Kai's eyes grew with pleasure and excitement as he witnessed the flames rise from the bottom of the pit. This was his first time catching a glimpse of an enormous amount of flames. A typical wooden bridge that wreaked its old age hung just a few meters above. The vines used to form the handle for the bridge were so worn out that they could get loose if mounted with pressure.
"The terms of the challenge are simple." The Colonel's voice came from the speakers. "Completion of the challenge is based on team effort. Challengers are to complete the challenge in pairs."
The blow horns sounded signaling the team it was go time. The challenge had begun. A quiet roar erupted in the arena as the recruits who watched began to chant the name of the challenge. "THE RIVER OF FIRE."
Leaving his teammates behind, Kai walked towards the edge of the bridge. The flames in front of him were a catalyst for his Astral node. With each passing second the urge in him to move toward the fire grew with deep intent. "Move away from the edge, slave." Erik's cold voice filled Kai's ears bringing him back to reality.
Kai's eyes glowed with murderous intent towards Erik. If he wasn't in control of himself, he would have already attacked Erik. Bringing himself back, he moved back to rejoin his teammates.
"What's the plan," Frode asked, bringing notice to the elephant in the room. "Here's what we're doing." Erik began taking leadership. "I'll go first with Ingrid then, Annika comes with the both of you. Ok!" The idea was simple and had no further objections from any member of the team.
Ingrid trailed behind Erik, giving glances at the team as they walked towards the bridge. Erik landed on his back as soon as he attempted to walk onto the bridge. There was a forcefield that prevented him from entering. No one saw it there but it stood blocking the path.
"This challenge requires a team effort, this is not a solo challenge."
Erik grunted as he stood up on his feet, the Colonel's words were a bitter pill for him to swallow. Erik had to move into the bridge with his teammates, not as a single person but as a team.
"Well, what are you waiting for," Erik complained. "Are you coming or what?" Erik grabbed Ingrid's hand, landing a soft grip on her wrist as he pulled her. He made his second attempt at the bridge but was sent back again by the forcefield barrier. Anger had begun to swell inside him. "The Colonel said teamwork, we have to do this together." Annika reminded the team. Annika, Frode, and Kai grabbed onto each other's arms as they formed a knot holding each other before Annika gripped Ingrid. Together, they stepped onto the bridge successfully without any barrier.
As soon as the team had made it completely onto the bridge Erik broke the knot that held them together as he quickly let go of Ingrid's hands. The journey across the river of fire had begun for the team.
The old bridge creaked as it began to swing, left, and right. The rhythm formed by the bridge made it hard for the team to just go across. With each passing second the attempt to make it across the bridge became intense. If the team didn't make it across on time then they were surely going into the river of fire.
Kai extended his hand outside the bridge to feel the warmth of the flame that came from underneath them. "Don't worry, if we don't make it. There are other challenges we could use to rank up." Frode said. The team was just a few meters into the bridge.
Erik had left the team behind making it to the halfway point. "Hustle up people." Erik's voice echoed.
The team began to run towards Erik but, the bridge had other intentions for them. Ingrid fell into one part of the bridge as the bridge began to lose its frame. Before the team could take notice she had lost her grip, falling into the fire.
"No! No!! No!!!" Annika trembled, seeing what had happened to her teammate. "Is she going to be alright?" Frode asked. The atmosphere changed for the team. Ingrid didn't come out of the fire again.
"Boooooo..." The crowd chanted, making known to the team their disdain.
"We have to continue without her," Erik said turning back to face the end of the bridge. Taking a bold step his feet landed on the bridge, before he could take another step, he saw himself stuck inside the bridge. The bridge had begun to get worse, breaking at intervals. "Help me."
Kai quickly rushed over to meet him. As Kai extended a hand to pull him up Erik's cruel words met his ears. "How does a slave boy intend to save me?" Erik brushed off Kai's hands.
Erik was the next in the team to fall into the fire. Kai had abandoned him after his rejection. "Annika come on," Frode said as she tried to drag Annika from the spot she stood. She was still glued to it.
The split second Kai turned his attention away from the team to look at the exit of the bridge, the sad horror that he was the last member of his team still in the bridge made chills run down his spine. Frode and Annika had also fallen into the fire.
"I just have to make it across to the end," Kai muttered to himself. He was now the only member and if he succeeded his team was sure to score some points.
The bridge creaked more loudly this time as its swings became more turbulent. With each step Kai took, he embraced himself. The thought of losing crossed his mind but he still managed to keep his mission a top priority. Making it to the exit.
The vines that held together the weak frame suddenly began to cut making the bridge dismantle from the entrance. Kai increased his pace as he attempted to evade the falling bridge.
Kai's screaming voice was all that echoed in the silence of the arena as he too fell into the river of fire.