Igrip my sword tightly and draw in a deep, steadying breath. Letting it out slowly, I focus on calming the wild rhythm of my heart. All I have to do is make it to the other side. Easy-peasy, right?
With a quick glance at Valric, I meet his unwavering gaze. His eyes are steady and filled with quiet assurance. A subtle nod follows, his expression exuding a confidence I’m not sure I fully share. His lips move soundlessly, forming words meant only for me;You got this.
The silent encouragement settles in my chest, a warm, steadying force against the turbulent storm swirling inside me. His belief in me is comforting, even if I’m not sure I share his confidence. I shift my focus to the snow-covered slope ahead. It’s steep, dotted with sparse trees and jagged rocks that jut out like teeth.
Beyond it lies a stone wall and an unforgiving expanse of ice. My task is clear: navigate the obstacles and reach the other side of the valley before sunset. The problem is, the path ahead doesn’t look forgiving.
Before I can dwell on it too much, Kaden steps up behind me, holding out a strip of red cloth. His expression is a mix of sympathy and mischief, his lopsided shrug adding a touch of apology.
“Sorry,” he says. “But you’ve got to be blindfolded.”
“What?” The word bursts out of me in disbelief, my grip on the sword tightening.
“It’s the rules,” he explains simply, as though this ridiculous twist is perfectly reasonable.
Before I can argue further, he steps closer, placing the red cloth over my eyes and ties it securely at the back of my head. Darkness envelops me, and I resist the urge to rip it off. His hands land on my shoulders, squeezing gently.
“Just open up your other senses, and you’ll be fine,” Kaden says, his voice low and reassuring. “The Vera I knew before loved this game.”
I snort softly, shaking my head. “The girl you knew had a lot more faith in herself.”
“I believe in you,” Kaden replies, and there’s no teasing in his tone now—just certainty.
I hear his steps retreat, leaving me standing at the top of the slope, blindfolded and clutching my sword. I take another deep breath, trying to focus on the sounds around me—the crunch of snow underfoot, the faint whistle of the wind as it brushes against the trees.
This is going to be anything but easy.
The darkness brings my fears bubbling to the surface. Panic, familiar and unwelcome, creeps in like a long-lost friend. The Witte Wieven cautioned me that I would have to confront my fears.
“When the horn sounds, you may begin,” Chief Barak’s deep, authoritative voice rumbles from somewhere behind me. “The rules are simple: keep the blindfold on and make it to the other side.”
My stomach knots, a cold wave of unease washing over me. The horn blasts a moment later, its echo bouncing off the mountains like a warning. My heart leaps into my throat as I force myself to step forward.
I know I’ll need my magic if I have any hope of succeeding. Almost as if in response to my thought, it unfurls within me, a wave of energy wrapping around me like a protective shield. The sound of my blood pounding in my ears nearly drowns out everything else.
My breaths come heavy and fast, panic clawing at my chest.
“Calm down, Everly,” I mutter, trying to ground myself. “It’s just a test.”
A test that can severely hurt you if you make one wrong move,I chide myself.
I take another step forward, snagging a boot on a rock hidden beneath the snow. My stomach lurches as I stumble, arms flailing for balance. I catch myself just in time, planting my sword in the snow for support, and cringe, knowing George won’t be happy with me for using the weapon in that way.
Drawing on the elements, I focus on letting them guide me. The wind brushes my face, tugging at my clothes with subtle persistence. Trusting the sensation, I turn and follow the directionit seems to urge me toward. From my left, a branch creaks, the sound sharp and clear against the soft hush of the snow. I tilt my head, listening.
The whistle of an arrow pierces the air, slicing through the silence. Instinct takes over, and I lift my sword just in time, deflecting it with a metallic clang. The force reverberates up my arm, but I don’t falter. I keep as still as possible, listening for another.
Behind me, I hear Raiden’s voice rise in fury. “You said nothing about her being under attack!” he roars, his anger palpable even from a distance.
Valric’s response is carried away by the wind, lost as I refocus on the challenge before me. My pulse is still racing, but I force myself to slow my breathing, steadying the rhythm. Each inhale sharpens my focus; each exhale releases the tension in my limbs.
Two more whistles sound in the air, and I tilt my head, concentrating on the direction. Letting my muscles relax, I lift my sword, arcing it through the air to hit both arrows in succession. I stand there for a few seconds, waiting. When no other arrows sound, I start moving again.
The snow crunches underfoot as I cautiously make my way down the slope into the valley below. The soft brush of fur against my legs, startles me. My magic reaches out instinctively, connecting with the presence—it’s the frostflare, its energy bright and wild.
The creature nudges my leg, almost impatiently, urging me to move left. Trusting its guidance, I adjust my path. I try to send magic out to map the area for me, like it did when I found Zaria. But with panic so close to the surface, I can only manage a few yards ahead.
A low rumble reaches my ears, faint at first but growing louder with each passing second. My stomach drops to my toes, and the ground beneath my feet shudders, sending a jolt of fear through me.
