We wrote this book because we hope grade five and six students can learn how to work as a team. 

    We hope they will stop fighting every discussion time and figure out another way to work together.

    In the hospital, beeping, screaming, and crying sounds are filling my ears. My mom was covering her face but I can tell she was weeping. My dad was wearing a frown on his face, his eyes full of sorrow. 

    My mom held my hand and said with a pleading tone, “Alycia, please stay with us.” I tried to say it was alright, but all that came out was a cough, my vision blurred as my body spasmed abruptly and I went limp and powerless. I opened my eyes and found myself in an empty hall, with soul fireflies flying around. A chill ran through      me. Where am I?

    Two other people appeared in front of my eyes. They look as confused as I am. A cold thought struck me, as a low voice thundered. “Welcome to the Hall of Dead, in other words, you are all dead. Alycia, Leo, and Riley, you will face three trials to prove your courage and selflessness.” A divine-looking person appeared in front of us, he was a god of challenges. 

    A med kit and wand appeared in front of Riley, a knife appeared in front of Leo, and a bow and arrow appeared in front of me. “These are the things you would need to help you in the trials,” God said, waving his hand. The hall shifts and warps, into a swampy lake, full of snapping crocodiles. 

    A swing was tied to a fence, so I turned to Leo and Riley and said, “Any ideas?” Riley simply just shrugged. Leo pointed to the swing and said “I’m guessing we swing across the lake?” That is the craziest idea I have ever heard. “It’s worth a try,” I say, uncertain that it will work. “I can go first if you’d like.” Riley offers, seeing I am uncertain. I nod, shooting Riley a grateful smile. 

    Leo untied the swing and hands it over to Riley. Riley pulled the swing backward before sprinting and leaping through the lake of crocodiles. She swung her body back and forth as the crocodiles swim closer, some jumping out of the water to bite her. She finally made it to the other side after a few minutes of swinging. She looked tired, as she collapsed onto the floating platform on the other side. “Are you ok over there?” I ask, the         sound echoed in the dark cave.

  I held the rope of the swing and I jump. I went flying over the crocodiles and landed on the other side, tumbling as I land. Leo went next, but he wasn’t very lucky. Leo swung himself over to the next side, and a crocodile jumps up, snapping at his leg, Leo panicked and let go of the swing. He landed harshly, arm first. He shrieked as I heard a cracking sound. 

  Leo broke his left arm. Riley runs to him as I stand there, dumbfounded. Riley gave Leo a cast and a sling as he winced at the pain. I stood up, and said, “I’m going ahead.” They nodded as I walked deeper into the cave.

    The cave opened up to a purplish-blue sky, and below the floating platform are white columns and a pit of lava. The white columns were arranged like a parkour challenge. “I guess we have to do parkour,” I said as Leo and Riley walk out of the cave. I jumped from one column to another. My foot slipped and I scream in panic. 

    Out of instinct, Riley cast a levitation spell, stopping me from falling into the lava. I got to the last column, using my arrows like climbing tools, stabbing them into the rock. I made it! The next one to jump is Leo, he leaps to the next column. In the pool of lava, waves stir, as though trying to knock Leo into the pool, but Leo is faster. He took out his sword and blocked the lava with it. The heat of the lava burned the sword black, but it didn't break.

     "The last one, Riley!"

    As Riley jumped to the second column, a wave of lava sprang up like a tsunami. A blue dragon surfaced, its mouth wide open in a snarl. Riley used her wand to cast a protection spell on herself. After jumping through a few columns with the blue dragon breathing fire on her shield, she was at the last column. 

    I fired arrows at the dragon, trying to distract it, but the arrows weren't harming it. Leo reached down with his right hand and pulled Riley up. When Riley was halfway up, the dragon splashed its great big tail on the lava, creating a huge wave of lava. 

    Leo pulled Riley up as I watched in horror. Riley screamed in fear and pain, her foot was burnt to black. Leo carried her into the cave, setting her down as they entered. The heat of the lava was so hot that it burnt Riley’s leg into ashes. Riley lifted her wand weakly and muttered a few words. The painful expression on Riley’s face is quickly replaced by relief. The black wound turned back to normal skin color but her foot doesn’t grow back. 

    “It’s worth a try,” I said, comforting her. Riley nodded and used her wand to create a pair of crutches. 

        The cave led back to the Hall of Dead, but now there was a glowing cauldron full of neon green potion sitting in the middle of the hole.

    "What is this challenge then? We already almost ate the crocodile’s lunch…”Leo asked 

    “…and being splat by the lava, what’s next?” added Riley. 

    "Hey guys! look at this piece of paper! Something is on it!” 

    My friends quickly ran there and saw as I read the paper. loudly. 

    Three trials will test your spirit.  Swing over Swamp. Escape the Fire and last, Potion of Truth. The potion will reveal your true nature, and the first one to drink it will become a demi-god, the one who loses its three chances …… may take a look at hell.