“And he just left,” Owen exclaimed as they walked to the sky-seeker application center.

“Couldn’t believe it myself. No idea how he did it. He must be some big shot down in the Dire District. I’m just glad we didn’t get on his bad side. Right, Ezra?” Milo nudged Ezra in the ribs.

“Why do you think Hubert was at that shop?” Ezra asked.

“Who cares? We’re never going to see him again anyways.”

It still bothered him. “You're right. We have more important things to focus on.” Ezra stared up at the application center.

The steps led up to a grand doorway carved with a map of the abyss. Every part of the building gave the impression of ascending to greatness. For that was why most people climbed. Behind the entrance, a massive ancient machine made up the rest of the building like a giant metal worm had died the instant it had burrowed out of the ground. The inside had been stripped of parts, but now it had been repurposed as a testing center. The capacity it could hold was much larger than necessary except for cases like this.

As they pushed open the door, a hall of people filled their vision. Old and young, hardened and soft-faced, rich and poor, all were there. Some wore extravagant armor, while others barely had anything but clothes they had walked in with. A group of people sparred with each other, quickly moving their feet in an intricate dance of battle. Other groups sat down and enjoyed a late breakfast.

A shout erupted from the far corner of the room. “What do you mean the test is randomized? I didn’t train for the last month just to give it all to luck.”

“Sir, this is to make it fair for all applicants.”

“Fair! You wouldn’t know fair even if I hit you with it.” A young man with curly black hair pushed a man in a brown suit from the crowd. Two daggers were secured at his sides, and his armor was plain and sparse. “This is supposed to be a skill-based test.”

“Sky-seekers must adapt to all sorts of situations. This test is meant to reflect that.” The test admin scurried back on all fours before he could push himself up against the nearest wall.

The young man’s hand went for his dagger, and a man nearly double his height grabbed his wrist. “That’s enough, Marcus. We’ll reevaluate. Let's go.”

Marcus ripped his arm from the man’s grip and gave the test admin one last death stare before merging back into the crowd.

“There’s always types like him. Don’t worry. Not all of us are like that.” Ezra turned to face a young woman with brown hair tied in a ponytail. Freckles dotted the bridge of her nose and under her amber eyes. A kind grin greeted him and she stuck out her hand. “I’m Camila.”

Ezra shook her hand, and Milo jumped in to shake it next. “Nice to meet you,” Milo said. “Care to join our party? We could use a fourth.”

She laughed and took her hand away from his. “Flattering, but I already have a party.” She pointed behind her to one of the groups sitting on the floor eating. They all seemed to be in their early twenties. The team comprised another girl and three guys who all looked as friendly as Camila, except for one in a hood that covered his face. Ezra couldn’t get a read on him. “This is our fifth time taking the test, so we're basically family at this point. If you need any help registering, let me know. The registration desk is over to your left and only takes a few minutes.”

“Thank you,” Owen said. “And good luck.”

“You too.” Camila waved goodbye and returned to her party.

“Why do you insist on helping the newbies,” Ezra heard one of Camila’s party members say. Before he could hear her response, he was already being dragged to the registration desk by Owen.

After filling out several forms, absolving the Sky-Seeker’s Office of Trainee’s liability due to any injury or death during testing, the three returned to the main lobby. Danger was part of becoming a sky-seeker and a fact the three of them had long accepted. He was sure the test admins weren’t out to kill them.

They sat in a circle, and Owen pulled some food from his backpack. He handed smoked meat and a small salad to each of them.

“I thought we wouldn’t eat till after the test,” Milo said.

Owen took a bite out of the meat. “We wouldn’t want to go in on an empty stomach, and with everything you two have been doing, I wanted to surprise you guys.”

“We appreciate it.” Ezra scarfed down his salad. He was eager to get started with the test.

Looking across the room, he surveyed their competition more closely. There was one guy who would have definitely made sky-seeker if the requirement was the gaudiest armor in all of Deepburrow. A gold-trimmed breastplate, leg guards that were carved like rushing water, and a crimson cape to top it all off made him stick out in the crowd. Several people carried crossbows and drawstring bows. One even had a vibro-crystal gun.

Stolen novel; please report.

He looked down at the steel sword across his lap. It felt inadequate compared to everything else in the room, but that wasn’t the only weapon on his side. The Thorin-sphere in his pocket reminded him of that. At least I have something to defend myself. He glanced at a middle-aged woman who wore flowing turquoise robes. She had no weapons or armor, at least that he could see. The woman frowned at the noisy room, closed her eyes, and slumped against the wall.

“I wonder what skill I’ll get once we pass,” Owen said. “Will it be more offensive or more defensive or something entirely new? A skill that’s never been seen.”

“I want to shoot fireballs from my hands,” Milo interjected. “Or maybe something that’ll let me fly. Then I could join the Abyss Jumpers.”

Ezra took his eyes off the woman. “I’ve heard of the skills sky-seekers possess, but how does that even work?”

“Whenever they explained it on seeker’s day I never really got it,” Owen said. “I’m sure we’ll figure it out together.”

Ezra pressed his fingers against the sphere. Is a skill like the abilities the Thorin-sphere gives me? He pondered all the possibilities. A whole new world awaited after the test.

Another hour passed before a voice reverberated across the room. The voice seemed to be coming from the walls and the ceiling. How that was possible, Ezra did not know. Likely another ancient device, he assured himself.

“Welcome all applicants to the last day of open testing. It is an honor to host so many eager candidates. The duty of a sky-seeker is ever-evolving as knowledge of higher layers increases. Due to this, a diverse skill set is required to conquer the inverted abyss. Not only are skills in battle needed, but also those with the aptitude to interpret new technologies and navigate exotic environments.”

Ezra noticed people gathering towards the back of the room.

“As you all likely know, sky-seeker applications are rarely open to the public. This is one of the few times we can see hidden talent flourish and push to evolve the practice of being a sky-seeker. Please deposit any supplies you cannot carry on your person before entering the testing area. All of us here at the Sky-seeker’s Office of Trainees hope to be wowed and impressed by those who pass today's test. May the day favor you, and good luck!”

“Luck,” Marcus arrogantly snorted a few paces away. “I won’t need luck.”

A wide set of doors opened, and people began to funnel into the second room as they dropped supplies and backpacks in front of the entrance. The room was almost blinding white. Pristine square tiles covered the walls, floor, and ceiling. Each tile was about the height of a person. It was tighter than the massive lobby, but Ezra still had enough room to step a few feet in any direction. When everyone entered the room, the doors shut, and the voice echoed again.

“We will begin the test momentarily, but first, let me briefly explain the rules. When the test starts, a red-bellied dove will be released. A white ribbon will also be tied to its feet. To pass this challenge, your team must obtain the ribbon. Your teams cannot change during the test and will remain according to how you signed up. This dove is a skill controlled by one of the test admins. It will not behave like a traditional bird. No leaving the testing area until the test is completed. How you complete this challenge is up to you. Begin.”

One of the tiles near the ceiling opened up, and a dove flew into the testing area. Everyone fell silent and stared up as the creature made a lap around the room. A white ribbon flapped at its feet.

“Only one team can win? This is bull!” Someone cried.

An arrow sprung into the air and flew past the bird. Mutters began to spread throughout the crowd. Multiple projectiles sped into the air, and a gunshot sounded across the room. Everyone quieted and then resumed shooting. Nothing hit the bird as it bobbed and weaved carelessly through the weapons.

Another shot went off, and a charred mark appeared on the ceiling. This time the bird faltered in its flight. Only for a second. The dove warped and almost faded until another body flickered from its side. Another dove, born from the momentary wound, flapped into existence.

The room burst into cheers. This was the chance everyone was waiting for. Hope, another team could pass. A few more minutes went by, a projectile passed through one of the doves again, and it burst into a third. Ezra glanced at someone trying to climb the wall with two daggers. It wasn’t Marcus. Their daggers slid easily into the tiles but held firm as they climbed. They were nearly at the top. Only three tiles away. Suddenly, they screamed, a blood-curdling sound, and fell to the ground. The crowd parted around him, and he lay frozen as a girl leaned down to check his pulse.

Her voice shook. “He’s dead.”

Murmurs passed through the crowd.

“That wasn’t in the rules.”

“It must be coincidence.”

“A stroke?”

“But he’s so young,” another replied.

An arrow was loosed and hit the bird again. A fourth appeared, and a buff man with a scar across his temple pushed through the crowd.

“He had the right idea,” the man grumbled and pulled out his sword. “Luck just wasn’t on his side. Give me your sword.” He motioned to one of his companions.

With both swords, he climbed the wall in a similar fashion. He was only five tiles from the top. Grunting, he pulled himself up a few more feet while other people seemed ready to follow. Four tiles away, and he collapsed, hitting the floor with a deafening thud.

Ezra stared at the body. Why now? The dove’s wings flapped in the silence and Ezra gazed up at them. Four doves. Four tiles. Every time we hit a dove, the testing area gets smaller. He counted the number of tiles from the floor to the ceiling. Ten. Once we have eight doves, it gets tricky. Some people stood a bit taller than the first tile. The projectiles stopped, and most people leaned into their groups to discuss.

“I think I’ve figured it out,” Ezra whispered as he pulled Milo and Owen closer. “For every dove in the sky, the safe area lowers by one tile.

Owen glanced up to count the tiles. “I think you're right, but what do we do about it? If we tell everyone, some people might try to lower the testing area on purpose.”

The huddled groups were starting to split as people took up their ranged weapons again.

“I think others have already figured it out.” An arrow flew from a bow and lodged itself into the ceiling. Ezra pulled the Thorin-Sphere from his pocket. “If I can hit one of the birds with this, we can pass.”