Chapter 68: The Lustro's Enigma───── ❝ K I L L I A N W I L D E ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║The cold white walls felt like they were closing in as they greeted me first as I slowly opened my eyes. The blurry shapes in the room came into focus after what felt like an eternity, my eyes adjusting to the dim fluorescent lights that cast shadows in every corner."Ah, damn this," I cursed as my body ached from the hard metal slab this wicked school called a bed. Every joint protested as I forced myself to sit up, my muscles stiff and sore from the unrelenting discomfort. The thin blanket provided no warmth, only adding to the frigid atmosphere that seeped into my bones.The silence was deafening, only pierced by the buzz of the flickering lights above. No sound came from beyond these walls, no comforting noises of life or activity. It was as if I existed in a vacuum, isolated and alone. My stomach churned from the lack of fo
Chapter 69: Blazing Fire ───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ──── ║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║ ║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║ The rickety rope bridge swayed precariously, stretching across the chasm's gaping maw. The wooden slats were worn and weathered, barely wide enough for one person to stand upon. I spoke up first, my voice wavering as I warned cautiously onto the bridge, grasping the side ropes for support. My tone was anxious and unsettled. "This bridge is barely wide enough for one person. So, one of our tactics is that we must cross in single file," Beatrice responded nervously from the shore, peering at the dilapidated bridge with trepidation evident in her quavering voice. "How do we know it will hold our weight?" Serene replied grimly in a matter-of-fact yet ominous tone, her voice betraying no fear but rather cold resolve. "We don't," she stated plainly. "But we have no choice. Stay close behind each other and move quickly. That's all we can d
Chapter 70: Frigid Waters───── ❝ K I L L I A N W I L D E ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║The metal door towered over us, rising high into the gloom of the cavernous chamber that had lain undisturbed for centuries. It stretched the width of the cave, bolted firmly shut with bands of rusted iron fasteners that had long since seized in place. Not a single handle or keyhole marred its face, nothing that would suggest a normal means of opening. The only object attached was a strange rotating mechanism made of interlocking brass gears and iron rods, fixed to the door at head height. It appeared to be some kind of puzzle lock, the solution to which would allow the door to slide open on ancient mechanisms within the stone walls.As we studied the puzzle, I could almost feel unseen eyes watching from the darkness, hungry for those who would dare disturb this place. This lock was our only way forward, but it may also be our doom.
Chapter 71: Midday Mile───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║I glanced at the others, and there I saw that their faces were grim and set with determination, but behind their eyes I saw the same fear that filled my own heart. We had come so far already, completing challenges that had broken stronger teams. But this latest obstacle had extracted a terrible cost. The forest path seemed to stretch on forever, winding through the dense woods. No one spoke as we marched along the narrow dirt trail. The horror of losing Olivia to the pit of fire and snakes still weighed heavy on our minds. I could feel it pressing down on my shoulders, making each step harder than the last.Yet, I keep my eyes on the path, not wanting to see the faces of my remaining teammates anymore, as their eyes would show the same dread I feel inside — the guilt of surviving when Haley did not. We should have tried harder to save her,
Chapter 72: Hold On Tight───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────║ Gregorian Calendar ║ 02 - 28 - 2027 ║║ Sunday║ Third Day of Olympia's Cup║— Lap 1 —The first obstacle looms ahead - Doom of Spikes. I grip the steering wheel tightly, narrowing my focus to the treacherous track unfurling before me. I swerve to avoid the first jagged metal spikes jutting from the dirt course, feeling the tires scrape perilously close.I weave through the forest of twisting spikes, adrenaline pumping with each near miss. The other racers are struggling, tires bursting and cars crunching against the metal teeth. I push my vehicle faster, racing ahead of the pack. A huge pit of spikes suddenly rises in my path and I hold my breath, yanking the steering wheel hard to the left. My car spins out, tires squealing as I drift barely an inch from the deadly obstacle.The course hammers my vehicle as I barrel through the lap, more spikes emerging from the dirt without warning. My concentration is razor-sha
Chapter 1: "Save Me,"───── ❝ T H I R D P E R S O N ' S P O V ❞ ─────"Fuck off, you bastards!"With her crimson hands grappling on the steering wheel, Ruby silently cursed while glancing at her rear view mirror. Her bloodshot orbs was now wide opened, tears dangerously dangling within its edges. Her once enchanting face had bruised all over, and her whole body were tremendously shaking.A look of 'I'm pissed' was in her attitude, but above all... she's actually terrified."Shit, shit, shit... " She ironically breathed, promptly glancing up to the dark sky. Without awareness of the road, her car moved over the highway, yet on her tail, two cars was persistently chasing up, their lights on full beam. She watched how the yellowed, yet bright light played in the droplets, showing this deluge, this flood from the sky, in apparently solitary drops.The rain began to fall. Slow, at first, but then it steadily became faster and heavier, thus stirring typhoons in her heart and head.With tho
Chapter 2: Welcome to Wonderland───── ❝R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V❞ ────As if thousand of needles pricked my throat, I woke up startled. My breathing came into my consciousness and it sounded like I just suddenly emerged from a tidal wave. I automatically sat up as alertness from sleeping in open spaces kicked in. But a quick roam of my eyes told me I wasn't in the same cold, crimson place earlier- the academy's gate.I blinked my eyes a couple of times, feeling more awake now that I was out of the confined space of my nightmares. I could feel the coldness of the room seeping through my clothes, but I ignored it, instead I focused on my surroundings.If I remembered it right, I was just in the forest, just outside the academy's gates. But now, the place I am lurking was undeniably far from what I had expected.The bed where I lay was soft and warm, clean velvet walls surrounded me. From the ceiling, several crystal chandeliers dangled above the rectangular room with intricate car
Chapter 3: "Warning,"───── ❝ R U B Y F R I D A Y ' S P O V ❞ ────The most ironic thing about your first impression of me—I looked like, 'butter would melt.'Elders at my hometown always goes around saying that I had the most beautiful, angelic features, and an air of innocence that made me seem like the kind of person who would always be happy, giddy, and bubbly—a person that will brought glee. But as they got to know me, they would slowly realized that I am anything but innocent. I have a dark side. I have a sordid past. I have a history of all things miserable and morbid.I was born into a world of light, but my past is one of the darkness. I keep it hidden from everyone, and even buried in the deepest depths of myself, because I don't want them to see the mess I've become. It's not because I care, it's because... I simply don't."You are fiercely intelligent and have a sharp tongue that can cut like a knife, Ruby." That's how my adoptive deceased grandmother describe me. I don't k