Chapter 59
The morning of the second game breaks and it’s hard to believe it’s only been three days since the last game. Three days in which our clan has faced things I never imagined we would be facing and it’s all public news. From the moment we arrive at the arena we’re greeted with looks, whispers and a few very explicit comments about the council having lost its ever-loving mind with the ruling it gave. It’s comforting, because no one seems to be mad at us, other than the Black Haven clan who seem to have gained quite a few enemies.
“Okay, so we’re sending in Gavin, right?” Kayla asks right after Maximus explained the rules of the game.
“Me? Why me?” Gavin asks, looking around like a confused puppy.
“Gavin, you watch nature documentaries for fun, and you low-balled the installation of the new security cameras because you actually worked out how windspeed would affect other brands compared to the ones we have now in wear and tear. If you can’t lead us through a course filled with our ability to levitate and use our wind elemental power, then I don’t know who can.” Gina gives him a deadpan look, and he points to Falkor.
“He can. Trust me, he can.” I nod, motioning between the two of them.
“Falkor, Gavin, Iris because she can levitate, and the twins for their elemental power.” Mason and Maddy looks excited as I knew they would be for this challenge. “Delta for backup and then we’re sorted. Everyone good?” Sam gives me a thumbs up and Falkor just shrugs his shoulders.
“Alright, we have fifteen more minutes left, you guys need to change into your thermal suits.” They move on Kayla’s demand and I’m glad I put her in charge of clothing for the games, the girl thinks of everything. I wouldn’t have even thought about thermal gear.
“Why do they need thermal suits?” Jason asks, looking around. “No one else is changing.”
“And that’s why they’ll lose.” Kayla mutters. “They need to be levitated, manipulate air currents and create storms. There’s going to be water and being wet and cold while trying to navigate that will be miserable. Hence, the thermal suits, they’re waterproof too, you can thank me later.” She grins, looking proud as the six team members return dressed in their unassuming blue and white overalls, their long sleeves peeking out underneath clinging to them like a second skin.
We watch them line up on the big screens and when the horn sounds, they’re the first team to move. The first obstacle to get over is a chasm wide enough to ensure that no one can just jump over it. Maddy looks down into it and before we know it water is rising. She brings with it huge rocks, creating a perfect walkway for the team to get over and it creates a magnificent bang when she allows the water to drop back down. They walk further, only to discover the ground underneath them is unstable. We see them huddling, Gavin pointing to the ground and then with practiced ease, Iris levitates them to some random spot further away, a spot that doesn’t implode underneath them.
“The ground is lava?” Jane asks?
“Sinkholes.” Even corrects. “They’re navigating a sinkhole mine.” He breathes, nervous excitement shining on his face as we watch Iris levitate them to another spot but only Falkor touches the ground and my heart sinks as the ground gives in beneath him, but as the dust settles, they’re all standing on a spot about five feet from where there’s a sizable hole in the ground now. We all breathe signs of relief, and I look at the other monitors to find some teams still stuck at the first obstacle, unable to cross the chasm.
“That’s not good.” Sam mutters, following my gaze.
“It is for us.” I mutter, feeling like a complete asshole. We share a grim look before looking back at our team, who’s walking on solid ground already. They move easily for a while before I see their feet start sinking in the ground.
“Oh, heavens.” Kayla breathes. I frown in confusion as they all sit down and then it takes a few seconds for their feet to plop back up to the surface. They slide back on their hands before standing up straight again. Iris shakes her head, and they look stumped for a few minutes before Mason starts drawing up water from the ground.
“What is he doing?” Someone asks and I shrug my shoulders.
“He’s removing the water.” Sam chuckles and I frown in confusion but soon join in his laughter when I notice them walking in a straight line that looks to be dried where they’re walking, preventing them from sinking in the sand.
“He’s making a dam for the water.” I breathe; glad we chose the right people for the job. We watch them move through the course with ease until they arrive at a smooth wall with a river running in front of it.
“That’s not the end of the line, is it?” I shake my head at the question, wondering how the hell they’re supposed to get up what looks like a fifty feet wall that can’t be climbed.
“Do you think Iris can levitate them all up?” I shrug my shoulders.
“Maybe, if she’s stable enough. They’ve been at this a while.” Gina mutters. I watch the team talk; wish I could understand what their gestures mean.
“Do you think they’ll request for Delta?” I look over at the warrior who’s leaning against a pole, face calm as she asses the situation on the screen.
“Maybe, but I doubt it.” I eventually answer Kayla’s question. It’s another twenty minutes before there’s movement on the screen as Maddy steps into the stream, coming about deep waist before the water starts swirling around her. We all watch as the swirl gets bigger and rises in the air, taking her with her. She eventually rises high enough to step onto the platform and then starts cheering as the water behind her falls to the ground and splashes the team below. When she looks back the camera zooms in on her sheepish smile and we all laugh.
We watch as Iris steps in the water next and Maddy raises her about halfway before she floats the rest of the way herself. Gavin goes next, then Falkor and then Mason, who does a few tricks with the water before he eventually joins the others on the platform. There’s a collective breath of relief among us as they share a group hug before moving forward.
“Finish line ahead?” Lilly asks and I nod.
“Finish line ahead.”