The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 40: A Thousand Step Of Endurance

Chapter 40: A Thousand Step Of Endurance

Three Days Later

"Isadora?" Rav called, knocking on the door.

A sigh escaped him when there was no response—she had locked herself away for days. He thought maybe she was still troubled by what he told her about her fate.

He had hoped to give her more time, but he couldn’t wait any longer.

Rav spared a look at the empty plates beside the door and relief found him knowing that she didn’t starve herself in the process of solitude.

"Please open the door"

Isadora pulled her knees closer to her chest, it had been three days and each day he kept knocking in hopes she would respond but she couldn’t bring herself to.

The first thought was—she couldn’t face him and the second was she couldn’t face anyone else after the shame of that day.

It played repeatedly and she regretted going to the party to look for Rav. She didn’t mind staying in this room forever, it was better than going out there.

"Listen to me Isadora, I know you’re scared. Trust me I understand how you feel"

’He does?’ she thought hopefully, her mind drifting to the memory of him watching her three nights ago.

At first, she had dismissed it as her imagination—but it was unmistakable that eyes were on her and he had come to her after the party.

Even now, he could have entered her room if he wanted, but he had respected her decision to stay locked away.

"I’m afraid there’s no way to escape this, it is mandatory to undergo training before the Hunt"

Her expression fell instantly. Of course, he thought that was why she refused to leave her room. Couldn’t he tell that she was depressed by something else?

"You have to trust me. I’ll figure out a way to make things better, alright?"

Her mind twisted his words into what she desperately wanted to hear:

’I’m sorry for leaving you alone that night, and I’m sorry you saw me doing something like that’ but it was only her delusions racing ahead.

"At least say something. Let me know you’re okay, please?"

She gulped, her fingers fidgeting nervously as guilt gnawed at her.

Unable to maintain the silent treatment any longer, she walked to the door and opened it. Her eyes remained downcast, unable to summon the courage to meet his gaze.

"Alda," he murmured faintly. "You had me worried"

She slowly raised her gaze and met his scarlet eyes, a small smile found his lips and her heartbeat quickened at the sight of him.

He had his ash-blond hair in distinctive braids—starting at the front hairline, reaching the scruff of his neck.

"Are you alright? Your face is all red, are you coming down with something?"

"I-I’m fine" she forced out quickly, her voice shaky and scrambling for the right words. "Rav there’s something I—"

"Rav!" a sharp voice came from downstairs.

Rav murmured a curse in Faetong. "Stay here and don’t move," he said, speeding down the stairs.

Isadora watched confused, as he left. That voice earlier sounded familiar.

Slowly, she stepped away from the door and made her way down the stairs. The voices grew louder and sounded like a heated argument.

Isadora froze when she saw the auburn-haired woman who attacked her and claimed she insulted her master.

"Where is the stray?!"

’Stray?’ she thought with a frown.

"It’s the third day now or does she think she has some special treatment and thinks she can freeload all she wants?"

"Just give her time," Rav enforced. "This is hard on her as it is,"

Nyssa rolled her eyes. "Goodness Rav, you should have told me you wanted her," she sneered "There must be something about this stray since everyone is so worked out about her"

"Nyssa!"

Unable to take anymore, Isadora stepped forward. "W-What do you want from me?" she demanded in an attempt to sound brave but her shaky voice didn’t help.

Nyssa’s cold blue eyes traveled to Isadora, causing her to flinch. "Well look, the stray came out herself, and here I thought I had to drag you out myself"

"I’ll make sure she comes, so leave"

"Better" She turned on her heels and walked away—slamming the door shut.

"Who was that?"

"Nyssa," Rav replied. "And you’ll be seeing more of her, unfortunately" he walked to the chair and grabbed some clothes.

"And Kraven?" she asked with resignation. Begging the gods, not to catch a glimpse of him.

Rav paused before speaking. "You don’t have to worry about that, he’s gone for the meantime"

A flash of relief crossed her features.

"Here wear this, it’s the trainee’s attire, and tie your hair up so that it won’t get in the way," he said and then his teeth clenched almost like he wanted to say something else but chose not to.

In silence, Isadora took the clothes; it was a pair of brown pants, a tunic, corset leather armor, and bracers.

"The brown signifies you’re a novice, you’ll be the only one in this color"

Her heart pounded loudly in her chest with each word he spoke, as if she were about to step into something from which there was no return.

"Listen to me Isadora, whatever you do you must show them you’re weak. When they consider you a weakling it can be decided that you won’t participate in the Hunt, that is the only way you will survive. Do you understand me?"

Isadora had never seen Rav talk so desperately, his eyes begging her to do the needful. It made her pulse quicken that he was worried about her.

He knew this place better than she did and she was left with no choice but to follow his words.

"Okay,"

~♧~

The stairs leading to the top of the mountain took two hours or more to climb. Isadora was already gasping for breath and had to pause for a moment—with hands on her knees.

She had managed to tie her hair the best she could, but the length was hindering her, and some stray strands had found their way to the side of her face, sticking with the sweat.

There had to be twenty more stairs to go because she could see the hint of light. Looking behind her, she gulped looking at the task she had accomplished.

Rav mentioned this was the first step toward becoming a trainee and it was necessary to get to the top mountain.

A thousand steps of endurance.

Isadora didn’t want any of this, she never asked to be brought to an imposter court but the deal had already been made.

Keeping Rav’s advice in mind was the only way she would survive and then she would find a way to somehow appeal to the person who rules this place.

’Sounds like a solid plan’ she thought, summoning more strength, she forced her legs to move.

The light hit Isadora on her eyes causing her to close them briefly before opening them, a faint gasp escaped her as she stared at the vast area.

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