Fenix and Maya burst through the trees, feet skidding to a stop as they reached the open clearing of the camp, relieved they made it with 19 minutes still on the clock. Fenix’s gaze swept across the scene in front of them.

  The moderators sat at a long, grand table to the side. It wasn’t just any table—it looked like something straight out of a medieval castle, with high-backed chairs draped in velvet, cradling them. Despite their id-back posture, there was something unmistakably authoritative about how they observed the teams. They weren’t just watching—they were judging.

  Fenix’s eyes nded on three gleaming metal domes, each accompanied by a silver ptter, on the table. Though they were empty, the message was unmistakable—only the first three teams would pce their dishes there. Knowing that there was no time to waste, he scanned the camp for an empty cooking station.

  Various setups were scattered around the clearing. Each station had a table stocked with pots, pans, seasonings, oils, and a portable stove. Fenix was happy to see that, gd that he didn’t have to deal with an open fme.

  “Let’s set up over there,” Fenix said, gesturing to the empty station a few feet away.

  “Okay,” Maya agreed, following him as they rushed over to get started.

  As they walked, Maya couldn’t help but gnce at the other teams’ stations. One of the teams had a participant frantically chopping something pink. Her knife cttered as it hit the cutting board with rapid strikes. While another participant hovered over a stove, stirring a pot whose scent was spicy and savory.

  Further down, another group worked together, carefully picking needles out of a creature that looked like a strange mix of porcupine and fox, their faces tight with concentration.

  When they reached their empty station, Fenix didn’t waste a second. He dropped the knapsack and started pulling out their ingredients: the serpent meat, the vibrant Ironroot Stalks, the fiery Cinderpuss, and the blue Mistvine Pickles. Each item nded in neat piles on the counter as he organized them.

  Fenix then scanned the ingredient table nearby and quickly selected a few more items to complete their dish, lining them up neatly and pushing the unnecessary ones aside.

  “How should I help?” Maya asked, standing behind him, her eyes scanning the ingredients.

  Fenix gnced back, raising an eyebrow. “I thought you weren’t helping,” he teased as he turned on the portable stove.

  “That was before I realized we’re running out of time,” she quipped, her gaze flicking nervously toward the timer.

  He chuckled, swiping through the floating recipe screen. “Alright, wash the Fuggyleaf Fern, Ironroot Stalks, and Mistvine Pickle. Cut the fern and pickle thin, then shred the Fiery Cinderpuss. I’ll handle the serpent meat.”

  With a quick nod, Maya darted over to grab the Ironroot Stalks, Fuggyleaf Fern, and Mistvine Pickle. She rinsed them in a nearby water basin, shaking off the excess water before ying them neatly on the workstation.

  Meanwhile, Fenix focused on the Ashserpent meat. Its dark, ashen flesh shimmered with a faint iridescence and the smoky scent still clung to it. He picked up his knife and sliced the meat into thin strips, his hands moving swiftly and precisely. The way he handled the bde showed his skill, honed from years in the kitchen.

  He seasoned the meat with salt and pepper, then sprinkled on a dash of paprika and smeared garlic across the strips for extra fvor. Satisfied, he set a pan on the stove, poured in a spsh of olive oil, and turned the heat down to medium. As soon as the oil began to sizzle, he tossed the Ashserpent slices into the pan, the sizzle filling the air with the mouthwatering aroma of searing meat.

  “That smells amazing,” Maya said as she sliced the Mistvine Pickle into thin, even pieces.

  Fenix smirked. “Of course it does. I’m cooking.”

  Maya’s eyes flickered toward the moderator's table, and she stiffened. One team had already pced their dish on the silver ptter, covering it with the metal dome.

  Someone’s done already,” she muttered, a hint of panic in her voice.

  “Don’t worry. The meat’s almost ready,” Fenix replied calmly.

  The serpent meat was browning perfectly, so Fenix shifted his focus. He grabbed the Fuggyleaf Fern, now neatly chopped. After adding a bit more oil to the pan, he tossed in the fern, stirring until the edges were crisped and released a rich, smoky aroma.

  “The Cinderpuss is ready,” Maya announced, holding up the shredded orange mass she’d prepared while Fenix cooked.

  “Great, we’ll add that at the end,” Fenix said, flipping the serpent meat one st time before sliding it onto a pte. The pieces glistened golden brown and were beautifully charred.

  Gncing up, Fenix spotted another team celebrating as they finished their dish. Panic sparked in his chest. “Okay, we’ve got to speed this up.”

  Satisfied with the texture of the fern, he scooped it onto the pte with the meat. “Let’s start assembling.”

  Maya grabbed the Ironroot Stalks, ying them out on the table like leafy wraps. Fenix pced a few slices of seared serpent meat onto each stalk, then sprinkled a handful of the crispy fern on top. The tender meat contrasted with the crunchy fern, and the vibrant colors made the dish look even more enticing. Finally, he sprinkled the fiery Cinderpuss over the top, its bright orange hue adding a pop of color.

  “Shit!” Maya hissed anxiously as she noticed the team Fenix saw before, heading for the moderators with their completed dish.

  “Pickles,” Fenix called, holding out his hand.

  Maya passed him the thinly sliced Mistvine Pickle, and he added a few slices to each wrap. The tangy scent cut through the smoky richness, bancing the fvors perfectly.

  Working in sync, they wrapped the Ironroot leaves tightly around the filling. The wraps were compact, with the bright blue pickles and green ferns peeking out from the edges.

  “Done,” Fenix said, wiping his hands. He gnced at the timer—two minutes left.

  “Good job,” Maya said, her voice a mix of relief and urgency. “Let’s turn it in!”

  Fenix nodded. “Okay, let’s go!”

  They grabbed their dish of wraps and sprinted toward the long table where the moderators sat waiting. As they neared, Fenix spotted another team charging from the opposite direction, their own dish precariously banced in their hands.

  Fenix wasn’t about to let them beat him.

  Without hesitation, he bolted ahead, his feet pounding against the ground. The other participant—a stocky figure dressed in a simple tunic—was closing in fast. If this weren't virtual reality, Fenix knew he would be out of breath, his heart racing in his chest. Luckily, it wasn’t. Nothing could stop him from reaching the empty ptter just ahead.

  The other chef lunged, arms outstretched, but Fenix reacted like lightning. He slid their ptter under the center dome with a loud cng, just moments before the other team arrived at the table. Behind him, he heard their frustrated curses as they skidded to a stop, just seconds too te.

  Fenix stepped back, grinning wide. He turned to Maya, who fshed him a thumbs-up. Her face lit up with triumph.

  “We did it,” he said, relief washing over him.

  “Barely,” Maya ughed, her eyes sparkling. “I thought they had us for a second!”

  Fenix chuckled, nodding in agreement. “So did I!”