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“Wait,” I urge. “We need to stay in twos.”
“Why?” Kali questions.
“It’s easy for us to get separated, especially when we get to that forest part. By moving in twos, we’re each a unit that has each other’s back. If one falls behind, their designated partner helps them out. It’ll also make battling and ambushes easier,” I explain. “The entry exam needed us to rely on partners, and despite the end of that challenge, our roommates were chosen based on our overall performance, so I think teamwork is important at N.M.U.”
“Ophelia has a point,” Asher agrees and looks at Hades.
“I’ll take Azrael,” Hades declares.
“Then I’m with Sweet Cruella,” Asher says without a miss of a beat.
“Kali?” Blair offers. “I’ll work hard to not get in your way.”
I notice the way Kali begins to blush.
“Wh-Whatever,” he grumbles but briefly looks my way. “Since I promised not to be a hindrance, I’ll go along with it.”
“Appreciated,” I declare and look at all of us. “Alright. Let’s move.”
We swiftly make our way through the field of dead bodies. It’s a challenge in itself, as I see many familiar faces from this morning’s class.
Two of Josh’s friends are among the dead, igniting an eerie heaviness in my heart. One would feel sorry for them, but I’m unsure if dying during N.M.U. trials is a better outcome than dying on the battlefield during a fae war.
It’s known that the dead don’t move on when they die on the battlefield in both Nephilim and Malevolence, which some say is where the curse really lies because their souls are used during The Wild Hunt.
Summoned against their will and used to unleash their anger on those racing to survive the wrath until the Hour of Victory has shone golden light across the lands.
Running toward the red pillar is a lot easier than I originally expected, but I don’t let my guard down as Asher keeps my pace.
“You okay, Ophelia?”
I slow down just a tad to acknowledge Asher’s concerned expression.
“Yes.” I try to smile. “Just a little winded. Been a while since I’ve done a 5k marathon with death potentially knocking at our door.”
He smirks. “You get used to it,” he assures me and reaches for my hand. Squeezing it gently, he glances over his shoulder to see if the others are keeping up.
I follow his movement, noticing Hades and Azrael aren’t too far behind. They’re winded as I am, but their pace is similarly timed to Asher’s and mine, which makes things manageable, despite our lungs feeling as if they’re on fire.
“Where’s Blair and Kali?” I have to ask because I can’t see them.
Like at all.
We haven’t reached the forest section yet. This place is mostly black bushes with dead leaves and bodies.
Asher frowns and comes to a slow stop as I do.
Hades and Azrael notice our pause and look behind us to confirm they don’t see our two comrades.
Asher and I run back to regroup with Azrael and Hades.
“Where are they?” Azrael questions the moment we reach them. “They were just behind us. Blair was humming so Kali wouldn’t feel like he was dying with his short legs.”
“We’re the same height,” I point out, trying to distract myself from my internal panic. I don’t feel like there’s danger nearing us, but not seeing either of them is a problem. “Let me run a bit back and see?”
“No.” The three of them declare.
I roll my eyes.
