⚠️ Trigger Warning ⚠️

This chapter will have fighting, blood, gore, and death. Please read at your own discretion.

Chapter 10
(In book)

My boots soundlessly thump along the rocky path, dodging any rain puddles while leading the loud cadets to the Gauntlet. Sawyer leads the pack, quietly following me and talking about training. I stop right in front of a massive mountain with a built in deadly obstacle course. It begins at the bottom with a long wooden log that spins and is haphazardly placed over a large opening. Then there are shaking pillars, only big enough to barely hold one. That is if you can stay utop them. A ravine lies below the pillars and trails below the rest of the course. After the pillars there is a large circular wheel with holes cut out that moves counterclockwise and at an alarming rate.

It trails to large canon like balls that hang from steel chains. Some chains were even rusted and each swing back and forth. That leads to the large wooden beams that hang from thin wires that will shred your fingers if you try to grab them and leaving you to drop into the rocky ravine below. Then there comes the large wooden stumps that jut out from the wall and spin clockwise, easily throwing someone down to a bloody and painful death. Next is a bricked up wall, where you have to wiggle yourself up and then there's the last obstacle. One that many can't finish. It's a large paved road that shoots up about 20 feet high and usually kills the most cadets, as they fall off the sides. It's especially hard for the petite or softer cadets.

The Gaunlet
(Not my artwork, found on Pinterest just like everything else)

   I turn around, facing Fourth Wing and its leaders. Dain and Xaden send each other glares as I speak to the group. "Welcome to the Gauntlet. This will be your training for the next six weeks. This is highly dangerous but also very important. Does anyone know why?" I ask. The cadets are quiet and avoid eye contact even Violet, until Sawyer sighs. "It's to train us for our dragons and war" he mumbles with red cheeks, likely embarrassed by being a repeat cadet. I nod with a small smile "yes. This will prepare you for the future but remember this isn't a fun course. It's deadly and anyone of you could possibly die today." The group begins to get nervous and I see Violet and Danika turn pale. "But do not worry about that because I am here to prevent anymore deaths" I reply with a large smile.

   The cadets stays silent and I sigh, watching the sundial to my left for time. "Who wants to go first?" Dain asks and the group stays put. Sawyer lets out a huff before approaching the course. I flick my fingers and start the course. "No times today, just make it through but I'm right here if something happens" I loudly state so all of Fourth Wing hears. I nod at Sawyer and he nods back before getting into position then sprinting off. He quickly and easily slips through the course. The cadets watch with awe and anxiety, the smart ones watching his every move to help them in the future. As he runs the course, I hear a cadet start berating Violet. "I mean you are sleeping with our squad leader so I'm sure you'll be able to get out of this too huh?" Tynan, a friend of Barlowe, sneers.

    Not taking my eyes off of Sawyer, just in case, I loudly bite out "Tynan you are next." He approaches with a smirk, thinking he was not only right about Violet but that I chose him to go next. As Sawyer reaches the top, my eyes cut over to Tynan and I lean down to his ear. "If you ever bully or berate another cadet, I will feed you to Moros and Vita. And Moros loves to play with his food" I whisper as two loud roars ring out around us. Tynan pales and backs away his eyes widening "I just heard- or I thought." I get in his face with a deadly glare "you thought what? Obviously you didn't or you wouldn't have spoken at all. Barlowe is an idiot and has been spreading rumors to further break apart your Wing. Maybe you should focus on actually living through this course instead of bullying others. Because my magic is feeling a bit... low today. Understood Tyrant?" I sneer.

Tynan vigorously shakes his head yes, not looking me in the eyes. Moros and Vita land behind me, further scaring the brat in front of me. The other cadets watch carefully, trying to hear what I am saying but I used my magic to hide our voices. Ridoc, Danika, Rhiannon, and Liam step closer to my dragons, Liam being the only one to approach them. While Laci, Violet, and Dain watch their friends carefully, not trusting my dragons. Moros lays one of his heads down for Danika to pet and she gently presses the palm of her hand against his warm snout. He purrs quietly as she gently strokes his scales with a large smile on her face. Xaden comes behind her and catches behind his left ear, making Moros purr louder.

Dain quickly snatches Danika back towards the group and yells "we are supposed to be training. Get in formation cadets!" I roll my eyes and pet both of my dragons, cooing at them. "You may pet my dragons and sit along with them as long as you'd like, but be kind. They do not harm anyone unless I command it so you are safe" I state before turning back to Tynan. "Why are you still standing here? Go!" He jumps before sprinting towards the course. He struggles along but after passing the first part, I send Aurelie, a tall girl with dark hair and bright blue eyes. She's fit and looks like she could whip all the cadets in this course. She quickly catches up to Tynan, who is struggling, and I send Rhiannon next.

Tynan is holding up the line and Aurelie begins to get angry, as she hangs from the wooden beams. She tries to pass him as he's taking too long and that's when I see Tynan yell something before kicking her wooden platform, sending her hurtling towards the ground. I use my magic to stop her fall and red clouds gently move her to the last part of the course. She sends me a thumbs up and continues the course. Just as she reaches the top, Tynan still hangs below and is pestering Rhiannon; who is trying to pass by him like Aurelie. Tynan gets mad and again kicks the wooden beam but instead of Rhiannon falling, he does. His grip slips and I watch him desperately try to grab at air as he falls to the rocks below. The cadets and Dain yell behind me but I don't lift a finger.

The group is quiet as the course still whirs and moves. Violet is next to go on the course but her eyes lock with mine and she defiantly yells "I thought you said no one would die?!" Her messy braid swings back and forth as her face turns red. I raise a brow at her and yell "go now Sorrengail!" She stays put, crossing her arms and Moros growls behind me. She steps back a bit but still hold eye contact. Dain, Ridoc, Laci, Liam, and Xaden watch from the side, all on edge. I sigh and put my lips against her ear, whispering "he was spreading lies about you and Squad Leader Aetos. And he had plans with Barlowe to harm you. He was a bad egg." She looks confused but I don't allow her any time to talk as I growl out "go now Sorrengail!" She jumps then quickly runs towards the course and I begin sending the rest of the cadets. Liam next, then Laci, and Ridoc. They each pass the course quickly, having minor issues.

   Though Violet still stands at the end, too short to make it up the wall. Her friends yell encouraging words and tips as she tries again. This time though, I give her a wind boost that helps her barely make it up to the top and the smile on her face makes it worth it. She beams at her friends, hands in the air with a smile. Dain and Xaden both approach me "you're not helping her by doing that." I turn to Dain with a glare and he shrugs "he's right love." I turn to Xaden with wide eyes and my mouth agape. You're agreeing with him?! Xaden nods his head but before we can continue the conversation, a voice cuts through. One that sends chills and fire along my spine. One that I would rather not hear ever again in my life. "They're right. You're making my daughter even weaker than she already is. Just because she's your soulmate doesn't mean you can coddle her, she needs to learn how to protect herself."

    My eyes cut to the tall woman with long dark brown hair. Her eyes devoid of emotion and shine an emerald green, almost black matching her evil soul. She smirks with a predatory expression before stomping towards us. Xaden and Dain both step in front of me, Xaden keeping his hand in mine. I push past the boys with an evil glare and twirl a knife in my hand, showing her just who's she's messing with now. "I'd say it's nice to see you again but last time I saw you, you were dead. And that's how you were supposed to stay" she sneers. Xaden's hands tighten into fists but I just let out a cackle. "Does it bother you so much General Sorrengail, that I am indeed still alive? Or is it the fact that I am more powerful? Or could it be that I just so happen to be bonded with the King and Queen of dragons? Or maybe it's the fact that your daughter is tethered to the very people you detest for the rest of her life?" She snarls at me and my dragons growl back, blowing hot air at her. She steps back before schooling her features, back into that cruel smile.

"I think it's time we speak about my daughter, Commander."

Authors note: Sorry this took so long! I did have different plans for this chapter but decided to go a different way! But next chapter will definitely have more spice in it ;)

• What did you think of this chapter?

• How are we feeling about Danika? I love her so much. She's such a sweetheart.

• What do you think Barlowe has planned for Violet and how did Kali know that?

• How do you feel about be changing who dies?

• And finally, what would y'all like to see in the future?

Also here are the face claims for:

Aurelie

Portrayed by: Marie Avgeropoulos

Jack Barlowe

Portrayed by: Chris Evans
(Sorry I don't like him so don't judge me)

Thanks my dears. 🖤 Please check out my other books:

- Abomination a 100 WTS book

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- Autophobia a The Walking Dead book

- Acerbus a Marvel/Avengers book

- Alexithymia a Shadowhunters book

- Munificence a Santa Clause book

- Latibule a Sons of Anarchy book

- Aviothic a Fourth Wing book

- Crudêl a Chilling Adventures of Sabrina book

- Bellicostic a Game Of Thrones book

- Aeonian a House Of Night book

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I made this one lol

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