“But of course, there’s a twist!”
The hologram split into two images: one player diving into icy water, the other straining to hold open a heavy metal door.
“One partner must dive beneath the sub-glacial water to unlock the exit gate from below. The other must hold the door open from the outside—while the temperature drops and hypothermia sets in.”
Mara’s breath caught. Vaelor’s jaw clenched.
“Only when both tasks are completed will the exit open. Failure to unlock the gate, and you could drown. Fail to hold the door open, and your partner is trapped.”
The hologram audience roared with excitement.
“THIS IS GONNA BE GOOD!”
“WHO’S GONNA FREEZE FIRST?”
Mara swallowed hard. She could already feel the cold seeping into her bones just thinking about it.
The Game Master raised a hand dramatically.
“Competitors—choose wisely which of you dives… and which of you holds the door.”
He paused, letting the tension stretch until Mara’s pulse thudded in her ears.
The hologram audience joined in the countdown.
Mara’s heart hammered.
Vaelor stepped closer, his voice low. “I dive.”
“Vaelor, I’m a strong swimmer. I can dive.”
“It’s too cold for you.”
“But the door looks really thick and heavy. That looks like the easiest task but looks can be deceiving,” she told him.
“Challenge Five begins in…”
“THREE!”
Vaelor considered her words.
“TWO!”
She grabbed his arm. “Vaelor, I can do this.”
“Then do it,” he told her.
“ONE!”
The glacier rumbled beneath them.
“BEGIN!”
The tunnel roared to life as steaming vents erupted, and icy water surged forward like a living beast.
Mara and Vaelor ran.
When they reached the beginning of the tunnel, they both pulled the door back. She had been right. It was extremely heavy. Once open, she looked at Vaelor.
