The gray, cloudy sky makes it hard to see. The moon barely peeks out from behind the clouds, not gracing me with any light from the night sky. The forest is silent, and fog moves through the trees like a pathway, leading me deeper.
I know this forest.
The other competitors must also be out here, but unfortunately, they are not what I fear most in these woods. As children, we ventured into the woods but always kept a safe distance from the darkness that lurked in its depths. Sometimes, things would call to us, but my mother always told us to ignoreit. I realize now I’ve experienced one of these creatures on the island, and I’ll do my best to avoid it here. Shadows can’t hurt you if you don’t acknowledge their presence. The creature that’s been haunting me would be a welcome gift compared to what really lurks deep in this forest.
Think, Briar. Think.
I glance down at the sack I picked up on the island. My two gold axes and their sheaths bring a wave of relief. Attaching the holsters to my back, I braid my long black hair and toss it over my shoulder. The weight of the axes pulls at me like an unyielding force. I tighten my boots, feeling the strain on my injured ankle, and take a moment to thank the Gods I’m wearing pants. Pushing the sleeves of my blouse up to my elbows, I head north, feeling the pull like a beacon of light in the dark.
The forest seems to move with me—shadows casting faces on the trees and boulders as I pass. My breath hitches with each sound that echoes across the forest floor. No other sign of life has made itself known, and I pray to the Gods that it stays that way—even though I know that’s wishful thinking. I repeat this mantra, trying to build false confidence while I still have the time. I continue for what seems like hours, each tree blurring together, causing me to lose track of my location. No streams trickle nearby, and the breeze has stopped, making the silence unbearable.
A crack breaks the stillness—a snapping twig—and I sink slowly behind a tree, hoping it’s a competitor and not something worse heading my way. Barely breathing, I sit still, waiting as the figure creeps closer. One axe is drawn, my knuckles screaming against the grip, the other hand resting on the throat of my second axe, ready to strike.
The forest pauses.
Graven Thornfield enters the clearing, his white hair shimmering in the dim moonlight. The twins are neverseparated, but I guess they thought it fair to do so for this trial. I remain motionless as my target approaches. I don’t want to kill him, but if it comes to a duel, my weapons will swing and find their home.
He fumbles through the darkness, the drugs still lingering in his system. I can smell his fear. Some Shadow Wielders can see well in the dark. I’m one of them, which gives me an advantage in this trial. I can’t help but pity Graven at this moment.
Peering around the tree, my foot slips, causing an additional branch to slide across the forest floor, the crack piercing the silence. His attention snaps in my direction, and he staggers toward me, his footing uneven on the jagged terrain. I notice the weapon over his shoulder—a crossbow. He’s not even properly armed.
If he doesn’t see me, I’ll let him go by. Every step he takes sounds like an alarm to anything lurking nearby. I wait for my chance to slip behind him and keep heading north, aligning our bodies. I hide in the shadows. His palm glows as he lights up the world around us, revealing my hiding spot while I crouch lower, praying he doesn’t spot my shadow.
It’s unwise to shine such a light in complete darkness. Those who flourish in it will come searching.
He grits his teeth and slowly turns toward me. I pounce, my body colliding with his as he yelps, his shriek breaking the silence.
“Shut the fuck up,” I hiss, clasping my hand over his mouth.
Graven thrashes against my hold, biting my palm and sending a jolt of pain through my hand. The shock throws me off balance, and I tumble to the forest floor at his feet, giving him a second to lunge on top of me. Both axes fall to the ground with a loud thud, out of my reach.
“Hi, Princess,” he breathes, his voice too loud.
My eyes widen. “Graven, please be quiet. You don’t want to draw any more attention.”
“Shut up. Locked away in your pretty castle for all those years, you know nothing of the outside world.” His breath warms my face.
“Graven, I’m not joking. Be quiet!” Panic seeps into my voice as I imagine what might be headed our way.
“I think it’s time for you to be quiet.” He sneers. “And you’ll be the one begging when I’m done with you. It would be such a shame if you died. All the shit you’ve caused, your father would be happy if you were out of the picture. He’s promised us more than you could ever offer.”
So, that’s it. My father has promised them all something for entering these trials. My mind snaps to Silas.
Is he in on this?
My eyes widen as I notice a nearly invisible claw reaching down from the tree above Graven. Razor-sharp fingernails snake through the air between us. In the darkness, I see dead skin dangling from its rotten bones. A Figgawen, a creature neither alive nor truly dead, waits above, ready to strike.
“Graven, you need to run. That way!” I shout, pointing to the north, where I know the castle stands.
He laughs. “You think I’m afraid of you, Briar? You made us all look like fools when you entered this competition. We’re just fighting to prove you wrong at this point. We laugh at you behind your back.”
The impact of his words strikes my chest, but it is overshadowed by the creature’s movement. The Figgawen hovers, its claws nearly brushing Graven’s long blonde hair. It smiles in our direction, aware it has at least one of us within its grasp. The stench intensifies as it crawls down the tree. I widen my eyes, my heart racing. The Figgawen is too close.
“Run!” I scream.
The Figgawen pounces with unnatural speed, punching a hole through Graven’s thick throat.
Blood sprays across my face as its claws nearly blind me. Graven’s body goes slack, his eyes wide with terror as I roll to the side, narrowly avoiding being crushed by his large body. The gaping hole in his neck tells me everything I need to know. He’s dead.
