Kira gave the sleeve that hid her best friend a dirty look.
Solal opened his mouth to speak but paused as Raider stalked out of the darkness, covered in blood with a face that said he’d gladly murder anyone who stepped in front of him.
“Get held up?” Kira asked as Raider changed course toward her.
“You could say I had to take care of a few, small annoyances.”
Kira shot him a quick glance, noting the shadow of a bruise on the side of his face along with a tear in his armor.
Kira knew exactly how much damage their armor could take. For it to show signs of battle, it meant Raider had tangled with someone or something a few categories above a simple annoyance.
Not that Kira planned to question him on that manner. If he wanted to downplay things, who was she to argue?
Solal started speaking just then. “The emperor wishes for me to convey his congratulations upon reaching this point. Some of you have shown your skills in battle and proven your ability to survive. Others may be confused as to why they remain after facing such a loss.”
Raider shifted his weight as he looked around at the bafflement on many of the faces around them. “They certainly like to state the obvious.”
In front of them, Solal waited until the murmurs in the crowd died before continuing. “Traveling beyond this point means leaving your childhood behind and stepping into the realm of an adult. Certain responsibilities come upon passing the adva ka. A few of you have tasted what that might involve. The possibility of death is something you should not forget. For that may be what is asked of you should your House ever come under attack. You will be the one standing at the forefront. The first to fall in defense of the more vulnerable members of your House.”
Solal’s gaze swept the crowd, lingering on the faces of those initiates who hadn’t made it through the battle royale.
“It is an unpleasant fact that we live in a dangerous universe. Your end may come at any moment.” Solal paused to let that sink in. “From here on out, the stakes become very real. It will no longer be pretend. If you die in the next stage, it will be for good.”
Solal’s gaze was solemn as two doorways shimmered into view behind him. One led to a dark tunnel, the second a large chamber that seemed to whisper Kira’s name.
“Those who wish to withdraw from the adva ka may do so now.“ Solal gestured to the doorway on his left. “There is no shame in turning from this path.”
“What do you think?” Kira asked Raider.
Her friend flashed her a cocky grin. “I’m going all the way, Nixxy. You should know that.”
Kira’s snicker was soft, having expected that answer. Raider had always been a competitive asshole who never turned away from a challenge and his reasons for being here hadn’t changed.
“What about you?” Raider asked.
“You have to ask?” Kira smirked. “Forward, my friend. Always forward.”
Solal was still speaking. “If there is even a hint of uncertainty in you, I advise you to reconsider your limits and how well you know yourself. The Mea’Ave will certainly judge you by them.”
For a short time after he finished speaking, there was silence. No one moving toward either door.
Kira was interested to see the initiates appeared contemplative as they considered the ramifications of the two options Solal had laid out in front of them.
It was no easy decision. Particularly in light of the fact that many of them had experienced the closest thing to death they could without actually dying.
They were no longer behind the safe, comforting walls of their Houses. There was no safety net waiting to protect them. Any choice made now held serious ramifications.
In a way the move was pure genius, bringing home in a visceral way exactly what they stood to lose.
Some would rise to the challenge while others would falter.
Kira was interested to see who would choose what.
It didn’t entirely surprise her when Tinsley was the first to march forward, moving into the chamber without a backward glance.
A distortion rippled the air as an oshota stepped into view, following Tinsley as she disappeared past the statues guarding the entrance.
Tinsley’s actions broke the ice, several more initiates following. A few took advantage of the distraction to slink toward the tunnel, disappearing into it without a word.
