**Chapter 5: The First Challenge – The Trial of Scars**
The sun rose over the Whispering Woods, illuminating the stage where **Henrique Nakamura** awaited the competitors. The two groups, **The Guardians of Dawn** and **The Shadows of Ambition**, were lined up, each with their own expressions of determination, nervousness, and, in some cases, disdain.
— *Welcome to the first official challenge of *Heroes of Alvannia*!* — announced Henrique, with a smile that mixed enthusiasm with a hint of mischief. — *Today, you will face a trial that will test not only your skills, but also your courage and ability to work as a team. And, yes, this challenge is dangerous... permanent scars are a real possibility.*
The competitors exchanged worried glances, but no one backed down.
### **The Challenge: The Cave of Dark Mirrors**
Henry pointed to a dark and mysterious cave that had appeared at the back of the stage.
— *Inside this cave, there is a maze of magical mirrors. Each mirror reflects not only your image, but also your fears, doubts, and failures. To win, you must find the *Crystal of Truth*, hidden in the heart of the cave. But be careful... the mirrors are not just reflections. They can attack.*
He held up a glowing crystal, which flashed in shades of blue and silver.
— *The group that brings the crystal back to the stage first will be the winner. But there is one important rule: all members of the group must leave the cave together. If anyone falls behind, the entire group will be disqualified.*
### **The Additional Rules**
1. **Teamwork**: No member may be separated from the group for more than 5 minutes.
2. **Mirror Attacks**: Mirrors can cast spells or create illusions to hinder the contestants.
3. **Permanent Scars**: If a contestant is seriously injured by a mirror, the scar may be permanent.
4. **Victory**: The group that brings the crystal first gains immunity in the next elimination.
5. **Defeat**: The losing group will have to clean the bathrooms of the rival group and their own group, prepare food for the rival group (day and night), wash dishes and clean up all the mess until the next challenge.
Henrique paused dramatically before continuing:
— *And attention! If anyone from the losing group fights or refuses to do the tasks, they will be punished with 2 days in the *Cell of Shame*: a dark and lonely place, without food or water. Do you understand?*
The contestants nodded, some with looks of concern, others with determination.
### **The Preparation**
**Hardy** gathered the Guardians of the Dawn for one last briefing.
— *Stay together, protect each other, and don't let the mirrors fool you. Katherine, use your voice to calm our minds. Grayrock, you will be our shield. Let's show them what honor means!*
On the other side, **Glenda** smiled at her group.
— *We play dirty, but we play to win. Leerstrom, you and Katun go ahead and scout the path. Drake, if any mirrors attack us, burn them. And remember... don't trust anything you see.*
### **The Challenge Begins**
The two groups entered the cave, where the mirrors distorted their images and whispers echoed off the walls.
**The Guardians of the Dawn** advanced cautiously. **Katherine** sang a soft melody, keeping the group calm, while **Grayrock** blocked the mirrors' attacks with his stone barrier.
**The Shadows of Ambition** followed a more aggressive path. **Drake** incinerated a mirror that tried to attack them, while **Leerstrom** and **Katun** explored the quickest paths.
### **The Conclusion**
After an hour of tension and confrontations with the mirrors, **The Shadows of Ambition** emerged from the cave with the *Crystal of Truth* in hand. **Glenda** held up the crystal with a triumphant smile, while **Hardy** and his group arrived minutes later, frustrated but still determined.
— *The Shadows of Ambition are the winners!* — Henrique announced, applauding. — *Congratulations! You have won immunity in the next elimination. And, Guardians of the Dawn... well, you know what awaits you.*
**Hardy** looked at his group with determination.
— *We will not let this get us down. We will carry out our tasks with honor.*
**Glenda** chuckled softly, whispering to **Leerstrom**:
— *Now, let's see how they handle the humiliation.*
**END OF CHAPTER 5**
*(Next: The Aftermath of Defeat and the First Elimination!)*