Monroe had taken the attention of the crowd and announced all the people that were going to move on to the next round. Of the one hundred people that were competing, twenty-eight people would be eliminated from the first round. This made Lyla nervous. Twenty-eight people seemed like a lot, but that meant seventy-two people were moving on to the next round. Maybe she still had a chance.
Giselle was the first to be called out of the people she knew, then Lilly, Thomas, and Charles. Eventually, Joseph’s name was even called. Lyla had forgotten about him. As far as she knew, Giselle and Joseph were a couple. She had seen him around the house a few times with Giselle, but she had never really talked to him.
Lyla was getting nervous. Monroe had to be close to the bottom of the list by now.
“And the last name I will call is…Lyla Langston.”
Lyla didn’t realize she was holding her breath until she exhaled and felt a rush of relief wash over her when she heard her name. She must have barely made it to the next round. She was so happy to be going to the next round, and this time she wouldn’t let herself get distracted.
William once again took the place of Monroe and described how the next round would work. This round would be similar to the last round, except they would use knives as their weapons. Also, the target would be in the silhouette of a human. Since knives cannot split in two like arrows can, they were given two main areas to hit, the head and the heart. The third knife would be just for good measure if someone missed one of the two areas completely.
Lyla walked with Lilly and Giselle to the same area they were at before, trying to avoid Thomas if possible. Three targets were switched out to the human silhouette and were lined up just as the last targets were. Small red circles were painted on the forehead and the heart of each. Giselle, Lilly, and Lyla all stood next to each other once again. Giselle was the first to throw. She aimed one knife for the heart and one for the head both landing with perfect aim. Lilly was next and did just as well as Giselle.
When it came to Lyla’s turn she felt relaxed yet focused. She would not only throw two knives but all three to make up for her fault on the last round. One after another she threw the knives quickly and carefully. One landed in the center of the target’s forehead and the other two were centered in the heart of it with the tips of the blades touching one another. She was proud of herself for what she had accomplished. There was no way she wouldn’t make it to the next round.
It was no surprise that they had all made it to the next round, which William explained would be sword fighting. It would be just as it was in the training arena where they had to reach a certain level to advance. Twenty-eight more people were eliminated, leaving forty-four people left for this challenge. There were four different areas, and eleven people were assigned to each area. The top four of each area would move on to the next round.
Lyla and Lilly were split up into different areas, so they wished each other luck as they parted ways. Giselle and Charles were in Lyla’s group along with other random people she did not know, and Lilly was in a group with Thomas and Joseph, but she didn’t speak to either of them.
Lyla walked to the circle with Giselle, and this time there was a man that would record their progress. He called random people from his list into the circle to fight one another.
Lyla was called for the second round and she stepped into the circle. Her partner was a girl that didn’t seem too intimidating, but her looks were deceiving. Lyla quickly found out that the girl had very fast reflexes, and to beat her she would have to think quickly and try to anticipate her every move. They had been fighting for what seemed like ten minutes, and Lyla was growing weary even with the help of her crystal giving her extra energy. She had to find a way to end this. Lyla swept the feet of her opponent right out from under her and pointed her sword at her heart. She wished there had been a better way to end it, but there were no rules after all.
Giselle congratulated Lyla as she stood by her side.
“Good thing Thomas wasn’t here to distract you, huh?” said Giselle.
Lyla was stunned. “What do you mean?”
“I know you like him. I can see it in your eyes. I notice how your gaze follows him around when he’s not looking.”
Lyla was slightly embarrassed. Did everyone know how she felt about him? “That doesn’t mean he feels the same way.” She crossed her arms and looked toward the circle. She didn’t want to talk about something that wasn’t going to happen.
“Give him time, he will come around.”
Lyla knew she was trying to be encouraging and sentimental, but she didn’t want to get her hopes up.
“It doesn’t matter, because I’m done. I can’t afford to think of such things when there are more pressing matters at hand. Lilly was right. Love gives us false hope, and men are just distractions from what really matters,” said Lyla.
“Love is the most beautiful thing we could ever experience in life. Don’t give up so easily.”
Before Lyla could respond, Giselle’s name was called, and she entered the circle.
The last sixteen names were called, and Lyla and Lilly were very happy to be advancing to the last and final challenge. The people who were not advancing groaned and whined as they left the field. The next challenge would take place in another location, and before they went there, they would once again meet back at the gateway in the center of the courtyard.
When they arrived at the courtyard, Monroe announced the names of each team. There were sixteen people left, and the two teams would consist of eight people on each side. Lyla was excited about most of her team members. Lilly, Giselle, Charles, Joseph, Thomas, one random person named Sophia, and Morgan.
“He can’t be serious,” said Lyla to William, who was standing nearby. “We can’t be on the same team. We hate each other.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t choose who is on what team. You will just have to cope.”
Lyla let out a loud groan and rolled her eyes. This couldn’t be happening. Not only did she have to try to avoid Thomas, which seemed impossible since they were on the same team, she also had to play nice with Morgan.
William grabbed their attention once Monroe was finished with the names.
“Congratulations, to those of you who stand before me. You have all done well, and will be moving on to the last and final challenge. The team that wins this challenge will be the team that joins me to Dresden. The objective of this challenge will be to capture the other team’s flag.” Each team was smiling and talking amongst themselves. How hard could this challenge really be? William smiled. “Most of you are thinking this challenge will be easy, but I haven’t even told you the best part.”
Lyla looked at Lilly, who was still staring toward William, and everyone in the crowd was whispering to each other. They were all wondering what could possibly make it so challenging.
“This challenge will not be set in Armoria, but on earth.”
Chapter 11
Everyone was stunned and stared at William, mouths agape. They couldn’t believe what they had just heard. Relocating the challenge to earth was certainly a game changer. Most of them had never been to earth and didn’t know what to expect. Lyla and Lilly couldn’t help but smile. This was their turf, and it would certainly give their team an advantage, because they already knew most of the area.
Following William, who would oversee the challenge, they stepped through the gateway one after another. They came out on the other side with a full view of trees surrounding them in every direction.
“What a dump,” said Morgan.
Lyla couldn’t stand to be around her––everything she said made her want to strangle her that much more.
“Okay,” said William. “You want to find the other team’s flag, but if you find your own before the other team, that is a huge advantage because you can defend it until your teammates find the other flag. Any questions?”
“Yeah,” said a boy from the other team. “Do we get a clue or do we have to
wander around aimlessly until we find what we are looking for?”
“That is a great question,” said William. “Your flag will most likely be placed in an abandoned town, but it is up to you to find the town on your own. My assistant, Robby, here will follow one team, and I will follow the other so we can keep track of you. We will each take you to a starting point, so both teams will not start in the same area.” He glanced at the sun, which was high in the sky. “It is about two-thirty and we are scheduled to start at three. That will give each team thirty minutes to reach the starting points. Robby, you will follow Team A and I will follow Team B. Also, be careful of any Demorites that may be lurking around. Good luck, and may the best team claim victory.”
Lyla and Lilly’s team were Team A, so they would be accompanied by Robby. They assumed William was assigned to the other team so he wouldn’t be accused of cheating if they won in the end. Robby was tall and had shaggy golden hair and blue eyes. Lyla didn’t want to admit it, but he was fairly attractive. They followed him in the opposite direction of the other team. By the time they reached their starting position, they still had fifteen minutes to waste, so they started creating a plan.
“Lyla and I know the area very well, so we can use this to our advantage,” said Lilly.
“Our best bet is to…” said Lyla.
“Wait,” said Morgan. “Why should you be the one to lead us? Maybe the rest of us have a plan and would like to contribute.”
“Okay,” said Lyla. “Would anyone like to share their ideas?”
They all looked at one another waiting for someone to speak up, but they didn’t and Morgan looked disappointed.
“Well I think we should…we should…”
“Morgan, give it a rest,” said Thomas. “You have no clue what is around here, and they do. If we are going to win this, we need to listen to what they have to say.”
Lyla stared at him in awe. He had stood up for her and pretty much told Morgan to back off. She wanted to smile and laugh in Morgan’s face, but she didn’t. This was game time, and she wouldn’t care if Thomas kissed her at this moment, she had to stay focused. Though the thought of him kissing her brought warmth to her cheeks.
“Okay,” said Lyla. “Lilly and I know where the closest town is to here, and it is likely that they would have placed at least one of the flags there since it is close by. Obviously, we have no clue where either of the flags are, but our best bet will be to find our flag first if we can. Like William said, it would be a great advantage. From there, we split into two groups. Four of us will stay with our flag in defense, while the other four go in search of the other team’s flag. Would anyone like to add to that?”
“I think it is a great plan,” said Giselle. Everyone, even Morgan nodded in agreement. Robby told them it was three o’clock and they could begin when they were ready.
“Let’s do this,” said Lyla.
Lyla and Lilly led the way as they ventured past trees and bushes and through tall grass. They came up behind a set of tall buildings that had tall plant life surrounding them.
“Okay,” said Lilly. “We need to stay low and quiet just as a precaution. We have no idea where the other team is or if there are Demorites in the area. Keep your guard up at all times.”
Everyone followed Lilly in a straight line and peeked around every corner to make sure no one was around. When Lilly saw that it was clear, they all came around the buildings and stood in the street. Buildings were on each side and only stretched down for no more than half a mile. It was a very small town and wouldn’t take long to search through.
Everyone spread out, one person to each building. Once they were completely searched they would move on to the next building.
Lyla came to a large building and slowly opened the door, her knife in hand. The building was very old and had a layer of dirt on every surface. There was an area with a large counter that was surrounded by stools, and a mirror hung up behind it. Shelves lined the wall that held several different bottles with labels that were so worn they were unreadable. She walked around the counter and picked up a few different bottles and noticed they were all empty. If she wasn’t mistaken this used to be a bar. She hadn’t even read the sign outside the door. She left the bottles in their place and continued looking, but she found nothing.
Lyla walked out to the street, hoping someone else had found something. When she stepped outside, she noticed Charles and Sophia had just come from separate buildings with nothing in hand and Thomas, Joseph, Giselle, and Lilly were standing in the street. They all gathered into a group, discussing their next move and where their flag may be, assuming it was close by. Lyla looked around at the people in the group, when she noticed someone missing.
“Where’s Morgan?” Lyla asked.
Everyone looked around, not realizing that she was even absent.
“I think she went into that building,” said Giselle as she pointed toward a building on the corner.
“I’ll go find her,” said Lyla.
Lyla walked into the building Giselle had pointed out. Morgan was nowhere to be found on the first floor, so Lyla walked up the wooden stairs that led to the second level. There were multiple rooms, each of which was almost completely empty, other than a few tables and desks. She walked into the last room and found Morgan standing in the corner holding a blue triangular flag that read Team A in bold, black letters.
“Morgan, you found our flag,” Lyla said in excitement. “Come on, let’s go tell the others.” Morgan wouldn’t move and remained in the corner. “What’s wrong with you?” Lyla stepped further into the room and noticed her staring at something on the wall behind her.
Lyla turned and was pushed to the ground hard and fast. When she looked up, she saw a Demorite with its dark cloak on and a knife in its hand. Lyla tried to get up, but the Demorite grabbed her throat and picked her up off the ground. She clawed at his hands, but his grip was strong and she couldn’t breathe. Before she allowed herself to lose consciousness she reached for her belt and pulled out a knife, ready to shove it into his body wherever she could, but she didn’t have to. The point of a knife was protruding from his heart, and he let her go.
Lyla took a moment to catch her breath, and her sister knelt down at her side.
“Lyla, are you all right?” Lilly asked.
“Yes, I’m fine, thanks to you.”
Lilly saw Morgan still standing in the corner. She hadn’t helped Lyla at all. She would never be able to fight in a real battle if she couldn’t handle one Demorite. The rest of their group walked into the room and looked from the Demorite to Lyla and Lilly to Morgan.
“What happened here?” said Sophia. She was holding a sword in her hand and her blonde hair was covering most of her face.
“Nothing to worry about now,” said Lyla. “Morgan found our flag. That means the other team hasn’t found it yet and will come looking for it. Four of us need to set out to find their flag. Lilly, can you stay here and guard our flag?” Lilly looked up at her in surprise. Lyla didn’t want her to find the other flag with her? “I trust you more than anyone,” Lyla whispered so no one else could hear. At that moment, Lilly understood.
“Yes, I’ll keep Morgan here as well. I don’t think she will be much help to you now.” Morgan came out of her shocked state and gave her an unappreciative look. “Charles and Sophia can also stay to help me protect it.”
“Okay, the rest of you come with me.” Lyla turned to Lilly before leaving, and embraced her. “Be careful.”
“You know I will,” said Lilly.
Lyla met Thomas, Giselle, and Joseph in the street. The next closest town Lyla could think of would be north, in the direction of the other team. They traveled back into the woods, straying away from the path of the broken road.
“If the other team is heading this way, they will use this road to find the next town. We need to listen carefully, so we don’t run into them.”
Lyla didn’t want to feel like she was being bossy, but she knew th
is area better than anyone. If anyone else had ideas she would have gladly taken them into consideration, but they all followed her lead.
They had traveled for a few miles when they heard some voices ahead of them. Lyla signaled for them to keep low and stay hidden. There were four Armorians walking along the broken road toward the town they had just left. Apparently, they had the same idea and left the rest of their team to defend their flag, which meant they were heading in the right direction. As soon as the group passed and were out of earshot they all stood up.
“Well, we can only assume they found their flag,” said Thomas.
“We need to get moving if we are going to find their flag before they find ours,” said Joseph. They all started walking, when Lyla stopped them.
“Hold on. We can’t just walk into the next town and expect them to hand the flag over to us. Once they see us they will do everything they can to keep us away, including shooting arrows at us. We have to be smarter than that.”
“What do you suggest we do then?” Giselle asked.
“We have to go in unseen. We do like we did in the last town and come in from behind the buildings. Two of us will go on one side and two on the other. After that, we take the fire escape to get to the roof. They will most likely have one person on each rooftop as a lookout, so if we can get behind them and take them out before they sound off an alarm, our chances will be better.”
“Then we get into the buildings and take out the last two,” said Thomas.
“Exactly,” said Giselle. “The only problem is the last two people are going to be inside together, defending their flag.”
“So, we create a distraction to separate them and take them out one by one,” said Lyla.
“Sounds like a great plan,” said Thomas.
“Then let’s put it into action,” said Lyla.
Lilly sat in the same room Lyla had left her in with Morgan, Charles, and Sophia. It had been an hour since the others had left, and they had not heard a sound indicating that the other team was close. She wondered if they had found the other team’s flag and how they would know if they did. Lilly forgot that Robby was around until he came strolling into the room.
Aftermath_The Armorian Chronicles Page 11