After a week of training in the morning with the God of Fire, or Viktor, while Igor trained with Basma, we arrived at the day of the test.
—Shit, I'm nervous.
We were in Basma's room eating. We had nothing planned today and had come to the little girl's room to relax.
—Will it really be agility?
I raised my shoulders in response to Igor while petting Panther.
I'm fifty-fifty sure. I don't think he told me that for nothing.
—But has he said anything else to you this week?
I shook my head.
—Every time I asked him, he turned a deaf ear.
I sighed as I raised my head and looked up at the ceiling.
What will this test be like? Will as many die as last time?
I looked at Basma and saw that she was hugging her knees.
—Are you all right Basma?
She sank her head on her knees. She was definitely not well.
Igor bent his neck as if telling me to come closer to her, so I did.
I got up and hugged her.
—Are we going to be all right?
—You've trained so hard with Igor, I'm sure you'll be fine.
Then she stopped hugging herself and hugged me.
—Don't leave me alone, don't go away.
I stroked her hair.
—Don't worry, you'll never be alone.
She hugged me tighter. I don't know if she believes what I told her, but, I hope to see her again too.
I looked at Igor and saw that he was focused. There was no glimpse of the Igor I had met this month. Now, expressionless and with a straight face, he really looked like the Russian assassin I had in mind.
—Relax Igor.
Igor I don't know if he didn't hear me, but he was still in the same position.
I let out all the air I had in my lungs.
They are too tense. I had to change the mood.
—What do you think the next level will be like?
I asked them to change the subject a little.
Basma broke away from me as she wiped her tears.
—Won't we come back here?
—Mmmmm, I don't think so. According to what the hostess said at the beginning, this is a bunker and it has 5 levels, if we are on the lowest one it means that the next one will be floor 4.
—I like this island.
—Well, then when we get out of here let's go to an island, what do you think? There are some very nice ones in Spain.
—Really?
Basma's eyes began to regain the sparkle they had lost.
I gave her the biggest smile I could.
—Of course.
—When I get out of here, I have some things to do in Russia.
I swallowed hard. I don't know who had messed with Igor, but may they rest in peace.
—I also want to see your country, Igor.
Basma addressed Igor so suddenly that he was taken by surprise. The look on his face was a mixture of surprise and shyness that I found quite funny.
Just then we received a message from the one known as the hostess.
___________
Hello everyone,
The day of the first test is here, are you nervous? Take a deep breath, the first test is not so terrible either.
The 'Countdown' starts and you can see it in your 'Status'. Before it ends, all those who have remaining points distribute them among the 5 categories, when the test starts you won't have a chance ;)
Best wishes,
The hostess.
____________
It's not so terrible either?
I wish I had given a little more information really.
And, I have to distribute the remaining points I had saved just in case.
—According to the status there are 40 minutes left until the next test.
—Did it say the name?
Igor shook his head.
—How do I distribute the points?
Basma asked doubtfully.
The 3 of us had left points to divide when we knew the test, but it looks like they are not going to let us.
—Half of them to agility and the rest as you like. Although we really only have 2 points, so one and one.
Igor gave a pretty confident answer and surprised me.
—Why so?
—You said. A 50% chance it's agility, and I trust you.
I looked at him not knowing what to say. And this blind trust in me? So much pressure.
—I will do the same.
The enthusiastic Basma said with such confidence that I was surprised.
—Hey, hey, it's your lives that are at stake. I only said there's 50 percent, but what if I'm wrong?
Basma smiled, but didn't stop doing whatever she wanted to be doing.
—Hey -
I couldn't finish, a Russian started laughing too loudly.
—You know Cam, I didn't expect you to be so nervous and unsure of yourself.
I was speechless.
I crossed my arms and made the status appear in front of me.
I had 4 points left to distribute among my characteristics. From when I was with the Gods I went up a level, and another level of training.
I sighed.
I wasn't sure, but I did as Igor said. Two points to 'Agility', put another in 'Senses' and another in 'Intelligence'.
In the end my 'Status' had changed quite a bit since I came from the maze.
___________
Name: Caelum
Age: 20
Titles: --
Level: 8
Countdown: 35 mins
Remaining points: 0
Status:
Ø Strength: 21
Ø Agility: 22
Ø Vitality: 21
Ø Senses: 17
Ø Intelligence: 21
Ø Mana: 15
Skills:
Karate (D), Hard Skin (D), Intimidation (E), Strong Fist (E), Light Movement (D), Mental resistance (C), Use of Mana (F), Body reinforcement (F), Free Style (D)
___________
Mana, a fighting style called 'Free Style'. It's really crazy.
Igor's face when I told him about it was laughing. He was calling me a cheater for a whole afternoon when he lost to me in a fight.
I really couldn't believe it at first, but this whole week training with mana has been a great help. I owe a lot to the Fire God, even though he likes to be call Viktor.
I laughed out of nervousness and let out all the accumulated air.
—Are you okay Cam?
I realized I had just acted strange and pulled myself together.
—I realized how our lives have changed this whole month. For a moment I felt grateful.
Igor and Basma were speechless. Is it so strange?
—Actually, I've been feeling that way myself recently.
Igor broke the silence. It seems we have more in common than I expected.
We spent the rest of the time talking.
Although as the time back approached 0 we became more nervous.
With one minute left we made a promise to survive.
When the time came a white light enveloped us.
I appeared at the starting line of an athletic field. Next to me was Panther, apparently he must also take the test.
I petted the dog and smiled. I felt safer with him here.
As I looked around I saw that there were 4 other people I couldn't remember. Although well, it's not like I had much contact with anyone either.
Then the hostess's instructions came up.
_____________
Welcome to the first test: The Agility Race.
The rules are basic, you have to go in a straight line until you reach the finish line while being chased by a poison fog.
And although I said it's a straight line, the course is not a straight line :)
Next to you you have 4 other people, you can pretend they do not exist or help them. It doesn't matter, it's up to you.
Then let it begin, the first test of the Apostles.
___________
Sigh. This stupid Goddess is going to end up killing everyone.