Page 46 of Infala: The Bonding Games
“You may not be as skilled as a native, but theycannotdisrespect my partner like that. Especially after how you proved yourself today,” he replied, his gaze softer than she was used to.
Maybe he’s not such a dick after all, she mused.Or maybe this was just a one-off after we humiliated his rival. Whatever the case, at least for tonight it was a nice change. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
What tomorrow brought was a surprise, but definitelynota pleasant one.
“This will be difficult,” Dorrin said as soon as he realized what the challenge was to be.
Ziana hadn’t followed all of what the announcer had said, but Dorrin was quick to clarify the rapid-fire information the man had relayed to the betting spectators.
“This is an endurance event. Averydifficult endurance event.”
Surprisingly, she didn’t seem fazed by that news. “We’ve been pretty good at endurance.”
“It’s more than just that. Much more.”
“So, what, then? Bigger hills? More obstacles? We can handle whatever they throw our way.”
“I appreciate your confidence, but this will take place in a vast underground cavern in which we must locate, and reach, a series of checkpoints that register our genetic code as verification in order to claim a key to move on and complete the task. On top of that, team-on-team violence is allowed in this challenge. Some may opt to fight and steal another team’s keys,though historically that has not fared well for those who attempt it,” he replied, the seriousness of his expression making it clear this was not a joking matter.
She optednotto make the Batman quip despite their cave destination.
“That’s a bit sketchy, but it still seems doable. What else?”
“It’s an artificially made location, and let me tell you, it is an impressive feat. It is more than just a cave. This is an entire expansive cavern system with varying environments and dangers of all varieties. Some are environmental, some are traps and pitfalls. And then there are the wild creatures that live in them.”
“Creatures?”
“Yes. I am actually rather surprised they are having us face this challenge already. Usually, it is much later and something of a big finale.”
“They do this every time? That’s good, right? We can at least get an idea what’s in store for us.”
“Unfortunately, no. You see, the designers spend the years between games completely reinventing this cavern system in secret, finalizing everything in place with plenty of time to give the wildlife time to settle in and make it their home. A home we will be intruding upon.”
Ziana didn’t like the sound of that.
“So you’re saying there’s going to be animals in there. And we’re gonna be dumped right in their habitat.”
“Essentially. And as this is a complex structure that required a great deal of work to complete, the observation systems are built into the environment itself. There will be no orbs in the sky to clue us in as to the locations of the more dangerous areas.”
“So we’ve just got to move carefully and avoid them. Dodge the creatures, avoid the traps, keep from getting into a scrap with Galla and the other elites, all while we make a run forthe exit and hope for the best. Piece of cake,” she said with a humorous tone that she definitely did not feel.
Dorrin shook his head. “I am afraid it is not so easy as that.”
“You call that easy? I was pulling your leg.”
He glanced down.
“No, not literally. But seriously, how can it be worse than that?”
“In several ways, actually.”
“Well, aren’t you the bearer of good tidings. What could possibly be worse than what I already laid out? Or do I not want to know?”
“You will not be pleased, but you definitely need to know,” he replied. “The hazards you listed are concerns, naturally. But the environment is more than just difficult terrain. There are multiple climate regions. Frozen lakes and icy ground, molten pools of lava and deadly hot springs that will boil you alive. Slippery moss and steep falls, along with toxic plants and jagged rocks.”
“Good lord, I thought you said this was man-made.”
