My heart pounds against my ribs. My feet carrying my body as fast as it can. My gaze lingers upward as I search for the prior glow I'd just seen.
My fingers find the gild of my dagger, tracing the intricate pattern. I try to recall what King Obadiah said. Anila.
If there was another manner infected with Anila in this forest. It would have to be stalking for its next victim.
I run through the trees, attempting to keep my feet from crunching the leaves beneath me. My eye scan the forest ahead of me. The only thing visible is a deer. Had I really just done all this for a deer? I blink hard, shaking my head—no. It was something flying— something glowing— deer don't fly, nor glow.
My gaze drifts upward. My eyes catching the glimmer of a white shard, a pair of green orbs join it momentarily. My breath catching for a second— it can't. Memories of my fathers voice bounce against my skull.
'I believe somewhere out there, there's still a beast. One that needs to be conquered.'
I press my body against the tree— "Well… if it isn't Milo fucking Ameris." Raina retorts. Holding a dagger in her left hand, her underlings trailing close behind, all of them creating a hushed snigger.
I mutter under my breath, "What was that?" She cackles. "No boyfriend to save the day?" One of her henchmen snicker. I scoff— "He's not my boyfriend." I state.
My body goes rigid as I play the final moments that could come from either her blade, or the creature above. My mouth opens to say something—to defend myself further—
A trumpet blows.
"Everyone please make your ways to the assembly line for your second sin-trial. As you may know, the first runthrough was a breeze." King Obadiah expresses in amusement.
"However, will you let your pride carry you through the next ordeal, or will you be smart about it?"
"Everyone is aloud a singular weapon of their choice. Weapons are at the start of the assembly line. Seniors, you will start us off. Thank you," he echos through the mountains.
My eyes flicker to Raina, "I'm gonna get you, Ameris." A dark cast washes over her face. My body slumps back onto the tree, adrenaline pumping through my veins.
If seniors start, that means I have around half an hour before I need to go.
I watch as, Raina and her minions disappear against the treeline, my head tilting upward as I hear a low grumble.
My eyes lock with the creature overhead. My heart thumps in my chest, I try to analyse its features. From here it appears to have scales. Its facial structure is that of a wolves.
My mind races. I should've listened in the Arts of Breeding.
A smaller pair of orbs appear next to the beast, I let out a huff before laughing to myself. It has a baby.
Hyrbid creatures have been extinct for DECADES—If this is one, I better hope no one else saw it. My father is going to be so pleased to hear about this.
I turn, jumping into a sprint to tell my best friend. My bleached hair waving behind me as I block my eyes from the wind.
As the campsites come into view again, I slow my pace. Attempting to catch my breath. I tread lightly toward Kaido.
In an attempt to scare him, I place my hands on his shoulders swiftly. To which he jolts up and takes battle stance.
His hands blocking his face as they're in fists, his wide stance causing his rather thin frame to look stable for once. I let out a shriek as he forces me to the floor, I stare at him in disbelief before a smile tugs at my cheeks. "Scared?" I taunt, he laughs, offering me a hand.
Rising to my feet again, I cuff his ear. "I found something, I need to tell you, now." I state sternly.
I escort him to a secluded area, his body fighting against me.
"Milo— seriously— let's just—" "Kai!" I burst out.
"I saw— I saw something in the trees and—" I babble. "Slow down." He rubs his temple while sighing.
I inhale deeply before continuing, "Dragons, Hybrids," I mumble.
He gives me a puzzled look, running his fingers through his raven hair. "What—"
A trumpet sounds before a deep rumble comes again, people start calling out to the juniors.
My lips pull into a thin line, my eyes meeting Kaidos before I march past him.
My eyes straight ahead to the start of the second ordeal. I can see the high houses from here.
Jester looms beside me.
Low murmurs fill the air, ideas on what the next trial may be.
Before I can turn to discuss it with my peers. The starting shot goes…