I was trapped. Encased in some sort of box, probably underground if the scent and heaviness in the air was any indication.
My breaths came out in short spurts. A surge of panic rose from my feet all the way to my throat, threatening to burst through my skin. I couldn’t stop the whimper that escaped me.
WherewasI?
“Let the third trial begin.”
This was the final trial. It had started early, catching all of us unaware. A test of bravery, of our courage and ability to act in the face of fear.
Off to a great start.
I swallowed down the dread, forcing aside the dizziness and clearing the sparks of racing adrenaline from my vision. I could do this. I could get out of here if I kept a cool head.
Taking a few deep, calming breaths, I steadied my mind. Slowly, I began to push against all four sides of the enclosure, testing the wood and feeling for gaps as best I could with the limited space. There was a small crack on the right side, as if it were the opening for a door. Pressing harder with my knees and palms, I tried to force the top open, only to be met with the sound of something clanging on the outside.
A lock.
I knew spells to open doors and break into locks, but hadn’t brought any herbs with me to the ball. I’d let my guard down forone nightand look at what had happened. I squeezed my eyes shut, letting out a groan of frustration.
Until I remembered…
I may not have brought my herbs with me, but Ididhave my dagger.
For a moment, I paused. I didn’t want to keep using blood magic if I could help it. But how else was I supposed to get out? How was I supposed to survive this trial if I didn’t use all the tools at my disposal?
I didn’t have a choice.
Wiggling my arm down my side, I grunted at the awkward angle as I clawed through the outer fabric of my gown and to the thigh strap over my tights. I gripped the small handle and slid it upward until it was at my stomach. Carefully, I brought my other hand to my midsection, feeling for the blade. When my skin met cold metal, I pressed the pad of my thumb against it, waiting for the familiar sting.
“Vata lai,” I whispered, expecting to hear the click of a lock opening.
Instead, the entire top of the box blew open with a thunderous crash.
I gasped as chunks of wood sprayed around me, cutting across my cheeks and arms. Splinters embedded themselves in my exposed skin. I laid there in shock, the deafening sound still ringing in my ears as I tried to catch my breath.
“Well, that’s one way to do it,” I mumbled. Wincing, I gripped the sides of the box and hauled myself out, muscles and joints groaning from stiffness.
I ripped the mask from my face and took in my surroundings. Firelight flickered off dirt walls from torches lit every dozen feet. The narrow tunnel extended down as far as I could see, with nothing but scuttling insects and shards of wood from my would-be coffin in the path.
Buried alive. Fates, this trial.
I stepped out of the box and grabbed the nearest torch, then began to make my way down the tunnel.
What were we supposed to do, escape this underground pit? Find the other challengers and fight each other? Face our greatest fears? The unknown was worse than the actual trial itself. Silence rang through my ears, the stillness of the tunnels grating at my nerves, making me twitch every time I heard a small creature or the crackle of flames.
After several minutes of walking, I came across a fork in the path. The tunnel split into two identical sides of seemingly neverending dirt and faint firelight.
To the right, I noticed several torches at the far end waver, then snuff out. One by one, the light disappeared, the darkness making its way closer to the fork where I stood.
“Alright, then,” I said, pivoting and plunging down the opposite path at a sprint.
This section was rockier than the last, with winding turns and dirt falling from the ceiling every few feet. My breathing was fast and heavy, and I had to cover my mouth to avoid choking on dust. Both the smoke from my torch and the crumbling dirt made it hard to see. I cursed these ridiculous sandals as blisters started to rub at my heels.
Suddenly, my toe snagged on a rock. I went sprawling, rough dirt scraping my skin as the torch flew from my hand and rolled across the ground.
Thick vines emerged from the dirt and surrounding walls,encircling my ankles and holding me in place. I let out a muffled scream and pulled at them. They thickened in response, pushing my legs painfully into the ground. Kicking and flailing, I sawed at the stems with my dagger, trying to think past my shock and find a spell that could help.
But before I could use the blood still oozing from my thumb, another vine snatched my right wrist and sent my dagger flying. I swallowed a scream and latched onto the stalk with my free hand, pulling with all my strength to wrench it from the ground.
