Disclaimer: Vampire Academy and all its characters and plot are owned by Richelle Mead.

Chapter Two: The Trial

Stan was the one calling out the names and letting people out the door. He did not look at me and was staring at the field beyond us. Perhaps looking for the go signal to let me enter. I saw now that they weren't exaggerating about the maze. I could see the maze walls that were at least ten-feet in height in there.

However, Stan surprised me by talking. "Hathaway."

"Guardian Alto." I greeted back as cheerfully as I can manage.

We had a love-hate relationship. He wasn't my favorite guardian, and I'm guessing I'm not his favorite student either. He was in fact, responsible for humiliating me in front of the class a great many times. But ever since the attack in the school and I got back from Russia, he backed off a bit. I didn't know if someone told him about who I sought to kill there. Maybe it melted his black, black heart just a little.

A blast went off that sounded very much like a cannon. He nodded and stepped away.

"I betted that you'd show up, if that's of any help." he suddenly said, just loud enough for me to hear.

I still didn't look at him, but I couldn't help a big smile. I knew someday I'd win him over.

The moment I stepped into the ground of the maze, the crowd suddenly became rowdier. If they were cheering or jeering I couldn't tell, and I didn't care either. I only hoped that the moment I stepped inside the maze, the noise would die down or else I wouldn't be able to hear anything.

Another sound off from the horn. Another novice is now called. I should probably make my headway. I finally entered the mouth of the maze. And then the most curious thing happened; the crowd's sounds died away into a sort of background noise. Was it a Moroi trick? Anyway, I was grateful.

First things first. Remembering Alberta's words, she said the exits were in the northern part of the stadium. Not the maze. If that were so then… I looked at the stars. In the movies the main character would always look up the sky and figure out from the constellations where North was.

Yeah, Rose, you wish.

I do know however, that the waiting area was near the gym lockers, which was the western part of the school field. Which meant that if the exits were north, I have to just try and keep moving in a forward direction.

Easier said than done though. The path wouldn't keep me walking in a straight direction as there were so many twists and turns—I can't help but admire how intricate the plans behind the maze. Next was the feeling that I wanted to strangle whoever thought of making this.

I walked and walked, trying to find the center with my instincts—trying to find a corner that would lead me back to north when I'm veering too much to the left. Not the most scientific way in the world, but it's the only thing I got so I wouldn't be lost completely.

I tried not to remember the last time I was in a maze. Barely two months ago in that elaborate labyrinth of vines and flowers under a field of stars. Kind of romantic, except Dimitri was also inside that very maze, hell bent on going after me to either turn or kill me.

Shit. I can't afford to think about him right now. There was plenty of time to think about him after I pass and he goes after me again. Right now, he is not my enemy.

Dead end. I turned back and found another narrow path that was in the wrong direction I was going for. No choice. I followed that and I emerged to a different kind of terrain. As if on cue on my horror, the maze walls were now creeping with vines and other greenery. And there were now actual trees on the path. Well I'll be damned.

Also it was a lot quieter here. The leaves must be muffling the sounds. I treaded more carefully now, my senses all on alert. There was something weird here—not only the sudden appearance of plants. Why haven't I encountered anyone yet?

Fog. There was fog slowly creeping in this path. I looked at my feet. Yup, they were fast disappearing. I started to back away, but when I turned around, it turns out that the fog was thicker there. They want me to move forward. Alright.

I wasn't too keen on losing my sense of sight, but what also made me feel so vulnerable was that I had no weapon. I didn't have anything on me. I thought about the rulebooks if they said anything about using a makeshift weapon inside. Nope. Quickly, I broke off a thin branch from one of the low trees. I broke it again against my bent knee. To my relief, it splintered, although it wasn't as thick as a real stake. Yeah, whatever Rose, you can't afford to be choosy with your weapon now.

I ran towards the other end of the path. The white smoke was still here. Perfect for Guardians to spring on us unsuspected.

Another dead end. I hated the claustrophobic feeling of the fog. I tried to find another way.

And then I heard it. Voices.

"How the hell do we pass that?"

"Are they for real?"

"Shut up, let me think!"

I tried to wade through the bushes. And made a lot of noise because of that.

"Did you hear that?" the first voice asked.

"Could it be—"

"It's me! Rose Hathaway." I called before someone staked me against my will. I came across a wall. So they were on the other side. I looked behind me and saw the fog was still spreading. We had to get out or else we won't be able to see in about three minutes.

"Where are you?" I recognized the voice: Shane Reyes?

"On the other side." I called. "Do you know how I can get over there? We have a little problem."

There was a scuffling noise… then Shane's head stuck out from underneath the wall. "In here."

I blinked. "There are openings in the walls?"

"Some of them. Come on."

I crawled after him. With Shane were two other novices that were vaguely familiar but I couldn't place who they were.

"Laura and Taylor." Shane said quickly. "This is—"

"Yeah we know who she is." the one called Taylor said impatiently. "What problem were you talking about?"

"Fog." I supplied. "Spreading fast. If we don't get out of its path all of us are going to be blind in a matter of minutes."

"That makes sense." Laura muttered. "Seeing what we have to cross next."

I remembered the argument I heard from before. "What is?"

The three of them stepped aside. I gawked.

There was a large pit between where we were standing and the continuation of the maze on the other side. A pit didn't even begin to cover it—more like a mini-ravine. Again, my random brain couldn't figure out how the hell they dug this out in the middle of the field. I looked downwards. It was deep. Probably more than fifty feet. There was a net to catch anyone who might fall, but that was a small comfort.

And then I noticed the thin wooden planks connecting the edges to the other side. It was crisscrossing, like a basket weave. Don't get me wrong; the gaps were still as large as hell. But it looks like that it was the only way to cross the other side.

Test of balance and coordination, I thought. Not a big problem, but if the fog reaches us, then we'd have real trouble in our hands.

"Air." Laura suddenly said. Three of us stared at her.

She looked at us hesitatingly. "Alberta said that there are four major trials inside. I'm guessing the activities have something to do with the four known elements of Moroi. This one's air. The next three should have something to do with earth, fire and water."

Huh. I didn't know if she's correct, but if she was, then I wouldn't have to think about the activities here as too random.

"Whatever it is, we have to cross now." I said urgently. The air around us was starting to get hazy.

The three of us nodded and took one plank each. I didn't have trouble with balance—Dimitri made me cross balance beams with all sorts of weights before. I shouldn't think of the ravine too much, though.

In the corner of my eye I saw more of my classmates who made it to this edge as they emerged from the first half of the maze. I couldn't see Eddie. He might be further ahead now. I hope he was.

I took steps carefully—the planks were as wide as both of my feet together. The wires that anchored it weren't too thick either. The faster I get out from this precarious position the better—

Suddenly, I heard frantic screaming. I looked frantically to the others and saw that Guardians dressed in black were attacking the ones in the planks. Many were caught unawares. I didn't know what was the penalty if I fall, but I have no intention of finding out.

The plank I was walking on wobbled furiously. I whirled about and ducked just in time as a masked male Guardian landed on the wood and aimed a punch at me. I tried to kick his knees while I was down but he jumped just in time. I stood up to regain my stance and blocked another hard blow from him. I felt my feet slide to the edge of the wood—not good.

Then run. A voice inside my head urged.

Before I could figure out whose voice was that, I turned around and ran, my feet making the wooden plank shake dangerously. And shit, the guardian was still right behind me. I remembered the white x mark on his chest that would signify if I touch it in anyway he would cease to attack me. There was no other way but to tackle him head-on.

I reached for the wooden stake in my pocket and grabbed it firmly. One chance.

About five feet away from the end of the plank and on to safety, I felt him close in. With a speed he did not expect, I stopped abruptly in my tracks and whirled around to face him. I briefly saw the surprise in his eyes before I yanked his arm to me and squarely touched the wooden stake to the x mark in his chest. Both of us were stunned back by our weight—only I stumbled now into the safety of the ground, while he… fell.

I gasped as he disappeared from sight.

Then someone grabbed my arm to right me up. I struggled with the grip furiously.

"Wait, wait, I'm not an attacker!" A reasonable voice said.

I ceased my struggles. A female Guardian, wearing all white with no x on her chest was looking at me earnestly. And then I remembered what just happened.

"He fell! We were fighting but I didn't mean—"

She shook her head. "I know, I know. That's why we're here, to collect the ones who fell in the net."

I blinked. "So… so… he's okay?"

"Of course. Look."

I peered over the edge. My attacker was there, with some of the novices and Guardians who fell too. He glanced up and gave me a thumbs-up.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh. Oh. I thought—"

"Amazing you can still think about what's become of him. If I were you I would have shoved him off without a thought after." The female Guardian grinned. "Although for a moment there I thought we were going to collect you from down there. It would have cost quite a demerit of points."

"Lucky me." I muttered.

"That, and excellent footwork." She handed me a scroll. "This is for the next leg of the maze."

I took it and unfurled the paper. It looked like a map of the second half of the maze. So if it's easier to navigate now… I groaned. Then there was probably an impossible task behind this.

She chuckled. "Ah, you're faster than the others. Yes, this is going to be more difficult. See the silver triangles? They're silver stakes—weapons. You need them for the final battle in the end. They're scattered in this part of the maze... along with other trials. Make sure you secure one for yourself before you hit the water."

"Water?" I asked. Laura's theory might have some merits after all.

"Yes. You'll see." She smiled enigmatically. "Off you go Rose."

"Uh, you know me?" I asked, noting the use of my name.

"I know your mother." She said. "Now continue."

I said my thanks and ran to the entrances. Novices were already entering a path of their own choosing. Now there were five openings in the maze. I chose the one at the middle because I was aiming for that path anyway, and it wouldn't make a damn difference now. Once inside, I saw some of my other classmates too, looking battle-weary already. And to my intense relief, Eddie was in the small crowd.

"Hey." He looked relieved to see me. "Glad to see you're still on board."

"You too." I grinned. "Fun, huh."

"Some fun." He muttered. "I barely got out of the plank before it gave way."

Meredith caught up to us, and we learned that many of her friends did not make it across from the pit. They'd be given a chance to continue, but with demerits. I shuddered.

The walls of the maze were now dark and stark looking, as well as the ground was harder than soil now. There was none of the jungle-look of the maze earlier, by which I was grateful. It reminded me too much Galina's maze. I also noticed the walls were rough and bumpy, as if the wood was carved. Decorations for goodluck?

I jogged lightly, mindful of sudden pits or nets or booby traps. Once or twice I heard the voices of my other classmates near me, but walls separated us. We were about six in this path and looked resolute to stick together. Personally I have no problem with that, if that would make things easier. Except all of us were looking for the same things: the stakes. I wondered if I should go my own way now. My hands were in the process of reaching for the map when Eddie halted in front of me.

Eddie spoke softly. "Did you hear something?"

I stopped walking, and so did the rest of us. Meredith glanced around uneasily. "What did you hear?"

I willed myself to be still. Beyond the heavy breathing of my classmates, there were very faint scuffling sounds. And clicking. Like nails on the ground.

"What's that?" A tall red-headed guy spoke.

Suddenly, I turned to the direction where we came from. Did I just hear… growls?

Then it dawned one me. Oh shit.

"We have to run." I whispered.

"What's going—"

"RUN!" I yelled.

A/N: I had to split the chapter into two parts since it was too long. I apologize for the mini-cliffie.