Trial by Fire
Jasmine's POV
Early morning light made the place look peaceful and serene. However, I was aware of the facts. Things would not be peaceful today.
I was awakened very early in the morning by a messenger at the door. He told me, "Alpha Aiden needs you to come to the garden," after politely bowing and walking away.
A different kind of feeling tightened my stomach and I couldn't put my finger on it. That garden.
Why there?
The koi pond was softly moving when I arrived and the dew was still on the petals. Aiden's back was to me, his arms in a cross and he looked surprisingly stiff. I saw that his knuckles and hands were tightly clenched.
He focused his eyes elsewhere. He said with a clear and certain voice, "Be sure to win this fight. Despite any situation"
Not avoid being careless and don't overdo it.
Just that.
I looked forward to more happening, but it never did. I simply nodded and walked away, feeling the pounding of my heart.
---
What I saw in the arena today was different from yesterday.
This wasn't only about becoming fit and healthy. People didn't participate simply to entertain themselves.
The purpose of this was to test something.
Something about that place was different, more charged and high-strung. Wolves all around them were arranged in different moments of maturity. A few students started forward with interest, while some looked on with doubt.
My partner was Kael, a commanding person standing behind me at the center. He just responded with a grunt when I entered the tent and soon turned his attention back to the main area.
Alpha Aiden was present on the platform along with other elite fighters.
Even though his expression was unclear, I could tell that his eyes were weighing me down.
The rules were very easy to understand. Paired teams. The first individual to defeat their competition ends up winning. The twist? The position of each opponent would change throughout the game. If you win, there will be another challenge waiting for you. No breaks. No mercy.
People heard a shout to begin the race.
Kael suddenly rushed and made me take a defensive position behind him. Ahead were fast, but poorly organized, opponent teams. I managed to quickly avoid a hit using my staff, as Kael got the other fighter down to the ground.
We were victorious in the round. Barely winded.
The second team got there much faster than the first and worked more efficiently as a team. I became the first to be taken away.
I felt a blow to my side and gasped in pain. There was intense pain in my ribs, but I remained upright. I rotated and replied by striking the attacker's arm with my staff.
Kael made some kind of noise I couldn't hear while guarding my back. We worked as a team without even practicing together ahead of time. I just did it on instinct. It was a matter of living through the next day. At the moment, I felt desperate.
Only another two rounds remain.
Every time, things got more difficult for me. I began to feel as if my limbs were full of weight. I found that my vision became fuzzy near the edges.
I was always aware of the wolf pack's gaze. Judging. Weighing. Waiting to find out if I'd break down.
I wouldn't.
I couldn't.
A new round of betting began. It was not the same as earlier investigations. Now the wolves reacted as if they were hunting their prey. Cold. Calculated.
I intended to communicate with Kael and change the formation, but it took too long.
When I was struck hard on the shoulder, it knocked me to the floor.
When I spoke, blood could be tasted in my mouth.
When Kael knocked over his opponent, the other had already jumped on me.
Using the speed, I did a flip and came down behind the person who attacked me. I repeated the way I had once knocked him over and again, he didn't go down.
As he turned with glowing golden eyes, I saw he was trying to see how much I knew. I think they were actually testing my abilities.
It was not about beating the others. This was all about making me feel like I had reached my limit. Testing to see if I could handle the challenge.
I refused.
I put out a huge effort, attacked, fought off his attack, turned and got my hit across his ribs. I could clearly hear the crack. He stumbled.
Kael took advantage of the situation and angrily roared as he brought the other down.
Silence.
Wobbling and shaking, I walked to the center of the ring and raised my arms.
And at this point, everything changed.
Everything spun.
I was no longer able to see clearly.
Cheers were heard, my name being called.
I saw Alpha Aiden smiling as he stood in front of us at the last instant.
At that point, everything went black.
---
Soft sheets and dim light from the oil lamps were my early morning sight.
I was lost for a short time and forgot where I stood. I felt as if my arms and legs had turned to stone. I could barely breathe and the pain in my ribs was unbearable.
"Jasmine?" Through the heavy fog, Lena's tone was heard.
I saw her by the bed and her face looked very pale, with red eyes. "I nearly jumped out of my skin, you imbecile!"
I gave a very small smile. "Is it that bad, then?"
"You collapsed from weakness. There was a lot of blood coming from every cut I made. Yet, the healer is sure you are going to recover."
I wanted to sit up, but it hurt. She touched my shoulder with her hand.
She told me to get some rest. "Everyone noticed your actions. Prove nothing else if anyone tells you to."
She did not understand what really happened. I was not really trying to prove myself to others.
I had the spotlight. My opportunity. The path I have taken to seek revenge.