The treacherous path of trials was filled with the ominous echoes of rustles and creaks. Secluded from both the world and sunlight, the contenders, ensnared by tormenting doubts, clung desperately to their sole guide on this perilous journey—a crystal shard bound with twine.

The pendant around Cassia’s slender neck flickered like an anxious signal, its dim light flaring up before finally fading away. For the minority, its last shimmer marked the end of a challenging day; for the others, it meant the end of life.

Suri took a deep breath, helping Cassia to her feet. Her companion staggered, leaning against a protruding root. Beads of sweat covered the girl’s forehead, and beneath the yellow light source, the bruises under her eyes took on a deep green hue.

“I’m fine,” Cassia uttered, a blatant lie falling from her lips. Pushing away from the wall, she stretched and loosened her stiff muscles. “I’m sure the needle will be waiting at the exit. Sooner or later, everyone will converge in one place.”

“Are you suggesting we take advantage of the chaos?” Suri asked.

“It’s not just us thinking that way,” the girl replied, unfastening the sheath from her hips. After a moment’s contemplation, she also removed the armor from her shoulders. While the armor won’t soften the needle’s blow, it will slow down her movement.

Reaching into the deep pocket of her tunic, Suri tightly gripped a rolled-up piece of paper with her fingers. The rough texture under her fingertips gave her a sense of reassurance.

Cassia raised a finger to her lips. From this moment, they would communicate with each other through symbolic gestures. Passing her crystal to companion, Suri nodded.

Light spilled onto the narrow, winding path, cluttered with roots sticking out in all directions. Cassia moved forward, clearing the way, and the mage didn’t lag behind, following step by step. It didn’t take long before their ears were assaulted by a piercing, heart-wrenching scream, full of pain and rage. The tunnel vibrated with the sound of a dull impact, and sharp strikes rang against the hard surface. A furious battle cry and the clatter of the needle mingled into the general cacophony.

Freezing in place, Cassia closed her eyes, Suri gripping the girl’s shoulder tightly and interrupting her concentration. When Cassia opened her eyes, the mage shook her head insistently.

The tunnel twisted, revealing a gruesome scene before the two. A skeletal, brown monstrosity had a neophyte pinned to the ground, driving razor-sharp, thin fangs into him. The warrior screamed desperately, relentless in stabbing the young needle’s body with a dagger smeared in green liquid. The beast chattered in response, savoring the life-giving sap.

A shadow rebounded from the wall; steel flashed in the air. A heavy blade descended upon the monster’s exposed neck, scraping against sturdy bones before deflecting. The creature’s jaws pressed tighter into the yielding body, and the clattering turned into a clicking sound. The persistent dagger remained lodged somewhere beneath its ribcage, and the prey no longer moved. The creature froze, then slowly lifted its eyeless face. The ambush had failed, and the neophyte would have to face the consequences.

Pushing off with its claws, the needle leaped, silently pursuing a new target.

With limited sources of light, the creature was difficult to see. The needle barely reached the neophyte’s chest and clearly lacked agility. Nevertheless, the tired, inexperienced warriors couldn’t mount a worthy resistance. Their attacks hit the mark but meant nothing to the needle.

Cassia raised her hand, capturing the mage’s attention. While the creature was occupied, she stood poised to strike and awaited the agreed-upon signal. Squinting, Suri stared at the repulsive, emaciated body, and she flinched when the black, toothy maw turned in her direction. Fear penetrated deep into her bones, paralyzing her body. Seizing the opportunity, the neophyte swiftly increased the distance from the opponent.

The creature tensed, preparing for a charge, but Cassia didn’t give it a chance, skillfully maneuvering to the side. Red sparks flashed, and the sharp blade seamlessly entered the creature’s maw. The putrid stench was replaced by a pungent burning smell, and a lump rose in Suri’s throat.

“Calm down!” she thought. “Calm down and find that damn core!”

Cassia dodged the needle’s fierce strike, swiftly yanking the dagger out. The beast lost its balance and toppled to the side, emitting a sharp squeal that momentarily stunned its opponent. However, the seemingly deadly blow proved inconsequential to the needle. Oozing with green fluid, it quickly launched back into the fight.

“Strike under the right paw!” Suri’s resonant cry echoed through the tunnel. Cassia nodded, switching the dagger to her left hand. Her legs trembled, revealing extreme exhaustion. She turned, offering her right hand under the beast’s fangs. The girl’s lips murmured tirelessly, “fire, fire…” awakening the rune dormant in the dagger. And as the needle approached close enough to seize the bait, the neophyte pushed Cassia into the embrace of death. He directed the blade into the girl’s back, intending to pierce both her and the gaping toothy throat simultaneously.

The creature hissed, anticipating its treat, but at the last moment, it changed direction. The bloodthirsty blade of the neophyte failed to reach its target. Colliding with an invisible barrier, the neophyte flew backward, crashing into roots.

Breathing unevenly, Cassia lay on the ground, enveloped by a dense barrier. She hadn’t released the noticeably heated dagger, and her lips whispered “fire” like a prayer.

Ensuring that her companion was unharmed, Suri focused on controlling the rune. The intensifying hum stormed her consciousness, attempting to confuse and distract her. “Shield” yearned to break free from the mage’s firm grip, to tear through everything it touched. The rebellious nature of the entity sought freedom, and the girl clung to the parchment as if holding a leash.

The creature’s sizzling shifted to lament. The grotesque face slowly turned towards the defenseless mage, engrossed in controlling the unruly rune.

“I’m your target!” Cassia shouted. She jumped to her feet, stomping. The creature ignored all her efforts, tensing its front paws. It wasn’t foolish enough to batter against an impenetrable barrier.

Gripping the dagger’s hilt tighter, Cassia lunged at the creature with her last ounce of strength. “Shield” covered her in a dense dome, erasing any fear of the needle’s sharp fangs as she attacked openly.

“Fire!” she yelled, swinging the blade for the decisive strike. The dagger erupted in furious flames, plunging into the beast’s body and cutting through bones. The sharp claws aimed at the girl broke off upon encountering a barrier. Meanwhile, the dagger confidently carved a path to the specified point, spreading a burnt smell.

The liberated essence of true speech danced on the blade of the dagger, coloring the thin skin of the beast in a bright red hue from within. Green, thick blood bubbled and roiled, accompanied by the creature’s screeches and hisses.

Having reached her goal, Cassia abruptly twisted the hilt, pulling out the blade and weakly recoiling. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, no longer able to stand.

Suri dispelled the rune. Her back was damp with sweat, and her hands trembled noticeably. Battling against heavy eyelids, she kept a close eye on the needle.

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The dagger sliced through the blue spark hidden within the needle’s body, depriving it of the source of life. The creature chattered, dragging its limbs as it headed towards the immobilized Cassia. However, soon it collapsed, showing no signs of life. Its core had extinguished.

Exhaling, Suri leaned against the wall. “Shield” had drained all her strength, but she accepted this trade-off willingly. Unlike the others, both she and Cassia remained unharmed. Suri’s eyes slowly closed, and a soothing dark veil embraced her consciousness.

Unsteady footsteps abruptly pulled the mage from her brief oblivion. Reluctantly, she peeled her eyelids open, sensing an approaching threat.

The surviving neophyte struggled to turn Cassia onto her back and snatched the pendant from her neck. A smirk twisted the warrior’s lips as he headed towards the exit. After a dozen steps, he hesitated and turned around. His gaze sent a chill down Suri’s spine. Instinctively, she reached for the rune hidden in her pocket. Activating the “shield” would be pure suicide, but it seemed the warrior left her no other choice.

“Why?” Suri’s weakened lips didn’t obey, and the sound of her own voice was barely recognizable.

“I don’t care how you discovered the needle’s weakness,” the neophyte replied. “Or what ability that girl possesses. But it’s dangerous to leave a vengeful blood mage alive. And who knows, maybe there’s a spot for me in the first rank.” The warrior nudged Cassia with his foot, but she remained motionless.

“The Council… No, the Archmage won’t let this go,” Suri forced out.

“How will she find out?” the warrior retorted, raising his blade over the mage.

A precise strike to the calf knocked him off his feet. Screaming, Cassia swung the flame-drenched black shard at her new adversary’s neck, but he effortlessly deflected the makeshift weapon and delivered a stinging slap to her face. The girl collapsed to the ground. The neophyte didn’t give her a chance to regroup, aiming his blade at her vital point.

“May the Heart show mercy…” the neophyte began, but blood spurted from his throat as he spoke.

Suri pressed her hand against the warrior’s back, white branches tightly entwining around her wrist. Like sharp pricks of a needle, the wooden shoots pierced through his leather armor and into his body, branching along veins and tendons. Seizing the core, the Thorn ripped itself from the man’s body with a squelching sound, obediently taking on the appearance of harmless jewelry. In the dim light, the bloodstained delicate bracelet would appear perfectly black if not for the embedded small pearl shimmering with iridescent blue light. The warrior collapsed onto his side, eyes wide open. He had intended to take the lives of others but ended up paying with his own for his greed.

Suri’s heart pounded wildly in her chest. Shuddering, she wiped her palm, stained with still-warm blood, on her own tunic, carefully averting her gaze from the recently living person.

“He would kill us…” she convinced herself. But could this change the fact that at that moment she was ready for anything, and the Thorn reacted flawlessly like never before.

“Let’s go,” Suri said. “Your trial isn’t finished yet.”

***

Every step was a struggle. The throbbing pain in Suri’s ankle reached an unbearable intensity, yet that was the least of her worries. The pendant adorning her companion’s neck suddenly flared with brilliant light before fading. The allotted trial time had lapsed.

She gritted her teeth and hastened her pace. A persistent throb intensified in her head, resonating like a steady, unyielding ringing in her ears. Nausea clawed its way up her throat. Cassia fared even worse. Her legs barely responded, and her labored breaths indicated that every step demanded an exhausting effort, as if she was channeling the last ounce of her strength into the simple act of walking.

A tremors shook the walls, causing dead roots to shed bone-like fragments. The noise repeated, growing louder and closer. The rising dust invaded their throats and eyes, and the girls moved forward almost blindly. But neither dared to slow down. The Heart consumed anyone who dared linger in its domain.

Thin bluish roots entwined the tunnel, crushing and flattening any obstacles. They snaked behind the weary survivors, eager to coil around their legs, catch their clothing, and impede their progress. Suri’s throat was unbearably scratchy, and coughs tore through her chest in spasms.

“Where is the exit?!” she desperately thought, blinking frequently to somehow relieve the tightness in her eyes. Turning a corner, the tunnel led the girls to a dead end, and youthful roots blocked the way back.

“That’s it,” rasped Cassia, sliding to the ground. A slender root detached from the wall and reached towards her. Without much thought, Suri stomped on it, grimacing from the piercing pain in her foot.

“Get up,” she muttered through clenched teeth. Gripping Cassia’s elbow, Suri dragged her into the embrace of the roots. Cassia gasped and squinted, but she didn’t resist. The roots tightly coiled around their legs and arms, pulling them deeper in. Tugging at their hair, the Heart tried to break the grip of the mage, but she stubbornly clung to her young servant.

“Release,” Suri thought, addressing the noticeably heated bracelet.

The expected pain never came. The flexible, smooth roots emitted a subtle, fresh aroma, clouding her mind. Soon, the oppressive sensation lifted, and Suri slowly opened her eyes.

She found herself in the Heart’s sanctuary at the entrance to the trials path. The scrutinizing gazes of the hunters devoured her as voraciously as the needles.

Cassia seized her wrist, attempting in vain to shield the bracelet from unwanted attention.

“Ha! So, you’ve had this thing all along?” A piercing female voice echoed through the hall. Clad in leather armor, the blood mage took a step forward, pointing at the Thorn. “And here I was wondering how you managed to open the path. But this certainly changes everything.” A blue spark ignited in the woman’s leg, and her entire body tensed. “Sorry, dear, but no one should possess such a thing.”

“Sister, don’t rush.” Amidst the general tension, a lazy male voice sounded particularly unusual. “Let her at least get a word in.” Pushing through the back rows, Maxat stepped forward, his greedy gaze never leaving the bracelet.

The woman in leather chuckled and, without hesitation, delivered a swift punch aimed at the light-haired girl’s temple. Suri didn’t even notice when the mage closed the distance, now within striking range.

“I can’t dodge this,” thought Suri. She closed her eyes, hopelessly gripping the scrap of parchment in her hand. Her exhausted body couldn’t handle the control of the true speech, but she wouldn’t survive a direct hit from the blood mage at the peak of her abilities.

Suri called upon the rune, awakening the air barrier. Power swiftly drained from her body, and a sharp pain pierced her temples.

“Just one hit.” The dense veil enveloping her body began to ripple. Without reaching its full strength, the rune shattered under the pressure of brute force.

In the nick of time, Imber came to the rescue. He blocked the fist, absorbing the full force of the blow. Spitting blood, Imber collapsed to the ground, wheezing.

“Tsk,” the woman clicked her tongue, disdainfully shaking her hand. “And here I thought you’d been dead for ages.” Casting a cold glance at the man beneath her feet, she continued, “No matter, you can keep the wild mage company.” Determined to let no one else stand in her way, she prepared to strike again.

“She is no longer a wild mage, aera Ide,” the thunderous voice of the Magister resounded through the now silent hall. “She has passed the trials and now holds the same position as you.” Archmage Velda stood behind him, her large black eyes staring at her apprentice’s face with concern.

The woman didn’t lower her fist; on the contrary, she became more serious. Without averting her gaze from her target, she retorted, “The Council has no jurisdiction over the affairs of blood mages. Whatever you say, I won’t let her go with that weapon.”

“The Council won’t interfere. But I declare the end of the hunters’ trials,” the Magister pronounced expressively, casting a meaningful glance at Cassia.

With a bewildered face, the young girl lit up. Tearing herself away from her brother, she whispered, “Demand the Judge.”

A blue light flickered in the blood mage’s fist as she prepared to pierce flesh and bone. A sickly sweet aroma filled the air, so strong that Suri could literally taste it on her tongue. The woman’s dark eyes narrowed.

“The Judge,” Suri muttered. Like in slow motion, she saw the approach of her imminent end.

Maxat effortlessly intercepted the woman’s fist, firmly gripping her wrist. No one noticed when this man made his move, and even more so, how he managed to bear the wrath of this woman. Only Suri held the answers to these questions. Unlike the assailant, five blue flowers bloomed in his body, spreading unprecedented power. The woman’s abilities were incomparable to those of a first rank blood mage. He squeezed the woman’s hand with such force that the bones crunched. She winced in pain, but he didn’t let go.

“Sister, have I caused you pain? But I asked you not to rush,” Maxat gently spoke. “Don’t pretend you didn’t hear.” His lips curved into a smile, but his colorless eyes pierced the woman like icy blades. “Ide, step aside.”

The woman nodded curtly, accepting defeat, and pulled her hand away.

“If I understand correctly, the Judge has descended into the Labyrinth?” Maxat raised his voice, addressing the members of the Council. Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “What can we do? We’ll have to wait for his return.” He clearly expressed the position of the blood mages of Azur, giving Suri a brief respite.

The hunters began to disperse, and only then did Maxat finally look at Suri, smiling broadly. “I’d be happy to have you join the first rank. If, of course, you survive the encounter with the Judge,” the man added, heading casually towards the exit. Like no one else, he can move silently, yet he stomped on the dried roots with relish. He seemed incredibly pleased with himself.