, he threw his hands up and shouted at the ceiling, "Damn you, Arden!"

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Meanwhile, As Arden soared through the azure sky, the wind whipping through his hair, a vast sea of green emerged on the horizon - the legendary Verdant forest. Its canopy stretched as far as the eye could see, a tapestry of emerald and jade hues.

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Approaching the forest's edge, Arden was halted by two imposing guards. Their armor, a blend of advanced technology and natural materials, seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly energy.

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"Halt!" one guard commanded, his voice firm but not unkind. "Present your pass, traveler."

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Arden produced the document from one of his many pouches. The guards scrutinized it, their eyes glowing faintly as they verified its authenticity.

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"Cleared for Level 3 access," the second guard nodded. "You can only go up to Area 3. Do not go beyond that point and be wary, young one. The Verdant forest is unforgiving to the unprepared."

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Arden grinned, a mix of excitement and nervousness dancing in his eyes. "I'll keep that in mind," he replied, taking in the awe-inspiring view before him.

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Planet Nove was renowned for its harmonious blend of advanced civilization and untamed wilderness. In this world there existed different kinds of dangerous places just as different kinds of races lived here. The Verdant Forest is one of such places. 

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The forest stood as a testament to Planet Nove's untamed wilderness. Massive trees intertwined with gleaming structures, their roots and branches forming natural bridges and platforms. Just as this place looks normal as a normal forest, It harbors minerals, herbs, and other resources along with beasts of different kinds.

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Many people come to this place in hopes of getting materials that can change their lives. Some even lose their lives. But that is only true for the outer areas of the forest. In the deepest parts, the death rate is higher than 80%. So not much area of the outer forest is explored. 

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As Arden ventured into Area 0, he marveled at the diversity of life around him. Iridescent butterflies the size of dinner plates flew by, their wings sparkling in every hue conceivable. Small, hairy animals with numerous eyes ran over the woodland floor, their motions rapid and unpredictable. Massive trees with bark that seemed to pulse with life reached toward the sky, their canopies casting a mottled pattern of sunshine across the ground.

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As Arden glided through the area, a serpentine creature with feathered wings emerged from a neighboring bush. Its beak snapped at Arden's ankle, just missing.

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"Hey!" Arden shouted, quickly maneuvering his hoverboard upwards. The creature hissed, its rainbow plumage bristling. Arden reached into his pocket, pulling out a small device. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it towards the beast. The device emitted high-volt electricity, causing the creature to screech and die on the spot Catching his breath, Arden muttered, "So much for 'relatively safe'."

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As he approached the border of Area 1, the forest underwent a subtle but noticeable change. The vibrant colors of Area 0 gradually gave way to deeper, more muted tones. The friendly chatter of birds faded, replaced by low, rumbling growls and the occasional shriek.

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Crossing into Area 1, the atmosphere grew noticeably tenser. The trees here were taller, their trunks twisted into unnatural shapes. Bioluminescent fungi clung to the bark, casting an eerie glow. Suddenly, a growling, 4-legged predator with scales that shifted colors like oil on water lunged at him from behind a massive fern.

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"Whoa!" Arden yelped, narrowly avoiding its razor-sharp claws. He used his hoverboard's agility to dart between trees, his heart pounding as he outmaneuvered the beast. The creature's long tail whipped past his face as he made a sharp turn, the wind from its passage ruffling his hair.

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As Arden approached Area 2, the air grew thick with a misty haze. The transition was marked by a line of towering, bioluminescent mushrooms that pulsed with hypnotic patterns. Crossing this threshold, Arden felt a noticeable change in the air pressure, his ears popping as he adjusted.

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Area 2 brought new challenges. Giant, pulsating fungi released clouds of spores that drifted lazily through the air. The ground was soft and spongy, occasionally releasing puffs of multicolored gases. Arden had to navigate around a group of floating, jellyfish-like creatures. Their translucent bodies glowed with hypnotic patterns, and long, wispy tentacles trailed beneath them, occasionally sparking with bio-electricity.

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"Don't breathe, don't breathe," Arden muttered to himself, holding his breath as he glided silently past their undulating forms. One creature drifted too close, its tentacle brushing against Arden's arm. A jolt of electricity surged through him, causing his hoverboard to wobble dangerously. Gritting his teeth, Arden pushed through the discomfort, narrowly avoiding a collision with a massive, toothed plant that snapped at him as he passed.

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As he pressed on, the challenges of each area blended together, creating a gauntlet of increasing danger and wonder. Arden's determination grew with each obstacle overcome, steeling himself for the trials that lay ahead in Area 3.

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Upon reaching Area 3, Arden's demeanor changed. The playful glint in his eyes was replaced by intense focus. He pulled out a sleek wristband, its surface adorned with intricate circuitry. As he snapped it onto his arm and activated it, a faint, shimmering field enveloped his body.

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Moving with heightened caution, Arden weaved through the dense foliage. The vegetation here was alien and intimidating - carnivorous plants with gnashing teeth lined the path, while vines that seemed to move of their own accord hung from towering trees.

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A rustle overhead made Arden freeze. He looked up to see a massive, owl-like creature perched on a gnarled branch. Its eyes, glowing like twin moons, seemed to pierce right through him. Arden held his breath, willing his cloaking device to hold as the creature's gaze swept over him.

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The forest had grown darker, illuminated by bioluminescent flora that cast an eerie, otherworldly glow. Distant roars and screeches echoed through the trees, a constant reminder of the unseen dangers lurking in the shadows.

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Finally, Arden spotted his objective - a foreboding cave mouth, partially obscured by hanging vines that writhed like tentacles. Strange symbols were etched into the rock around the entrance, pulsing with a faint, rhythmic light.

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Taking a deep breath, Arden steeled himself for what lay ahead. "Well," he whispered to himself, a mixture of determination and apprehension in his voice, "no turning back now. Let's see what you're hiding in there."

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With that, he stepped towards the cave, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him in the depths of this mysterious and perilous forest.

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A/N: Feel free to contact me if you find any mistakes or if have any suggestions for me.

-- Arden & Luo's image is on the Discord server. Feel free to check it out --

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