Page 50 of Trial of Thorns
The crowd oohs and ahhs. “It isn’t as simple as it sounds, though. You won’t be facing your fear of spiders or heights. You will be facing nightmares made real. Some of you will be forced to reenact your greatest regrets. Some of you must watch the worst moments of your life unfold without lifting a finger. You will not be reversing the darkness in your minds and souls and lives. You must accept them. You must make them part of you. The magic inside this orb can look deep into your soul and learn everything about you in a moment. It will choose your task. Whatever will be the hardest for you to achieve. That is what you must do to move forward in this competition.”
The crowd roars. Well, this is going to be interesting. I have a feeling there are going to be a few overlapping events the orb will showcase today. Mine, Brielle’s, and the murderer’s—will we all be reliving my brother’s death?
“The crowd will not be able to see what you face. No one but the champion inside will witness the horrors they face, and none will be forced to share. What we will be able to see is your actions and reaction. Nothing more.”
So, they’ll be able to guess what you’re facing based on what your body does.
I clench my jaw tightly.
“If you cannot achieve the task the orb sets for you, your trials will be ended and you will no longer be a champion in the Trial of Thorns.”
Just do as you’re told. Simple.
“Come, champions!” the pixie calls. “Approach the orb.”
We walk forward slowly. Already, my heart pounds.
As I approach, the three forms slip into focus, their faces clear as day.
In the center is my brother, Reahgan. Tears sting my eyes. I’d nearly forgotten what he looked like. Next to him isher. His murderer. And on his other side is me. A younger me.
I swallow.
“What do you see?” I ask Brielle without looking away, my voice shakier than I’d like.
She doesn’t respond. I look down at her expression. There are tears on her cheeks, but her expression is one of pure unadulterated rage. I suspect she’s seeing the exact same thing as I am.
“It’s a clue,” I tell her “What we’re seeing now is a hint of what we’ll face when we go in.”
She presses her lips into a thin line. “Why didn’t we kill her in the first challenge?” she spits, not taking her eyes off of the orb. “We should have just shoved a blade through her heart and been done with it.”
I take in a long breath. “We still have time. We just have to make it through this, and we’ll get the chance.”
Caelynn
Ishiver as I peerinto the orb. There are three forms inside. Two are obvious—Rev and his brother. The third is a moving dark monster, shifting like smoke. A hand reaches out from the shifting form, reaching towards Rev’s throat.
