In a pitch-black room, Gram found himself unable to see anything. Kono began whispering to herself.
Kono: What is going on? It was never this dark. First, it was Zodiac, and now Gram? Something weird is happening.
Daru: He better pass this trial, or I swear I'll punch him.
Zodiac: I'll cut his head off.
Himitsu: (Laughs nervously) I don't think that's necessary. He'll be fine. (Smiles) Gram's got this.
Himitsu and the others watched the television, where they could see him, but Gram remained in darkness.
Gram: Always me, always me… why is it always me? Okay, Gram, you've got this. Just overcome it and move on.
Gram began to walk into the darkness. As he moved, he heard a strange sound—snoring.
Gram: (Scared) W-what is that sound?
Kono: What was that?
Himitsu: (Nervously) I don't know, but it sounds scary!
Gram walked toward the sound, and as he stepped on something, the lights turned on. He found himself in front of a light system.
Gram: What the heck? How'd I get here? Hmm, I guess I'm just that good. Gram the Great!
Turning around, he saw a large minotaur sleeping behind him.
Minotaur: ZzZZzZzzz….
Gram: (Whispering and panicking) AHHHH!!! W-w-What the hell is that thing?!?
Himitsu: Woah! What even is that? Do you know, Kono?
Kono: They are known as minotaurs. They cannot see well in the dark, but if they spot you, good luck escaping.
Daru: Aren't those creatures wild? What are they doing here?
Kono: The association of Sampostis retains some minotaurs for various purposes. However, I didn't expect them to be part of the trials.
Zodiac: Interesting.
Then, Gram spotted the exit door, and his excitement surged. He began to dance.
Kono: Great! He found the exit!
Zodiac: He needs to hurry and stop dancing.
Gram: Oh yes! I found it! Okay, let's do this.
He tiptoed cautiously, trying not to wake the minotaur.
Gram: (Tippy-toeing and scared) Nice minotaur, nice minotaur, now just stay asleep, don't wake—
As Gram walked past the minotaur, he noticed another minotaur in the distance, wielding an axe near the exit doors.
Gram: (Whispering) ANOTHER ONE!! AND HE'S BY THE DOOR!! WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!?!?
Daru: (Arms crossed) Be careful, Gram; don't screw this up.
Zodiac: He's going to screw up.
Kono: Don't say that; he's going to make it.
Himitsu: Yeah, we have faith in him!
Zodiac: Whatever.
Gram dropped to his hands and knees, crawling toward the exit door.
Lith: Is this guy an idiot? He's crawling on all fours. (laughs)
Reiji: Hey, Sai, come take a look at this.
As Reiji spoke, a team member approached.
Sai: (laughs) This is too funny! He's going to get killed like that. Is he really that clueless?
Daru began to feel frustrated.
Daru: (yells) Can you shut up?!
Sai and the others turned to face Daru.
Sai: Oh, sorry, was I too loud talking about your pathetic team?
Daru: Yes, you were, so shut up before I make you.
Sai: Go ahead and try it, my friend.
Daru started to approach, but Zodiac placed a hand on his chest.
Daru: What are you doing?
Zodiac: Not yet.
Daru: What do you mean?
Zodiac: Not yet. There will be an appropriate time for us to confront them.
Daru: (angrily crossing his arms) Fine!
Sai: Yes, that's what I thought!
Lith: Well said, Sai! (They high-five each other)
Gram: (whispering) You can't see me, you can't see me, you can't see me.
As Gram crawled, he waited for the minotaur to pass so he could exit through the door. At that moment, a figure in a black hooded coat entered the area where the trials were taking place and began observing from the back.
Gram: (whispering) Just move already!
Finally, the minotaur began to move.
Gram: (whispering) Finally!!
Gram jumped up and started running for the door, but he tripped and fell.
Gram: AHHHHHHHH!!!
Lith: (laughs) And Kono wants him on her team. How sad.
Sai: This guy is finished!!
Zodiac: Of course he falls. (shaking his head)
As Gram yelled, the minotaur with the axe heard him, and the other minotaur awakened and saw Gram.
Minotaur 1: UGUHH!!!
Minotaur 2: Uguhgughh??? (noticing Gram) UUGUUGGUH!!!!!!!
Gram: Oh no!!
Himitsu: Gram, run!
Kono: Hurry!
The minotaurs began charging at Gram as he ran toward the exit door.
Daru: Why is he running away from the door?
Zodiac: I told you he was going to mess up.
Himitsu: Come on, Gram!
Gram: (crying) AHHHHH!!! AHHHHH!!! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!! PLEASE!! AHHHHH!!
The minotaurs advanced close enough for Gram to swing his axe at them. He stumbled while evading a blow, and the other minotaur swung its hand. Gram spread his legs just as the minotaur's hand passed between them.
Kono: Get up!
Himitsu: Run!
Daru: RUN!! YOU IDIOT!!
Zodiac: He's done for.
Gram regained his footing and began running again, but the minotaurs pursued him relentlessly.
Gram: I DON'T WANNA DIEEE!!! PLEASE!!
Minotaur 1: Ughhh!
Minotaur 2: Grrr!
As Gram ran, distracted and unaware of his surroundings, he became entangled in a rope. The minotaurs swung their axes and hands at him, but Gram inadvertently ran in circles, causing them to trip and fall as their legs became tangled together.
Gram: (Stops running) Wh- (Laughing) I got you!! YOU SUCK!! (Starts dancing) I beat you, I beat you, I beat you!!
Lith: WHAT!! HOW!?
Sai: This is one lucky idiot.
Himitsu: Gram, head for the door!
Daru: This guy is pissing me off!
Then Gram remembered he needed to leave.
Gram: Alright, I should probably go now. (Waving at the minotaurs) It was nice while it lasted, but we should definitely do this again. It was fun.
Zodiac: Can this guy just get to the exit?
Gram began to walk away and proceeded through the door. As he stepped outside, he started waving at the cheering crowd.
Gram: Oh, thank you, thank you. It was nothing, really.
Person: How did you do it?
Gram: Well, I knew exactly what I was doing.
Person 2: Really?!
Gram: Yes, all I had to do was get the rope around my leg, run around them, and tie them up, and that's exactly what I did.
Sai: I can't stand that guy!
Lith: Don't worry, we'll have our chance to beat them—if they all pass.
Gram made his way to Daru and the others.
Kono: Oh my gosh! Gram, that was incredible!
Himitsu: Yeah, you blew my mind!
Gram: (Chest out, smiling) I just had to take one for the team.
Himitsu: Man, I look up to you!
Zodiac: Sloppy. Absolutely sloppy.
Gram: Huh?
Daru: You could have been killed with what you did.
Gram: But I passed.
Daru: You passed by sheer luck, Gram.
Gram: Luck or not, I made it, so deal with it.
Daru and Zodiac shook their heads.
Kono: All right, that's two down, two more to go. Who would like to go next?
Daru: I'll g—
Himitsu: Let's go!!! I'm ready!
Himitsu begins to run toward the door, filled with enthusiasm.
Daru: AHHH!!!! EVERY TIME!!!
As Himitsu walks through the door, he notices a casket positioned in the center of the room.
Himitsu: Is that a casket?
As Himitsu approaches it, he surveys the room; it exudes a sense of tranquility.
Gram: So far, everything seems normal.
Zodiac: Yes, but he still needs to remain vigilant.
Daru: I agree.
As Himitsu draws nearer, he observes a blue barrier encircling the casket. Upon stepping inside the barrier, it vanishes, and an AI voice begins to transmit through the speakers.
AI: Welcome to the defense trial. Your objective is to protect the casket from incoming enemies. You have three minutes to ensure its safety until the timer expires.
Himitsu: Three minutes to protect this? That should be manageable.
Lith: (Laughs) There's no way he's beating this.
Sai: Indeed, this is where it ends for him.
Reiji: That guy is a goner. Maybe…
Lith: Reiji, shut up.
Reiji: (Sighs) Okay…
Gram: Three minutes! Isn't that a bit long?
Daru: I was just about to mention the same thing.
Zodiac: He'll manage.
Kono: Naturally, he will!
Himitsu then draws his sword, prepared to defend the casket. A large screen prominently displays the timer.
AI: The defense will commence in three, two, one!
Two large metal doors on the wall begin to open slowly. As they fully open, Himitsu sees robots emerging, armed with plasma rifles.
Himitsu: Wait, what is going on here!?
Reiji: YEAH, THEY'RE GOING TO FRY HIM LIKE A CHEESEBURGER!!
Sai: What? That doesn't even make sense.
Lith: Shut up and watch.
Gram: Robots!?!?
Zodiac: I don't get it; why would they use robots for defense?
Daru: I guess they're trying to make it harder.
The robots begin firing at Himitsu as they advance toward the casket. Himitsu takes cover, uncertain of how to proceed.
Himitsu: How am I supposed to defend this with so many robots shooting at me?
Kono observes the scene, growing increasingly concerned.
Kono: (Talking to self) Wait! Those robots shouldn't be out; they're still in a testing phase! Why is this happening!?
As a minute elapses, the robots continue their relentless assault on the casket, causing damage and cracking the glass. Himitsu glances back at the casket, alarmed by the intense fire.
Zodiac: Is Himitsu going to sit there all day or actually do something?
Gram: Yeah. If he doesn't protect it, he's going to fail!
Kono: Come on, Himitsu, you can do this.
Daru: (Arms crossed) Let's hope so.
Himitsu begins to contemplate.
Himitsu: (Talking to self) Think, Himitsu, think! There must be a way to stop them.
He glances around the table and observes a robot firing at the casket. Himitsu stealthily approaches the table, ensuring he remains undetected. Once he reaches the robot, he quietly approaches from behind and stabs it through the chest with his sword. The robot malfunctions and collapses. Himitsu retrieves the rifle and aims it at the remaining robots.
Himitsu: SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!
The robots cease firing at the casket and turn to confront Himitsu, who is now armed. A smile spreads across his face as he begins shooting at them while shouting at the top of his lungs.
Himitsu: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Lith: Is that even legal?
Sai: Yeah, the rules are just to pass the test.
Lith: This is unbelievable!
Daru smirks.
Gram: (Shocked) He's actually using the gun!
Kono: THAT'S SO SMART!
Zodiac: Kinda.
Daru: (Arms still crossed) You should give him credit; he's doing well.
Zodiac: He's still too sloppy.
Daru shakes his head. Himitsu continues to eliminate the robots one by one, doing his utmost to protect the casket. He quickly checks the screen and sees he has one minute remaining.
Himitsu: I have one minute left. I CAN DO THIS!
Gram and Kono: YOU CAN DO IT!
Himitsu navigates around, evading gunfire while returning fire. His rifle runs out of ammunition, prompting him to drop it and draw his sword once more. He notices one of the robots striking the casket, causing additional damage.
Himitsu: OH NO YOU DON'T!
As Himitsu dodges bullets, he advances toward the casket, slicing through any robots in his way. Upon reaching the last robot assaulting the casket, he throws his sword through its head, creating a clean hole. The robot collapses just as the timer sounds.
AI: Time is up… congratulations, you have passed the defense trial.
Himitsu raises his hands in triumph.
Himitsu: LET GOOOOO!
Gram: That's my boy! No, that's my BROTHER!
Kono: YEAH!
Zodiac: I guess he didn't do too badly.
Daru: He needs to hurry up. I wanna go!
Gram: Calm down, he's on his way.
Lith: (Angry) NOOOOOO!
Everyone turns to Lith, who is visibly upset about having passed.
Sai: It's okay.
Lith: No, it's not! If they manage to get one more, Kono will have her own CREW!
Reiji: Well, that would be good for her.
Lith and her group stare at him.
Reiji: What? What did I say?
Himitsu exits the room as the television turns off. The casket begins to open, and the assistant from the front desk emerges, looking frustrated.
Assistant: Dammit! How did he manage to defeat all those robots? Zorren will not be pleased about this.
Himitsu approaches Kono and the others.
Kono: Congratulations on passing your trial, Himitsu!
Gram: Indeed, you put on an impressive performance, my brother!
Himitsu: Thank you, thank you. I had to show them who's boss, you know. (Laughing)
Gram: Hell yeah!!
Zodiac: Well, now we have one more person who needs to pass their trial. (Glancing at Daru)
Daru begins to walk toward the door.
Gram: Hey! Daru, aren't you going to congratulate Himitsu?
Daru continues walking toward the door.
Gram: (Looking at Himitsu) Don't worry; he acknowledges that you did well.
Himitsu: Yes, I know. (Smiling)
Sai: Good luck out there, buddy.
Reiji: Yes, good luck!
Lith: REIJI, SHUT UP!!
Reiji: (Disheartened) Okay…
Daru looks at Sai.
Daru: When I succeed in this, I'm coming for you.
Sai appears a bit apprehensive as Daru walks through the doors.
Sai: W-what does he mean by that?
Lith: I don't know, but let's just hope he loses.
Reiji: Agreed!
As Daru passes through the door, an AI begins to speak.
AI: Welcome to the endurance trial.
Daru: Yeah, yeah, just start it already.
AI: The endurance trial will consist of several challenges: spikes, cold temperatures, and a bonus round.
Daru: I said to just start it.
AI: We will begin with the spikes.
As the AI speaks, it illuminates the ground, revealing a line of spikes.
AI: Please remove your shoes.
Daru kicks off his shoes.
AI: Okay, now could you pl—
Before the AI can finish, Daru steps onto the spikes.
Himitsu: What the— How!!?!?
Zodiac smirks.
Zodiac: And he calls me a show-off.
Kono: (To herself) When did they introduce a bonus round? It used to be just cold temperatures and spikes.
Daru successfully navigates the spikes and moves to the other side.
AI: Congratulations, you have successfully passed the first test.
Daru: What's next? Hurry up.
AI: The following challenge is the cold test.
The AI illuminates a large steel container.
Gram: What is that?
Himitsu: I am unsure, but it is quite massive.
Kono: That one, very few ever pass.
Zodiac: What do you mean by that?
Kono: The temperature inside becomes extremely low, and participants either withdraw or die.
Himitsu: Excuse me, did you just say die?
Kono: Yes, I did.
Gram: Oh no!
AI: This test requires you to remain inside the container while it reaches its coldest temperatures.
Daru: Yeah, whatever.
Daru enters the container as the door closes behind him.
AI: Are you prepared?
Daru: Just start it!
As he speaks, the temperature drops to the lowest setting on the meter.
Gram: WAIT! It has already reached the lowest temperature!
Himitsu: That's not fair!
Reiji: I have never witnessed anyone pass this trial.
Lith: Well, there was one.
Sai: Oh yes, her… Mizuda.
Lith: Yeah, her.
Zodiac: (To himself) Don't die.
Kono: Oh no… I hope Daru is alright.
A minute passes, and the test concludes.
Gram: Oh my goodness! It's finished!
Kono: (Anxiously) Please be safe!
Himitsu: Stay alive, please!
Zodiac then begins to smile.
Kono: (Noticing his smile) Why are you smiling, Zodiac?
Zodiac: Watch the screen.
As Kono turns back to the screen, she observes the door opening, releasing a cloud of cold fog. As everyone leans in closer, they see purple eyes emerging from the fog as Daru steps out, his eyes returning to their normal state.
Zodiac: Hmm… Not sloppy at all.
Reiji: WHAT! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! NO ONE CAN ACHIEVE THAT! IT MUST BE RIGGED!
Lith: REIJI, SHUT UP!!!!
Sai: I mean, Reiji has a point; how did he manage to succeed?
Himitsu: He's alive!!!
Kono: YAY! GO DARU, GO DARU!!
AI: Congratulations, you have passed the trial.
Daru: Alright, what is this bonus round?
AI: The bonus round offers an opportunity to win a prize for you and your team. Do you wish to accept it?
Himitsu: Don't do it; you already passed!
Kono: Don't do it, Daru.
Gram: This idiot is going to do it! AHHH!!
Zodiac: (Smirking) He is certainly going to do it.
Daru: (Smirking) I accept.
AI: Wish granted; bonus round commencing.
Gram: YOU IDIOT!!!!
Himitsu: Oh man!
Kono: This is not looking good.
The AI opens a platform in the ground, revealing lava beneath the surface.
Zodiac: Lava!?
Kono: WHAT! WHAT ON EARTH!
Himitsu: What are they going to make him do?
AI: To complete this test, all you need to do is stand in the lava for more than 10 seconds.
Gram: (muttering to himself) Wait! Daru has done this before, WITH RITO!!
Lith: Now he's a goner. No one can stand in lava. It's way too hot.
Reiji: Yeah, he's done for.
Sai: Mmhmhm…
Daru approaches the edge of the platform where the lava is bubbling.
AI: Enter when you are ready.
Himitsu: I can't bear to watch (covering his eyes).
Kono: Same here (covering her eyes).
Zodiac: Cowards.
Gram: You can do this, Daru.
Daru jumps into the lava face-first, and a hush falls over the group. His entire body submerges in the lava. After 10 seconds, Gram begins to worry.
Gram: Why hasn't he emerged yet? It's been 10 seconds.
Sai: (shouting to Gram) Maybe he's dead (laughs).
Gram: (to himself) Come on, Daru! Show them what a Zatarian is capable of.
Daru bursts out of the lava and lands on the platform, heat vapor rising from his skin.
AI: HOW—WHAT ON EARTH—HOW DID YOU SUR- congratulations, you have passed the bonus trial.
Reiji: B—but it was lava!! How??
Sai: Hmm... There's something strange about those two (looking at Daru and Zodiac).
Lith: It doesn't matter. We're leaving.
Lith and her team exit the building.
Gram: YAAHHH!!!!
Himitsu: HE DID IT!!
Kono: Great job, Daru!!
Zodiac: Well done.
Daru: Hey, next time make the lava hotter; it feels too cold.
A figure in a black hooded coat, who has been observing, is impressed as they begin to leave the Order of Triumph building.
???: What an interesting crew.
Daru walks toward the exit doors, and everyone is taken aback.
Person: OMG, DUDE, ARE YOU OKAY!!
Person 2: Yeah, man, that was insane!!
Person 3: Call me! (winks).
Daru walks past without acknowledging them as Gram runs and jumps onto him.
Gram: You had me worried there for a moment, man. I thought you were going to die. But I'm glad you're okay.
Daru: Could you let go of me now?
Gram: Oh right, my apologies.
Himitsu: How did you manage that? It was incredibly hot.
Kono: Yes, I could never do that.
Zodiac: Let's return to the desk.
Kono: Oh yes, he's right.
Kono heads back to the desk, where the assistant sits with an exhausted expression.
Himitsu: Excuse me, are you alright?
Assistant: Just take the damn document and sign it. I'm done trying.
Gram: What are you talking about?
Assistant: It doesn't matter anymore. I'm going to die. (crying)
Daru: Where is my reward?
The assistant hands Daru a sticker featuring Sampostis.
Gram and the others begin to chuckle.
Daru: Are you serious?
Assistant: (tearfully) Just take it.
Daru: Ahh! This is ridiculous. Just take the paper and sign it.
Everyone takes the paper from the desk and signs their names, finalizing the agreement.
Kono: (jumping with excitement) We did it! The crew is officially complete!
Zodiac: Kono, what's the crew name?
Kono: Well, my friends, we will call ourselves MAIVELANCE!
Zodiac: This is stupid...