And if I have anything to do with it, she won’t even last through one trial.
The simple rules are finished, the champions set, the betting commenced. My heart begins to pound as the high fae flag is raised and the countdown begins.
In thirty seconds, I will have one hour to run ten miles and fight whatever creatures the courts have prepared. Easy. This trial’s only purpose—as was already admitted— is simply to whittle out the weaklings.
I will have plenty of time to ensure my enemies do not make it out of this alive.
In one hour’s time, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were only eight champions remaining—the ruling courts. We are the strongest. The most prepared.
I take in a deep breath as the last seconds trickle down. The crowd roars, “Three. Two. One.”
I am fifteen feet ahead of the next champion in only moments. Running ahead may be a bad strategy, as it will mean facing the brunt of the worst dangers. But I highly suspect the first third of the course will be the easiest, the most dangerous feat will come in at the end, and running ahead will give me the chance to scout out the perfect place to ambushher.
Caelynn
Ibegin the race ata walk as the others sprint forward. Rev is the front runner immediately, the others in a large pack following his tracks. I am left behind, and I take the moment to wave at all my “fans” in the stands lining the first few hundred feet of our course. An egg lands at my feet, and I step right on it with a smile.
Once I reach the edge of the amber forest, I run.
I hold back my shadow magic that could shoot me ahead a dozen feet at a time and just use my physical strength. Every fae, even the strongest, have limits to their magic. If we use it all on menial tasks, we’ll have nothing left to fight with.
The copper trees hang over the path, and I enjoy the view for the entire first mile. Then, the roar of a massive creature causes a shudder to rumble through my body.
It’s not him, I remind myself.He wouldn’t be here.
I’ve already faced the world’s worst ancient beast. I can’t say I survived because he stole my soul, but I am still technically alive so, I suppose I have something to say about the experience.
At least I won’t be afraid of beasts that most fae would cower before.
With the Nightbringer in my mind’s eye as I turn the corner and find three dragons battling with several champions, I almost laugh. Several of the least imposing champions are stuck on this first obstacle. The dwarf is cowering behind a shield in front of the red dragon. The Webb Court female has the green dragon stuck between a wall of sticky webs. And two others I couldn’t name are dodging the largest black dragon.
There are many ways we could handle these beasts, but speed is the game so moving past them is the only option. I sprint forward, towards the trembling dwarf—dwarves and dragons are not exactly on friendly terms—and use my shadow magic for the first time. I catch the attention of the red dragon, my black smoke streaming behind, and I stop to smile and wave at him.
He blasts a heavy blaze of fire right at me and I twist away, leaving only black smoke in my stead. I appear in another place and repeat the process.
“Go!” I shout to the dwarf. “Run past them. You don’t need to fight them, you just need to keep running.” Him especially, who’s largest disadvantage to begin with is speed.
