AN: Hello again, everyone! It's been far too long since I've written anything, I know but when life gets on top of you, it's sometimes best to take a step back and try not to overdo yourself. Now let's get on with the chapter.
Raven watched the four remaining warriors interact at the campsite. Or to put it more accurately, three of the warriors were interacting, the fourth - Scorbi - was glaring sourly at nothing. He still didn't know what to make of the moon warrior. There was a sense of darkness emanating from him that concerned the warlord. But there were more pressing matters to attend to.
"Warriors, as you know another of your number must face elimination today. Who that will be depends on you. Uper, you hold a narrow lead with five lives and six rings on your standard. Cessas, though you have just one life fewer, you are currently in last place. Your performance must improve if you wish to remain on this quest. Now our first challenge awaits. Follow me, warriors."
The group faithfully trundled after him as he led them to the outskirts of a forest. Leafy vines trailed from tree to tree and, after looking more carefully, the warriors could see rings dangling from th as well as skulls on some. Demons patrolled the area, moving back and forth, mainly around the vines with the skulls attached.
"This is Long Shadow Forest. We will only be safe once we reach the glade on the other side. Two of you will enter the forest and race to be the first to collect the final rings at the far side of this wood. However the wood demons will reduce any mortal who looks upon them to dust so for your own protection, you will be blindfolded. Cessas, Torip, you will go first."
The two warriors stepped forward as Raven took two leather blindfolds and wrapped them around their eyes, obscuring their vision completely. "Feel for your vines," he instructed and they did as they were told. "They are your lifelines. Should you let go of your vines at any point with both hands, the demons will be upon you in an instant. Beware also of false trails. These can be identified by the skull that dangles beneath the vines. If you fail to turn back in time, again you will fall victim to the demons. The first warrior to reach the glade will keep the rings they have won while the losing warrior will forfeit a life. Are you ready?"
Cessas and Torip nodded. "Then let the challenge begin!"
The two warriors began moving forwards, hands gripping their vines tightly. They appeared to be moving at a similar pace, both moving quite quickly. Cessas soon felt a ring dangling from her vine and pulled it off, holding onto it with a firm grip. Torip had also claimed his first ring but in his confusion, he started moving down a false trail. The demons swarmed, waiting to pounce on their unsuspecting victim. Luck was on his side, however, as he felt the skull in time and realized his error, moving back to the previous vine.
Cessas' confidence seemed to be growing with each step she took as she gathered a second ring. She was now quite far ahead of Torip who had unintentionally followed the same false trail as before. Again he managed to avoid passing the danger point but there was now no catching Cessas as she followed the last section of her vine to the tree where the two victory rings hung. She felt around the trunk of the tree until she felt the cool metal on her skin and pulled them into her hand, holding them aloft in triumph.
The sun and moon-clad warriors took their places at the starting point. "Scorbi, Uper, are you both ready to walk the dark path?" Raven received two nods in reply as the warriors gripped their vines. "Then let the challenge...begin!"
As soon as the go-ahead had been given, both warriors began to make their way along the vines at pace. They were both doing well and neither seemed uncomfortable at not being able to see. Scorbi appeared to be slightly ahead of Uper, claiming his first ring a second or two before him.
Uper accidentally missed the second ring but continued on, regardless, still keeping up with Scorbi who had managed to get his second ring. Unfortunately Uper's haste was about to cost him. As he made his way along the vines, he accidentally let go of the vine he was holding with both hands. Though he tried to grab it again, the demons were upon him in an instant and he disappeared in a flash of light.
By this point, Scorbi had reached the other side of the forest and grabbed the two victory rings. He joined Cessas and Torip by the standards close by, knowing that he was one step closer to winning back a life.
"Well, I see that most of you have escaped the forest. Place your rings on your standards," Raven instructed. "Cessas, you now have enough rings to win back a life. Well done." He raised his staff and restored a life to the cloud warrior's standard, leaving three rings behind. "Uper, however, was not quite as fortunate."
With a brandish of his staff, Uper was restored. "Uper, you also gathered gold. Place it on your standard," Raven told him. "You also have enough rings to exchange for a life." His staff was raised again and a life reappeared on the sun warrior's standard as the seven rings required disappeared. "However you let go of the vine, Uper and Torip, you lost the race. Both of you, therefore, must forfeit a life." There was one final flash of light as a life disappeared from the standards of the aforementioned warriors.
"Now our next challenge will test your inner fears. I hope you all have a head for heights. Follow me," Raven told the group as they headed away, the Long Shadow Forest firmly behind them.
"I found that challenge to be no issue at all. Having my vision obscured poses no challenge to the Lord of Darkness!" Scorbi said boldly. "I did expect more from the Lord of Light, however. Letting go of the vine is an expect I'd expect his childish Lords of Nature to make."
"For some reason, I ended up following the same vine repeatedly," Torip said, sounding more amused than disappointed. "I don't think being blindfolded agreed with me if I'm honest. I may be in last place now but by the end of the day, the positions could be quite different so I'm going to remain positive!"
Raven led the warriors to another forest, one that was familiar to them. "Warriors, I'm sure you remember the Leap of Faith. This challenge will test your courage to the fullest extent. You must climb to the platform on this tall tree and jump off, attempting to grab the rings as you float down to earth. There are a total of five rings to be earned here. However there has been a change of rules since our last visit. It is no longer compulsory to grab the rings to preserve your lives. As long as you successfully make the leap, your lives will be safe but if you refuse to jump or fall from the tree, you all know what the penalty will be. Now which of you will go first? Scorbi, you seem undaunted by the height of this challenge. You will go first."
The moon warrior stepped forward, confident smirk as always fixed on his face. "Are you ready?" Raven asked and received a curt nod by way of response. "Then let the challenge...begin!"
Scorbi began to climb up the tree. His strength allowed him to make light work of the climb and he soon made it to the platform. He straightened up and moved closer to the edge before jumping, intent on grabbing all five rings. However, though he managed to grab two rings in one hand, his reach fell short on the remaining three. It was enough to win him back a life and ensure he remained in the lead so he supposed he ought not to complain.
"Cessas, you have shown in previous challenges that heights hold no fear for you. Will you be able to claim the maximum reward here? We will soon find out. Are you ready?" The cloud warrior nodded to him. "Then let the challenge...begin!"
The female warrior was confident and agile as she climbed up the tree. The dizzying height didn't seem to be bothering her one bit as she pulled herself onto the platform and observed the rings. She knew she wouldn't be able to reach the three rings so she decided to settle with going for two. She made her leap and couldn't help but joyfully exclaim when she felt the two rings she had been aiming to get in her hand.
"Uper, so far, no warrior has been able to claim the three rings. Will you? Are you ready? Then let the challenge...begin!"
The challenge proved to be no issue for the sun-bearing warrior as he climbed steadily up the trunk. Like Scorbi, his strength served him well and allowed him to make it up to the platform in no time at all. He stood up, knowing that hesitating too long would allow doubt to crawl into his mind. Fixing his gaze on the rings, he made a powerful leap and managed to grab three of the rings successfully.
"Torip, all your fellow warriors have succeeded in making the leap. If you fail, you will fall further behind. Are you ready?" The blonde warrior nodded enthusiastically. "Then let the challenge... begin!"
The wave warrior climbed up the tree with the same agility that he had shown in the water. He made it to the platform and, without hesitation, made a huge leap, managing to grab three rings. His fingers brushed against the other two but he didn't have the time to try and grab them as well.
Raven walked past the warriors, now grouped together by their standards. "I am impressed, warriors. You all made the leap and have all taken gold rings. Place them on your standards." As the warriors did this, he noticed that the moon clad warrior was now in possession of at least seven rings. "Scorbi, you now have enough rings to win back another life." He raised his staff and in a flash of light, a life reappeared on Scorbi's standard. A single ring now dangled from the bottom.
"Our next challenge will take place at the Wizard's Tower and is for our leading warrior to face. Scorbi, that is you. You will need to choose a fellow warrior to assist you, though. I suggest thinking about it as we travel there."
"I needed to get as many rings as I could so I had a better chance of catching up with the others," Torip stated, cheerful as always. "I came so close to getting all five but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. At least I only need one ring to win back a life now."
"This challenge posed no difficulty for me. I have maintained my lead, though I am disappointed that I was only able to collect two of the rings. I can do better." Scorbi stated.
The shadow of the Wizard's Tower loomed over the warriors as they gathered outside the door leading into it. Raven eyed the building before turning to address the assembled group. "We find ourselves once again outside the Wizard's Tower. One of you must enter the tower and partake in the challenge within. Scorbi, as you are our current leader, that warrior is you. But you will need a companion to assist you? Who have you chosen?"
Scorbi looked at the three warriors standing with him. In his opinion, it wasn't much of a choice. He either had to lower himself to taking orders from the Lord of Light or, Gorm forbid, taking orders from one of the Brats of Nature. Neither option sounded particularly appealing to him but he had to choose someone.
After a few moments of silence, he raised a hand and pointed at Cessas. To the female warrior's credit, she masked her surprise at having been chosen quite well. Raven instructed the two warriors to follow him inside the tower.
Once they were outside the chamber, Raven introduced the challenge to them the same way he had done for Torip and Itir only a day previously.
"Yesterday your fellow warriors failed this challenge. How will you fare? Are you prepared?" Both warriors nodded to him. "Then enter the lair...of the Thrall Demons!"
Scorbi entered the chamber when the door swung open, his sight now obscured completely by the blindfold. After the door had closed again, Cessas stepped up so she could see through the door hatch.
"Okay, take two steps forward and then turn about ninety degrees to your right," she instructed as the moon warrior followed her guidance. "Keep walking forward, now, slowly. Alright, stop there. A thread's above your head so crouch down while moving forward. I'll tell you when to stand up again."
True to her word, as soon as Cessas saw that Scorbi was clear of the thread, she told him to stand up straight. A few more paces forward and the first ring was in their grasp.
"Now turn ninety degrees to your right again and take three steps forward. In front of you is a rope that's quite low and you're going to need to step over it. Lift your right foot up - you can lean on the wall if you need to - and step over, then do the same with your other foot."
Scorbi then moved forward a couple of steps before turning until Cessas told him to stop. He then crouched down to avoid another overhead thread. He then reached up and grabbed the second ring without an issue. They were now approaching the part of the challenge where, unknown to them, Torip and Itir had failed.
"This is going to be a little tricky. There's a rope above your head so you'll need to crouch down again but there's also another rope to step over. It's running diagonally in front of you but it's still low like the first one. So be careful as you're stepping over the thread. Yes, that's it, you're over."
Cessas eyed the last obstacle between them and victory - a rectangular golden frame with bells attached to the top and bottom of it. She knew that if her instructions were not clear and specific enough, the challenge would end in failure.
"We just have to get through the frame now. It's going to be similar to what we did before, alright. Keep your head down no matter what and lift your leg high. That's it, you're halfway through but don't rush it. Carefully bring your other leg through and you're clear! The third ring is - oh, you just hit with your arm! Yes, you've got it! Well done!"
In a flash of light, Scorbi found himself back outside the chamber. He registered quickly that the blindfold had been removed as he saw the three rings gripped tightly in his hand. He followed Cessas back outside and they joined the others by their standards.
"This challenge is not easy to complete successfully, Scorbi, but you were able to gather all three rings. But you couldn't have acheived this feat without Cessas. Has her helped earned her any reward?"
Raven prided himself on being one who remained cool and levelheaded at all times but even he was surprised when the moon warrior gruffly handed all three of the rings to Cessas who took them numbly, her eyes wide with shock that she was unable to mask.
"Cessas," he stated, recovering from Scorbi's out-of-character moment. "Thanks to Scorbi's generosity, you now have enough rings to exchange for a life."
Raven raised his staff and restored another life to the cloud warrior's standard. She was now equal on lives and rings with Scorbi. "Our next challenge will pit you against each other once again. Follow me and I will take you to a nest...a very important nest."
"I wasn't sure if picking Cessas was the right choice but her help was adequate enough that I was able to successfully complete the challenge. Giving her all three rings was a conscious choice. If one of those brats has to make it through to the next day, I'd rather it be her than the Lord of Water. Something about him rubs me the wrong way," Scorbi stated.
"I'll admit, I was shocked when Scorbi picked me to guide him," Cessas said. "It was a lot of pressure but I managed to do it and I was even more shocked when he gave me all the rings. I would have thought he'd want to strengthen his lead because now we're in joint first place."
Raven led the warriors to a tree. Attached to it was a large ladder made from wood and rope, with leaves covering the sides. At the top of it was a nest which the warriors assumed to be the important nest Raven had mentioned before.
"Warriors, you will notice that this nest is far too poorly built to belong to a raven. Just who does this nest belong to? Two of you will race up the ladder, collecting the rings along the way if you so wish. The first warrior to claim the victory ring from inside the nest will be triumphant. The losing warrior will forfeit a life as will any warrior who loses their grip and falls. Torip, Uper, you will go first."
The wave and sun warriors stepped forward so they were standing in front of the ladder. "A word of warning, my friends. This nest belongs to a dragon and our scaly friend will not appreciate intruders in her nest when she returns so I suggest you move quickly. Are you ready? Then let the challenge...begin!"
Both warriors began to climb up the ladder quickly. They were evenly matched in speed but Torip's superior agility allowed him to maintain a slight lead. When he gathered a ring, Uper was only a second or two behind him in collecting one himself. As they continued to pull themselves up the ladder, there was almost nothing between them as they each gathered a second ring.
Torip spurred himself on, swinging himself up onto the last rung and reached his hand into the nest, aware that Uper was very close to him and could easily snatch victory from under his nose. He felt the coolness of metal and gripped the ring tightly as he held it up in triumph. It looked like he was going to live to fight another day.
"Cessas, Scorbi, though you worked together in Thrall Demons, here you will race against one another. Are you ready? Then let the challenge...begin!"
The two warriors began to climb, using very different techniques. Scorbi was tall enough that he could simply climb from one rung to the next while Cessas, who was shorter in stature, had to hook her leg around the rung above her and pull herself onto it with her arms clinging firmly 9nt9 the side of the ladder. This technique served her well as she was currently ahead of Scorbi by a little way. She saw the first ring dangling from the ladder and grabbed it before pressing on, knowing that her opponent would willingly capitalise on any hesitation.
The race continued with both warriors continuing to pull themselves up the ladder. Scorbi collected his second ring, with Cessas having done the same about two seconds earlier. He could see that she was getting closer and closer to the nest. He couldn't allow that to happen! He couldn't lose the lead he'd worked so hard to regain (he ignored the niggling voice in his head that reminded him that he had only reclaimed first place because the idiotic Lord of Water had smacked headfirst into a bell in that Thrall Demons challenge).
He decided to climb even faster. There was no way he was going to allow himself to be beaten. Unfortunately, for him, his haste would prove to be his undoing. As he moved to pull himself up onto the second-to-last rung, his hand slipped and before he could react, he fell from the ladder, disappearing in a flash of blue light.
Cessas, by this point, had reached the nest and was feeling around inside it for the ring so she didn't even notice what had happened to Scorbi. She finally found the ring and held it up. She smiled widely, feeling at home high up off the ground and was almost disappointed when she was brought back down to solid earth to join Torip and Uper by the standards.
"Torip, Cessas, you climbed faster than your opponents and have claimed the rewards. Uper, you, too, took gold rings. Place them on your standards." The warriors did as they were told and Torip couldn't help the grin on his face as Raven spoke again, "Torip, you now have enough rings to exchange for a life. Well done." One flash of light later and Torip's wave standard now had one life greater than before, two rings left over.
"Scorbi's haste cost him dearly. He is lucky that Raven has the power to restore him." The Staff of Power was raised and a disgruntled Scorbi rematerialized in a flash of light. "Scorbi, you also collected gold rings. Place them on your standard." When this was done, Raven continued, "However you fell from the ladder so, along with Uper who lost the race, you must lose a life."
The sun and moon warriors watched silently as a life was taken from their standards. "The sun is almost down and there is still one more challenge for us to face and, for one of you, it will be your last."
"I completely squandered my opportunity to increase my lead by falling in that challenge and now I am in second place with only one ring separating myself and third place," Scorbi said, sounding disgusted at the very prospect.
"I should be disappointed that I lost since I am now in last place but it was very close and either one of myself or Torip could have won. There was barely a second between us and, as odd as it sounds to say it, I'm rather looking forward to the opportunity to take on Way of the Warrior once more," Uper admitted.
The group soon arrived at the arena where Way of the Warrior took place. Raven turned to talk to them, knowing that the group would soon be one fewer.
"Warriors, as you are aware, we cannot leave here until one of you has tried and failed to pass through the portal. Uper, though you started today in first place, failure in Dark Path and Dragon's Roost mean that it is you who is fated to face this challenge. However, as difficult as the Way of the Warrior may be, if you succeed in reaching the portal, you will continue on to the final day of the quest. This grim task will then fall upon you, Torip, as you are in next to last place."
Uper stepped up to the entrance clad in the leather armour. "Are you ready to face your destiny?" Raven asked, receiving a nod in reply. Uper appeared calm about the challenge ahead of him. "Then may the luck of the Raven's Eye be with you! Let the challenge...begin!"
Uper crawled through the entrance and easily batted aside the swinging dummies. Though he didn't like to judge, he'd find it highly unlikely that any warrior would be taken out by that particular obstacle. As he made his way down the path, he registered rocks falling down on him but that wasn't enough to break his focus. He was determined to do his best here, even complete the challenge if he could. After all, he had seen for himself that it was possible...
He was now approaching the boulder carousel. He waited to ready himself and make sure he was not unsteady on his feet before moving forward and around the path, using his arms to block the relentless assault from the swinging boulders.
When he had finally passed the last boulder, he stepped onto the balance beam, the obstacle that had put an end to Itir's quest the day before. He shifted carefully along, ducking to avoid the boulder that raised and lowered itself before leaning forward, hand stretched out, to grab a skull attached to a rope. He pulled it back before releasing it, causing it to hit a red button with a dull gong-like sound.
Now that the drawbridge had been lowered, Uper could step over it and soon he came face to face with one of the more dreaded obstacles of the entire challenge - the shields. He managed to bypass the first shield quite easily but, while attempting to pass the second, the edge of the shield knocked him, causing him to wobble precariously and he came dangerously close to falling off the path. His balance held, somehow, and he was able to pass the remaining shields without issue.
He eyed the next obstacle - the swinging barrel - with a bit of trepidation, knowing that to touch the ground or the barrel itself would mean instant elimination. He mounted the ropes carefully, opting to take the head first, front first approach. He pulled himself along the ropes, listening for the sounds of the barrel swinging over him and watching the floor below him to make sure he didn't slip.
Soon he was pulling himself over the other side. He straightened up and saw that he only had the axes to go. The portal was now in sight, glimmering tantalizingly, just out of reach. He darted between one axe then another. He had to be careful now, he mused to himself. One mistake could cost him everything.
Unfortunately this moment's hesitation at the wrong time caused him to be a little too slow when moving forward and he was struck by the second to last axe. The last thing he saw before he was enveloped in blue light was the portal, glimmering at him as though it was taunting him.
Raven raised his staff and the sun warrior appeared by his standard in a flash of light. "Uper, despite a monumental performance, you will not be competing with us on the final day of the quest. You have proved to be a noble and gallant warrior and have succeeded in many endeavours. Go now, and leave this place with your head held high...warrior.
Uper walked through the now open gates, still as composed as he had been upon entering the arena.
"It is disappointing not to have completed Way of the Warrior and yet have come so close but I am proud of what I did achieve and I hope to do well on any future quests."
Raven turned to the three remaining warriors. "My friends, let us return to camp. Tomorrow will be quite the day for you." He turned and led the way, glad none of the warriors could see the frown on his face. He knew they had proved themselves in many ways but were they really ready for that? To face...him?
He supposed he had until the end of tomorrow to find out.
End of Day Positions
1st - Cessas - 6 lives 4 rings
2nd - Scorbi - 5 lives 3 rings
3rd - Torip - 5 lives 2 rings
4th - Uper - 4 lives 5 rings - ELIMINATED
Next Time
Will the warriors be able to defeat the Fire Demon once more?
Will they have the courage for High Walk?
Which of their number will have to face the dreaded Way of the Warrior?
And which warrior will pass through the portal first in the final challenge?