They took deep breaths and Mishak turned to look at the both of them.
"Are you guys ready?" He asked, and they nodded in unison.
"Let's do this." Aliya's face widened into a smile, and they walked towards the sword rack.
They each grabbed a sword they felt compatible with and carefully climbed onto the thin block to begin the next challenge.
This level was much harder as they had to each practice their basic sword moves while balancing themselves on the thin block.
It was both hard and dangerous, as this required good stamina, balance, and a calm mind.
Layah bit her lower lip and carefully balanced herself on the block. Then she began to practice her sword moves, which will last for a whole minute before they can finally complete the challenge.
"Do you think she can do it?" Dorian asked, and Damien tilted his head to one side, unsure if she would succeed.
He does believe she can do it, but the challenge was too dangerous for him to completely believe in her.
"Let's see if she can." He said to Dorian, and Dorian nodded with a smile on his face.
On the other hand, Hazel, who was not in any way pleased, tightened her balled fist to the point her knuckles turned white.
'I hope you die!' She cursed within her and vehemently narrowed her cat-shaped eyes.
Finally, one minute passed and the three successfully passed the challenge with less than a few minor injuries.
A wide smile emerged on Layah's face, and she turned to face Mishak and Aliya.
"We did it." She chuckled cheerfully, and Aliya nodded in agreement.
A half smile ensued on Mishak's face, and he took a deep breath of relief.
He honestly doesn't care about whether he dies or not, but the real reason for his happiness at this moment was the fact that Layah survived the challenge.
His face lit up, and he walked toward Layah.
He unexpectedly pulled her into a friendly hug and embraced her tightly.
"I'm glad we made it." He said and Layah, who was a bit surprised by the hug, allowed a smile to appear on her face and hugged him back.
Damien stared at the both of them from a bit of distance, and without saying a word, he turned around and walked away.
Dorian gazed at his disappearing back, and his brows furrowed in a bit of confusion. "I wonder what is wrong with him."
He pondered and shifted his gaze to Hazel.
"Did you enjoy the show?" He asked, and with an annoyed expression on her face, Hazel glared at him and stormed away, leaving him completely stunned.
"What did I do now?"
....
Finally settled into her new comfortable chambers, Layah stretched her body with her face filled with smiles.
"This feels so much better." She nodded at herself and adjusted her new clothing, which she had changed into.
"Now let me go and see him. He should at least praise me. It wasn't easy." She giggled softly, and with her head tilted up in a funny way, she walked out of her chambers and proceeded towards Damien's chambers.
She arrived there in less than a few minutes as it was quite close to her own chamber and the royal guards let her in.
They pushed the door open for her, and she stepped in to see Damien seated on a chair with a book in his hand.
"You read books?" She asked in deep perplexity, and Damien turned to look at her.
"You have never seen a man that reads books or what?" He asked, and Layah quickly shook her head.
"No, no, no. That's not what I meant-"
"Then what did you mean?" He questioned with no expression on his face and Layah's lashes flickered vigorously.
"Well...You just don't look like the type that reads books. You know... you're really strong and a warrior, and I have actually never seen a warrior that reads books."
She explained, and a look of disdain flashed in Damien's eyes.
He shut the book and got up from the chair.
He walked towards her and halted when they were only two inches apart.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, and Layah, who was a bit concerned by such closeness, smiled awkwardly.
"To get your praises. I did a good job today, so I-"
Damien's sudden chuckle cut her off, and thus, having been the first time she saw him chuckle, she instantly went into a daze.
Can she just admit that he looks even more lovely with a smile on his face?
"Why... are you laughing?" She inquired in a soft voice, but what she didn't expect was for Damien to flick her forehead.
"You're very silly. What makes you think I would praise you?"
He asked in an amused tone, and Layah's face instantly puckered.
"What do you mean? None of that was easy, and I passed it with little to no injury, so... don't you think I deserve your praise, Mr. Death General?"
She inquired, and Damien's face immediately dimmed in what seemed like displeasure.
"What did you just call me?" He questioned in a bit of an angry manner, and Layah, who had just realized that she had crossed a line she shouldn't have, lowered her head, unable to look at him.
"I—"