Disclaimer: Vampire Academy and all recognizable characters, plots and usual awesomeness are property of Richelle Mead.

Chapter Three: The Trial Part II

Before my words sunk in to the others, a pack of psi hounds sprung from the opening where we just came from. Instantly, everyone ran in different directions. I couldn't see where Eddie went or Meredith, but I couldn't bring myself to care about them when there were two hounds on my tail. I managed to turn around and kick one squarely in the body, but I can't fight off a pack of them.

I quickly turned into a corner, hoping to shake one off, but to no avail. To my luck, I stumbled into a narrow passageway with a curious blue wall as a dead end. Damn it.

Briefly, my eyes gazed on the rough black walls on either side of me. An idea suddenly came out of nowhere, born out of desperation. I ran full speed to the wall at the end of the dead end. If I don't make it then… that's that.

I gathered momentum in my speed, and in one forceful move, I launched myself from the ground and used the adjacent black wall to spring myself up to the blue wall I was aiming for earlier. My hands got a good grip on the edge as my legs dangled just outside the psi hounds' reach. Slowly, I hoisted myself up, using the rough wall as support for my feet. This would have been impossible with a smooth surface.

Looking down, I saw that the psi hounds had stopped barking and pawing at me. Then, by some invisible command, they backed off and ran away.

They wanted to disperse us? Was that the purpose of the psi hounds? They could have just told us to separate! "Assholes." I muttered to nobody.

I turned to the other side. I didn't know what I was expecting—I dunno, more walls? —but I was surprised to see a clearing of some sort. Like a small courtyard. True enough, there was even a statue of an old Moroi dude in the center. I carefully got my now crumpled map and studied where the hell I was.

Well what do you know. There was a triangle drawn right smack in the drawing of the statue. Finally some luck on my side.

I studied the layout of the entire courtyard. Surrounding the Moroi statue were rosebushes, arranged in some landscaping job. A small iron gate and fence enclosed the entire courtyard.

I jumped from the top of the wall, landing with a faint thud on the floor. Quickly I got my makeshift stake out. I didn't put it past them that there were traps of some kind in there.

I waited. It was quiet. And nothing more. All my senses are on alert as I walked slowly to the low iron gate that opened to the clearing. The statue was about fifty feet away from where I was standing, and I could just make out the silver stake hanging from the right hand.

I glanced around. Still nothing. I couldn't help but feel ominous. Can it be really that easy?

Of course not, an exasperated voice inside my head said.

I reviewed all the things that came up so far. The fog was for the air element. For the psi hounds… I frowned. Flora and fauna are from the earth—well technically. So that left fire and water. But as I stared at the statue I couldn't tell what kind would come up next—

A small explosion suddenly erupted to my right, beyond the walls of the clearing. I couldn't see where it came from, but smoke was fast rising from whatever exploded. And it wasn't far from here too.

Explosion. I backed away a few steps. Fire? My mind made up of all kinds of scenarios—ring of blaze, boiling pitch, mine bombs…

I stared hard at the floor. The ground I was standing on were hard cobblestones, but the inside of the enclosure looked like soft soil again. I walked closer, opening the iron gate slowly. Then I knelt down and pressed my ear to the ground.

There was a faint humming sound coming from the dirt floor, not unlike a quiet hum of a clock. And more than that… I picked up the smell of gunpowder. I wasn't entirely sure if my theory was correct, but if there were indeed mine bombs here, that made things trickier.

I looked at the floor, hoping for some pattern to base my route on. But no matter how I rearranged the bushes around or the formation of the random leaves on the floor, I couldn't figure out anything that makes sense.

I debated for a few moments on what to do. No way around it. I took a deep breath and took a determined step forward. I haven't blown up yet. Good one. I knelt down and listened again to the ground. The hum was still there, but there was no way to pinpoint where the bombs were exactly. The statue was a little bit too far for me to just make a leap for it, but not too far where I can't just sprint.

Do I push my luck? There was no sure way to figure out the layout of the floor anyway. Maybe if I ran fast enough, there was time to snatch the stake from the statue and bolt. Maybe.

I set my eyes on the stake. And then I made a run for it.

I tried to run in a straight line, trying to make my footsteps as light as possible—which was stupidly improbable—and when I stepped on the base of the statue I shut my eyes for the sound of a loud explosion.

After three seconds, nothing. I looked back from my path unbelievingly. It was either God loves me this day, or I was just missing the entire point of this particular trial. If I were Lissa, I'd pick the former. But since I'm not… I grabbed the stake from the stone hand of the Moroi statue. A real silver stake. They were not going to make us stake real Strigoi here, were they? But after the events of today made me think everything was possible—especially the appearance of those psi hounds—

A loud detonation blasted from my right. I staggered back, feeling the heat on my face. Then another on my left. I was momentarily stunned—what the hell did I do? Then I realized that probably getting the stake was the detonator. Fuck those twisted—

Two explosions again, not ten feet away from me. Shit, get out.

I had just sprung away from the Moroi statue when it exploded too. I gripped the silver stake tightly as I ran as fast I could. Dimly, I realized I was heading for a body of water after the enclosure, and before I could figure out if it was only an illusion, I dove headfirst on to the surface.

Someone made sure that the water was ice cold.

I looked around, keeping my body afloat and moving unless I get leg cramps and drown. Which at this point might be a mercy. It was like a canal, dug probably across the field. I wonder how many of us were in the water right now. I couldn't see further beyond because there were now more of the walls blocking my view on each side of the water.

My feet couldn't touch the ground. Might be pretty deep, and again, something might be lurking in the water. I swam quickly to the other side, my body feeling heavy like lead as seconds ticked by.

The heat on my skin from the blasts was effectively replaced by goose bumps as I climbed out of the water.

My breathing was heavy and I felt so tired. I didn't feel the effects of everything I faced until I was dunked in the cold water. It was as if the cold seeped away my strength. Which was probably the intention of the water. Guardians have to be battle-ready in the face of any kind of situation. What a way to prove their point.

I stood up slowly, not liking the weight of my wet clothes. I noticed there was an entrance right in front of me. I couldn't see what was beyond, because it was dark. Wait a minute. Air, earth, fire and water. I ticked it away in my head. I've encountered them all. The exit couldn't be far… as a matter of fact; I think this one is it.

My hands found the silver stake again. I didn't forget Alberta's words: four trials and one final battle.

As if on cue, two Guardians emerged from the exit; one wearing black, another white. I realized that the Guardian wearing white was the woman who gave me the scroll earlier. But I didn't recognize the male Guardian with her. Unlike my attacker on the planks, this one was unmasked. He had a shockingly platinum blonde hair cropped closely to his skull, which made me wonder for a second if he had it dyed. He was also wearing three studs of small stones on his right ear. Unusual for a Guardian, and it was ironic on his face. Because his face looked very… gentle. Soft gray eyes, pleasant features, even if he wasn't exactly smiling. If not for the no-nonsense hair and the piercings, he would have looked harmless.

Yeah right. I was sure as hell he was one of the best Guardians, and obviously very skilled because he wouldn't be chosen to fight here now if his ass is easily kicked. He didn't even look American, and I had my fair share of familiarity with imports. There was unfathomable interest in his eyes as he saw me. I hoped to God he was unaware of my reputation.

"Congratulations on getting to the last leg of your Trials." The woman said to me. "It's almost over."

My hands involuntarily gripped the stake.

"For your last Trial, you need to defeat a Guardian by touching your stake to the x mark on his chest. It is the surest way to destroy a Strigoi, as you well know by now." the woman continued. "If you are able to touch you stake exactly over his heart in ten minutes, you will achieve the highest possible score for this leg of the Trials."

"I understand." I replied.

She nodded. "Fight him like you would fight a Strigoi. He will show you no leniency, as any Strigoi will not show you mercy out there as well."

Suddenly, I remembered Dimitri's eyes as I staked him on that bridge. And then I quickly buried the memory deep down.

"I, Lucille Wood, will act as arbiter for this novice's final Trial." She said in a clear voice. I wasn't aware we had an audience, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

Instead, I focused on the guardian I was about to face. He was silent throughout Lucille's explanations, but his eyes never left me. It wasn't a mean look—if anything, it was sort of dead now. Which was creepier.

Lucille—now I know her name—backed away a good feet away from us. "You may begin."

The Platinum dude wasted no time. He immediately sprung for me with a blinding speed not far from a Strigoi's. I raised my arms to block of his blow and I felt my body slide backwards, marking the ground with a trail of my feet skidding. It was either he was exceptionally strong, or I was weakening. Either way, I can't fight him on a head-on collision just yet until I figured out how this guy ticks. I leapt out of the way fairly quickly, but to my complete shock, he got a good grab of my forearm. Shit, how did he manage that? I jerked my body to twist my arm from his grip, which worked, but I lost control of my balance.

My back fell against the ground. Instantly, his heel came crashing down aimed on my stomach—I rolled over just in time and swung my legs to trap his. It seemed he did not anticipate my counter and now he was the one outbalanced. I took advantage of this to get myself up and sprung on him with all the force I could muster.

I flipped my stake and broke through the defensive brace of his arms. I felt the stake graze the surface of the cloth that covered his chest, but before I could wedge it more decisively, he was able to twist his torso and shove me away from him. Damn… so close—

I skidded to the ground and prepared to launch myself on him again. His eyes weren't dead now—they were lit by genuine enthusiasm for our fight.

I didn't realize Lucille was getting my attention. She cleared her throat several times before I acknowledged I was listening—honestly, I was a bit irritated for the interruption.

"Your stake has touched the Guardian's chest. You can stop the fight now."

My eyes narrowed.

And then to my surprise, Platinum dude gave a smile and spoke for the first time.

"Rose Hathaway doesn't want a pass. She wants a legitimate hit on my heart for the top marks."

Lucille looked unbelieving for a moment, before turning to me. "Is this true?"

I did not endure everything I have been through just to get a pass. This was for Mason's memory, for Dimitri's patience, for Lissa's belief in me that I would be assigned to her as a Guardian in the end. I had to be the best until the end.

"Damn well it is." I muttered.

She nodded in understanding. "So be it. Continue."

Now we circled each other, wary now. I think he got it that I wasn't just a novice equipped with schoolbook techniques. And I figured nothing, only the fact that when he spoke, he had a Russian accent. Way to go.

We launched at each other, more aggressively now. I was countering punches and kicks just as I was throwing them on him. He had an amazing speed—matched only perhaps by one person I know. The knowledge was both empowering and distracting. No… only perfect concentration will get me through this fight. I swiveled my upper body as he swung his fist—it was the only time his body was open to attack. Quickly, I sidestepped him and landed a sharp blow on his neck, but he knew—he spun around and grabbed me, bracing his arms around my shoulders and neck in a firm lock. My hands flew to his arms to free myself but he wouldn't budge… not to mention my right was still holding the stake. Shit, if he was a Strigoi, my neck would be a goner in a few seconds.

I used my body weight against him to try and break his grip—nothing. Final resort…I folded my right arm and jabbed my elbow right where I thought the center of his chest was. Instantly he wheezed out of breath—I hit his solar plexus right on—and I broke free from his arm. Not wasting time, I spun around and threw the stake to my right hand in one swift movement and brought the tip to the exact x on his chest.

We stared at each other—and he nodded at me, then at Lucille, satisfied.

It took a few seconds for my brain to understand it was over. It was done.

I just finished.

"Well done Rose." He extended a hand to me—not to punch me for a change—but to congratulate. "You hit me in eight minutes. I can't say I've fought a better student today."

"Um, thanks." I said, still in a daze. I should jump and fist pump or something. Maybe later. Suddenly, I felt very, very, very exhausted.

"The medics are waiting by the exit. Tell them they should take a look at your knees, it's bleeding." Lucille said briskly.

I examined them in surprise. I didn't feel anything. I also had shallow scrapes and cuts all over my arms. Fight hormones must be staving off the pain.

"I hardly made a good hit on you, so don't blame me for those." He said, grinning now. His face returned to being boyish now. I wondered what his name was. Can't risk calling him Platinum Dude to his face or else he might give me demerits right now.

And then something struck me—he knew my name. He knows me too? Must be because of my mother, like the way Lucille knew me.

Lucille gestured to the exit. "You're free to go."

"Thanks." I said fervently. I looked at both of them one last time and ran to the exit.

I emerged inside a waiting area similar to the one where we started. There were already novices inside, all in various stages of injury. I thought I was one of the luckier ones. That didn't stop the medics people to swarm all over me, though. After checking all my vitals and wrapping bandages around my knees and arms and one around my right hand, they let me go gratefully.

I looked around. None of the people I was with earlier—Eddie, Meredith, Shane—were here. Slowly, I walked outside the waiting shed.

Someone rammed up to me a few seconds after I emerged from the exit. A pair of pale arms clung to my neck, blonde hair flying everywhere. Lissa. Of course she would be the first one to greet me.

"Rose…" she was sobbing. Sobbing! Trust Lissa to cry over the saddest and happiest things.

"You did it! I'm so proud… I'm so…"

I clung to her as well, ignoring the pain starting on my shoulders. I didn't need to hear the words. She couldn't get them out anyway. It was one of the best perks of our bond. "I know."

"Learn to share, cousin." Adrian's voice came behind Lissa. "Let Rose greet her other admirers."

Lissa released me with an embarrassed laugh and dabbed at her eyes as she stepped away. We had time later. I turned to Adrian now, and there was some sarcastic reply ready on my lips—but it died when he pulled me to his chest and hugged me in earnest. I was a little bit taken aback by his intensity.

"Little dhampir." He murmured against my hair. "You always make me worry."

"Did you really think I was going to flunk the Trials?" I ribbed him.

"No. But that doesn't mean I can't worry." His voice was low, serious.

Adrian pulled away from the hug, and his face was the same one I was used to—careless, seductive and out-of-it.

"You might be interested to know that your father won the bet." Adrian said.

I stared at him for a few moments before I realized what he was saying. "Huh?"

"Just a few minutes shy of two hours. Your father knows his game." He said amusedly. At that exact moment I saw my father and mother standing quietly on the side, amidst the chaos around us. I never thought I'd see them like this ever. More so that they were standing together because of me, their daughter.

"Do I get to know what the stakes were?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Adrian shook his head playfully. I just had enough energy to lock his head under my arm until I got the answer out from me when I felt Lissa's sudden unease. I looked at her, confused.

"Glad you made it out in one piece." A voice came behind Adrian. Ah, now I understand. I turned around and met Christian Ozera with a sly smile.

"Are you really?" I said, grinning.

He let out an exasperated sigh and briefly gave me a one-armed hug—much to my surprise. "I thought the psi hounds and Gavrel Leonov would make your manners better."

"Who?" I asked, confused.

"The guardian you fought in the end. I heard he was one of the toughest from the foreign imports the school got for the Trials." Christian explained. "Made sense you'd run into him, I guess."

"Oh. I didn't get a chance to ask his name." But he knew mine, and he's not from here. "So you saw everything?"

"No, we just got updates here and there." Adrian spoke up. "Everyone said this year was the hardest in years."

No kidding. I shook my head. "Well, I'm just glad it's over."

"I think I just heard Eddie got out." Lissa suddenly said, her eyes only on Adrian and me. I wanted to roll my eyes at her and Christian, but it wasn't the proper time. Maybe later.

Christian took Lissa's participation in the conversation as a cue to go. "See you later. And congratulations." Without a word, he walked away again.

Adrian whistled. I shook my head at Lissa. "You have to do something about that."

"I thought you wanted to know how Eddie is?" she countered, smiling sweetly. Ugh. Adrian was really a bad influence.

Adrian and Lissa promised to wait for me there while I went to check with Eddie. With a lighter heart, I went back inside the waiting shed. But it wasn't Eddie I saw first—it was Platinum dude, or rather, Gavrel Leonov.

I didn't know why, maybe it was the exhaustion and I wasn't clearly thinking, but I approached him. He saw me coming and gave me a smile. What a cheerful person.

"Hey Guardian Leonov…" I called, feeling completely idiotic. "How did you know my name earlier?"

I didn't know what I was expecting. Maybe a reply something along the lines of Aren't you the biggest troublemaker in the history of this school? Or the more expected I know Janine Hathaway very well.

Instead he said, "I guessed by how you fought me."

"How I fought?" I asked, confused.

"I knew your mentor." He paused, something like conflict passing in his expression. "You fight just like him."

We looked at each other for a while, and I had no idea what my face looked like. He knew Dimitri? So did he also know what has become of him? But before I could ask anything more, he gave a kind smile and patted me on the back a little. Then he walked away to join the other Guardians.

Earlier I said to myself that I was alone because Dimtiri should have been with me on this very important day. All those months of training, extra practice classes and those ridiculous laps were all to prepare me for this day. In the end, he wasn't here.

Then again… All his lessons have stayed with me until the very end. Whether I liked it or not, Dimitri was still here with me.

And neither of us was letting go, before one of us is dead.

I sighed, feeling tired more than ever before. Congratulations for passing the Trials, Rose.

A/N: You don't know this, but I'm not used to writing so much action in my stories. This part was good practice on my part, but I'm not sure if it worked... haha.

And I had reservations on making new characters in writing canon, so I tried to integrate it as smoothly as I can. Anyway, in 8 days this would cease to be canon since the real Spirit Bound will come out and we'll know how the real Trial went along. :)