“Congratulations for completing the second trial, Coventry of Empyrean, Bock of Caballine, Ray of Fury, and Michaels of Dissident. Please exit the arena,” the announcer says.
The four men make their way through wide doors at the far left of the field.
“Crumble of Empyrean, Knightly of Caballine, and Glump of Fury. You have failed to complete your trial, which means you have been eliminated,” the announcer says, his voice somber.
A hush falls over the crowd.
“You might want to close your eyes for this,” Ben whispers.
“Why?” I ask.
Before he has a chance to answer, a group of guards holding machetes approach the three remaining contestants. With one swipe each, they behead the three men.
“I need to get out of here,” I stand as I feel the blood drain from my face.
I can’t witness anymore of this madness. This isn’t what the trials are supposed to be.
“Whisper, sit down!” my aunt hisses. “You can’t leave, it’s forbidden.”
I panic at those words and try to teleport to the entry point, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to manage it.
"This isn't right," I voice, hearing the panic rising. "None of this is right, this isn't how it's supposed to be. These trials were meant to find a leader and their advisors. It wasn't supposed to be some cruel sport for the entertainment of the masses."
“No one can teleport in here,” Ezra leans forward and says quietly. “Now sit down and don’t cause a scene.”
“Why would you want to watch this? Why bring all of us?” I ask as I sit down.
“It’s required for all Nightmares over the age of seventeen to attend the trials. Whisper, only one of the contestants is walking out alive at the end of this. That’s why we don’t cheer,” Ben says, his eyes downcast.
“When you said cheering for death, I just thought you meant they could die. Not that all but one would die,” I say quietly.
“I don’t like this system anymore than you do, but it’s how it’s always been done,” Aunt Nellie places a hand on my shoulder.
"No, no it's not. It was different. This was supposed to be different." I hear the words spilling from my mouth but everyone around me seems to be processing as much as I am what they're witnessing.
Max grabs one hand and squeezes it, trying to comfort me. I try to steel myself to finish watching these trials. It breaks my heart to know what they were supposed to be, versus what they have become. I glance over my shoulder at Lydia, who is holding hands with Korbin.
“I know,” she mouths at me, her eyes wide.
“We will take a thirty minute intermission while the next trial is prepared,” the announcer says.
I hop up from my seat and start pacing back and forth. These Nightmares are crazy! Killing each other to pick a leader. Keeping humans as livestock… Someone really needs to change things. Someone really needs to change things, and while I may be too young to do anything now, I will go into politics and I will change things from the bottom to the top. God help anyone who tries to get in my way.
“How are you all ok with this?” I ask, looking around at my friends and family.
“I’m not, but what can I do but grin and bear it?” Ryland scowls.
“What he said,” Sam agrees.
“I closed my eyes when Ben said to,” Lydia looks down.
“I’m not mad at you, Lydia,” I assure her, afraid I’ve hurt her feelings. “I’m just trying to wrap my head around all of this.”
“When you’re a small ant you can’t control the horse. You just get smashed under its hooves,” Korbin says.
“True, but a colony of fire ants can kill a horse,” Ben winks.
Chapter 4
“Please make your way back to your seats. We will be starting again shortly,” the announcer says.
We settle back into our seats as the sky turns black. What the hell is going on? I open my mouth to ask when Ben leans forward.
“We aren’t actually outside. This place is magical,” he says.
Spotlights come on, lighting up the field in front of us. A woman dressed in a long, flowing black dress steps out and waves her hands in the air in front of her.
“She’s a sorceress,” Ben explains.
As she continues, a large, round, stone maze starts to form in front of our eyes. The stone has moss growing on it and the structure takes up the majority of the arena. She flicks her hands upwards towards the sky, and a picture forms above us. It takes me a moment to realize it’s a projection of the inside of the maze.
As the camera or magic, however it works, makes its way through the maze, we see everything the contestants will face. The walls randomly move on their own. Small bands of pixies with spears are hunting down one branch. Large, winged lions are laying down another.
“What are those?” Sam asks, pointing at the winged lions.
“Those are manticores. Wickedly mean creatures. Their tails are like a scorpion and extremely poisonous,” Ezra says.
“That would be venomous. Poison is ingested or absorbed through the skin. Venom is injected,” Finn says.
“Is he always a know it all?” Rodrick chuckles.
“Yes,” everyone answers in unison.
The screen shows holes appearing randomly before filling back up, along with vines that lash out at any movement nearby.
“The contestants must make their way through the deadly maze and ring the bell in the center to be safe from elimination,” the announcer explains as the camera pans to a large, golden bell in the center.
The doors to the far left side of the arena open and the four remaining men step out. Each house is still represented, but how many will make it through this trial alive?
The sorceress opens a doorway into the maze in front of the men and they step through. She proceeds to seal it up behind them then waves her hands and the maze sinks down into the ground, giving us a bird’s-eye view. The screen above us splits into four, each following a contestant.
“Begin,” The announcer's voice booms across the arena.
The men take off. The walls of the maze begin to shift, reforming around each contestant, separating them from each other. My eyes dart back and forth between the screens to the maze below us, trying to decide which view is better.
My eyes land on the screen of Michaels, the Dissident contestant, as he rounds the corner into the waiting manticores. He tries to back peddle, but it’s too late. They take flight and surround him before the largest sinks a scorpion stinger in his chest. As they start to rip him apart, the screen fades to black, but his screams can still be heard floating up from the maze.
The Fury candidate, Ray, has had an uneventful run, until he runs into the vines. They wrap around his body, drawing him into the wall. I wonder if it kills him or not, but then his screen goes black, giving me the answer.
Bock the Caballine and Coventry the Empyrean have found each other at some point and are working together now. They round the last corner and the bell is within sight. Coventry pushes Bock down as he sprints forward and rings the bell. Bock quickly regains his footing and darts forward, ringing the bell right before the pixies catch up to him.
The sorceress waves her hands and the maze dissolves away, leaving the two men panting and out of breath, standing alone in the arena.
“We have two winners of the third trial. Let’s hear it for Coventry and Bock,” the announcer says.
The crowd comes to life, cheering for the remaining contestants as the arena lights back up and the spotlights disappear.
“That was wild!” Max shouts.
“I didn’t realize how intense watching these would be,” Finn chimes in.
“It’s barbaric,” I roll my eyes.
Ryland grabs my hand and squeezes it. I look over at him and his brow is bunched in concern.
“I’m fine,” I reassure him, squeezing his hand back.
“There should only be one more trial with only two candidat
es left,” Ben says. “I wonder what they’ve came up with as a show stopper.”
“This entire system is insane. You realize that right?” I ask.
“We do, but you can’t change history overnight. I do what I can from the position I hold,” Ben says.
“The fourth and final trial is about to begin,” the announcer says as a cage rises from the center of the arena.
I feel the blood drain from my body, and I become dizzy when I see what's inside. I turn and look at Korbin and his face is frozen in a look of terror. I can’t believe they brought it here, to a stadium full of Nightmares. The Baku from outside of the school is pacing back and forth, the length of the cage.
My eyes roam over it as I feel the shock register on my face. Somehow it looks larger pacing in the cage than it did when I last saw it outside the school. It's long trunk swings back and forth and I can't help but notice that the black claw at the end has once again regenerated. It rears up on it's back legs and lets out a growl that has my blood running cold.
“What is that?” Lydia asks.
“A Baku,” I say quietly.
The crowd descends into chaos. Everyone jumps up and rushes towards the exits, where guards are standing with weapons.
“Take your seats, now!” the announcer booms.
“Why would they bring that thing here?” Aunt Nellie asks, her voice trembling with fear.
“It must be the final trial, but won't it just feast on everyone?” Ben asks.
“I hope not,” Ezra says, his eyes darting towards the exit where Nightmares are being tazed left and right.
“Why are we just sitting here?” I ask as the panic rises in my chest.
“The crowd isn’t making any progress in getting out and we would be stuck at the back. It doesn’t make much sense to join in. Besides that thing is still in its cage,” Ezra shrugs.
“Very good point,” I nod.
“There is a protection spell on the stadium. The audience is perfectly safe. The Baku cannot leave the field,” the announcer says. “Return to your seats.”
“He should have lead with that information,” I say.
“But that would have been logical. Nightmares are rarely logical,” Finn shakes his head.
The crowd begins to settle down and make their way back to their seats.
Now that everyone is in their seats, the tension in the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife. No one trusts that they are safe, regardless of what has been said, but we don’t have much of a choice. They won’t let us leave. I just hope this doesn’t go sideways and we end up the next meal for this Baku.
“The next Praesidium must be able to keep his people safe from all threats. Trial number four is to kill a Baku. Good luck gentlemen,” the announcer says.
The cage opens and the Baku let's out a deep growl as it charges out at the remaining contestants. Each man holds a sword swiping wildly at the creature.
They hold him off for a few minutes, before the Baku’s trunk darts out and embeds it’s claw in Bock’s chest. Coventry comes from the side and cuts off the Baku’s trunk. It lets out a deafening howl of pain as it falls over and writhes on the ground. Coventry takes his sword and buries it in the creatures chest, and it lays motionless. He killed the Baku. But how did he know how to do it?
“Baku can die?” Ben says with a shocked look on his face.
“They can. It just did,” Ezra points out.
I want to say something, but not here where so many people could overhear us. I need to tell Aunt Nellie about everything.
“Meet your new Praesidium Alistair Coventry, may his reign be long and fruitful,” the crowd cheers then begins leaving.
This day has been a wild roller coaster, and I want nothing more than to crawl up in my bed and forget everything I’ve witnessed, but I know that’s not something that will happen.
I say my goodbyes to my friends before they take off to meet up with their families. Aunt Nellie, my uncles, Sam, and I wait until the crowd thins before making our way to the exit. The downside to being front and center to the show, is you are the last to leave.
Ezra grabs my hand as soon as we are in the cave and we teleport back to the entry point for Greymire. I don’t see the rest of our group. What’s going on?
“I want to talk to you before they catch up,” he explains as we walk through the entry point into the town.
He grabs my hand again and we are in a study with art and clothing design plastered over the walls.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“I went to school with Coventry. He’s a bigot and will make life hell for the Dissidents if he can. But I’m most worried about you. He will try to collect you if he can,” Ezra explains. “I know I need to tell your aunt, but I don’t want to worry her yet. I just thought you deserved a heads up.”
“Thank you. But should I let him? Collect me that is. Couldn’t that be useful?” I ask.
“Useful for what?” he asks, giving me a strange look.
“I don’t know. If he’s going to make life hell for everyone, having someone on the inside might be useful at some point,” I shrug.
“Interesting idea, but I don’t think things have came to that yet,” Ezra chuckles. “But keep your eyes open and be careful of who you trust. I know Max is your friend, but the Suttons are friends with the Coventrys.”
“That’s good to know,” I agree. Can I trust Max?
“Ezra, Whisper, are you here?” Aunt Nellie calls out from downstairs, her voice trembling with worry.
“Up here love,” Ezra calls back. “Let me explain this to Nellie, please.”
“Ok,” I agree.
“Oh and don’t trust Alexis; she’s Coventry’s daughter,” Ezra says just before Nellie opens the door.
“Wait what? Her last name is Wentworth. How is she his daughter?” I ask.
“Old money in that family follows the mother, so she has her mother’s last name,” Ezra explains.
“Aunt Nellie can you come talk to me in my room when your done speaking with Ezra? I need to explain some things to you,” I say.
“Of course, dear,” she says, her brow furrowed in concern as I walk out of the door.
I head to my room and sit on my bed, working out how I’m going to explain everything to her in my head. So much happened that I didn’t even think of telling her… I feel a bit guilty for keeping these huge secrets.
My door opens and Aunt Nellie comes in and sits beside me.
“That was quick,” I say.
“Ezra said his stuff can wait so I’m here to talk to you,” she replies turning her body towards me.
I explain everything that has happened since school started. From the way the chair reacted to me, to the box humming, grabbing the stone, and finally the memories I’ve been having.
“Are you all right? Do you need anything?” Aunt Nellie asks.
“I’m fine, but I want to explain these memories to you so you can understand what I know now,” I say.
“Wait a second. Do you mind telling everyone? I think this information is safe with my husbands as well,” she asks.
“I can do that. When can we talk?” I ask.
“We will talk now. They will really want to hear this,” she pats my hand. “Let’s go downstairs and talk. Do you want Sam there?”
“Sam can come,” I say. “I trust him with my life.”
“It’s always good to have those kind of friends,” she smiles at me.
Chapter 5
Once we all gather in the living room, Aunt Nellie nods her head.
“Go ahead, Whisper, tell us what you know,” she says.
I clear my throat nervously before I explain everything to them.
“What happened to the moonstone?” Roderick asks.
“I don’t know. My hand was stuck around it until I passed out. I need to ask Headmaster Gandore if he knows,” I reply.
“That would be wise. We wouldn’t want it falling into the wrong hands,” Ez
ra says.
“I want to tell you about a memory I had concerning the trials,” I say looking down at my hands in my lap. “The trials were never meant to be this way.”
“What do you mean?” Ben asks, leaning forward in his seat.
“What I’m trying to say is, the losers were never supposed to die. They were meant to be advisors to the new leader,” I respond.
The room is silent and everyone has a shocked look on their face.
“How could this happen? How did this knowledge just slip away?” Ben, asks, shaking his head in disbelief.
“I smell a conspiracy; it seems like they are hiding something, but how do we look into it?” Sam asks.
“This is what Sam and I use to do almost everyday back in the human world. Thinking out of the box is like a second nature to us,” I say, looking at Sam with a big smile on my face. “I knew our skills would come in handy eventually.”
Sam’s cheeks redden and he gives me a wink.
“I’ll see what I can find out,” Ben says. “But until we know more, we should keep this between us. It could get dangerous if someone finds out we may be onto them. It might take me a few weeks. I have to be careful about how I ask.”
“Someone like Coventry you mean?” I ask. “Why do you dislike him so much?”
“He has a particular viewpoint on Dissidents. He believes we are all beneath him,” Aunt Nellie explains. “That coupled with his arrogant behavior are not good qualities for a leader. If you ever met him, you would understand what we mean.”
We all nod our heads in agreement. Aunt Nellie stands, glancing at the clock on the wall.
“It’s getting late and we have all had a stressful day. Let’s get some sleep,” she says.
We all stand up, say our goodnights, and go our separate ways.
I’m awakened by the sound of my phone going off. Rolling over in bed, I pick my phone up and swipe the screen. The first thing I notice is it’s after nine.
Glancing at the text messages, three are from Lydia about how we need to get together so she can tell me all about her date with Korbin and then two from Ryland wishing me a good morning and asking me to text him when I wake up. A smile creeps across my face and excitement explodes in my stomach.
Trial By Nightmare (Academy of Broken Dreams Book 2) Page 3