Cordial Competition

Sigh this took me way too fcking long. Sorry. In the last months, I didn't find much motivation to continue and in the last weeks, this chapter just kept growing. For the record, I usually only do 2000 to 3000-word chapters. This is 4500 and I cut already 2000 extra words from it so yeah. This took a while.

Ana collapsed onto her knee. She held onto the pommel of her sword to support herself. Her breath came in short rapid successions. Her heartbeat thumped in her eardrums. Her chest felt close to bursting. Her heart pounded hard against her chest.

Her muscles constricted. She felt a burning sensation at her side. Automatically her hand moved towards it. She hissed. Her hand snapped away. Yeah, that hadn't been a brilliant idea.

She looked down upon her hand. It had become damp.

She narrowed her brows.

Her hand was covered in blood.

"Tch!"

"That was way too close."

Her eyes strayed from her hand. They wandered across the hall to the body laying there. Her opponent lay motionless on the ground. Her sword flung to the far side of the hall. She was a girl her age from one of the direct lines. Blood started to pool around her form.

"The trial is finished! Ana Arie is the victor!" A priest bellowed from the sideline.

Ana's buckling knees gave way. She finally let exhaustion take her. She fell on her butt and from there, her back hit the ground. Her sword slipped out of her grasp tumbling to the floor.

With her back pressed onto the cold floor, her eyes inspected the great white ceiling in front of her.

She let out a deep sigh.

The adrenaline inside her body now started to fade. Slowly she could feel the heavyweight of her muscles wearing her down. Despite the toll, the fight had taken a small warmth spread through her beaten body. A small smile danced upon her lips.

However, the smile dropped when a shadow obscured her vision. Ana kept her eyes on the ceiling. She refused to acknowledge the old man's presence just yet.

He stared at her with raised eyebrows. After a moment of silently staring, he spoke up. "Enjoying your victory, Milady?" He commented that fleeting ghost of a smirk accompanying his words.

Ana didn't answer him. The only indication upon her face that she heard him was the slight twitch of her brow. The priest's lips twitches though his expression remained unchanged.

"I don't think it's very dignified of a future Princess to lie on the ground like that." He chuckled out.

At this Ana's eyes finally met his. She fixed him with a slight yellow glare.

"Shut… up…" She panted out. "…you old man."

His ghost of a smile widened. Ana glared harder at him. The priest broke contact with her eyes. His gaze drifted ahead."Congratulations you're one step further on your way to a Princess."

Ana sat up. Her eyes followed his to the body still laying across the floor. The priest responsible for her stood by her side. After a few seconds, he pulled out a piece of cloth. He leaned down to close her eyes pulling the fabric over her.

Ana averted her gaze. "How many more are left now?"

The priest contemplated for a bit. "Hmm, after the next… I suppose there'll be about half of the remaining candidates."

Ana blew a few strands out of her face. "So half of these will be as strong as her or even stronger. That girl could have kept up with Hoaqin." She sighed closing her eyes.

"What's the next test?" She asked, opening them again.

"You know I won't disclose that information. You'll find out upon the day of the test.

Ana bit her lip. "Ok. Then when will it be?"

"In one month."

Ana nodded.

They fell into silence.

Then her eyes widened.

Suddenly, her side flared up in pain. Her chest constricted. She felt something rush up to her throat. She coughed harshly into her hand.

She felt the priest lay a hand on her shoulder. "Why didn't you say you were wounded? I would have healed the damage."

A shudder ran down her spine.

She tossed his hand away. "I don't need your concern!"

However, she regretted her action immediately. More pain exploded up her upper body. Her hand jumped to her wound. She coughed more. Her blood stained the white marble ground.

Her chin was lifted up The priest came into her distorted vision.

The old man drew one of his eyebrows in slight mocking. She glared him down. He knelt "Hold still this time, will you milady?"

She looked off to the side keeping her eyes trained on the wall. He raised his hand. She felt the pain in her side subside.

Ana jerked her face from his grip. She stood up. She rotated her shoulderblades. Then she flexed her hands. There was no pain.

She looked up at the Priest. "How gracious of you."

"It won't do if you would collapse now." He stated.

Ana picked up her sword. She dusted off her black shorts and sweater. She frowned down at her black boots. A noticeable tear lined the side of it.

She would need to fix it again.

"I don't even get thanks for my services?" The priest asked.

Ana's hand curled into fists. She turned around to him. She stared at him for a while before bowing mockingly. "Thank you."

"Hmmph. As prudent as ever. Very well I shall see you tomorrow for training."

Ana didn't give him a reply. She left without turning around.

A month later Ana found herself in a grand hall.

She walked inside with the priest by her side. Hands tugged firmly into her sweater and sword strapped to her hip. She craned her neck upwards. The walls beside her raised high above. Unlike the last test, this room was considerably bigger.

"What kind of test will they do this time?"

Ana didn't have time to ponder that thought. The priest's staff lightly tapped her back. She looked up at him. He watched her with narrowed eyes. Her brows drew together at him. With a sigh, his eyes pointed forward.

Her gaze followed him. In the middle of the room, a group waited. A white-haired girl, a man in red, and two others. Their eyes rested on them.

She had stopped in the middle of the room.

Her cheeks dusted slightly red. She quickly gathered her bearings. She began walking towards the group with quick strides. Ana heard the priest chuckle slightly. She ignored him.

When they arrived opposite of the other group they stopped. Both of them were silent.

Ana stared at the white-haired girl across her. Ana's eyes wandered her up and down. She was… small. Very small. At least a head or more so than her. A white tunic framed her little body. A small sword hung from her hip. She had long white hair that framed a round face.

White eyes watched up at her. Yellow ones met them. Her opponent watched her with wide eyes shining with curiosity. Ana glared at the girl in return. Her shoulders shot up. She stepped backward hiding slightly behind the rope of her priest. Her eyes locked on the ground

Ana raised an eyebrow at this. This was a candidate for a Jahad Princess?

Her thoughts were interrupted when both of the priests bowed to each other. The two men each had moved to the opposite end of the room. Lighthouses shined at their sides.

Then the priests spoke in unison.

"We shall now start the sacred trial for Jahad Princess. Both candidates step forward." Ana did so. The girl stepped hesitantly from behind her priest.

"Ana Arie and Chloe Arie you have both advanced until here however only one may continue. We shall now explain the rules of the next test." At their words, a screen popped up between the two of them.

"You shall both participate in a test of agility as well as wit. You will both race against the other. Whoever reaches first the finishing line passes." Ana's brows drew together. That was all?

"Both of you will be transferred to a stage called the "maze"." On the screen, a map of what appeared like a labyrinth appeared. "Both of you need to find out of the labyrinth. However whilst you search a Shinheuh will chase you." The image changed to an eel-like creature. "The creature will be a Silver Iron Eel from the 8th floor of the Tower. It's up to you whether you choose to engage the creature or not, though we advise you not to. However, should you be able to kill the Eel the test will immediately be over. And the win will be accounted to the one who slays it.

Ana perked up at this. "So a shortcut, huh?"

"Are they any further questions?"

The girl… Chloe raised her hand hesitantly. "How… strong is that eel?" She stuttered out. Her priest turned to her.

"It's a creature used to test regulars of the 8th floor. Whilst it's one of the weaker eels in the Tower it shouldn't be underestimated."

"Isn't… a Shinheuh from the… 8th floor… a bit much?" She asked. Fear shined in her eyes. The priest stared at her, face blank.

"It's expected of a Jahad Princess to deal with such creatures with ease." He said.

Chloe's eyes avoided his. "Of course."

The priest's gaze turned to her. "Anything else?"

Ana simply shook her head. The priest nodded. "Very well. Then we shall commence with the trial!"

On his signal, the lighthouses flared brightly. Ana shielded her eyes as she was engulfed in light. When it subsided she lifted her arm. Her mouth gaped open. The entire room was gone replaced with a small corridor that led to a winding staircase.

With uncertain steps, she walked forward ascending the stairs. When she reached the end the room expanded. Before her expended many floating pieces that moved about. They attached and detached making a bizarre picture.

Ana's brows drew together. This was not how she imagined this labyrinth to be. The many floating objects in the air floated about in no logical order. Honestly just looking at them made her head spin.

She sighed out. "Calm down. There is a way. I just need to find it!"

She jumped on the first piece that came her way. It took her upward to another one. She stepped forward onto it. However, as she waited it didn't start to move. Ana looked down in confusion. She gave the stone underneath a kick. Nothing. She crossed her arms.

She looked up staring at the pieces again. Sure enough, some were not moving. So they're non-moving and moving ones? Another one suddenly appeared from up above setting in front of her. Ana smiled. So there was some logic to it. She walked forward.

After several floating pieces later, Ana sat on another isle. Head held in between her hands she stared intently ahead.

"I'm lost…." She thought.

The further she went the more she felt like she was going in the wrong direction. The pit in her stomach grew with each step before she finally came to a stop here. Now her eyes bored holes in the air hoping for anything to give her a clue.

"Where is even that eel they talked about? I haven't even seen it anywhere!"

She tapped her foot in impatience against the stone tiles below her. Her head shot up letting out a groan. "What should I do?" She huffed out.

She let her back hit the floor her arms falling to her side. Her eyes looked up to the pieces floating above her. Oh, what would she do for some form of help now? It seemed the world answered her request. When Ana's eyes locked onto another piece for a second a streak of white flashed in her vision.

She blinked. For a second she thought it was a fluke. But when she squeezed her eyes sure enough she could make out a small figure on top. Ana immediately sat up running to the edge of her platform.

She still looked up following the stone. Now she could make out the form of – what was her name? Chloe? Ana watched as she departed onto a still-standing piece. Ana watched her in silence then a slow smirk started forming on her lips. An Idea formed in her head.

Chloe didn't know how much time had passed since she had entered this labyrinth. In here there was no way to tell how time passed but by now she was sure at least a few hours had passed.

At first, she had trouble finding her through the maze however after a while she had noticed a certain pattern in which the stones moved. One had to pay attention but when you looked closely you could make out a certain way the stones moved in one direction.

Based on that hunch she had taken several floating platforms slowly making her way forward. At least she was sure she was going the right way. During that time Chloe's eyes always darted around.

She carefully watched out for the other candidate Ana and the Eel. Whilst she knew that yellow-eyed girl was probably stronger than her what worried her more was the Shinheuh. If it attacked her she was dead for sure.

It seemed though luck was on her side. She had yet to encounter both of them. She just hoped it stayed that way and she could get out of her without much trouble. Though the chances of that were slim.

She sighed out. "I don't even want to be in here."

But she had no choice. She stepped forward onto the next platform. It drifted ahead hopefully taking her towards the way out.

Yet, Chloe never once thought to turn around and look behind her. If she had maybe she would have noticed the yellow eyes that trailed after her.

Ana stood behind a pillar as she watched the girl board the platform. She waited until she was well out of reach. When Ana was sure the coast was clear she stepped out of the shadow.

She looked after the platform the girl had taken. It reached another intersection. This one had several platforms coming in and out from it. The closer they seemed to get towards the end the more difficult the maze seemed to get. But until now her opponent had not disappointed.

Even if it was taking ages following her had been the best call. Ana would have never have found the way on her own. At least not before her. Now she just needed to wait until the end… and then boom! Ana would strike her opponent out of nowhere and make it to the end before her. Easy peasy.

Ana followed her a while longer. Sometimes she nearly lost sight of her but always found her again. Finally, she had stopped when the girl stopped as well. She waited behind the remains of a wall. She looked over the edge watching as the other girl stood in front of her.

"Come on what are you waiting for?"

She had been standing there now for a while, just staring at nothing. What was so interesting anyway? Ana shifted slightly forward to get a better view. She looked past her trying to make out what held her attention. She squinted her eyes skeptically.

There were just more rocks… nothing else and some… light. Wait... all the platforms aligned towards that light… was that the–

"The end!" Chloe eye's and Ana's widened at the same time. Their thoughts mirroring each other. Ana's heart leaped. She watched as Chloe dashed forward towards the platform that came her way.

Ana came out from her cover. She chased after her. The platform was already a few meters away. Without thinking she jumped. Chloe turned around at the noise behind her. Her eyes widened when she recognized Ana flying her way.

Ana drew her blade aiming for Chloe's head. The color drained out of her face. She ducked her head protectively between her hands. That split-second decision saved her. Ana's blade glided over her. Ana let out a "tch".

She flipped herself over. Her feet stopped short of the edge

"Where did you come from?!" Chloe asked. Ana looked up at her.

Instead of answering her, she leaped forward. Chloe barely had time to draw her own sword. Ana's crushed against hers. Chloe staggered backward from the force of the blow. Ana leaned forward further pushing her downward.

Chloe grit her teeth. Suddenly she let herself fall. Ana fell with her. She slit out to the side. Her sword now aimed for Ana's open side. But Ana parried. Forced backward Chloe stumbled away from her.

She quickly stood ready this time. "Did you follow me the whole time?!"

Ana stood up slowly. She raised a brow. "You talk too much."

She jumped forward once more. They clashed exchanging a couple of blows. Then they parted on opposite sides.

"But I have to thank you. Without you, I would have never made it."

"Look, who is talking now!"

Ana smiled. "You should pay more attention!"

Chloe's forehead creased. "What do you mean?"

Ana's lips widened into a smirk. She turned jumping away. "See ya!"

Chloe sputtered as she watched Ana leap away towards the ending. "Wait!" She yelled out. Ana didn't look fully intent on using the headstart she created.

Now the platforms were arranged more and more into a straight line that built towards the end. It made it easy to jump from one to the next. Ana looked behind her. Chloe was far behind her struggling to keep up. She was maybe even slower than Ana.

Her lips tugged upwards. The victory was as good as hers.

As they jumped from platform to platform, suddenly Ana heard a terrific roar.

Ana looked behind her. Chloe did so as well. There it was beneath them. She saw it as she jumped onto the next platform. It swam upwards towards them. Its big fins taking it towards them

The eel!

Why was it all of sudden now here? Ana had walked for hours on end through this labyrinth. Why was it here now? Had it been waiting at the end? Ana shook her head. No matter. What counted now is that she made it to the last platform at the top.

She was ahead and she was faster than her opponent she could make it before her. She just needed a bit more time to reach it. She scanned behind her. The eel was catching up fast. Too fast. Ana wouldn't make it.

Chloe looked up towards her. Ana locked eyes with her, they were wide with terror. Ana turned back ahead. "Just need to make it. Come on hurry!"

However, before she could jump to the next piece in front of her it exploded into a thousand fragments. Ana shielded herself with her arm from the debris. When she looked up again her lips tightened. "Shit!"

Directly in front of her swam the eel!

It let out a tremendous screech that disheveled her hair. Now it stood directly between her and her goal. Her hand shot to her sword quickly unsheathing it. Ana eyes's darted about. She saw no direct opening.

She let out a "tch".

Then she would need to create one. That or she killed it which would save her the trouble. With determination shining in her eyes, she charged forward. Chloe which stood behind her gawked at her. "What is she doing? Is she stupid?"

Ana jumped upwards. The eels eyes followed her it screeched. It opened its maw aiming to devour her whole. In one swift motion, Ana twisted her body mid-air. She flew over its mouth, it's backside now exposed. She struck with a mighty blow.

However when her blow connected it merely bounced off the scales. Ana's eyes widened. Then a shadow loomed over her face. Ana couldn't dodge its incoming tail getting hit fully hit in the side.

She was sent flying hitting the pavement of the platform hard. Ana could make the audible cracking of a rip. She winced but bit through the pain doing a somersault to land on her feet. "Are you crazy?!"

Ana looked towards her side. She raised a brow. "What do you want?"

"This is thing is from the 8th floor you can't just attack like that!"

She leaned her head to the side. Then she smirked. "You got that right scaredy-cat." That seemed to strike a nerve. "Now, if you are done get out of my sight."

She heard another screech.

Ana looked to the side, the eel's claw coming her way. She jumped and landed on top of its fin. She caught her balance and ran up the length of its arm. Then when she was at its neck she struck again. Only for it to once more bounce off.

Her eyes narrowed. She landed on a platform. "My sword won't penetrate its scales."

She dodged the incoming tail. She switched tactics. She gripped onto its tail holding on for dear life. She gathered shinsu. Her sword started to glow white. With a cry, she swung her sword in an arc.

A white slash unleashed from her blade. It headed straight towards the belly of the eel. Ana watched with a satisfied smile as it let out a cry. It fell though as soon as its angry slits turned her way. "Uh oh…."Ana's grip turned vice when it shook its tail heavily trying to lose her. Ana's gaze got dizzy from the frantic back and forth.

Her eye's widened when the eel instead aimed its tail against a platform. She let go. To her luck right as she did so another floating piece passed beneath. From it, she jumped onto another one. She fell onto one knee breathing heavily.

"Damnit this thing is though!"

She hated to admit it but with that only one thing remained. Her eyes darted toward the light behind the eel only to widen. A streak of white hair was aiming towards it. That little…! She had used her as bait!

Forget that.

Shit! She was almost there.

Ana's head darted to the eel. She needed to get past it. Now! Ana's brows drew together. But how? Her eyes darted about. She saw an incoming platform heading her way. Tch! Now or never. She rushed the eel.

She dodged underneath its open mouth. Her blade once again shined brightly white. She unleashed another slash to its belly. It cried out. Ana didn't stop. She gathered Shinsu once more.

She swung her sword. This time a flurry of blows from all sides encircled the beast. Ana got out from underneath it. The platform was coming! Ana looked to the side. The tail swung her way. She jumped. Her legs muscles tightened. Then with a mighty leap, she propelled herself from its back. Right towards the platform.

She gathered shinsu. Concentrating it all in her legs. She jumped. This time even futher. Right in front of her, Chloe leaped onto the next platform. Her eyes widened when they saw Ana flying right her way.

"Gotcha!" Ana yelled out. She crashed right into Chloe.

Ana didn't what happened next but she felt her body crashing into something before she rolled a few more meters. Finally, she caught herself. She forced herself up but stopped midway.

She let out a gasp holding her side. She winced. Now she had definitely broken something. She looked around. She had made it somehow onto a platform. Her opponent was nowhere in sight.

But that didn't matter. What caught her eyes was in front of her. The stone platforms ended and there was the end. Just two or three more leaps! Ana smiled. She had made it! She got up holding her side. She moved not even aware of her limp.

"Help me!" Ana's brows twitched upwards. She quickly looked around. Where was she?!

"Help! Please!" Another cry. It came from the edge.

Despite her mind telling her to just move to the end Ana walked towards the edge. There she found Chloe hanging with a hand from the edge. When she caught her figure her eyes lit up. "Please help me!" She begged.

"And why would I do that?" Ana questioned. She looked her over. One of her arms hung uselessly to the side at an off-angle. It was broken. Blood spilled from her head.

"Just pull yourself up!"

"I can't! It hurts. Please just pull me up! The eel is coming!" Ana looked up. The eel rushed their way.

"All the more reason for me to get out of here," Ana said, already turning around.

"No!" Chloe cried out. "Please! I won't do anything! I'll give you the victory. Just pull me up. Please!"

Ana hesitated. She turned around halfway. Chloe cried. Her eyes shining with fear. "I never wanted this! I had no choice! That I even made it this far was pure luck! Please pull me up! I just want to live!"

"…"

Ana looked her long in the eyes.

"Like I care." She scoffed. Chloe's eyes widened at her words. "Suit yourself." Ana walked away.

"No! Please! I beg you! Don't leave me!"Ana ignored her cries. She walked away. She jumped onto the next platform making her way towards the end. Once there she looked up at the light. She sighed out in relief.

However, before she could reach out and finish the test suddenly everything vanished and a blinding light exploded in front of her. When she could see again she was back in the hall. In front of her stood the priests.

They both bowed their heads. "Congratulations you've passed the trial!"

Ana's eyes narrowed. "What?"

Her priest looked up at her. "You have passed."

She stared at him in confusion. "But I didn't make it to the end!"

The other priest raised his finger. "Then you passed because the other party couldn't continue any further."

"What do you mean?"

"It's quite simple, milady. He means the other candidate has died before you could reach the end!"

"What the hell are you saying?! I had to kill either the eel or reach the end to pass! That's what you told us!"

He smirked. "There might have been third… hidden way to win that… we didn't elaborate on."

Ana stared at him.

"By killing each other… you passed."

The labyrinth is inspired by the Shrines in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

The eel is a variant of the one Bam faces on floor 1. Since eels are a prominent race in the Tower I thought why not include one that is similar. Its far weaker than the one Bam faced but still a huge threat to any non-regulars. I wanted to add a layer of difficulty to the Jahad Princess elections.

Thank you for reading. And if you liked it maybe leave a comment :D