Page 76 of Cursed By Gold

With a final bright pulse, the last golden grains fall and settle into the giant cavern. The glow fades. Understanding washes over me – the sands of my trial have finally run out. Time is up.

I roll over, slowly pulling my leaden body through the dark waters toward a sandy shore just ahead. Relief floods me as I crawl onto blessedly solid ground and collapse, every muscle trembling with exhaustion.

Perception is fleeting, but courage endures. When you have nothing left but breath in your body, that is enough. I have passed the final trial. But was it enough to win?

My Thief

Remme

Itake my seat overlooking the arena's center after stretching my legs, where an ancient hourglass structure stands. This mystical relic projects the competitors' experiences overhead through complex illusion magic, compressing hours into minutes. The crowds will witness highlights of the trial as though watching through a window to another realm.

Aiding the magic, the sands' slow vortex represents flowing time itself. The projections have always proven insightful, though never has so much hinged on what truths they may reveal. I pray the magic exposes the final clues I seek.

Rose steps forth boldly to enter the trial after Scarlet. While Scarlet prevailed through clever caution, I know Rose will unleash her unrelenting fierceness. She does not comprehend surrender.

Rose vanishes into the churning sands. Immediately scenes flare overhead - our magical window into the conjured world. The crowds gasp and cheer as Rose battles lumbering sandbeasts under the blistering illusory sun. Her dual blades carve through them relentlessly until they nick the soul stones holding them together, and they disintegrate.

In the strange caverns against her doubles, she fights viciously, refusing to yield ground. The spectators are mesmerized by her aggressive onslaught as she carves through two opponents. But her boldness isn't without costs - trapped in the raging river, rocks bash Rose mercilessly. Still she drags her battered body from the water through will alone, to the crowds' approval.

By the time she attempts crossing the ruined bridge, Rose is clearly exhausted, injuries slowing her usual agility. Yet still she flings herself recklessly over the crumbling edge, heedless of the danger. The onlookers applaud her unrelenting determination.

When the dark waters finally spit Rose out, she crawls onto land on bloodied nails, swaying with fatigue.

The scenes fade as Rose is half-carried back into the arena, peering about wildly through tangled hair. Her clothing is utterly shredded from the merciless trial. As her sleeve falls away, I gasp - a familiar tattoo is revealed on her bared shoulder. A brightly colored mermaid swimming down Rose’s shoulder, her tail curving around on itself to create a familiar shape. Much like the snake did creating a g on the young woman that escaped my dungeon.

Shock roots me in place. Rose bears the mark of the thieves guild I’ve been pursuing. I press my temples against a pounding headache. After last night's attack, I swore one of my rescuers bore the same sigil on their thigh. But I took a hard blow to the head.

All will be revealed after she is crowned the winner of the trials. Once she has been given the crown I will know for sure if she is who I think she is.

I Give Up

Scarlet

My heart hammers an erratic beat as the competitors are led back into the muted daylight of the arena. The crowds still roar from the last nail-biting trial through the mystical giant hourglass. Its sands yet swirl lazily, projecting swirling fractals overhead now that the scenes have ceased.

I glance over at Rose, leaning heavily on a healer as she limps along. Her clothing is utterly shredded, one sleeve torn completely off to reveal the thick bandages swathing her shoulder. Our eyes meet and understanding passes between us - the tattoo beneath is now exposed.

Rose gives an almost imperceptible shake of her head, guessing my thoughts. We cannot speak safely here. But I read the resolve in her steady gaze - no flinching or fleeing now. We will see this through, no matter the cost. I draw strength from her courage, squaring my shoulders. Let the fates fall where they may.

Too soon we are arrayed before the royal box, the crowds silencing in anticipation. My stomach feels sick as I clutch Rose's hand like a lifeline. In moments, hopefully I will be crowned champion and this will be all over. I will be able to complete my mission, turn in the crown and maybe find a way to escape from the arranged marriage. My recent donations have been sizable. Perhaps it will be enough to pay off my stepmothers debts.

A fanfare blares and King Remme rises slowly, his face unreadable. But his eyes linger on me a heartbeat longer than the rest. Hope and dread war within me. How do I miss him so much when there was never truly something going on between us? But he presents only calm resolve as he addresses the expectant arena.

"People of Ovehan, you have borne witness to extraordinary courage these long weeks. Any who complete the trials are proven worthy of honor and respect." Nods and murmurs of agreement ripple through the stands.

King Remme continues, "But three among them exemplified the virtues of compassion, justice and sacrifice beyond all others." My nails bite into my palms, apprehension rising. "Bronze medalist, representing perseverance - Darius Fellcipher!"

Polite applause rises as a shocked Darius ascends the wooden winner's platform erected hastily in the arena's center. He appears humbled by the recognition after barely surviving each round through clever tricks. I clap sincerely along with the rest. However devious his methods, he persevered when many faltered. And his skills did save my life once. He has earned this honor.

Too soon the noise dies away and Remme raises a hand for the next pronouncement. "Silver medalist, representing courage and integrity - Lady Scarlet Merheart."

Ice water trickles down my spine. Silver? Weeks of sleepless nights and grueling trials ending in...second place? The arena seems to tilt around me. This cannot be real. I blink back traitorous tears, fighting to keep my composure before the expectant crowds. But inside, grief threatens to pull me under entirely.

Somehow my wooden limbs carry me up the winner's platform steps. I avoid looking at the king, unable to bear what I may see lingering in his eyes. Pity? Or worse yet, disappointment? Focusing on keeping my chin high is taking every shred of willpower I possess.

If I am not champion, then I have failed completely. Nothing can save my family estate now other than being sold off. No escaping Lord Greystone's vile clutches. A bleak future awaits me at home, shackled "duty" to a cruel man. This tournament was my only chance...and I just lost everything.

I jerk back to the present as raucous cheers erupt, jolting me from my spiral of despair. Rose has been named champion and now ascends the platform, beaming triumphantly. Though she sways with exhaustion, her good eye glows with fierce joy. This victory is hers alone - she earned it through blood and sacrifice. I summon up a smile through the anguish, embracing her gently so as not to aggravate her injuries.

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