The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 66: Standing Strong

Chapter 66: Standing Strong

"Your next challenge awaits you..." Nyssa announced, forcing a smile on her lips to stay composed. She briefly turned her head to Logi as a signal.

Logi rose to his feet and strode to the ledge. "Through hidden traps, you’ll crawl..." he began as silence took over the arena. "...but the only way out, I must recall. How do you pass, and bend my will,"

A smirk found his lips. "What am I?"

The loud sound of stones rolling open echoed throughout the arena and the recruits turned to their tunnels.

Isadora thought they’d have a moment to rest but it was the complete opposite, it seemed they would have to go into another challenge instantly, can her body take it?

She could barely stand as it was, and it took everything within her not to limp her way through. She gulped, holding her side, the pain shot through her body in waves, attempting to drown her.

Others walked to their tunnels, with determination blazing their gazes, none of them looked like they were strained by the first task.

Isadora drew sharply on her breath, and for a moment her vision spun, everything appeared upside down for a minute.

The cheers drowned out and replaced with unintelligent echos, her rasping breath overtaking her ears and her heavy gulps echoed repeatedly.

Groaning, she squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. Everything came back to normal, the deafening cheers jump-starting her.

Feeling a burning stare she turned and locked eyes with Kraven who hadn’t taken his eyes off her for even a second. His silent yet heavy gaze said many unsaid things.

Isadora glared back at him and looked away. It doesn’t matter the pride blooming in his eyes, it doesn’t matter how her heartbeat speeds from it.

Now, it was her trying to prove she could be more than just a filthy mannfae and make them eat their words about her. The first step had been crossed but victory was still far ahead.

"May Krig, the god of chaos and war give you strength, for warriors are made in his image and his relentless blood runs through us all, go forth!"

~♧~

This time the tunnels were not dark and it was a relief for Isadora, it led to a vast area and she couldn’t begin to ponder how deep this mountain was, such levels and design were astonishing.

By her guess, Logi was the creator, he gave the riddles so he must be the genius behind this.

’I don’t know if I should feel amazed or hate him more,’ she thought, with a scoff.

"Well well well, the mannfae actually made it through stage one."

Isadora’s eyes darted to her side, the tunnels had led them all to one place, and other recruits flooded the place like ants.

She was surprised by the number, maybe not all of them failed.

Being a full-blooded Fae must be a blessing, they didn’t have to worry about a simple thing like falling to their death when they could miraculously guide their way through.

The recruit who spoke to Isadora was none other than the gentleman who pushed her off the bridge. He had olive eyes and brown hair in curls.

"I’m amazed too," another said.

’Again with the attention,’ Isadora thought with a frown and it was not what she needed right now.

She was trying to stay on her feet as it is, her breaths measured to keep from rasping out and showing her condition. Any moment of weakness will make her easy prey.

The first hunt had taught her that it was every warrior for themselves and all were eager to be crowned.

"Can’t you feel it?" another said. "The dark aura that clings to her? Others in the arena can feel and tell. She’s chosen by Lord Raven, it has to be."

Isadora gulped. ’Aura?’ she can’t feel anything on her but whatever it is they could sense it.

"Are you his disciple?" another asked. "I mean who else will have the audacity to wear a warriors braid?"

"Gods no," she replied with a frown.

"What? All high and mighty because you passed the first stage? Is our Lord Raven not good enough to be your master?" The olive-eyed guy questioned, causing Isadora to visibly cringe at the idea of Kraven being her master.

He was far from it, she only used him for survival. That was meant to be the deal after all, but what use was it when he was the Lord Raven all these time?

She should have known—his authority, the way he carried himself. She hadn’t thought far ahead and let her guard down.

Never again.

Isadora turned to the annoying crowd and their indifferent gazes and said. "Don’t worry, a lowly being like me can’t be his disciple."

She had meant to say it as a brush off but it came off sassy.

Anger suddenly blazed in his eyes but before he could say what he had in mind a loud sound distracted them.

The vast area was suddenly reshaping, the walls enclosing and twisting.

"Does anyone know the answer to the riddle? Maybe it can help!"

"I don’t know."

"I think the last one was speed."

"Timing," Isadora corrected and grabbed their attention.

"Since you’re so smart, how about the answer to this one?"

Isadora chewed the inside of her mouth. "I don’t know it... yet."

The earth beneath their feet vibrated and it caused disorder, everyone scattered to grab support.

Isadora attempted to do so while clutching her side, but it began hurting again because of the heavy vibration. She momentarily paused and clenched her teeth to keep from crying out.

A hand grabbed her arm and she turned her head to the olive-eyed male.

"I’m Dain Askel, by the way."

"What?" she replied confused. Why did he say his name and his fathers name too?

"I hope you remember it when you say your last prayers to Lifara and greet Daudi."

Her heart slammed a loud beat as realization struck her.

With a push, Isadora fell into the now visible depths, her scream swallowed by the sounds of earthquakes.

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