36. My Thief
My Thief
Remme
I take my seat overlooking the arena's center after stretching my legs, where an ancient hourglass structure stands. This mystical relic projects the competitors' experiences overhead through complex illusion magic, compressing hours into minutes. The crowds will witness highlights of the trial as though watching through a window to another realm.
Aiding the magic, the sands' slow vortex represents flowing time itself. The projections have always proven insightful, though never has so much hinged on what truths they may reveal. I pray the magic exposes the final clues I seek.
Rose steps forth boldly to enter the trial after Scarlet. While Scarlet prevailed through clever caution, I know Rose will unleash her unrelenting fierceness. She does not comprehend surrender.
Rose vanishes into the churning sands. Immediately scenes flare overhead - our magical window into the conjured world. The crowds gasp and cheer as Rose battles lumbering sand beasts under the blistering illusory sun. Her dual blades carve through them relentlessly until they nick the soul stones holding them together, and they disintegrate.
In the strange caverns against her doubles, she fights viciously, refusing to yield ground. The spectators are mesmerized by her aggressive onslaught as she carves through two opponents. But her boldness isn't without costs - trapped in the raging river, rocks bash Rose mercilessly. Still she drags her battered body from the water through will alone, to the crowds' approval.
By the time she attempts crossing the ruined bridge, Rose is clearly exhausted, injuries slowing her usual agility. Yet still she flings herself recklessly over the crumbling edge, heedless of the danger. The onlookers applaud her unrelenting determination.
When the dark waters finally spit Rose out, she crawls onto land on bloodied nails, swaying with fatigue.
The scenes fade as Rose is half-carried back into the arena, peering about wildly through tangled hair. Her clothing is utterly shredded from the merciless trial. As her sleeve falls away, I gasp - a familiar tattoo is revealed on her bared shoulder. A brightly colored mermaid swimming down Rose’s shoulder, her tail curving around on itself to create a familiar shape. Much like the snake did creating a g on the young woman that escaped my dungeon.
Shock roots me in place. Rose bears the mark of the thieves guild I’ve been pursuing. I press my temples against a pounding headache. After last night's attack, I swore one of my rescuers bore the same sigil on their thigh. But I took a hard blow to the head.
All will be revealed after she is crowned the winner of the trials. Once she has been given the crown I will know for sure if she is who I think she is.