by Kenna Bardot
"Isn't Mireyah going to come and clean it instead, Hollis?” he asked, turning to the redhead who was busy poring over his own books.
He too was very keen on his Ascension. Perhaps even more than everyone in the room. He had a lot to prove to the Svadenis.
"I'm not interested in having Mireyah come here. She doesn't like to admit it, but she's exhausted. I'm not that much of a monster. The first Challenge took a lot out of her even if she did do better than we expected." Hollis raised his head to look around the room. "Have your pet clean up instead."
"I don't want Annalee to visit. She's been clingy since I nominated her like there's more to it than wanting her gone. She's also been miffed that I asked none of you to give her a blessing." Char rubbed a hand at his temple, a rare outward sign of emotion.
"Well, there was Mireyah," Shep spoke up. "Besides, she doesn't deserve our blessing after what Mireyah's been through since her nomination. Even more so since the first Challenge ended."
Char stared in Shep's direction, that cold and unblinking stare that could crack even the toughest of Gods. Minutes passed in much the same way where no one spoke.
No one dared to.
Then he broke the silence, "Explain."
"She's mostly been sleeping in my rooms or in Tate's," Shep said matter-of-factly, barely wincing when Char narrowed his eyes. "What? Your human, the one you nominated and competes with her is treating her like shit. Along with her little friends."
Charolais' hand tightened around the arm of the chair he sat on. "Is that true, Nastroj?"
At the name, I raised an eyebrow. We never called each other by House name unless we were pissed off, and angry or seriously hurt. I didn't know what the fuck Char had to be angry about. "She comes late at night and leaves before I wake up so she can still answer the phone for Hollis. But, yes, we've forced her to sleep with us just so we can monitor her."
Char's white eyes flashed, and I felt a tightening in my chest - the asshole was trying to give me pain. I slammed my shield straight down and lurched out of my chair. "What the fuck, Char? When did we start using our powers on one another?"
He strode towards me, superiority in his step and in his face. "Lest we forget, Tate, you answer to me. And we all took an oath. Did we not?" He turned and regarded the rest. I saw the anger in Ryle's face. He was pissed someone had the gall to hurt me. He kept to himself out of respect because he believed I could handle myself. "We swore to share and share-alike. And now we find that you've taken?" His nostrils flared before he took a deep breath to steady himself. "You've both taken?"
I shook my head. "I have taken nothing, Vide. Much as I would like to fuck that pretty human, we swore we wouldn't. Or at least not yet because she intrigued us. I've only been protecting her because she's been frightened. When Hollis nominated her, he declared to the world that she was free to torment. And not just by us."
"Hey!" Hollis too sprang up. "That wasn't just me. Everyone fully supported my decision to take her as an attendant."
"It was a decision that still sprung from you," my twin brother defended me. I held up my hand both in gratitude and to stop him before he could plow into them. If he did, they wouldn't be too happy with the state of their pretty faces after.
"I didn't say that you did it without consulting us. But she hasn't been here a year, and already she has what those who have been far longer are desperate to have. They're determined to ensure that she dies for it. If not here in Godsvail in her sleep, perhaps in next month's challenge. All our blessings can't ensure that she won't die."
Char sat back down, face back into its usual state - unmoving and still, like finely sculpted marble. "Fine. I'll have Annalee deal with this mess then."
He stood and strode towards the door that led to his private rooms. I waited for it to shut before I sat back down.
I knew he wasn't pleased, but I knew I was right.
Now all that mattered was getting Mireyah to believe it.
Chapter 16
Mireyah
I was beginning to hate that room. It, out of all the others in Godsvail, was becoming the scene of my greatest torments. But I didn't know what to call it so it would be called the 'Challenge Room' in my head. Said Challenge Room seemed bigger, even bigger now because it was mostly empty. There were no Descendants watching us. No Gods judging us, looking at us with as much care and interest as one would refer to an ant.
There were nine of us - Garnet had perished in the previous challenge, and I was stuck in a room with the eight humans who most wanted me dead.
Although, to be honest, we all wanted each other dead. It was the way of the Challenge.
No one spoke. It was the middle of the night and our task this time was not meant to completely entertain. We were all starting in complete pitch-black darkness where no technology would allow anyone to watch us, but I knew that they'd keep track, regardless. I knew that for a fact.
Unlike the previous challenge, I'd trained. I'd done everything I could to strengthen myself. I'd gotten access to the books that I could use to refresh and expand my knowledge of fauna and flora. Hollis had finally allowed me to go to the Library, and it had been one of the best gifts.
My determination to prove everybody wrong was intense - more than anyone else's desire to live.
Mr. Mann walked in and nodded at us. "Good, you're all here." He waved a hand at the doorway and the same guy from before came in bearing whatever gifts the Descendants had gifted us.
"Miss Bolstad," he spoke my name and handed me the bag that held the mortar and pestle. He tapped at the side of my leg where I had my holster. I pulled it up, and a knife sat against it - hugging my calf like a lover.
"You have also been gifted a dagger." He presented the silver weapon. "Do you wish to also keep the knife?"
"Yes. The knife is special." I heard a whoosh of breath and looked to my right to see Annalee looking at me. No. Her gaze was fixed on the knife. A moment later, she caught herself staring and looked away.
But I'd seen that look on her face - the surprise that I had the knife with me. And I knew. I knew she'd been the one to stab it into my nightstand. And if it hadn't been her, she knew who did it.
"Thank you, Rick," Jason thanked the guy who left immediately after giving us our equipment. I still had most of what I'd had the previous challenge but this time, they had gifted me with some rope, a flashlight and a canteen.
The gifts sent a trickle of trepidation down my spine. I had a feeling I knew what we were going to do, but I refused to believe it until they confirmed it.
Jason spoke up, "There are nine of you left. At the end of this, I will be very surprised if that remains true." He gave me a look that spoke of how much he didn't trust that I deserved to be there - as a contestant but also a survivor of the previous challenge. I threw him an unamused, wide-mouthed smile that bared my teeth.
"We start at night and all you need to do is to survive and get back to Godsvail. Remember what happens to those you left behind in your home villages should you try to escape." He nodded when none of us spoke and turned around to lead us outside.
The arena from before was flooded with light. In the audience, the Descendants sat, and the other humans stood around, waiting but also watching. From what I could see of their faces they envied us even as some of them were glad they didn't have to do what we faced that night.
The same five from before, the judges, sat ranged in front of the crowd. They watched us and waited. The Sutre God - Rehan - stood in the middle of the arena, arms spread.
"Everybody, tonight we test these humans. Mettle, intelligence and loyalty. Fellow Gods." He gestured and several other Gods, not just from the judges came forward and approached us. However, the Majele one walked straight towards me.
"Mireyah Bolstad," he spoke when he walked up to me. "Survive. You seem to have a knack for it." He reached out and grabbed my wrist. I felt heat and the wire that wrapped around it popped off. I felt a cool and calming sensation wash ov
er me as it did. I looked up to meet his blue eyes. He smiled at the look of what I was sure what stupefied disbelief on my face. Around me, I could hear the other humans reacting as well, but I couldn't be bothered because I felt free. There was nothing holding me to Godsvail anymore.
I raised my head to stare straight at the audience and met Tate's look. He smiled at me - just a smile. No arrogance, no anger. I remembered how he'd given me the gift of sleep the last few weeks, him and Shep. And for no other reason than they thought I deserved to get a good night's rest.
When we were all released, the tall Springen from the judges stood and walked up to us. Her hair was shaved closely but still as bright a yellow as her eyes. "You have twelve hours to survive. Those who come back within this time period will get an advantage in the next challenge. Those who do not, get a handicap instead." A bright yellow light shot out of her hand and wrapped around us. It felt like being squeezed inside out.
Within what felt like seconds, I landed in the dark, completely isolated. We'd been dropped in the middle of a dense forest so dark and thick with trees I could not even see the moon that shone in the night sky.
I took out the flashlight I'd been given and shone the beam to give me a good idea of where I was. I barely saw anything but thick bark so instead trained my light up. I spied a tall oak tree and started towards it, ducking under thick branches. I figured I needed to get my bearings first and started climbing. I easily reached the top of the trees and with a quick turn, spied Demiorgo to my South.
I felt my blood run cold. If Demiorgo, and by consequence Godsvail was to my South, I'd been pushed North.
The North that was cold and unforgiving. The North that was till this very day, my home.
It meant I was nearer Wintercairn. I swiveled around and looked towards my home instead. I wrapped a hand around my left wrist, the evidence of my tie to Godsvail gone.
I carefully dropped back down to land as a strong gust of wind whipped through the branches. I could smell the cold, the ice.
The unique and welcoming smell of home. It stunned me before I could think of nothing else.
I picked up the scent as it wrapped around me like a long-lost lover, welcome and much missed. I subconsciously started walking towards where it was coming from.
The baying of the wolf cracked through the trees, and I turned to check if it was anywhere near.
The Vepdine wolf.
My blood ran cold when I realized what it was. It howled again, louder, and seemingly nearer.
But I knew that to be a falsehood.
Any person who lived in the North knew of it. Feared it.
It was a story every parent told their child from the moment their child could hear.
This creature could be anywhere, but its sound would always seemingly come from the North of whoever was hearing it. That meant it was dangerous, because it could stand not even ten feet to your right and you would not hear, not suspect, until the moment it struck.
I gripped the knife tighter in my hand and walked forward. As dangerous as the creature might be, it gave me something that I needed - it pointed me toward home.
As it called again and was answered, I cursed my luck that there was more than one in my area. I clicked my flashlight off and walked forward, waiting some moments for my eyes to adjust to the very dim light that the moon gave off.
More carefully, I dived into the forest, allowing not just my eyes but my hands and ears to guide me to where I was going. With every step I took everything became more and more familiar.
Finally, I reached a slice of the forest where the leaves showed signs of frost. Hardy plants that I foraged and picked during that simpler time in my life.
I reached a clearing and blinked my eyes before looking up at the moon - it was a complete circle tonight. The orb shone brightly, and I had to blink eyes already more used to the dark.
My breath came in short gasps as I walked forward, hours blurring as I fought my way against the growth to reach my home. I could go anywhere, do anything and they could not get me back.
Or so I told myself.
And even if they did, I'd have had that moment in my home I hadn't quite understood I wanted so desperately.
There was a soft rustling to my left, and I walked back to blend into the shadows, hand still gripping the knife while the other wrapped around the hilt of one of my swords.
A doe stepped into the clearing, its hide gleaming gold and silver in the moonlight. It looked towards me and even though I knew that I was well-hidden, it could tell I was there.
I held my breath from the majesty as she stood there, unblinking, like she had a message to tell me. To avoid scaring it, I tucked the knife back into its holster and walked forward with care.
"Hello," I huffed out quietly, and I saw its ears twitch in response to my greeting.
It still hadn't run away, and for that, I could only be thankful. I took a few more steps forward but other than a few stomps on the ground; it stayed. It eyed me with what I could only call amusement.
If it could feel amusement.
"The Catican Hind. What have I done to deserve this honor?" I reached out a hand, thinking I could touch it and nearly fell back when it nudged my hand gently with its nose. The clouds moved and blocked out the moon, but it only made the rays of the moonlight more concentrated and whatever hit its fur was only more brilliant, more blinding to the eye.
The colors reminded me too much of Tate's eyes and Ryle's hair. An intertwined reminder of the twins that I could not ignore. "Is this why you're here? To give me a reminder?"
The hind stepped closer, and it touched the side of its head to my cheek. I breathed in deep, assaulted by the sweet scent, the chocolate and pomegranate that legends spoke of it smelling like.
"But I miss home so much. Varo, mom and dad, Serenity. Hell, even Tali." I felt the tear roll down my cheek and the doe bumped its head against mine before stepping back. It gave a small bleating sound, mild and soft and barely heard before loping away quietly.
I looked longingly towards the direction of home, at the moon that was about to fade as dawn broke and turned my back and went South. Much as it seemed to go against the grain, I was headed back to the place of my tormentors.
I took a shortcut, cutting down a path different from the one I'd previously taken and plodded forward, meeting nothing and hearing only the sound of my breathing and my footsteps. I stopped - I saw the shoes first, but they weren't walking but at the feet of a human who was lying prone on the ground. I scurried behind the trees and crept forward to investigate.
At first, it appeared he slept but the slightly blue tinge to his face along with the way his eyes were open, lifeless and staring gave me a hint it wasn't just simple sleep that had taken him.
David. His uniform pure black because he served a Tovenaar Descendant.
In his hands, I saw a half-eaten mushroom much like the delicacy they loved to serve at the Academy - Tunyead mushroom. Humans, Gods and Descendants alike coveted the delicious fungus. Not only did it eating it give hallucinogenic properties but even one bite could keep one sated for hours.
Instead, it had been the Redil stipe, one of the most poisonous mushrooms in Godsfell. And identical to the Tunyead. Or at least it was until dawn broke and the morning sun revealed the iridescent blue veins that ran through it - signs of a deadly nature. I felt my heart turn in sympathy for the dead man. While his death improved the odds that I would not meet the same fate, it seemed such a waste for him to have died from something so easily avoided.
I sighed and stood from my crouched down position and proceeded further South. Having come across David, it meant I was drawing nearer and nearer to my destination.
I pulled out my canteen to take a drink of water and realized it was only half full. That I meant I had to ration it as I took a small sip of the liquid, allowing the cooling sensation to swim down my throat.
It was at that moment that something whizzed by my temple causing me to drop
my canteen in surprise. I picked it up quickly, cursing when I noted that there was barely any water left before running to hide behind a huge ash tree.
Being as cautious as I could, I peeked and saw Layla on top of one of the taller trees, bow in hand. "Trying to kill me, Layla?"
"There you are, Bolstad." I saw her grin even as I crept under the branches to remain hidden from her view. "Well, you all have to die, don't you?"
"Not today!" I shouted and jumped up barely five feet from where she was. I had Annalee's knife in my hand and threw it towards her as hard as I could. I figured even if it didn't hit her, it could be a distraction.
"I'll get you for that, bitch!" she shrieked, which I heard as I was already running as far as I could from her.
I ran because she seemed determined to attack me. Having her scurry down the tree before giving chase meant that I had a precious couple seconds head start. I could only hope that I didn't meet any other humans along the way.
Another arrow whizzed by my ear but given how fast I ran and with her giving chase, her aim was far from good.
My sides ached from the extreme effort it took me to run as hard as I could. Behind me, I heard her boots as they stomped against the hard ground. I'd always known that they would want to do me in but this was very in my face even for these people.
I took a hard left when I smelled the water, thinking perhaps the river was the safest bet for me. I needed to see if I could replenish my water ration, and I hoped to get to her so she wouldn't have a place to attack me from. I realized that before the river, there was a densely forested area and that I had to be careful not to tear my clothes on the grasping branches as I passed through.
That was when I heard the singing. There was no mistaking that sweet sound - like the sirens they spoke off that littered the waters. But this was scarier - I knew hearing it and listening to it for extended periods of time could mean certain death for the listener. I stopped, turning around to look at where it might come from.