The Luna Trials

Episode 5

The sun slowly rose above the horizon, casting pink and orange hues across the sky. I was in the midst of the other competitors, my heart beating loudly in my chest. Tension filled the air as everyone watched each other cautiously. I breathed deeply, attempting to relax myself.

Jake gave my shoulder a light push. "Mary, you can do it," he murmured, his voice calm and comforting.

I gave a nod, appreciative of his backing. "Thank you. "You as well."

Maria was positioned on my opposite side, her expression displaying firm resolve. "Keep in mind our training," she reminded, her gaze moving over the crowd.

I glanced around, observing the expressions of our rivals. Some were frightened, while others were self-assured. I saw Selly near the front, wearing a smug smile. I squeezed my hands tightly, suppressing the rising anger within me.

Queen Luna's voice broke through the whispers, quieting the room. "Soldiers," she shouted, her voice majestic and authoritative. "Your initial attempt starts at this moment."

I held my breath as she described the task. We had to find our way through a complex structure similar to a maze with no light. The Queen's warning resounded in my thoughts: "Watch out for snares, barriers, and rival participants. Have faith in yourself and rely on no one else.

While waiting in line at the entrance, I saw Harry observing us from a balcony overhead. I glanced into his eyes briefly before turning away, feeling a jumble of emotions in response to his presence.

Upon my turn, I inhaled deeply and entered the darkness. After I entered, the doorway closed, enveloping me in darkness so dense it seemed tangibly real. I blinked quickly, attempting to adapt, but it was futile. There was no light available for adaptation.

I held my breath, every muscle in my body tense. The footsteps stopped, so close I could almost feel the presence of another person. For a long moment, nothing happened. Then, without warning, something swung through the air towards me.

I ducked instinctively, feeling the whoosh of air above my head. Adrenaline surged through me as I lashed out with my fist, connecting with something solid. There was a grunt of pain, and I didn't hesitate. I pushed forward, tackling my unseen attacker.

We grappled in the darkness, a confusing tangle of limbs and blows. I caught an elbow to the ribs that left me gasping, but managed to land a solid punch to what felt like a jaw. The fight was brutal and disorienting, my world narrowed down to touch and sound and the metallic taste of blood in my mouth.

Finally, I got the upper hand, pinning my opponent to the ground. They struggled for a moment, then went limp. I waited, breathing hard, but they didn't move again. Shakily, I got to my feet, my whole body trembling with leftover adrenaline.

I stood there for a moment, trying to catch my breath and get my bearings. The fight had left me turned around, and I wasn't sure which direction I'd been heading before. Picking a direction at random, I started moving again, this time with one hand always on the wall to guide me.

As I made my way through the maze, I started to develop a system for detecting traps. I remembered Miss Nelly's harsh lessons, her voice echoing in my head: "Use your senses, girl! The world will try to kill you at every turn. Learn to see the danger before it sees you."

I shuddered at the memory of being thrown into pit after pit, forced to climb out or drown. But those cruel lessons had taught me well. I used my feet to feel for trip wires or pressure plates, my hands to check for hidden mechanisms in the walls.

Despite my caution, I almost fell victim to a nasty trap. As I turned a corner, my foot slipped on something slick. I windmilled my arms, barely catching myself before I fell into what felt like a pit of sharpened stakes. My heart pounded as I carefully edged around it, grateful for my quick reflexes.

With each obstacle I overcame, I felt my confidence growing. The darkness was still oppressive, but it no longer felt like an enemy. Instead, it was a tool I could use to my advantage.

After what felt like hours of navigating twists and turns, I sensed a change in the air. It felt fresher, somehow, and I dared to hope I was nearing the exit. But as I rounded another corner, I hit a dead end.

My hands explored the wall in front of me, finding smooth stone carved with intricate patterns. It had to be the exit, but how to open it? I traced the patterns, trying to make sense of them in the darkness.

It was a puzzle, I realized. A complex series of grooves and indentations that needed to be manipulated in the right order. I bit my lip, doubt creeping in. What if I couldn't solve it? What if I was trapped here forever?

I shook my head, pushing the thoughts away. No, I couldn't give up now. I'd come too far, survived too much. Taking a deep breath, I focused all my concentration on the puzzle before me.

Slowly, methodically, I worked through the patterns. It was frustrating work, having to rely solely on touch, but I forced myself to be patient. Each small click as a piece fell into place spurred me on.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, there was a loud grinding sound. The wall in front of me began to move, and suddenly, light flooded in. I squinted, shielding my eyes against the sudden brightness.

I stumbled out of the maze, blinking rapidly as my eyes adjusted. The relief I felt was overwhelming, my legs shaky beneath me. As my vision cleared, I saw other contestants milling about, some looking as battered as I felt, others still emerging from other exits.

Officials were moving through the crowd, checking on people and taking notes. I caught sight of Jake and Maria, both looking worse for wear but alive. We shared a nod of acknowledgment, too exhausted for more.

As I stood there, catching my breath, a familiar voice spoke from behind me. "Impressive performance, MaryJane."

I turned to find Harry standing there, his blue eyes intense as they met mine. For a moment, I was caught off guard by how handsome he looked, his dark hair tousled and a slight smile on his lips. Then I remembered who he was, what his family had done to mine.

"Thanks," I said coolly, trying to ignore the way my heart sped up at his proximity.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You've changed a lot since we were kids. But I'd recognize that determination anywhere."

I stiffened, unsure how to respond. Part of me wanted to lash out, to remind him of everything I'd lost. Another part, a part I didn't want to acknowledge, was drawn to him in a way I couldn't explain.

Before I could say anything, Selly appeared at Harry's side, latching onto his arm. She gave me a saccharine smile. "Oh, you made it out! How... lucky."

I saw Harry's expression change, becoming guarded. He glanced between Selly and me, something unreadable in his eyes.

"Luck had nothing to do with it," I said flatly, meeting Selly's gaze head-on.

For a moment, tension crackled between us. Then Harry cleared his throat. "We should go, Selly. There's still more of the trial to oversee."

As they walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something important. The way Harry had looked at me, the undercurrent of... something in his voice. It left me unsettled, questioning everything I thought I knew.

I watched them go, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. This was just the first trial, I reminded myself. There would be more challenges ahead, more chances to prove myself. And maybe, just maybe, a chance to uncover the truth about what really happened to my parents.

With a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and turned to face whatever came next. I was here for a reason, and nothing - not Selly, not Harry, not any amount of danger - was going to stand in my way.