I exhale, pushing the air through my mouth. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. We’ll talk about your little stunt later, but now we need to focus. When the horn sounds, the glamour will come off the arena.”
“Glamour? Like it’s here already?” I glance at the empty sandpit.
“Yes,Zellie. I’ve told you how powerful the Kosmos are. A glamour is as simple as breathing for them.”Well, shit.Orion continues, “Donotrush. You take your time; think things through, do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Watch your back; there aren’t any rules regarding ways to eliminate other competitors.” The thought appalls me, as I consider someone I have spent so much time with turning against me. “Be aware of your surroundings.”
“You’re throwing it all at me, huh?”
Orion places his hands on my shoulders, leaning his face close to mine. “You’ve got this. Get one moonstone piece and get out. You are a viper; strike if you need to. Today, you will succeed.”
One challenge at a time. One moonstone shard at a time. There is only the present. “Today, I will.”
“Today, you will.” He squeezes my shoulders before backing away and flaring into a comet, rocketing off the arena grounds.
A piercing, deep blast ricochets throughout the stadium. Let the games begin.
Twenty-five
Nervously, I glance around the floor. All ten of us are positioned individually around the arena; our sponsors are now gone. The magic uncurls slowly yet somehow all at once, like a smokescreen revealing the true nature of the pit. Previously empty, the arena has transformed into a daunting gauntlet, an elevated obstacle course soaring skyward. The course is stratified, with layers of complex tracks with multiple entry points. Sections of climbing and ramps descending inwards are visible from my vantage point. I’m unable to view the course in its entirety: thick gray walls block sections choppily with no apparent pattern.
This… is it? An obstacle course? There’s no way it’s this simple… right? Orion would not have put me through hell with fire if the elements weren’t involved. Perhaps this challenge is a little like me: not to be underestimated. I need to get in, find a moonstone shard, and get out. Preferably unharmed. Simple, right? I need to get moving. The Kosmos didn’t specify how many pieces of moonstone were available in this challenge, and I refuse to emerge empty-handed.
I approach cautiously while Orion’s advice of not rushing runs through my mind. There’s an opening level with my chest on the wall in front of me. “Here we go,” I allow myself one deep breath before hoisting myself over the ledge. I linger for a moment, waiting—not sure what for—before dropping into the course and landing in a crouch. As my feet flatten on the surface, an ear-piercing shriek reverberates around me. Who was that? The scream sounded female. I gulp, hoping whoever it was is okay, before taking in my surroundings. I’ve landed in what appears to be a lengthy chamber. It’s hardto be certain; the darkness is impenetrable surrounding me. The scream, combined with the darkness and uncertainty of what was to come, has fear creeping in. But fear is darkness, andI am the light. I was the light long before I was made to fear. I vanquish the panic, staying calm and focused. This darkness should intimidate, but I welcome it. I am unafraid.
I keep a hand running along the wall as I take steady steps forward. The hall veers in two. One path is well lit, with a large crevice splitting the trail. The gap looks jumpable, but is this the right path to follow? The other is darkened, and I’m unable to make out what lies ahead, making out only a set of airborne bars. Could that be like the dangling rings section of our training course? If I were a moonstone shard hidden by the Kosmos, where would I be? Born of night, cloaked in darkness—that’s where.
My steps are silent as I make my way to the bars. I shake out my arms before bending my knees and launching upwards onto the first bar. With one hand over the other, I reach the next bar. As I go to move my hand, an unyielding force pushes downwards, prohibiting me from moving to the next bar. An element.Air.
A riddle for your thoughts, Zellie Toro?
A low and resonant voice echoes around me. Okay, that’s not creepy at all.
Answer correctly and proceed. Answer incorrectly and find what’s waiting below.
“Let’s hear it.” The sooner I answer, the quicker I can move on. Already, my body feels heavy from being suspended by my arms.
Forever falling, burning high.
Only a blink in the night sky,
I carry your travels, your burdens, your secrets—
Tell me your wishes, or live with regrets.
What? “Can you possibly repeat that?” My brain does not retain auditory information. I’m a visual learner, dammit!
Forever falling, burning high.
Only a blink in the night sky,
I carry your travels, your burdens, your secrets—
Tell me your wishes, or live with regrets.
