"Where's Sierra?" Amisha asks, her voice frantic and her eyes searching.

Initially, Noah's a little surprised to see Amisha so concerned for the controller witch, though after a few moments, Noah feels bad for questioning Amisha's humanity. After all, everyone is concerned.

It has been more than eight minutes, if not nine, and everyone has resurfaced. Everyone except Sierra. Naturally, everyone looks a little worried. Even Day Blackwood, and everyone is aware that Day Blackwood isn't exactly a part of Kingsley's fan club (for some bizarre reason that is still unknown to Noah).

Principal Cashore stalks down the steps, and though she walks calmly and at a steady pace, Noah knows that she's worried. When she reaches the bottom, her voice is loud, clear and full of authority.

"Professor Bane, bring up the glass."

Professor Bane asks no questions, as Sierra Kingsley's box floats up. And there lies, an unconscious Sierra Kingsley. The professors wait a few seconds, before they stand up, more alert.

"Why is everyone standing up?" Noah asks, looking at the alarmed professors. He knows that an unconscious student is hardly a pleasant situation but standing up in synchronisation was more than unnerving.

"The boxes are meant to be open themselves when they resurface," Elijah Grimm responds.

Noah nearly jumps, hearing Grimm's voice for the first time since meeting him. It is everything he expects, low and brooding.

As Professor Bane levitates the box closer and onto the ground, Principal Cashore runs her hands over the glass, muttering chants.

Everyone stands watching. Nothing happens.

Gwendolyn Highmore rushes down from her seat, one hand grasping the material of her long, silk dress and the other gesturing wildly. Her voice is loud and alert as she yells, "The box is cursed! Break the glass!"

Principal Cashore, Gwendolyn Highmore and Professor Bane stand around the glass cube, their hands touching the glass and the mouths chanting in synchronization. It is only then, that the glass melts apart.

Principal Cashore reaches down, her fingers checking for a pulse.

Noah watches stunned, as two nurses run along, levitate Sierra so she floats in the air, defying gravity. He watches, as she is transported away into the infirmary.

After a minute or two, the audience sits back down, waiting calmly for the results.

"Thank you for your patience and calmness. The points have been calculated, and with sensible thinking, the council has decided to exclude Miss Kingsley from this round of elimination, due to foul play being attempted. On that note, the Witching Magistraits, will be notified and I'm sure they will be involved in the investigation of the incident today. We wish Miss Kingsley a save recovery.

"The points are as follow for this challenge: Noah Woods in first place is being awarded ten points, with Day Blackwood coming second. Taking the points from today into account, the scoreboard is as follows. In first place we have Amisha Jeet at seventeen points, ten points from the first challenge and seven points from today's challenge.

"Noah Woods ranks in second, with sixteen points; ten points from today's round and six points the previous challenge. With fourteen points in total, Orion Winders ranks in third place, followed by Lucas Faye at thirteen points. Day Blackwood and Alec Bacani fall in on fifth place with twelve points. Considering the brilliance at which Miss Kingsley performed in the first challenge, she stands in sixth place with eleven points. Zoe Argent follows at seventh place with ten points, with Raylene Tan on her tail at eight points. Which leaves us with Aarush Bhatia and Elijah Grimm."

The audience watches holding their breath, trying to recall the previous challenge and today's challenge. Noah takes a glance at Aarush Bhatia's face who looks terrified in contrast to the indifference on Elijah's face. Noah's not quite sure what Aarush is more terrified of: being eliminated or making it to the next round.

"Aarush Bhatia stands at the ninth position with five points, whereas Elijah Grimm holds three points, eliminating him from The Revealing."

The audience goes into a frenzy, exchanging bets, shuffling money. The candidates release a breath, their bodies relaxing at the thought that the torture is over for the day.

As Amisha glances up at the audience, her stomach churns at the idea that, though they risk their lives, everyone else makes a mockery out of The Revealing, placing bets. As if all she is worth is a few bucks and moments of smug victory. Noticing Amisha's attentiveness on the money being shuffled around, Lucas moves forward.

"Come on, you clearly need a nap."

"Excuse me?" Amisha says, halting in her step and raising an eyebrow at the blonde boy in front of her.

"Just," Lucas starts, sighing. "Come."

Amisha takes in the exhausted posture of Lucas Faye and relents. And together they walk behind the group of candidates making their way back into the academy ready to hit their beds.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Alana Cashore isn't one to fret easily, nor does she worry excessively. However, The Revealing makes her sweat. And she's not even a candidate. As she organizes the papers on her desk, she can hardly imagine how each of the candidates feel as they are pushed to their limits. Though, is there much she can do? She questions herself. She's a mere principal of an academy, not a figure of authority that can put a stop to a deadly challenge that demands too much of nineteen year olds. Though, no Revealing would leave them without heirs, and thus leave them unprotected. But is this truly the way? If not her, then who was in the position to make such decisions?

If Alana Cashore was honest with herself, she isn't quite sure if she trusts the council that has been put together to judge and create The Revealing and its challenges. After all, when it comes down to it, Alana only trusts Gwendolyn Highmore in the council.

Alana finds herself ripped away from her thoughts, as the door to her office opens. Her eyebrows furrows as she looks up, ready to reproach anyone who could be so disrespectful to enter without knocking or her permission. It is then that she takes in the familiar suit, and the all too familiar swagger of Nicholas Gilbert.

"Only me."

Alana watches, not moving, as the Governor and her secret lover(ish) takes a seat in front of her.

"Is there anything you need, Governor?" Cashore asks, her voice steady. She gives herself a mental pat on the back for her indifference.

"Just a few minutes with a dear friend."

Alana says nothing.

"Alright, alright." The Governor leans forward, fiddling with the pens on her desk. "I've been thinking."

"What about, pray tell?"

"About The Revealing."

"You, and I both," Alana responds, and watches intently as Nicholas looks up in slight surprise, and then leans back.

"What have you been thinking about?"

Alana leans back, copying Nicholas' posture.

"You first."

"Alright. I've been thinking, what if there are flaws in the design of The Revealing," Nicholas says. At his words, Alana's hopes pick up. Maybe she can convince Nicholas to put a stop to this foolishness. Nicholas continues, "What if the wrong people make it to the end? What if they aren't the actual chosen ones?"

Alana's hopes sink.

"What do you mean, Nicholas? You can't be saying what I think you're saying."

"Just think about it, Alana. What if Maria Costav saw someone other than the people selected."

"You said it yourself, The Revealing is designed to only select the most resilient and powerful."

"But what if they're not destined for it?" Nicholas says, his words slipping away from his usual mask of professional indifference.

"But if they're strong enough for it, does destiny really matter?" Alana questions, hoping that her worry doesn't seep into her voice.

Nicholas' eyebrows scrunch together in worry. His eyes focus on the wooden desk.

"I have to find a way to make sure only those destined make it to the end."

With those words, the Governor storms out of her office. Alana stands up, her lips parting to stop the man she loves from leaving. But once again, she stays without stopping him.