After the two hours were up, a voice boomed over the speakers. “Testing will begin momentarily. Please proceed to the left if you are taking the seeker test and to the right if you are taking the Morltin test.”
The test takers shuffled to each side of the room, and Ezra glanced at the massive indents on the far wall. Any moment, he expected them to slide open. Beside him, Jason gripped and ungripped the hilt of his sword. Ezra hoped Jason knew how to use it. Just as he predicted, the massive doors opened from the top and retracted like a castle gate. They were about five times taller than anyone in the room. The grandiose display was too showy for Ezra, he just wanted to get on with it, yet nothing about this building was plain.
They left the lobby and the bright-faced seeker candidates behind as they found themselves in a long hallway with fluted pillars lining the sides. Light came from behind arches carved into the walls—giving the impression the building itself was glowing. As slowly as it had opened, so too did the door close behind them.
Another speaker came on the announcement system. This time it was a woman. She seemed more excited than the last announcer. “Welcome all Morltin candidates! I will explain the rules of the following test as briefly as possible to get y’all started. This test will last thirty minutes and focus on verticality. As Sky-seekers, we all seek to climb higher, but do you have the skill to do so? At the top of the testing area, each team will have a ticket machine. You may slot tickets into each machine to gain points, and the eight teams with the most points will pass.”
Ezra scanned the room to try to get a head count. He estimated about two-thirds would fail this test, and Erik’s frown indicated he had come to the same realization.
The announcer continued as people approached the door to the testing arena. “There is no restriction on what machine you slot the ticket into but keep in mind that the ticket colors represent different values.” A holographic screen appeared at the top of the room displaying five different colored squares and their corresponding point values. “The following information has also been transmitted to your pockets.”
Several people used their gray disks to pull up the display. Ezra arched his neck to see the ceiling. On the screen, purple was assigned to 50, green to 30, yellow to 5, red to -20, and black to -50.
“But, the ticket machines are not the only way to score points.” The lady’s voice came back after giving everyone a few seconds to consider the ticket values. “Each team is also assigned a chalk circle at the bottom of the arena. While these areas are easier to get to, any tickets placed in your team’s circle will not be counted until the end of the test. Lastly, fifteen minutes into the test a special item will be introduced. The first team to interact with this item will gain special privileges for a brief period of time. Good luck seekers and may your journey be blessed by the infinite sky.”
A special item? Ezra wanted to question the disembodied voice, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t get an answer back. The intercom cut off, and the door ahead of them crawled open as bright light and the sound of rushing water followed. Ezra put up his arm to shield his eyes. Once he could focus, the testing arena came into view. Lush green moss clung to jagged stones that climbed to the top of a transparent glass dome. Water ran down the mini-mountain and splashed into crystal clear pools of water as the test takers were enraptured by the manufactured beauty. To his left, Ezra spotted a chalk circle with the number one in the middle. Chatter from fellow test takers echoed throughout the cavernous space, and the scent of fresh dirt seeped into Ezra’s nostrils. The whole scene felt relaxing, but he knew that wouldn’t last long.
Another voice, more serious than the last one, projected from hidden speakers. “A number has been sent to each of your pockets. Quickly proceed to the corresponding chalk circle. Once all teams are positioned in the correct circle, the test will begin.”
Ezra pulled out his pocket and instead of seeing his stat screen only saw a white number hovering in the air. Seventeen.
“Everyone know our number?” Ezra asked as the three other members of his group nodded.
They made their way to the left of the mountain, following the number clockwise until they found the circle labeled seventeen. Long shadows cast their arms over the site. It wouldn’t be long before everything started.
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Ezra turned to Erik and Jason. “By the way, what are each of your skills?”
“Melt,” Jason said as he held up his hands. His palms glowed a dark red which then faded into an orange and finally into yellow. The air around his hands waved with the new heat. “Basically, I can heat my hands to whatever temp I want.”
Erik jumped slightly and fiddled with the leather strap over his shoulder once he realized it was his turn to talk. “My skill is ah… ah Marksmen. I can guide a projectile to any person or object I have touched and have the intent to shoot. It probably won’t be useful if I can’t touch anyone. Sorry.”
“Hey, don’t apologize,” Milo chided him. “I’m sure it’ll be useful. That’s a sick skill.”
“Alright, let’s talk strategy,” Ezra cut in. “I say we send everyone out to gather tickets for the first five minutes and then have three people guard the circle at all times. The top of the arena is going to be the most contested area, so we should avoid that unless all our tickets are stolen.”
“Sounds like a good plan,” Milo nodded in agreement.
Jason massaged the hilt of the sword as he considered Ezra’s words. He opened his mouth to speak as the voice from above sounded across the testing area. “All teams have entered their circles. The test begins now.”
Jason immediately made a move towards the edge of the circle. “No time lost. I’m heading for the top.”
“That’s not what we discussed!” Ezra called after him.
The palms of Jason’s hands glowed bright yellow as he leaped onto the rock face beside a waterfall. “No risk no reward!”
Ezra groaned in frustration at his response as he shot a glare back to Erik. “Did you know he would do this?”
Erik quickly shook his head no and gripped the straps of his rifle tighter. “To be honest, I just met him yesterday.”
“How, in Elysia’s name did you think this would be a good idea?” Ezra didn’t know if he should direct the question to Erik or Milo or even himself. There’s no use in backing out now. The Thorin-sphere lit up before the test. It has to be some sign of luck. Ezra begrudgingly pulled the sour look off his face. “Alright, new plan. Any ideas?”
“I have one,” Milo said with his usual mischievous grin. “So, Erik you can hit any object you touch.” Erik nodded as he glanced at Jason’s progress up the stone wall. Milo’s eyes darted back to Ezra. “You remember how we took out Wilfred. My antigravity skill can provide the targets for Erik to shoot.”
Ezra raised his eyebrows at the realization. “I like it. You two start taking out anyone climbing up that wall. I’ll start gathering tickets.”
“How do I…” Erik began as Milo put a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t worry I’ll explain.” Milo stuck his hand in the middle of the circle and Ezra and Erik followed suit. Personally, Ezra wasn’t for the celebratory teambuilding stuff, but it felt like something Owen would do. “Three, two, one, break!”
Ezra dashed in the opposite direction of Milo and Erik. Immediately, he scanned for any sign of a ticket. Between two rocks, a yellow piece of paper flapped in the misty breeze from a nearby waterfall. Only five points but it’s better than nothing. Snatching the ticket, he continued on.
He passed circles sixteen and fifteen, both empty of competitors and tickets. As he approached circle number fourteen, a thunderous boom rocked the whole arena. Ezra ducked as rocks splashed into the water below. A dull thud ricocheted across the ground as Ezra raised his head. A person lay still on the dirt, likely from above, likely dead. The face wasn’t someone Ezra knew so he didn’t dwell long.
Next, circle number thirteen was ahead. Still, no one guarded the circle. Perhaps they’ve all had the same idea as Jason. Yet this time, Ezra spotted tickets in the center. Three green and two yellow A hundred points exactly. Ezra slowed his jog to a walk and cautiously approached. The sounds of battle still rang overhead which made the bottom of the arena seem eerily quiet. Something’s not right.
Ezra leaned down to pick up a pebble and tossed it in the circle. As soon as the rock crossed the chalky white line, the air burst into a sizzling blue glow that was quickly extinguished. They’ve rigged it somehow. With a skill, maybe. Unless Jason pulls off a miracle I need those tickets.
Ezra pulled out his pocket and opened the informational screen. Above the ticket diagram, a timer counted down. Five minutes had passed, and he only held a single ticket. The possibility of failing crossed his mind until another idea presented itself.