They had been on the road for an hour now. The sun was already high up in the sky but the weather still had a chill to it. So much so that the breath of the draft horse pulling the brake carriage condensed into the morning air.

Freighly was sound asleep, leaning against Marius’ left shoulder. Her chubby cheek sliding up nearly covering her right eye. Grandpa Nic was humming quietly to himself with his arms stretched across the backrest of their side of the carriage and his peg leg rested on the empty seat beside him.

The road was busier than usual, Marius noticed. A variety of wagons could be seen going up and down the road and from time to time riders on horseback would speed by. Marius also took note that most of the travelers he saw were not adventurers but common folk. Villagers with their families, farmers, traveling entertainers, and merchants could be seen laden with their personal belongings and wares. All of them coming from the direction of the Tower.

“Where are all these people coming from, grandpa?”

“You noticed them too, huh? . . They’re immigrants, lad . . . from Helios.”

“Helios? Why are they coming up here? . . I thought Helios was a lot better than Iris.”

Nic looked around and sighed sadly.

“There has been troubling news down in Gallatea. Rumors say that the Rot has started there.”

“The Rot?” Marius exclaimed. “But that’s only two worlds down. It’s so close. . . you think it's true, grandpa?”

“Well, they say their crops yield less every harvest. Animals keep getting sick. The monsters in the fields got a lot more savage. . . It could be true. Gallatea is nearly sixty years old. The Rot usually starts at that point. People are getting scared and started moving up. Now Helios is becoming overpopulated.”

“So if the Rot takes Gallaetea, that only leaves Helios, Iris, Jarla, Kratos and Liros,” said Marius, counting the worlds in one hand.

“That’s correct,” replied Nic.

“Five worlds isn’t enough, . . is it, grandpa?”

“No. . . no it is not, Marius.” Nic replied sadly. “Iris is going to become a more dangerous place to live soon.”

As if on queue, the carriage passed by a small hill. On top of the hill were five men covered from head to toe in steel armor standing over two kneeling figures in ragged clothing. Two of the armored men drew their swords. Marius’s pulse quickened. He knew what was about to happen. He half expected his grandfather to tell him to look away but Nic made no such move. The heads of the two kneeling men rolled down the opposite side of the hill. None of the travelers on the road even uttered so much as a word of shock or protest. Marius looked up at his grandfather who watched the execution as well.

“You know why that had to happen. . . right?” Nic asked seriously.

“Yes, . .” Marius answered hesitantly. “They were criminals, . .”

“No. They were worse than criminals. They were rogues.” Nic said darkly. “Wearing a badge comes with responsibility, Marius. You make a vow to fight in the service of mankind. If you betray that vow, . . you forfeit your life like those two sorry souls. You become less than vermin.”

Marius had never seen his grandfather speak ill of anyone before. As tall as Nic was, he never looked down on anyone. But Marius could feel the contempt radiating from the old man. Nic’s gaze was still on top of the hill even as they were rounding the bend on the road. As soon as the hill was out of sight, he slowly came back to his usual cheery self.

“Time to wake up little munchkin. We’re almost there.” grandpa Nic said in a hushed voice to the sleeping Freighly, gently shaking her with the tips of his sausage-like fingers. Freighly stirred and lifted her head sluggishly off Marius’ shoulder.

“Whash fer brekfurts?” she slurred in confusion, looking around the carriage.

“We’re already outside, sweetling.” grandpa Nic replied with a deep

chuckle. “And tidy up your hair. We’re almost in the city.”

Freighly rubbed her eyes and combed her hair with her fingers, attempting to flatten down the stray strands standing up to one side. Marius wiped down the left sleeve of his uniform and felt a damp spot. Whether from sweat or drool he did not bother to guess. He simply admired Freighly’s ability to sleep anywhere.

The west gate of the great city of Albertras loomed before them as they drew closer. It was easily twelve feet tall, made of thick solid oak and bound by heavy black iron rings. The giant wooden door was in great contrast with the city perimeter walls which were made of white stone veined with faded shades of indigo. It rose nearly twenty feet high and surrounded the vast sprawl of the city. Albertras was the largest and most beautiful of the three cities in Iris and was named the capital for this very reason. The guild high council spent nearly three years building the city with an army of Efran alchemists and mages hard at work day and night.

The carriage jolted to a stop and grandpa Nic patted the driver from the back and muttered his thanks while the rest of the passengers disembarked. They made their way to the smaller door beside the main gate of the city where four armed guards were posted. One of the guards gave them a quick inspection and with a nod to his companions, the three of them were let into the city.

The outer ring of Albertras is where the markets could be found. It was filled with all kinds of folk at this hour; bustling merchants transporting a parade of their latest shipments, adventurers shopping for supplies and vendors and farmers haggling over the price of produce. Marius often loved to window shop around these establishments every time he was in the city. He especially liked to visit the smith shops along Smith’s End to ogle the latest masterpieces for display, admiring the craftsmanship of the armor and various bladed weaponry that the master smiths managed to forge.

Plowing through the thickening crowd of the market streets, they arrive at the city square. This was the central hub of all adventurers inside the city. The sides of the square were lined with buildings that have a spectrum of banners carrying different sigils over each door. These were the guild halls where adventurers would report to their respective guilds or turn in any quest they have completed. At the center of the square was a large pool of water surrounded by seven marble statues wearing various types of clothing and armor.

“Well then, this is where we part ways.” said grandpa Nic, looking around the guild halls. “Remember; no taking risks and watch each other’s backs. Keep your blades sharp. . .”

“. . . and our wits sharper.” finished Marius. “We know. Don’t worry too much, grandpa. We got this.”

Nic only smiled at his grandson’s cockiness.

“You’ll be adventurers next time we see each other,” he said proudly. He gave each a big hug and hobbled off to the Natus Vincere hall.

“Should we pray first?” asked Freighly when Nic was out of earshot.

“What?”

“Pray,” she repeated, pointing at the marble statues. “You know, . . for good luck.”

Marius was never religious himself. But if it would give Freighly a boost in confidence, he was willing to go along with it.

“Sure. . . but let’s make it quick.”

Freighly made her way to the crowd for the statue of the Priestess where several men and women in long robes bowed their heads in prayer. Marius, on the other hand, walked toward the hooded statue of the Scout. He noticed that there were only a handful of people praying there compared to the other statues. Very few adventurers wanted to become scouts, he realized. It takes a special something to dive headfirst into places where no human had walked before. Marius called it that something courage. His friends called it lunacy.

They arrived at academy grounds barely on time. The instructors were already ushering their other cadets toward the training fields where the trials will take place. Marius looked around excitedly for his friends when he heard catcalls from behind.

“Well look who it is. . . if it isn’t silver son and the orphan.”

There was only one person that called him and Freighly by those names. Turning around, Marius saw five large boys approaching them.

In the center was the speaker. Tall and muscular, stood Oliver Fortis; the class bully. Marius had become a favorite target of his because no matter how strong and skilled Oliver was, he always fell a place behind Marius in all their courses. Oliver’s taunts had never bothered Marius before, but ever since he found out Freighly was a foster child, Oliver and his goons had included her in their insults and jeers which prompted most of the fights they got into.

“What do you want, Fortis?” Marius asked aggressively, stepping forward to shield Freighly if things get nasty.

He wasn’t scared of them. They may be bigger and stronger than he was but Marius was fast and agile enough to put a few of them on the ground when it comes to it. He didn’t become the top two of their batch for nothing.

Oliver clacked his tongue. “Easy there, Elrick. I didn’t come for a fight.” he said smirking.“I actually wanted to ask you something.”

Marius was caught off guard. Oliver and his buddies only approached him seeking a brawl and nothing else. This was something new.

“Then ask away.”

For once, in all the time Marius knew him, his nemesis looked unsure and even a bit shy. This was a bizarre sight because Oliver Fortis he knew was confident, rude and brash enough to never give a second thought to his actions even if they lead to near expulsion.

“The thing is, . .” Oliver started tentatively. “I haven’t heard from my brother Alistair in a while. . .and the last news we had of him was that he was with your folks in a scouting mission. . . I wanted to know if you’ve heard anything recently.”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

And just like that, the anxiety he felt that morning was back. It seems like no matter what distractions come his way, it will always rear its ugly head. This was even worse because it looked like another member of his parents’ scouting party had not been heard of for some time. He did not want to jump to conclusions. This could mean anything. They might be on their way back now. He might come home and see his parents waiting to congratulate him. Marius did not know what to say, so he settled with the simple truth.

“No. . . It's been almost two months since I’ve heard from them.”

Oliver took in a deep breath of disappointment. Then he looked up with a menacing fake smile. His face was back to an expression Marius could recognize; the look that always preceded a fight.

“Well, maybe they’re just held up. . . It would make sense considering who’s guiding them.” Oliver said bitingly.

“What are you trying to say, Fortis?” Marius replied with a threat. Freighly’s hand clutched his right arm, sensing the inevitable altercation.

“I’m saying maybe they’re lost, . . since they have shit for fucking scouts.” Oliver stepped closer along with his cronies. “I never got why they let your loser of a father in the Natus Vincere. . . silver?” Fortis spat at his feet. “Please. . . within the year I’ll be the same rank as your dad.” Oliver laughed. “Your mom advanced to gold I though. . . tell me Elrick; who did she have to fuck to get that promotion?”

The anger in Marius bubbled over. He did not care that it was trial day. No one disrespects his parents in front of him without paying in blood. He readied himself for a fight. But before he could make a move, they heard a shout.

“Ask your own mother then.”

Oliver whipped around angrily to see a tall slender boy with a thin handsome face, long coal-black hair and grey hooded eyes walking casually towards them.

“What did you say, Gray?” Oliver asked dangerously, pronouncing the words slowly.

“I said. . .” the handsome boy said as he approached with confident long strides. “Go ask your own mother, Oliver. . . she’s gold as well isn’t she?” Tobias Gray asked with a smile.

Oliver’s face reddened and his lips quivered. The boys with him looked wary of Tobi’s presence, unsure of what to do.

“Ow, that’s right. . . I forgot. She’s dead.” said Tobi with a smirk.

“Watch your mouth about my mother!” growled Oliver, a few flecks of spittle flying, his face turning crimson.

“Watch your mouth with other people’s parents then,” responded Tobi threateningly, his face almost an inch from Oliver’s. The fake smile was no longer there.

Oliver seemed to be restraining himself from hitting the boy, having second thoughts with the situation. There might be five of them but they now faced the top two cadets in their batch with the addition of Freighly. Tobias Gray was not only Marius’ best friend, but he also happens to be the only student he could not surpass.

Oliver grunted and forced a menacing smile. “I’ll get you for this, Gray.” he threatened through gritted teeth. “Not now. But soon. . .you too, Elrick.” He sneered at Marius and signaled his goons to follow.

Tobi watched the boys walk away, shaking his head then finally turning to his best friend. “What are you guys going to do without me?”

Marius’ smiled, his anger dissipating. “We had it handled.”

Tobi raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Then Briggs cowering behind you was part of the plan then?”

“I was not cowering!” Freighly protested. “I was restraining him. . . and stop calling me Briggs!” she finished, letting go of Marius’ arm.

“Why? It’s your last name isn’t it? . . it's much easier to say than Freighly.” teased Tobi.

“Never mind that. . . I can’t believe what you said to Oliver.” scolded Freighly. “I know he’s a horrible person but still. . .”

“Ow come on. Oliver’s an asshole. Besides, I’ve been like this since we’ve met. You should be used to it by now.” argued Tobi, a smirk back on his face.

Marius only let out a chuckle. It was true. The Tobi he knew since the start of school had always been quick of wit and sharp of tongue, making him skilled in both making friends and enemies alike. He always had the guts to speak his mind and talents to back everything he said along with the humility to admit his mistakes when he was wrong. Marius admired these qualities because these made Tobi a good friend and also a competitive rival. Perhaps too competitive. Because for some reason no matter how hard Marius tried he always came second place to Tobi much like Oliver was to him. Except the feelings were good-natured instead of pure hatred.

“She has a point though.” agreed Marius. “I didn’t expect you to go there considering your own experience.”

“My parents died ages ago.” Tobi waved his hand dismissively. “I barely remember them. Everybody’s got dead people. They should just move on. Everybody gets a red letter eventually.”

Marius’ stomach clenched. Sometimes Tobi’s frankness can be very annoying whether he was doing it intentionally or not. He did not want to think of receiving the high council’s letters of condolences. Especially in the current situation.

“Hey. . .” Marius broke in before his friend could say another word. “Have you seen the guys around?”

“Nope,” Tobi replied. “They must be at the grounds already.”

“Well we better hurry then,” said Marius bracingly. “What examples would we be setting if the top two weren’t punctual?”

“There they are.” A group of four greeted them as they approached the grounds. The speaker was Lukas; a stout and very muscular boy with dark skin, a round clean-shaven head, and deep green hooded eyes. Flanking Lukas were the twins; Sean and Sarah. Both were very tall, have long red hair, pale skin covered in freckles and rounded light blue eyes. Lastly, there was Aira; a petite girl with bronze skin and a very pretty face framed by thick black hair that reached to her waist.

“Thought you guys already backed off.” teased Sean.

“Ow I wouldn’t do that to you guys,. . . I mean, who’s going to carry your asses through the trials if we didn’t show up?” said Marius.

His friends booed and jeered along with flashing a few inappropriate hand gestures. At last his friends, and hopefully, his party for the trials was now complete.

“Did you see what they did, Marius?” asked Aira, pointing to the training grounds.

“No. Not yet. Why? Is it. . . what in Babel happened?!” asked Marius in awe when he saw it. The dusty field that usually contained sparring courts and obstacle courses was now gone. Instead, there was a green field that ended in a very tall hedge.

“What is it?” Freighly asked the group in general.

“Sarah thinks it’s a maze,” said Sean.

“It is a maze, idiot. . . it's obvious,” said Sarah.

Before Sean could retort, a booming voice echoed through the grounds.

“ATTEEEENTION!”

All the cadets assembled immediately in neat rows and columns in front of the field like well-arranged toy soldiers.

The head instructor of the Novicious Academy walked upfront accompanied by another man and a woman. Behind them trailed a large box covered in black cloth being carried by four hooded figures.

“Good day cadets,” said Avon Kalizen, the head instructor.

“Good day, sir!” the cadets said in a snappy reply.

“Today I am accompanied by Curtis Melrose of the Viridi Guild and Zelrah Eft of the Manus Auri.” Kalizen started, referring to the man and woman beside him. “They represent the guild high council and will be conducting your trials today.”

“Nine hells, . . that’s Zelrah the puppet mistress,” whispered Lukas.

“She’s a platinum rank conjurer, right?” asked Aira. “The one they call the solo scouting party?”

“Yeah. That’s her,” confirmed Marius with an excited grin. He felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety building inside him. Zelrah Eft was one of his idols. But if she was part of conducting the trials, this might be a lot harder than he thought.

“Listen to their instructions carefully and heed them as if they were my own.” finished Kalizen.

Curtis Melrose stepped forward. Marius did not recognize the man but judging by the platinum badge hanging around his neck, he was a skilled adventurer as well.

“The trials will be held there,” Melrose said, pointing to the now lush green grounds. “My guild has commandeered your training grounds for the time being to build a maze.”

“Told you. . . idiot” whispered Sarah to her brother.

“I wasn’t arguing. . .” hissed back Sean.

“The goal is simple.” continued Melrose. “Reach the other side and you will become an adventurer. . . fail to do so and you will not be given a badge.”

“Sounds easy enough,” said Tobi with a smile.

“But be warned,” added Melrose. “The maze is not the only thing you will be facing.” With a snap of his fingers, the black cloth over the large box was pulled off.

The thing inside the cage slammed against the iron bars as soon as the cloth was removed. It was the size of a toddler but walked on all fours. Its skin was grey like spoiled meat. Its bald head was too large for its emaciated body and the arms ending in clawed hands were too long. The creature snarled, revealing a mouth filled with jagged needle-like teeth. None of the cadets moved though most of their faces showed alarm.

“This is a gobhound. . . we’ve placed several of these creatures inside the maze.” Melrose went on. “In addition, Ms. Eft here will provide some of her mannequins to hinder your progress as well.”

As if there was a queue, the four figures that carried the box moved in unison and removed their hoods to reveal flat wooden faces centered with a singular large rotating eye.

“By now you probably realize that we are trying to simulate the Tower,” said Melrose. “The maze will be the tunnels, the gobhounds and mannequins will be the monsters within. . . any questions so far?”

“Rules of engagement, sir?!” Oliver spoke out.

Melrose raised a thick eyebrow.

“I’d thought it’d be obvious. . . eliminate with your discretion, of course.”

“Thank you, sir!” replied Fortis with a nasty smile.

Instructor Kalizen stepped forward once again.

“As your head instructor, I must advise you that the danger in the trials is very real. There is a high possibility that you will get injured or even killed. The last time a trial of this caliber was conducted there were casualties.”

Some of the cadets started exchanging hesitant looks.

“So if you have any doubts about your abilities, . . I implore you not to take it. . . are we clear?”

“Yes, sir!” they replied in unison.

“Very well. . . those who wish to undergo the trials, present yourselves by stepping forward.”

Marius and Tobi immediately did so without hesitation. One by one, their friends followed suit, confidence bolstered by their actions. All except for Freighly.

“What are you doing?” asked Marius in a whisper when he saw Freighly did not move.

“Grandpa Nic told us not to take risks,” she said. She was shaking slightly. Her eyes were fixed on the gobhound rampaging inside the cage.

“Grandpa Nic worries too much,” argued Marius. “We can handle those things.”

“Is there no one else?” asked instructor Kalizen. Less than half of the class stepped forward.

“Freighly hurry up.” Marius urged. “We’ll protect you, I promise,”

The others gave her reassuring nods.

Finally, Freighly took a hesitant step forward to everyone's relief.

“Okay,” said Kalizen after seeing that no one else was willing to move. “Those who did not step forward, you are now dismissed.” Only twenty-five cadets were left.

“You did good, Freighly.” Marius reassured her. “We’ll get you your badge. Don’t worry.”

Freighly gave him a shy and grateful smile.

“You will be forming five parties of five,” announced Kalizen. This was met with sighs of relief. At least the fear of going in the maze alone was gone. “The party leaders will be represented by the top five students of the class. So step forward when I call your name.”

“Gray, Tobias, . .”

“Elrick, Marius Nicholas, . . ”

“Fortis, Oliver, . .”

“Marc, Kendra, . .”

“and Clay, Berthal.”

The five stepped forward one by one as their names were called.

“As the strongest among your peers, you have earned the privilege to lead your fellow cadets,” said Kalizen. “Choose the members of your party one at a time. Starting with you, Clay.”

Berthal nodded and called out; “Carrow, Megan.”

“I’ll take Freighly.” Marius whispered to Tobi. “We’ll split the guys between us. Okay?”

“Sure.” Tobi nodded. “Race you to the finish line?”

Marius smiled in agreement. “You’re on.”

“Ambros, Kaleb,” said Kendra.

Marius felt excitement. He had been waiting for this moment his entire life. Under his or Tobi’s leadership, all their friends would surely pass the trials.

“Briggs, Freighly.” announced Oliver Fortis.

Marius’ heart stopped. He turned to see Oliver with a smirk of triumph on his face.