10 : Trial One
The barren landscape before us seemed daunting. We all looked to each other in confusion.
"So there's land down here, now what?" Deltul did a full circle. Every direction - emptiness.
"Maybe-" Nota was once more cut off, but not by me. Something shocking happened.
The floor exploded up in massive pillars. They surrounded us, and we were enclosed by four solid stone walls.
We instinctively unfolded our wings to fly through the open ceiling, but Kintes stopped us.
"Something isn't right." He announced. "Maybe we shouldn't fly out."
"Why?" Nota frowned. "We're trapped."
"But the tests are to see if I'm worthy to live." I stepped in. One column of stone gave way and fell back into its normal place. An opening was revealed.
I craned my neck to see down the new path. A series of opening were beyond that, surrounded by walls of stone.
"It's a maze." Deltul's eyes widened.
"Would you deem a cheater worthy to keep their life during judgment?" I raised a brow at Nota, who rolled her eyes.
"I suppose not." She frowned and stamped her foot. "Taliig, we have to beat the maze on foot?!"
"Well..." I glanced around. "I have to."
————————————
"Left!" Kintes called, flying above. I nodded back and walked down the left path.
"It looks like ahead you'll see three paths." Nota added. "Take the furthest right."
"Got it." I replied, following their instructions.
————————————
After a very long time, I found myself in a large opening in the maze. It was like a huge, roofless room. The three landed behind me.
"This is the center." Deltul panted, catching his breath. "Now what?"
"Is that the only phrase you know?" Nota shot with an annoyed glare.
"Excuse me!" My brother growled. "At least I'm not rushing to get myself killed!"
"You're getting awfully close right now!" She snarled.
"Nota! Deltul!" I strained to squeeze between them, pushing them apart. "Let's get out now, fight later!"
"Zepth's right." Kintes nodded. "Arguing won't get us anywhere. Suck it up until we get out."
Nota grumbled to herself, but stopped trying to kill Deltul. I scanned beyond, searching for what the next trail must be.
Then I saw it.
The rock floor, on the very far side of the... arena. The stones were rolling towards one massive blob. We all felt the air sucked out of our lungs watching horns and claws forms.
A colossal stone dragon roared at us, its eyes were two empty sockets of blackness.
And it was charging towards me.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top