Another bout of shaking started, followed by a screeching sound. Ice was breaking somewhere. The high-pitched frequency affected Mara stronger than him.
“Oh man. My equilibrium is off and I can’t seem to balance myself.”
Vaelor held onto her to keep her steady.
“It’s the male Bestial and the Aquatic They are trying to shove through a tight space with brute force. They are stomping on the ice floor in their efforts. They are panicking instead of being careful.”
“They need to stop.”
“There’s nothing we can do. Let’s wait here until they have cleared the area.”
Another screech sounded, a solid crack in the ice.
Mara reached for his hand. “Oh no.”
The screams filled the air as the two males fell to their death. The bucket above their heads swung threateningly.
He took her in his arms holding her to his chest protectively. She was crying. It broke his heart to hear her tears. Vaelor soothed her by rubbing her back and whispering soft words. He waited patiently until she calmed.
“We need to keep going.”
“There’s a crack up ahead where…”
“It’s already sealed back up.”
“How?”
“Some planets have volatile natures. Paths can change quickly as ice panels break and reform.”
“That would be fascinating if it wasn’t so tragic.”
She gasped at the sound of the ice grinding back together so loud it mimicked another scream.
“Come, we will get through this,” he tugged her to come with him.
“I’m glad I can’t see any of this.”
He made sure to get them through the narrow path, as quickly as he could without disturbing the ice or the buckets above them. He could hear the audience in the distance celebrating someone clearing the challenge.
As they continued, he could see lights getting closer. The audience erupted in applause for another team crossing the line.
Mara stiffened. “I think I can hear something up ahead.”
“The end is close. We need to keep pushing forward.”
The vibrations started up again. They both froze in place. This time, the vibrations got faster and faster.
“Oh no!” Mara whispered.
“We’re not standing underneath a bucket. It’s behind us.”
The vibration of the ice thorns hitting the floor behind them made Mara shiver. He could feel the cold on his skin and knew she felt it as well.
“There’s one team behind us, right?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
