The sun hung high in the sky as they gathered outside the arena for the next trial. Excitement buzzed through the air, but Seventeen felt a tingling unease. The Trial of Courage would test not just physical abilities but also the mental and emotional strength of the competitors.
"Alright, everyone," Draco began, his tone serious. "This trial will be tough, but we've made it through the last one together. Trust in each other and keep your heads clear."
Seventeen nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "And remember, this is about facing our fears. If we support one another, we can overcome anything."
Their group stood in a circle, exchanging determined glances. She could see the resolve in Light's bright eyes and the fierce determination on Amelia and Sablina's face. Together, they were ready.
※※※
As they entered the arena, Draco felt a rush of adrenaline. The setup was vastly different from the first trial. Towering cliffs surrounded the space, with ominous shadows looming over the rocky terrain.
"Welcome to the Trial of Courage!" Clint Upstream's voice boomed, slightly more high pitched than the other day, as annoying as ever. "In this trial, you will face your greatest fears. The arena will manifest illusions tailored to each participant. Overcome these fears to earn your tokens!"
Draco clenched his fists, anxiety churning in his stomach. He had faced many challenges in his life, but confronting his deepest fears felt different. The stakes felt higher.
※※※
The ground shook as the illusions began to materialize. Seventeen's heart raced as she saw swirling mists enveloping the arena, transforming it into a labyrinth of shadows. Figures from her past flickered in and out of view, taunting her.
People she had to use and break in past missions to stay alive. The faces of those who took everything from her, twice.
"Stay strong," she whispered to herself, focusing on the warmth of the bonds she had formed. She turned to her team. "Remember, we're in this together."
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the fog, resembling one of her siblings. The familiar features twisted into a grotesque mask of disappointment. But the emerald green eyes were enough for her to know who it was: Ten.
The youngest of her six youngest siblings. The one who weighted the most on her. For some reason, he had always felt like actual family to her, she loved the others dearly, but something about Ten made her feel even more entangled to him. He had just turned 13 years old when they were sent in that mission.
Noah and Lilith used to believe they were the ones who made the prophecy with her at the center. They thought nothing would happen. Seventeen was supposed to have been with them, but Noah had gotten suddenly sick after a monster attack from the Hollow Caves, one of the three barriers that hid Serpentpire away from the rest of the Zodiac Kingdom. She was the only one who could save him, not with her own powers but with the grimore of chaos, which only she could use.
Ten had waited eagerly for her being with them in that mission, it would be his first, she had promised to be with him but she failed. He had claimed to understand the situation, that Noah needed her there, claimed he would be alright, that nothing would happen. They were the kids of the prophecy, or so they believed.
Nine days in, there was a broadcast of the rulers claiming to have caught rebellious terrorists attempting to murder King Regulus and the Queen Seraphina in their beds. Six of them, which were sentenced to death by Jove and Astraea de Lavissaye. Nine of the districts stepped up to take over the execution, in the end, they decided to do it together.
When they showed the 'criminals' to display their execution, their mouths had been sewed closed, they were wounded and with many broken bones. Despair washed over Seventeen as she saw her youngest siblings there, victims, displayed like criminals under a fake campaign of terrorism. Her very soul broke as she watched the eighteen rulers that made the nine couples involved, brutally slaughtering them. The creepiest of all grins in their faces.
All because they had gone for a recognition mission, it was harmless, they were all younger than her, she was 19, none of them were adults, the oldest was 17, the youngest was Ten at 13. It was cruel. It was evil. It was brutal.
It haunted her. She knew that with her power, had she gone with them, none of that would have happened. None of them would have died. They would still be there, still with her.
"You failed us," illusion-Ten sneered. "You could have saved us."
["Ten... Ten would never tell me that."]
Seventeen gasped, struggling to hold back tears. "You are not him. He would never say that, even if it was my fault. He was too kind to be evil." She felt Draco's presence beside her, steadying her resolve.
"Don't let it get to you," he said softly, grounding her with his unwavering support. "You are stronger than this illusion."
※※※
Draco watched as Serena faced her fears head-on, refusing to succumb to the shadows. He wondered who the 'he' was, who was haunting her, what losses had she endured. What had come to push her into despair. It stirred something within him, a flicker of hope. He was determined to fight against the specters of his own past.
Suddenly, his own fears took form. A dark figure loomed before him, its eyes glinting with malice. "You'll never escape your parents' legacy," it hissed. "You're just a pawn in their game."
"No!" Draco shouted, anger igniting within him. "I'm not a pawn! I'm my own person!" He stepped forward, his fists clenched. The shadow flinched as he embraced his defiance, the darkness beginning to dissolve.
※※※
As Draco faced his fears, Seventeen felt an overwhelming sense of pride. They were fighting together, not just against the illusions but also against the burdens that haunted them both. But beneath the surface, she was struggling to not give in to it, to the pain, to the guilt, the anger, the grief.
Illusion-Ten may not have been the real one, but he was real enough to nearly break her. To awaken that pain again. But it wasn't time for that, for Ten she couldn't mess the mission or the trial up, she couldn't afford to break.
"Draco, you can do this!" she called out, her voice breaking through the haze. "You're not alone! Remember who you are!"
He nodded, the determination in his eyes fierce. "I will break free!"
With a final roar, he surged forward, and the shadow crumbled into mist. The air around them shifted, and they could feel the weight of the illusion lifting.
※※※
"Together!" he yelled, rallying the team. "Let's face this head-on!"
They advanced through the maze of shadows, each member facing their fears. Light confronted her fear of losing control of her fire powers, the flames around her shifting wildly. With a deep breath, she harnessed the fire, controlling it until it danced harmoniously at her fingertips.
Sablina faced her own reflection, twisted into an image of inadequacy. "You're not strong enough!" it taunted. But she fought back, her resolve stronger than ever. "I am enough! I will not be defined by your lies!"
One by one, they began to conquer their fears. Serena felt a rush of exhilaration, her heart swelling with pride for her team.
※※※
Finally, they reached the heart of the trial, a colossal stone structure that pulsed with energy. The ground shook, and a voice echoed through the arena. "To overcome your fears, you must face your ultimate challenge together."
"What do we need to do?" Light asked, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"We must link our energies," Seventeen said, determination flooding her veins. "Together, we can dismantle the final illusion."
They formed a circle, their hands clasped tightly. Seventeen focused her energy, letting her Ophiuchus healing powers flow through her, only that one, it mimicked the powers of Cancer perfectly, even if it was different. From all the many powers laying within her, that was one she could control, one she could incorporate in her Serena persona. As they channeled their strengths together, the stone structure began to glow.
"Together," Draco commanded. "On three!"
"One… two… three!"
With a collective shout, they unleashed their powers. A blinding light erupted, engulfing them and shattering the illusions surrounding them. The fears disintegrated into dust, replaced by a sense of freedom and strength.
※※※
As the light faded, Draco felt the weight of fear lift from his shoulders. The tokens they had earned appeared before them, glimmering with the power of their courage.
"Congratulations!" Clint Upstream declared. "You have conquered the Trial of Courage! Your teamwork and bravery have earned you the tokens of strength."
["I hate that guy, ugh."]
Draco turned to Serena, their eyes locking. "We did it," he breathed, astonished at how far they had come, but he could notice she was shaken. To his dismay, of all the seven of them, Serena who had always seemed to be the most resilient, the strongest, the calmest, now looked like she had faced the worse of all fears. She looked shaken, but was trying to hide it, and though it worked with the others, it didn't pass through him.
His eyes are always on her. She can't fool him.
["Seven..."]
"Together," she affirmed, her smile radiant, pushing her fear aside, doing everything so none of them would see it. "We faced our fears together."
["What do I have to do for you to lean on me?"]
※※※
With their tokens secured, they exited the arena, laughter and cheers surrounding them. The thrill of victory coursed through Seventeen, but deeper than that was a sense of belonging. They had fought for each other, and the bonds between them had only grown stronger.
"There's another trial ahead of us," Light said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Draco placed a hand on Seventeen's shoulder, his grip gentle but reassuring. "Whatever comes next, we can face it."
She nodded, feeling the warmth of his trust. "We will."
As they walked side by side, Seventeen felt a sense of unity stronger than ever before. No matter the challenges that awaited them, she knew they would face them as a family. And together, they would emerge victorious.
["Let's see if it'll be strong enough to last after they learn the truth,"] she mumbled, starting to dread their reactions when the facade were to come undone. Dreading Draco's, the one who had been the hardest to conquer.