“I welcome you to my domain.”

—-

Kiana barely understood what they said. Her ears had been ringing since she regained consciousness; which was only three seconds ago.

“Wait, I’m sorry bu-”

A strike of pain pierces through her skull. Ouch. My head is hurting like crazy, too.

She continues. “But how are we floating in the dark?”

Without warning, she feels a hand wrap around her wrist forcing her upright.

EEK! DON’T KILL ME!

“Did you forget how to open your eyes?” A male voice pierces through the ringing in her ears.

His stern tone confused Kiana. She squeezed her eyelids together to get a feel for them, realizing that they are indeed shut. Then she opens her eyes. She felt her senses return to normal.

She glances at her arm. There was a hand connected to Alex.

“Ah.”

She looks around, inspecting the area with her eyes. The land was shaped nearly like in her short glimpse of Astronomer’s Portal. This time she had more time to process the information her eyes were receiving.

But something was off. She thinks back to her research.

She gasps internally. No one revealed anything about this giant building floating in the middle of the lake!!!

The building Kiana was staring at was a massive giant inverted pyramid – a size worthy of putting the Great Pyramid of Geesa to shame. Strangely it reflected no colour and cast no shadow.

The gentle feminine voice carries through the air again. “The Star has been waiting for you. Will you accept His guidance?”

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Kiana could see the source of the voice clearly now. Her frame suspended in the air gracefully, glowing faintly just as a starry night does. She had silky long dark-grey hair flowing around her skin with a life of its own as it reaches down to her ankles attempting to cover her modesty, and a height matching Alex’s. Her hair rested over half of her face, but without a doubt she was showing glimpses of a scornful expression. The only fabric on her body was a scarf slung around her neck that wrapped around her wrists into a knot with a long tail. In her left hand she supported a ceramic jug resting on her shoulders that was spilling water around her into a large infinity sign.

Alex steps ahead of Kiana, placing himself between Kiana and the strange being. Her calm nature was signing pure evil at him. He deflected out of suspicion. “First, tell me what you mean by the Star has been waiting for us.”

Her body sent out a faint pulse of light. His retort amused her. “Your dearest has been prepared to receive the Star’s favours for a long time now. Her final condition is to overcome the Trial of the Eight Houses.”

Her proclamations forced a shock through Kiana and Alex’s body. What she said was a simple sentence yet it rang like a prophesied curse.

Tsk.

Kiana quickly steps aside from Alex’s shielding. “Okay, whoa, whoa, wait!” She swings her arm out in defiance. “First off, I don’t even prepare for exams. And you’re going to send me into some grand ominous spiritual trial test thing?!”

She places her opposing hand over her heart. “I love stars… and the Star! But I’m sure there are better candidates out there!” Panic dripped into her words. I don’t want to dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! She pleaded for the Star to intervene.

Alex embraces Kiana from the side protectively. “Kiana’s right. She’s not ready.”

In response, the domain’s representative began releasing her grip around the ceramic water jug. The jug stood itself upright and rose above her head like it were sitting on a halo.

The duo exchange wary glances: Both completely wide-eyed. Her new stance made hair rise all throughout their body.

Do you know what I’m thinking?

Do you know what I’m thinking?

“I, Aquarius. Under the authority of the Star…” She raises her arm and aims her pointer finger directly at Kiana. “...Will now initiate the Trial of the Eight Houses.”

“RUN, KIANA!”

Oh my Star. Kiana ran perpendicular to Aquarius. I can’t run away from her because that will just give her a straight shot at me, plus if I want to be able to react I need to see her. This way should be more difficult for her.

I need to take a glance, if she’s still aiming at me. She turns her head.

“What is that…?”

Reality slowed down for Kiana. The world behind Aquarius cracked and fell apart, revealing an infinite void of darkness. The shattered landscape grew towards Kiana, eventually completely enveloping her.

“There’s no reason to run when fate is inescapable.”

—-

“She’s not ready… Take her out of there.”

“Be faithful and trust your dear friend.”