Ben sat in the corner, the hood from his hoodie pulled deep over his eyes. Everyone ignored him, busy with their own nerves, it suited him fine. He preferred to wait in the shadows, observing the world from the darkness. Master Hyung paced outside the large ornate doors, Ben couldn’t help but admire the twisting dragons that stretched across them. The great red dragon commanding his attention, a stream of scorching fire spilt from its magnificent jaws. He was proud and deadly. A powerful creature that could obliterate anything before it.

If I possessed a piece of that power… Rocko thought, closing his mind off against the dark memories of the past, stirring up deep within him. Yes. If I had just a piece of that power perhaps I would be able to settle some old scores.

“Ben!” Hyung interrupted his train of thought, “You are next to enter.”

The large man stood to his feet and stretched, ignoring a poisonous glare from Paige. He strode towards the door nodding to Hyung as he passed. His hand settled against the great doors and he stared up one last time at the fiery red dragon. Breathing deeply, he pulled open the door slipping through the crack quietly. The large door slammed shut behind him, echoing loudly about the shimmering room. For a few moments there was only peace, a gentle breeze caressing his face, chilling the beads of sweat dripping down his face. The moment of stillness fled quickly, fire erupting from the walls with a deadly roar, but the fire did not burn anything. The candle flames grew tall and hot, dripping vigorously, creating pools of molten wax at their base. Impossible flames leaping high into the air. With the temperature rising, the fire began to spin around Rocko in a vortex of heat and flame. The grass at his feet began to crumble into ash. The small pool on the edge of the room was lost behind a wall of fire.

“Why are you here?” The creature hissed.

“I have come to take your test,” Rocko replied, stepping back from the intense heat.

The serpent swirled magnificently around the room as if putting on a show. “But why are you here?” it quizzed again.

“To acquire the blade that you will test me for?” Rocko said, becoming more confused.

The creature’s eyes flared and the room grew hotter still, the hot air causing Rocko to cough as it filled his lungs. “Why are you here?” it hissed once more, the flames roaring and leaping forward to lash at him.

“I require a blade to kill a man. I seek your power!” Rocko yelled, the fire flicking around his body. It burned like any other fire but did not harm his skin. He sunk to one knee and bowed his head.

“Stand up foolish human,” The dragon commanded, as Ben scrambled back to his feet, “do not bow before the created.”

“I don’t understand the question,” Rocko finally said, becoming frustrated. “I was told to come here. Your friends invited me and I felt obliged to come. And now I am standing here in front of you asking to take this stupid test,” he said sarcastically.

A long silence followed. The creature seemed to be thinking, but Rocko couldn’t be sure.

Its face lowered until Rocko had to move away from the heat, “I have no friends. But you… You are a prisoner... A prisoner to them and a prisoner to yourself. You can choose prisoner, you can take the test or leave the way you came.”

Rocko’s curiosity had now taken over, “What’s the test?”

Ivory points jutted out from the leviathan’s mouth and a large twisted smile became apparent, “Freedom…” The creature hissed. “You may take the test, or leave the way you came,” it repeated emotionlessly.

Rocko took a moment and looked around the giant room, “What if I don’t pass the test?”

The molten creature thought, smiling cruelly, “If you fail, you will not have the need for friends anymore.”

Rocko nodded at the implication that it could kill him, “Very well. I need the power you offer. I will take your test.”

Amongst the flames, a smile remained on the creatures face, “Then you will need to know this:

Free your body,

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Control your mind,

Move with haste,

Choose wisely your time.

Now find your freedom. Escape your prison. Your test, begins… Now!” the fires roared loudly, consuming the fiery beast before dissipating into nothing more than candle flames. The room then shifted, the shimmering walls lengthened. A long narrow hallway stretched out before him. At the end he could see a door.

“Some test,” Rocko muttered, striding forward without thought. The air was warm and heavy and he was still heated from his encounter with the dragon. After two steps through the cavern a giant flame shot out of the ground, setting fire to his hoodie. He shrieked, tearing off the burning cloth and stamping it out on the stony ground.

This fire burns. Rocko realized grimly as he saw the beginning of a few nasty burns appear on his arm. How do I get out of here? He thought, hopelessly staring at the exit that at first seemed like a short walk. Now it seemed so far away. A new flame shot high into the air, heat radiated off the fiery pillar. Rocko winced, holding his hand up to shield his eyes from the glare and heat. More pillars shot out of the ground further down the hall. Each burst of flame burning brightly before retreating back into the ground. Searching the hallway with desperate eyes he spied a small trio of stones near his feet. He knelt down to try and pick one up but it wouldn’t budge. Looking closer he noticed inscribed on each rock were Roman numerals. ‘I’ ‘II’ and ‘III’

Tapping on the one marked ‘II’ experimentally, the stone sunk into the ground. Rocko waited for something to happen but nothing did. The hallway remained quiet for a few moments before the flames blasted out from the ground again. Frowning he tapped the rock marked ‘III’, again the hallway went quiet. This time however, it lasted for longer. Rocko stared around curiously waiting for the flames but none came. He peered down the hallway and without the flames obstructing his view he saw single rocks spaced out along the hallway. He began to inch forward, before fire surged up out of the floor once more.

“They’re timers!” He realized out loud, pushing down the last rock. The one marked ‘I’. All three rocks popped back up and for a short period the hallway was quiet. The silence was short lived, leaving less time than either of the other buttons. The flames began again without much of a pause.

“Move with haste, choose wisely your time,” he growled, climbing to his feet. The riddle floating through his head. He assessed the hallway before leaning low ready to sprint.

“Free your body control your mind. A speed test!” Rocko whispered, clearing his mind for the task at hand. He drew in a deep breath before taking off, slamming his foot into the stone marked ‘I’. Reaching the next row of buttons he slammed in ‘II’ as he ran. The heat of the room took its toll, causing sweat to roll down his ashen face, the warm air in his lungs made it hard to breathe. Reaching the next point he slammed down another ‘I’ popping all the stones back to the surface. He sprinted along feeling the burning tickle of flames as a pillar erupted right behind him. Not far now, he thought, drawing nearer to the door. Only two more stones to go. His legs felt like lead and his heart was pounding through his chest. Reaching the next stone he chose ‘II’ and finally ‘III’. The last stretch was longer than the rest. Rocko sprinted his fastest on wobbly legs toward the doorway. Harsh breathes came in short gasps and sweat joined with ash, forming black beads, dripping from his nose.

Almost there.

He groaned, feeling the telltale rumbling of stirring fire beneath his feet. The floor scorched beneath his boots causing the rubber soles to melt. The large man stumbled, nearly collapsing to his knees.

“NO!” He cried out, throwing his body forward in a last ditch attempt. He soared through the air, his leap powered by his speed. Fire erupted from the earth singeing his exposed skin. He let out a blood curdling scream, the searing flames burning through the remains of his boots. He slammed heavily into the dirt, skidding across the rough floor. Squeezing his eyes shut, he waited intently for his end, but it didn’t come.

Fire still erupted behind him as his eyes opened slowly, he found himself faced with the exit door. Mustering the last of his energy, he rolled over onto his back. The door he had first entered through now seemed so far away, pillars of fire cast an eerie glow down the hallway. Coughing, he sat up, tearing the ruined material from his skin discarding the melted boots. Grimacing as he examined the burn across his bicep. As he hobbled on shaky legs toward the exit, something silver caught his eye. Right next to the door hovered a silver orb about the size of a plum. It was translucent, except for the silvery mist that seemed to float inside. He picked it up and realized it was attached to a steel rod. As he withdrew the rod the exit door clicked and swung open. Cool air rolled in and Rocko took in breaths of fresh, clean air, purging the smoky, hot air filling his lungs. He stumbled through the door way and was meet with a pair of cool hands.

“You passed the test,” Sam replied, assisting him to a seat.

“Then I can leave?” he murmured weakly.

“Why don’t you let me take care of those burns before you leave? Also, don’t you want to find out what you have in your hand?” Sam had a knowing smile across his face.

Rocko lifted the orb up to get a good look at it. He could still see the cloud through the clear orb. It seemed to flicker occasionally, which gave the impression of a storm cloud, “So what is it?”

“Only once all the tests are complete can we let you know,” Sam motioned for him to sit down and was soon treating his burns.

Rocko winced as Sam rubbed some ointment into his arm. “Your little test nearly killed me.”

Sam shook his head slowly, “This is not our test but the blades. And to be perfectly honest with you, not many survive the tests. Some years, none of the ten have made it. This year, we have had two already. It is an interesting year.”

Jake stood up and stretched, “So who is next?”

Sam looked down at a clip board, “Let’s see ... Ahh, it is your friend… Nathan.”