15. The Second Challenge
The Second Challenge
Scarlet
I rub my fingers over the rankings posted on the board, counting the names above mine. Fifth place. Not good enough.
A trumpet echoes from the dining hall. Ignoring the scores, I push through the crowd of contestants, curious about the noise. The contestants assemble in the dining hall, but I focus on the dais where King Remme stands, surveying the crowd.
Every inch of his being speaks authority and confidence. His face remains still, not giving away any of his inner thoughts. A commanding presence seems to radiate from him; it's something I can only aspire to emulate. It's astounding how he can always remain so sure of himself
King Remme begins speaking, his voice carrying easily over the gathered crowd. "For your next challenge, you will enter the forest and make your way to the caves hidden within. There, you will search for artifacts. These artifacts will match you to your team for the next trial. Forming effective teams is essential for success."
Excited murmurs ripple through the crowd. Those who have formed alliances exchange knowing glances.
King Remme raises a hand, instantly quieting the room. "You will have one hour to prepare before entering the forest. Gather any supplies you feel you may need."
A barely perceptible smile touches his lips, but there's a sharp edge to his words. "The challenges will become increasingly more difficult from here on out. Those who prevail will prove themselves worthy competitors. But be warned—not all who enter the forest will return. Only the most skilled, and perhaps the luckiest, will claim victory."
His eyes scan the crowd, meeting my gaze for a long moment. A chill runs down my spine.
King Remme's voice takes on a more solemn tone. "If there is anyone who wishes to withdraw from the competition, now is the time to do so with no shame or punishment."
The room falls silent, thick with tension. No one moves.
King Remme nods, satisfied. "Very well. You have one hour to prepare. From here on out, everything is at stake." His final words seem directed at me, and I meet his stare unflinchingly.
With that, King Remme descends from the dais and exits the hall, leaving the competitors to contemplate the challenge that lies before them—and the unknown threats that await in the forest
Rose approaches me. "We should team up," she says reluctantly.
I eye her warily. "For now."
Pondering what I should bring with me, I return to my room. I grab the silver needle and throwing dart from my belongings and tuck them carefully into my competition leathers. I won't fail this time. I refuse to walk away empty-handed like before. This challenge will be different. I have to win.
"Planning on poisoning other competitors?" Rose's derisive voice breaks the silence.
I turn to face her. "These are for defending myself," I say firmly.
She chuckles. "From what? The forest animals?"
Anger flares inside me, but I tamp it down. "From whatever threats arise," I say calmly.
Rose shakes her head in disdain. "Suit yourself. Don't come crying to me when your conscience eats at you."
I meet her gaze steadily. "Then it seems we understand each other."
Rose makes a show of examining her nails. "For now." Skepticism laces her tone.
My fists clench at my sides, but I refuse to lose my temper. "We have a challenge to prepare for." I meet her eyes. "Are you ready?"
Rose smirks. "I've been ready since the beginning." Without another word, she sweeps from the room.
I sigh and stare at my reflection. Doubts creep into my mind. Can I do what is necessary to win? Or will my conscience hold me back? I cannot afford failure now. Too much is at stake.
Squaring my shoulders, I leave my room to meet the others for the forest challenge. Whatever threats arise, I will face them head-on. Rose's disapproval means nothing. I have come too far to turn back now.
This challenge will be different. I refuse to walk away empty-handed again. I will find what is hidden in those caves and move up the rankings. Failure is not an option
***
I sift through my bag, ensuring each item is in place. The flask of water, the coil of rope, a small dagger, and a bag of nuts and dried meat nestle securely inside. I grab a sturdy stick, testing its weight and balance. It will serve as my makeshift staff to probe for traps.
Satisfied, I make my way to where Rose and the other competitors have gathered at the forest's edge. The woman who interviewed me stands before us, her presence commanding attention.
"You have all proven yourselves capable survivors," she begins, her voice carrying over the assembled group. "For your next trial, you will enter the catacombs deep below the castle."
Excited murmurs ripple through the crowd at this announcement. As I stand there, the weight of the challenge settles in. The catacombs—ancient tunnels that have swallowed many who dared to enter. My thoughts drift to the tales I've heard about the labyrinthine passages, filled with traps and guarded secrets. I imagine the darkness closing in, the air thick with the scent of decay and history.
Each shadow could hide a threat, each turn a potential trap. The unknown dangers lurking within those stone walls, the possibility of encountering something—or someone—left behind, sends a shiver down my spine. But alongside the fear, excitement bubbles up. This is what I have trained for, the kind of challenge that sets my heart racing. The adrenaline begins to surge, a mixture of fear and thrill. This is my chance to prove myself, to showcase my skills and bravery.
The challenge ahead is not just a test of survival, but of wit and courage. I glance at Rose, who appears equally resolute and excited.
The woman continues, "You will navigate the catacombs to find an artifact. Those artifacts will decide who you are teamed up with on the next challenge. Remember that this challenge has no rules."
A grim smile touches her lips. "The catacombs are dangerous and unforgiving. It's not that simple though. You will have to find the entrances in the forest first. Not all who enter will escape unscathed. The trials have truly begun."
My gaze sweeps the crowd, sizing up the competitors. I see Darius watching me. He offers a small smile and nod of the head which I return. A young noblewoman stands off to the side, nervously twisting her hands. She looks pale and delicate, likely unprepared for the danger ahead.
Two muscular knights glare at the other competitors, cracking their knuckles menacingly. They seem eager for a chance to show their strength and ruthlessness.
An older man wearing a healer's cloak looks around warily. His wisdom and experience could prove invaluable to any team.
As I watch the others, the woman's words echo in my mind. A mage standing beside the woman mutters a few words and sparks appear above us in the air signaling the trial has officially begun.
Rose joins me, and we head out into the forest together, choosing to move away from the rest of the competitors.
The forest quickly envelops us in its embrace. Tall trees stretch their limbs overhead, their dense canopy allowing only slivers of sunlight to pierce through. Shadows dance and shift on the forest floor, creating an ever-changing mosaic of light and dark. The usual chorus of birds and rustling leaves is conspicuously absent, replaced by an eerie silence that hangs heavy in the air, sending a shiver down my spine.
We walk in silence, our footsteps muffled by the thick layer of leaves and moss underfoot. The forest feels unnaturally still, as if holding its breath in anticipation. My eyes scan the undergrowth for any sign of the cave entrance while I use my staff to probe the ground before each step. The vibrant greens of the foliage seem muted, the usual whispers of the forest replaced by an oppressive quiet. The air is cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of earth and decaying leaves.
I listen intently for any disturbance that could signal a trap but hear nothing except for Rose's footsteps and my own. The occasional rustle of leaves or snap of a twig underfoot feels jarring against the otherwise silent backdrop. Every now and then, a gust of wind stirs the branches, creating ghostly whispers that seem to echo our movements. The forest, though not inherently frightening, exudes an unsettling calm, as if it is aware of the trials that lie ahead and is watching silently.
The path ahead winds and twists, each turn revealing more of the forest's secrets. The ground is uneven, with roots snaking across the path like hidden tripwires. The deeper we venture, the more the forest seems to close in around us, the trees standing like silent sentinels guarding ancient secrets. My heart races not just from the exertion but from the palpable tension that the forest exudes. The stillness makes every small sound—every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves—feel amplified, a constant reminder of the challenges that await
I stop to get my bearings, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves fills my nostrils. Underneath, I detect something metallic and acrid that makes my stomach turn. I open my eyes and glance at Rose. She seems oblivious but on edge, surveying our surroundings carefully.
As we continue onward, a distant shout pierces the silence. Without thinking, I quicken my pace, Rose following suit. I can hear the sounds of battle now—metal clashing against metal and cries of pain. Whatever fight is underway, we want no part of it.
We push through thick bushes and low-hanging branches, the undergrowth seeming to fight our progress. Finally, I spot a dark cave opening ahead. Just as we reach it, a blast of frigid air rushes out to meet us. I shiver and exchange a grim look with Rose. Whatever lies ahead, it won't be easy.
I turn to Rose, "We should check in there."
She eyes the dark opening warily. "Something doesn't feel right."
I roll my eyes. "We won't find any artifacts by standing here. I don't imagine that catacombs are the most welcoming of environments anyway"
"Wouldn't you think the entrance would be more grand?"
"I don't imagine the entrance in the forest would be the one they regularly use. Instead, it's probably something that seems completely natural."
"Like a cave. You're right," Rose groans.
I step into the cave, the faint light from the forest quickly fading away behind me. Total darkness descends as I fumble for my torch, the staff tapping out warnings with each step. I hear Rose sigh in frustration beside me but say nothing, focusing my attention on putting one foot in front of the other without falling. Our senses on high alert, we make our way ever deeper into the freezing darkness, listening for any sign that we are not alone.
Rose reluctantly follows behind. As soon as we are both inside, thick fog begins rolling in, quickly filling the cave. Visibility drops to mere feet in front of us.
"Ugh. Should have known it wouldn't be that easy," Rose grumbles.
“Not a fan of the dark and unseen?” I tease.
“You and I both know this isn’t the type of locale that my jobs take me.”
I’m tempted to tease her more, but after tripping over a rock in the fog I admit to myself that she may have it right. This really is a more difficult location than even my jobs usually take me.
We slowly make our way deeper into the cave system, stumbling over loose rocks and jagged stalagmites obscured by the fog. We move cautiously through the cave, our vision limited to the small circle of light cast by my torch. My staff sweeps back and forth, testing the ground before each step.
Rounding a corner, I fail to notice a thin tripwire strung at ankle height. The moment my foot hits it, I hear a faint click followed by a swift release of tension. An array of darts shoots through the air directly at Rose.
"Look out!" I shout, lunging towards Rose and tackling her to the ground. The darts whistle past, slicing through the air with deadly precision. The sound is sharp, almost like the hiss of an angry snake, before they lodge into the cave wall behind us with a series of loud thunks.
Rose gasps, staring wide-eyed at the cluster of darts now protruding from the stone just inches above where our heads had been. The realization of how close we came to being skewered sinks in. The cave, which moments ago felt oppressive and silent, now echoes with the aftermath of the trap we've narrowly escaped.
"Thanks, Scarlet," Rose whispers, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and lingering fear.
My breathing is ragged as the adrenaline starts to wear off, leaving a cold sweat on my skin. "That was too close," I mutter, forcing myself to look at the darts embedded in the wall. Each one is razor-sharp, their tips glistening with what could only be poison.
Rose, ever the pragmatist, lets out a shaky laugh. "You know, Scarlet, dodging darts is usually something we do when we're making our grand escape, not just walking around."
I chuckle in response. "Yeah, it's almost like the traps have decided to come to us for a change. Makes you nostalgic for the good old days, doesn't it?"
Rose grins, her fear momentarily forgotten. "Did you retire? My last encounter was only last week. Nothing like a bit of adrenaline to start the day. Although, I do prefer to see the darts coming rather than have them surprise me."
I nod in agreement, still eyeing the darts warily. "At least when we're escaping, we expect this kind of thing. Keeps you on your toes."
Rose smirks. "We probably shouldn’t let our guard down even for a second. There’s a reason most who go in without a guide don’t come out."
I sigh, the tension easing just a bit. "True enough. Let's try to avoid setting off any more traps, shall we? I'd prefer not to add 'human pincushion' to my resume."
Rose laughs, a genuine sound that cuts through the oppressive atmosphere. "Deal. But if we do, at least we know you're getting pretty good at the whole saving-my-life thing."
"Just another skill to add to my repertoire. If the triple G doesn’t work out I may apply for guard or kingdom hero." I reply with a grin. "Now, let's find that artifact and get out of here before the cave decides to throw any more surprises our way."
Rose nods solemnly. "Good thing you have quick reflexes." The grudging gratitude in her voice takes me by surprise.
"I saw it just in time." Standing up, I hold out a hand to help Rose to her feet. For once, she accepts it without hesitation.
We examine the rope tripwire closely. It is nearly invisible in the darkness and attached to a mechanism that releases the darts at just the right height to hit a person in the chest. Had I been alone, I likely would not have noticed it in time.
As we walk on, I can't help replaying those frantic few seconds in my mind—shouting out the warning, lunging at Rose to yank her down, hearing the darts whistle past our heads. It had all happened so fast.
Rose glances at me, an uncharacteristically grateful smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe we make a decent team after all," she says reluctantly.
I hold her gaze for a moment before facing forward once more. "For now," I agree, then pry one of the darts free.
We continue deeper into the cave system, driven only by the light of my torch. Each corridor twists and turns, presenting new dangers at every corner—traps, mysterious artifacts, and shadowy creatures that call these caves their home.
Rounding another corner, we are faced with an enormous stone door set into the cave wall. The door is etched with strange swirling symbols and what appears to be a convoluted maze.
I study the puzzle intently. I point to four worn symbols. "These must open the door in a certain sequence"
Rose traces one of the mazes. "Each maze starts at a different symbol."
I crouch down to examine the door closer. "Let's press the symbols in order of the maze paths, from shortest to longest."
Rose agrees, and we begin pressing the symbols. Nothing happens. Disappointed, we step back to examine the puzzle again.
After several minutes, I snap my fingers triumphantly. "The maze paths that lead to the center are in order from longest to shortest, not the other way around!"
Rose shrugs. "Worth a try."
We press the symbols in the revised order: top left, bottom right, top right, and bottom left. This time, with a grinding of stone, the enormous door slides slowly open, revealing the chamber beyond.
"Well done!" Rose says appreciatively.
I can't help but smile back at her, our brief celebration putting aside competition.
Rose claps me on the shoulder. "Don't celebrate too much," she warns. "There will be more difficult puzzles ahead."
I sober at her words, knowing they are true. We have overcome this obstacle through teamwork and observation, but further challenges await.
We step cautiously into the chamber beyond the puzzle door. Torches flicker to life as we enter, illuminating a vast underground space hewn from rock. The air is cold and still, hinting at the age of this place.
Carved into the cave walls are burial niches filled with ancient remains. Bones, urns, and deteriorating cloth litter the floor amongst stone tools and weapons. We have stumbled upon a tomb.
Rose kneels to examine something on the floor. "Look at this," she says, beckoning me over. A mosaic depicts a many-headed serpent entwined around a horned staff. "The symbol of Cheribus," Rose notes. "God of the Underworld."
A sense of foreboding creeps over me as I take in our surroundings anew.
As we step further into the chamber, spikes shoot up from the floor while blades swing down from the ceiling, barely missing us.
Rose eyes the obstacle course of traps warily. "We'll have to move carefully."
I nod. "Agreed. You head right, I'll go left. Watch your step."
We quickly dash between two swinging axes, hearts racing. Rose eyes the obstacle course of traps warily. "Let's make this interesting," she says, a challenging glint in her eyes. "First one to the artifact wins."
I meet her gaze evenly. "You're on." This is our chance to truly test each other's skills. Something we haven't done in years. Once we were friends, in our training days. That was long ago though. Our respective missions keep us busy, and rarely do we have this sort of opportunity to see who is best.
We move through the gauntlet of traps. A flaming arrow launcher springs to life, firing a volley that we jump and roll beneath. "One point for me," I sing, grinning at Rose's scowl.
Sheathing my dagger, I swing on a rope across a chasm to the next section while Rose navigates a series of spinning blades. We both make it through unscathed. "Tied score," Rose says through gritted teeth.
A pressure plate activates below my foot, dropping a net from the ceiling that narrowly misses Rose. I cut myself free quickly. "Two points," I crow.
Rose smirks. "Not for long." She defuses a trap that would have set off a spiked boulder, saving us both. "There, we're even."
We continue through the chamber, adrenaline coursing through our veins as we test each other's speed, agility, and tactical thinking.
Finally, we reach the altar and golden scarab artifact. But as I reach for it, the floor starts sinking into a spike-lined chute.
Rose and I grab on, momentarily united in our will to survive. "Don't worry," I say confidently. "For members of the GGG, this is basically child's play."
Rose laughs. "Literally."
Together, we hold on, wondering if we'll make it out alive. This trap isn't meant for the clever or brave—only the lucky survive. And luck, it seems, is all we have.
As the stone floor sinks further into the spike-lined chute, Rose and I hold on for dear life.
Rose spots two heavy stones nearby and grabs one. "Help me swing these into the gears over there!" she shouts.
I grab the other stone, and we take turns swinging them at the gears powering the trapdoor. After several hits, the gears jam, and the floor stops sinking.
Rose laughs in relief. "We did it!"
We shout in celebration as I grab the golden scarab artifact.
Rose frowns. "That one's mine."
I shake my head. "I got it first."
Rose crosses her arms. “I was the one to figure out how to save our butts or neither of us would have made it out of her. I deserve it."
Annoyance flares, but I tamp it down. Fighting now would be foolish.
I sigh. "Fine. We work together to find me one as well though."
Rose smiles slightly. "Deal." She takes the scarab. "Come on. There will be more artifacts deeper in."
I nod. "Let's keep moving"