The piercing scream reverberated through the darkness, sending shivers down Tess's spine. The eerie silence that followed signaled an unsettling pause, as if the very objects around them held their breath.
"Thou art the victor! I implore thee, set me free!" The anguished cry echoed from beneath, indicating that the woman was lying helpless on the ground. Every word carried a desperate plea for release.
A sudden tremor rattled the earth beneath Tess's feet, causing her grip on her sword handles to tighten, readying herself for another attack. Her senses heightened, her ears straining to catch the faintest sound, absorbing every detail of the tense atmosphere.
"Look!" Lanse's voice cut through the cacophony of shuffling noises, reaching Tess amidst the chaos. With trepidation, she slowly opened her eyes, revealing a breathtaking sight. It was as if her eyes had been starved of light for an eternity, and now, they were being nourished by its ethereal glow. The beauty was overwhelming, and tears welled up in her eyes.
As the darkness crumbled away, a radiant beam of light bathed the space, revealing Lanse's silhouette standing near the woman who had uttered the desperate plea. She lay on the ground, her vulnerability palpable.
Tess's jaw clenched tightly, realizing that once again, Lanse had emerged triumphant, earning another point for himself. She couldn't help but question the fairness of her own five points from the falling swords. How many more points would he demand for this victory?
"Darn it!" Tess cursed under her breath, frustration tinged with a hint of admiration.
"Please, venture onward," the lady beseeched, rising from her prone position. She pointed towards the opening, where a radiant light beckoned. "Another obstacle doth await."
Just like her vanquished predecessor, the woman dissolved into thin air, leaving Tess and the others astounded. Urgency propelled them forward, racing towards the blinding light that scorched their eyes as they drew nearer. Through the brilliance, glimpses of vibrant green peeked through, accompanied by a rush of cool air and the intoxicating fragrance of freshness, filling their lungs.
The oppressive darkness was finally left behind, and they came to a halt, mesmerized by the breathtaking scene that unfolded before them. A verdant tapestry of lush green trees enveloped their surroundings, adorned with a riot of vibrant flowers in every imaginable hue. Rays of sunlight filtered through the gaps in the emerald canopy above, casting a dappled glow upon their faces.
The air carried a symphony of scents that danced on the breeze, enchanting all who wandered within its fragrant embrace. Each breath was an olfactory feast, a sensory journey through nature's aromatic palette.
Tess's eyes widened in awe, and she spun around, drinking in every detail with unabashed wonder. Inhaling deeply, she felt a surge of pure delight, and an exuberant smile bloomed across her face, melting away any trace of her previously eager expression.
This place surpassed even the meticulously crafted garden that Primus Sensei had compelled them to visit. It transported her back to the memory of their last Free Week, the only seven days of respite amidst the stifling global curfew that pervaded the rest of the year.
During Free Week, Tess and her clique would embark on thrilling hoverbike journeys to the park. There, they would revel in the spectacle of the blooming trees, reclining upon soft blankets for hours on end, gazing skyward, lost in the enchantment of the leafy canopies.
Yet, the last Free Week had held a different tenor. Aware that it marked their final respite before venturing into the Mid-Sentry the following academic year, her friends had chosen to spend each day with their respective families. Left with no other option, she had ventured forth with Jeremy alone.
Jeremy, with his undying love for swings, had always cherished the exhilarating sensation of weightlessness, as if he were soaring through the air. Tess, forever the dutiful friend, would inquire when it was her turn, for she was the one who pushed him from behind.
She recalled a particular instance, when, after pleading for her turn, Jeremy had acquiesced and made her take the seat. With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, he had spun her around relentlessly, causing the ropes above to twist and entwine, melding into a single cohesive line that trailed down to the crown of her head.
Then, releasing his grip and stepping back, the twisted ropes miraculously unraveled, sending the swing spinning. The motion was so swift and exhilarating that Tess's feet were lifted off the ground, the world blurring into a dizzying whirlwind akin to a malfunctioned merry-go-round.
Sensing her chance, she mustered the courage to leap from the swing, but even after leaving its confines, the sensation of spinning persisted, swirling within her head like an eternal vortex.
Instead of expressing concern for her well-being, Jeremy, wearing a mischievous grin, held up his fingers, challenging her to count how many she saw. Fueled by a playful spirit, she charged at him, a cascade of laughter spilling from her lips. Jeremy's infectious laughter only fueled her determination, their chase weaving through the park until fate intervened.
In his mirthful frenzy, Jeremy careened headlong into a colossal pile of leaves freshly gathered by a diligent park worker. A cloud of golden foliage engulfed him, momentarily halting their chase and leaving Tess breathless with laughter.
But that Free Week shared between only them had brought about a change in Jeremy. No longer content with simply exiting the swing, he implored her to settle upon his lap, his words hanging in the air, causing her heart to plummet. She stood transfixed, her gaze locked upon him, questioning if she had heard correctly. He had to repeat his request, drawing out the tension.
When his gentle arms enveloped her, a radiant smile erupted upon Tess's cheeks, radiating warmth from within. She nestled into his embrace as he skillfully propelled them back and forth with the rhythmic movement of his feet. It was as if they had stumbled upon an oasis of pure bliss.
His neck tantalizingly close to her face, the temptation to kiss him swelled within Tess's heart. Yet, she restrained herself, fully aware that such an act would trigger his self-imposed shutdown, pushing her away, as he had done in the past. The sting of rejection weighed heavy upon her, but in this fleeting moment, she chose to revel in their connection, savoring the sheer beauty of their togetherness.
He hadn't always been like this. It had all begun when he discovered that she, too, was a victim of the Sybervirus, a dormant monster lurking within both of them. The revelation had cast a shadow over their prospects of being together, compelling Jeremy to suppress any burgeoning emotions he harbored for her.
Nevertheless, Tess's unwavering care for him persisted. Unlike others, she believed that their shared affliction was a bond, a twisted fate that bound them together. She secretly yearned to be the first person consumed by his demon, unwilling to fathom a life devoid of his presence, even if it meant embracing the abyss.
Tess grappled with a complex mix of emotions, torn between missing him and the painful reminder of his burns. Petra's tragic passing had only intensified her anguish, each burn etching deeper into her heart, amplifying the torment tenfold.
It was this unbearable weight that had fueled her longing for departure, for she knew that the mere embrace he offered could not mend the profound wounds that plagued her. Leaving had become her sole path to healing, a choice she held no regrets about.
Amidst her contemplation, Zino's voice chimed in. It drew Tess's attention away from Lanse perched high in a tree to retrieve a scroll hanging tantalizingly from a swaying branch. A broad smile adorned Zino's face, her hands clasped beneath her chin, enraptured by something behind Tess. Curiosity piqued, she turned to see what had captivated Zino's gaze.
There stood Szedra, vigorously shaking her head, causing her cascading hair to flutter from left to right. In an unexpected display, a tiny, yellow flower gracefully descended and gently alighted upon the earth.
Tess's gaze followed Zino's intent, only to find Zack extending a yellow blossom to her. A radiant grin illuminated Zino's features, her delight infectious.
Meanwhile, Szedra standing nearby folded her arms, her expression conveying a mixture of playful skepticism and subtle reproach. "Preparing us for our own funerals, are you, Zack? Do you lack faith in our ability to survive this trial?"
Zack's hand collided with his forehead with a resounding thud, leaving behind a vivid crimson mark. "Must you always turn things into the negative?" he lamented, his frustration palpable.
Szedra's voice took on a more serious tone as she urged him, "Enough with the antics," she told him, looking up to see Lanse still struggling to reach the scroll.
Before any further words could be exchanged, Zino's startled voice interjected, her worry evident. "Wait! Where's Lanse?" Her grip loosened, and the yellow flower slipped from her grasp, forgotten. All eyes turned towards the enigmatic opening in the massive boulder they had emerged from, as a sense of inexplicable anticipation filled the air.
Zino gasped in deep concern, "Did he get left behind? I could have sworn he came out with us."
What?" Tess exclaimed, her disbelief evident as she failed to recall Zino not seeing Lanse leap into the tree for the scroll. But a sudden realization halted the words she had initially intended to speak. "I think he got left behind."
Zack and Szedra regarded Tess with arched eyebrows, their skepticism unmistakable in their expressions.
A fleeting smile graced Tess's lips before she assumed a concerned countenance, making her way over to Zino. "Something must have snatched him when we weren't looking," she confided, her eyes widening as she raised her voice. "Look behind you! There's a lurking Sybervirian behind that tree!"
As if in perfect timing, a black blur plummeted down from the tree, leaves fluttering in its wake. Zino let out a piercing scream and darted away from the area, gripped by sheer terror. "Zino, she was joking!" Zack's voice echoed after her, desperately hoping she would hear his reassurance.
Tess collapsed to her knees, her head bowed towards the ground, yet uncontrollable laughter erupted from her being. She struck her hand against the grassy earth repeatedly, overcome with amusement and joy.
Meanwhile, Lanse remained oblivious to the commotion below while he was yet perched high in the tree. His attention fixed solely on the scroll before him, he paid no mind to Zack and Szedra's futile attempts to call Zino back from the depths of her fear. A brief glance towards Tess on the ground betrayed a fleeting moment of contemplation before he sighed and unraveled the contents of the scroll, resolute in the knowledge that her laughter was not directed at him.
The voices of his companions grew distant as he immersed himself in the words inscribed upon the ancient parchment, his focus unyielding and unwavering.
"Nice going, Tess. Now we're wasting precious time trying to get her back," Szedra grumbled in annoyance.
With irritation etched across their faces, both Szedra and Zack hurried off in pursuit of Zino. Tess, having regained her composure, managed to steady herself and rise to her feet. A vibrant pink petal perched atop Lanse's head caught her eye, reigniting her laughter with renewed fervor.
Lanse, momentarily setting aside the scroll, leaned against a tree, observing the mirthful spectacle before him. As the pieces of the unfolding events fell into place, a mischievous smirk curved his lips, betraying his shared amusement.
Soon, the figures of Zack, Szedra, and Zino materialized from behind the trees, their breathless return from the pursuit drawing attention. However, their eyes were quickly captivated by the sudden appearance of yet another swirling vortex, diverting their gaze away from the unfolding tensions. Zino's earlier anger towards Tess dissipated in the face of this new phenomenon.
"Finally," Lanse remarked, his eyes honing in on the newfound exit. Disengaging from the tree's embrace, he set his sights on the beckoning vortex, ready to venture forth.
"Time for me to get more points on the six I already have," Tess boasted, a self-assured grin adorning her face as she too moved towards the swirling portal.
"Only six more trials to go. We're drawing nearer to ending this thing," Lanse mused, tossing the scroll carelessly behind him.
Just before the scroll could collide with Tess's face, she deftly caught it, her reaction halted by the abrupt interception. "You piece of—" she began, her words interrupted by the urgent pull of the vortex, compelling them to abandon their grievances and plunge headlong into the unknown.