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At least that I know of.

I huff out a frustrated breath. While this task seems impossible, I’ve survived much worse. Tilting my head up, the massive earth wall tunnels toward the purpling dusk.

I will make it out of here.

We split off from our group and start different techniques. Selene tries stabbing the wall with makeshift ice picks that she channeled. Ramona is burning holes in the dirt and using them as foot holds. Gryphon is just plain punching the earth and muscling his massive hands into the cracks before hoisting himself up.

I press a hand into the cold, unforgiving wall. This challenge would be so easy for Atlys. He would simply charge through the land mass and be done with it. Hels, I don’t think any Underling would find this task challenging.

Then it hits me. That’s why the Commander probably chose this for our lesson in the first place. They know the Jord broke from the treaty, but do they know how?

Who he took.

Fury burns brightly in my soul, coursing from my heart to the tips of my fingers, where they glow with sunfyre. After a bit, the earth softens at my touch, and I wipe away the excess dirt to reveal a small hole in the wall.

I place my hand there and reach higher with my other, repeating the process. After what feels like an hour, sweat beads down the side of my face at the exertion of energy, depleting the Source within my wrist cuff where two sun stones glow a soft, golden light. From my peripherals, the rest of the class is well above me.

That’s okay. Eye on the course.

“Hey, Akemi!”

I turn toward my name.

Sabra’s smile shows all her teeth as she reaches an arm out in my direction. “Above you.”

Before I can cast a solaris shield, a blast of rocks tumbles down from above me. I pull myself in close to the wall. A rock smacks me in the temple, and I release my hold. The world pulses in and out of focus as I fall.

I gasp, rubbing my eyes. Stars dance across my vision like fireflies. No—

Those are the stars.

High above, the sky torments me through the circular gap in the tunnel of the Pit. Night has fallen, and unless I’m wrong, I’m the only cadet left in here.

Completely, and utterly alone.

Groaning, I roll to the side and push to a sitting position.

Something scampers across my fingers, and I scream.

“Nightmare!” I reach toward the insufferable furry little creature. “You scared me.”

His teal blue eyes blink innocently as he nuzzles his head against my hand.

“Are you here to watch me fail—ouch!” I shake my hand, attempting to relieve the spot where he nipped me. “Okay, I get it. Fine. You’re here to keep me company, aren’t you?”

He chirps.

I stand and wipe away a piece of hair from my eyes, matted with blood. I’ve been through worse, I remind myself. Much worse.

“Let’s start again, shall we?” I push back the gnawing of hopelessness, but it never quite leaves. My fear lurks in the shadows, waiting to strike. Nightmare keeps me company as I start anew.

Climbing higher and higher.

Hand up, burn, pull, foot up, reach, repeat.

Despite the chilled air, I work up a sweat. I haul myself up, and whenever I feel like giving up, Nightmare is there to nudge my elbow or chirp into my ear.

Pressure builds up behind my eyes with the strain. I want to scream at the pain, but I keep my focus, letting the tears stream down silently instead. My stomach rumbles with hunger, and I cannot help but feel so empty in this moment.