As I secured my vest, the anticipation in the air thickened. The forest biome, now transformed into a vivid representation of a dense woodland, created an immersive environment for the upcoming ethereal assessment.

The announcement echoed through the arena, signaling the imminent start of the practical evaluation. The vests we wore began to emit a soft glow, each color indicating the team alignment.

I followed the blue glow of my vest, weaving through the lively atmosphere of candidates assembling into their respective teams. As I approached my teammates, a mix of anticipation and curiosity filled the air. The diverse group I had joined was a reflection of the Golactic Coalation's meticulous team-matching process, combining various skills and experiences.

"Hey, I'm Alex," I introduced myself to the three individuals whose vests matched mine in the calming shade of blue.

The first teammate, a woman with a confident demeanor and a staff strapped to her back, extended her hand. "I'm Linnea. I specialize in ethereal manipulation and support magic."

Next was a guy with a relaxed aura, his ethereal gauntlets emitting a faint glow. "Call me Rylan. I'm more of a close-combat kind of guy, good at handling ethereal entities up close."

The final member, a well-built boy with a mean look on his face, stepped forward confidently. "Zane. I'm skilled in hand-to-hand combat with an affinity to flames," he declared with a certain air of pride.

"Wow, you can already manipulate your affinity?" Lianne asked, her voice betraying her genuine admiration.

Zane, however, merely shrugged, maintaining an air of nonchalance.

Lianne then turned her scrutinizing gaze toward me. "And what about you? Alex, was it? What are your skills?"

I hesitated for a moment, "I'd say strength and perseverance. I've never encountered any ethereal entities before, or trained with them for that matter, but I believe I can be of use in any way you need me."

Zane let out an audible sigh, his expression one of clear disappointment. "I thought these teams were set up to be fair. Looks like we just got a peon with no training." With that dismissive remark, he pushed past me, positioning himself at the forefront of the entrance to the woodlands. It seemed as though he was impatiently awaiting the start of the match, his demeanor indicating a desire to prove himself in combat.

The announcer's voice reverberated through the arena, elucidating the rules of the upcoming ethereal assessment. "Ladies and gentlemen, I will be explaining the rules of this match in greater detail. In this exhilarating battle, your objective is to capture the Gem Rod carried by the Ethereal Lion lurking within the woodlands. The team that successfully retrieves the Gem Rod and brings it back to the designated safe zone will be declared the winner."

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As the announcer spoke, a holographic display materialized, revealing the sprawling expanse of the simulated forest biome. Trees adorned with ethereal leaves and a serene ambiance set the stage for our ethereal skirmish. The Ethereal Lion, a majestic creature shimmering with cosmic energy, prowled within the dense foliage, its eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.

It became apparent that each team would start on either the west or east of the biome, with the designated safe zone located in the north.

"Remember, candidates, this is a capture-the-beast style battle. Anything goes, but severe injury to a fellow candidate will result in immediate disqualification. Use your ethereal abilities, teamwork, and strategy to outmaneuver the opposing team and claim victory. And now, you have three more minutes to strategize with your teams. Good luck." The gravity of the task ahead settled over us as we took in the holographic depiction of the ethereal battlefield, each team preparing to devise their plan for the imminent clash.

Lianne beckoned for the team to gather closer, taking charge as she began outlining a plan of attack based on each member's talents. "Alright, so considering all of your talents, I've laid out a plan of attack."

Rylan raised a question, gesturing toward Zane, who remained fixated on the woodland, displaying no interest in the discussion. "What about him?"

Zane's indifference was palpable, but Lianne addressed the concern nonetheless. "Zane might have his own way of doing things, but for now, let's focus on executing the plan. If he decides to join in, all the better. If not, we adapt as needed. Our main goal is to retrieve the Gem Rod and secure a victory."

"So what do you have in mind?"

Lianne shared her strategic insights with the team, addressing each member's strengths. "Since the three of you all seem to carry close combat traits, I believe it would be best for you three to be at the forefront, while I stay back, healing you guys if needed. I'm really not the fighting type, to be completely honest with you. We'll go ahead to face the lion. The only problem I see us having is the other team's strengths. If they are skilled in long-range, we may be in trouble. But I don't see anything we can do about it but adapt."

Rylan and I both nodded in agreement, acknowledging the potential challenges ahead while trusting in Lianne's assessment.

With the plan in place, we waited for the countdown to conclude. When it did, it felt as if our bodies had been transported to our starting point in the biome, specifically the west point. Our team dispersed to our respective positions on the west side of the simulated wilderness. The anticipation was palpable as the countdown for the Forest Biome Capture Challenge began.

"Three... two... one... Commence!" The announcer's voice echoed, signaling the initiation of the ethereal skirmish. In an instant, the holographic forest came to life around us. The transition was seamless, and the simulated environment felt astonishingly real. The air was filled with the subtle rustling of ethereal leaves, and the scent of the forest wafted through the air, creating an immersive experience. The details of the holographic biome were so convincing that for a moment, it felt as if we had been transported into an actual wooded terrain. The ground beneath our feet, the vibrant hues of the ethereal foliage, and the ambient soundscape all contributed to the sense of authenticity, heightening our senses in anticipation of encountering the elusive Ethereal Lion. The ethereal skirmish had begun, and our team ventured deeper into the simulated wilderness, fully immersed in the challenge that lay ahead.