The Luna Trials

Episode 20

The shore of the lake was a mess of exhausted contestants and waterlogged gear. I stood apart, wringing water from my clothes and trying to ignore the way Fiona and Leo kept glancing in my direction. Their expectant looks made my skin crawl. I didn't ask for this. I didn't want their trust or their loyalty.

"Attention, warriors!" The drone's emotionless voice cut through the air. "Proceed to the central clearing for your next instructions."

Great. Because we hadn't been through enough already.

As we trudged through the forest, I kept my distance from Fiona and Leo. But I couldn't help noticing how other contestants were eyeing us. Word of our lake crossing must have spread. We were a threat now. The thought should have pleased me, but instead, it just added to the uneasy weight in my gut.

The clearing was packed by the time we arrived. General Thorne stood on a raised platform, his scarred face twisted in what passed for a smile. Next to him stood a woman I didn't recognize, her sleek blonde hair and crisp uniform a stark contrast to our bedraggled state.

"Congratulations on surviving the lake," Thorne's voice boomed. "You've proven yourselves worthy of the next phase of training."

The blonde woman stepped forward. "I'm Captain Selly," she announced, her voice syrupy sweet but with an undercurrent of steel. "I'll be overseeing your combat training from now on."

My eyes narrowed. Something about her set my teeth on edge.

"You'll be divided into pairs," Selly continued. "Your partner will be your sparring mate, your confidant, and potentially, your greatest rival. Choose wisely."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. I scanned the faces around me, weighing my options. That's when I spotted him – a tall, muscular guy with a shock of dark hair. He stood slightly apart from the others, his green eyes sharp and assessing. This was someone who knew how to handle himself.

Before I could move, Fiona appeared at my side. "Partners?" she asked, that insufferable grin still in place.

I opened my mouth to refuse, but Selly's voice cut me off. "You have thirty seconds to choose. Anyone left unpaired will be eliminated."

Damn it. I didn't have time for this.

"Fine," I growled at Fiona. "But don't expect me to go easy on you."

Her grin widened. "Wouldn't dream of it, partner."

As the pairs formed around us, I caught sight of Leo. He was standing next to the dark-haired guy I'd noticed earlier, looking both nervous and excited. At least the kid had some survival instincts.

"Excellent," Selly purred once everyone was paired up. "Now, let's see what you're made of. You have one hour to prepare. Then, we fight."

The clearing erupted into chaos as people scrambled to find training spaces. I grabbed Fiona's arm and dragged her to a secluded spot at the edge of the trees.

"Listen up," I hissed. "I don't know what game you're playing, but let's get one thing straight. This partnership? It's temporary. Got it?"

Fiona's smile never wavered. "Crystal clear, MaryJane. Now, shall we warm up?"

The next hour was a blur of punches, kicks, and takedowns. I had to admit, Fiona was good. Her perpetual cheerfulness masked a fierce determination and a surprisingly vicious right hook. By the time Selly called us back, we were both bruised and breathing hard.

The fights were brutal. Pairs faced off in a makeshift ring, going at it until one person yielded or was knocked out. I watched carefully, cataloging strengths and weaknesses. Leo surprised me, holding his own against his much larger partner. The kid had heart, I'd give him that.

When our turn came, Fiona and I stepped into the ring. For a moment, we circled each other warily. Then, with a nod, we exploded into action.

It was like dancing with a hurricane. Fiona's moves were unpredictable, her endless optimism translating into a refusal to stay down. But I had years of hard-won experience on my side. For every hit she landed, I returned two.

In the end, it came down to stamina. As Fiona's movements slowed, I saw my opening. A sweep of the leg, a hard shove, and suddenly she was on her back, my forearm pressed against her throat.

"Yield," I growled.

For a moment, I thought she might keep fighting. Then, to my surprise, she tapped out with a laugh. "Well played, partner," she gasped as I helped her up.

I turned to find Selly watching us, an odd glint in her eye. "Impressive," she murmured. "You two work well together."

Before I could respond, a commotion broke out on the other side of the clearing. Leo's partner – I'd heard someone call him Harry – was on his knees, clutching his head. Leo hovered nearby, looking panicked.

"I don't know what happened," he was saying as we approached. "We were just sparring, and then he just... collapsed."

Selly pushed through the crowd, kneeling beside Harry. "It's alright," she said soothingly. "You're just overtired. Come with me, we'll get you looked at."

As she led Harry away, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The vacant look in Harry's eyes, the way Selly's fingers lingered on his temples... it all felt wrong.

"Alright, show's over," Thorne barked. "Hit the showers and get some rest. Training resumes at dawn."

As the crowd dispersed, I grabbed Leo's arm. "What happened out there?" I demanded.

He shook his head, looking bewildered. "I'm not sure. One minute we were fighting, the next... it was like he just checked out. And did you see the way Selly looked at him? It was... weird."

I nodded, my mind racing. "Keep your eyes open," I told him. "Something's not right here."

That night, as I lay in my bunk, sleep eluded me. The events of the day played on repeat in my mind. The lake crossing, the fights, Harry's collapse... and through it all, the nagging sense that I was missing something important.

I thought of Fiona, her unwavering smile hiding a strength I hadn't expected. Of Leo, no longer the bumbling kid but a fighter in his own right. And of Harry, his eyes vacant as Selly led him away.

Pieces of a puzzle I couldn't quite solve yet. But one thing was clear – this game was far more dangerous than any of us had realized. And if I wanted to survive, I needed to start playing smarter.

As dawn broke, I made a decision. I'd keep Fiona and Leo close, for now. Not as friends – I couldn't afford friends in this place. But as allies. We'd watch each other's backs, gather information, and maybe, just maybe, figure out what the hell was really going on here.

Because one thing was certain – this was no longer just about winning. It was about surviving. And I'd be damned if I let anyone take me out of this game before I was ready.

With that thought, I got up and started my usual stretching routine. Whatever today's trial brought, I'd be ready for it. And woe betide anyone who got in my way.