Chapter 8

The boys ran for a long time even though they were already out of energy since failing now would spell the end for them. It was already getting dark and the orb is still nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Noah was already on the verge of giving up but only continued to run due to Jason's persuasion.

"I can't keep it up anymore Jason, you can go on without me" said Noah who fell on the ground due to exhaustion.

Jason, who was running, suddenly stopped when he heard the sound of someone following and he went back to help Noah up as he gave him support before walking.

Noah was surprised when Jason helped him up and tried to persuade him to go without him since he would only slow him down.

"Sorry Noah, but I can't do that. We started this journey together and leaving you behind doesn't sound right. If we are going to fail this trial, then we fail together" replies Jason with determination in his eyes as he continues to walk forward with Noah's arm on his shoulder.

Noah almost cried himself when he heard Jason saying he won't leave him behind but still, he tried to persuade him once more.

"You don't have to say that since it hasn't been long since we knew each other. Don't you want to get reborn then go without me alright".

"As much as I want to be reborn, I still can't leave my friend behind" replied Jason with a smile on his face.

One thing Noah didn't know about Jason was before his death, he never had a friend since he's from a poor family and spends most of his time working, which has made it difficult for him to befriend someone. Noah was actually the first friend he had but it was quite unfortunate that they met in a trial.

Since his mind was already made up, Noah stopped his persuasion and decided to walk with the little strength his body could muster.

"I wonder where we would be sent to after the trial comes to an end" said Noah with a chuckle.

"Who knows but I hope I don't get sent to a place where I would continue my suffering" replied Jason as he let out a laugh.

"Thank you Jason, for not abandoning me" said Noah all of a sudden.

"You don't have to worry about that, Noah, since you would do the same if you were in my shoes" replied Jason with a smile.

Noah didn't reply to that and Jason also didn't say more as they continued to walk and before long, it was already dark and just when they were beginning to lose hope about failing the trial, they suddenly saw a white orb suspended in the air not too far from them as it light up the area while underneath the orb, were some of the people that were also undertaking the trial but unlike the numbers of people that were transferred to this world, about ten percent were already standing underneath the orb.

"Look over there Noah, we made it to the other side" said Jason joyfully with tears running down his cheek.

"We are not going to die, we are not going to die after all" Noah repeated these words as the smile could not leave his face while he was seriously crying.

A moment ago, he thought he wouldn't make it to the other side and had given up but who would have thought that they would be able to make it before the day came to an end. Not daring to waste any more time, they begin to hurry to the location where the orb is since they would still be deemed as failures if they didn't get to where the orb is.

Noah, who had been out of strength, did not know where he got the energy to run again as he began to follow Jason from behind until they finally made it to the orb. The moment they get to the orb, they suddenly fall to the ground completely out of energy.

"I guess others made it here as well" said a middle-aged man who was standing close to the spot they fell on.

"Thank goodness we made it" mutters Jason with all his strength as he tries to control his breath.

It didn't take them long before they fell into deep sleep and those who made it could not help but feel pity for them given their young age, it is very difficult to stay awake for three days without falling asleep. They wait for the others to make it to the orb but as time goes on, no one shows up other than another set of two persons who have some wounds on their bodies manage to make it over.

The fifth day, end of the trial…

It was bright in the morning with the sun shining on top of them, Jason and Noah were still sleeping while the other competitors were waiting for the figure to appear and it didn't take long before the blurry figure made his appearance as he said in a low voice but it was like an earthquake in the minds of the competitors. Even Jason and Noah were frightened from their sleep when the voice invaded their mind.

"You are the selected few that made it to the final line. I must say that I'm quite pleased with the numbers, I was expecting fewer people to make it this far given how dangerous it is to make it here without eating or taking proper rest for four days"

"As to those that didn't make it, they have been disqualified and sent to the world that best suits their judgment after their death" said the blurry figure.

The crowd could not help but feel pity for those who didn't make it to the finish line even though they still had other trials to undertake.

Not saying anything more to the crowd, the blurry figure made a hand sign and the orb suddenly gave off a white glow that covered the crowd before teleporting them out of the forest.