The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 65: Skill Or Grace?

Chapter 65: Skill Or Grace?

Isadora forced herself to her feet and drew back, hanging low to avoid the arrows, calculating her success.

It was lower than zero, but what was worse than being pushed to your death?

"You’re a climber... perhaps that will be useful when the time comes. Use anything you’re capable of to your advantage, even the most useless one."

Kraven’s words found her.

Gulping, she reached for her twin swords before charging ahead, her mind screaming to jump.

’Not yet’, she thought.

From the corner of her eye, an arrow came for her head.

’Now!’

She jumped, her eyes briefly closing when an arrow brushed her cheeks.

She responded in fast reflex using her swords to break her fall, she turned away as the rocks scattered everywhere. Her body propelled downward in speed until it gained balance.

Her eyes remained closed even as the gut-wrenching screams haunted her behind, fading into the abyss.

She gasped, opening her eyes and sniffling, her body trembled, and her grip attempted to give out but she held on tightly before turning behind.

The others once behind, none of them made it.

Everything else fell silent, even the arrows and the screams. Only the sound of Isadora’s breathing could be heard—as well as the sharp sound of her blades piercing the rock’s rugged surface to climb.

"Timing," she grunted. "The answer to your stupid riddle is timing."

Isadora growled when she finally got to the top, taking a moment on the ground to catch her breath, her body finally registering the pain.

Her hands quivered uncontrollably, she held them close to her chest and curled in a ball.

Everything hurts.

It was excruciating to the point she wished for mercy. She remained like that for a few minutes before forcing her body to sit up. Her amber eyes fell on what she had accomplished and what others did not.

It sent shivers down her spine.

This was the Hunt... a terrifying tournament for a ravenite warrior. It made her wonder what she had gotten herself into and if this path she chose was the right one.

’’Thinking of giving up?’’

She gasped, turning her head toward the voice, and found Kraven crouching close to her.

’’Kraven,’’ she said in shock. What was he doing here?

Her teeth clenched tightly, and a surge of emotions gripped her. ’’Shouldn’t you be on your throne? Lord Raven?’’ she said, turning away.

He broke into a pearl of laughter. ’’Did I hurt you, Isadora?’’

Again with that sick amusement of his, it made her anger burn more and the need to slap his face was overwhelming, but the moment she turned back to him he was gone.

Her wide eyes searched the area but he was nowhere to be found.

A loud horn suddenly blasted through the air, grabbing her attention.

’What is that?’ she thought, forcing herself to her feet.

She hissed when pain shot through her side, clutching it, she felt blood. Her attempts to heal her wound were a sluggish movement because her hand ached from having them trampled on.

Yet she tried her best to close the wound as much as she could, enough to stop the bleeding.

She grabbed her swords, sheathing back in place, and walked to the tunnel.

When Isadora got to the tunnel there was a black flag waiting for her, with a raven crest drawn boldly.

She grabbed the flag and stepped into the tunnel, the torches flared to life in her presence.

The distant roar of the arena grew louder, echoing through the stone walls.

~♧~

Rav grew uneasy, the number of recruits dropped drastically this time and it caused his worry to spike.

He hadn’t spotted Isadora, and the last of the recruits just entered the stage.

’Where is she? Didn’t she make it?’ He thought desperately, overcome by dread. ’She can’t make it...’ his jaw clenched hard.

It was just impossible.

"Logi’s designs are much more fun than last time," Nyssa said, breaking the silence. For whatever reason the tension in the grandstand was overwhelming.

"It’s more challenging and many will be rooted out," she added, staring at Kraven who remained silent and mentally absent.

His hot gaze on the last tunnel Isadora walked through.

"What was the name of this challenge Logi? I’m sure you have one," she asked, hoping to dispel the tension. She didn’t like Kraven’s consumed attention.

Logi shrugged and replied. "I always give my creations a name, call me dramatic but I call it the narrow way."

"By my guess, it must be something astonishing."

"Indeed... the dark welcomes you first and then certain death if you fall, and the arrow will not give you a moment of peace," Logi replied as suddenly a frown took over his face.

Isadora may have outsmarted the Spine, but she won’t get the chance to do it the second time.

’Which shall it be... skill or grace?’ he thought.

"Tell me Kraven... how ready are you to surrender the ravenites?" he asked, with a smirk.

A soft chuckle escaped Kraven, gaining their attention. He rubbed his jaw and said. "I hope the life of a lap dog will rewire your rebellious attitude."

"What?" he said as a frown found his features.

Suddenly the cheers died down, silence alarming.

Rav shot up to his feet and walked to the ledge, his eyes wide and lips parted.

"Impossible!" Nyssa declared with clenched teeth. Her features in disbelief.

"This shouldn’t be possible," she added with a murmur.

The last person emerged from the tunnel right after the stone rolled closed.

The mannfae.

Isadora walked gracefully to the stage, her hips swaying and her braid waving behind.

A hushed silence fell over the arena, not a single sound could be heard. The other recruits parted like the sea as Isadora walked to the middle.

She halted, lifting her gaze, and locked them on Kraven, whose features were engraved with delighted amusement, his eyes blazing with pride.

She lifted the flag high, and the arena erupted in thunderous cheers.