FLAMES OF DEATH

FLAMES OF DEATH
Chapter 30

ROYANNA

The next morning, I woke up sore, my body still aching from yesterday's ordeal. I forced myself up, grabbed my training gear, and carefully arranged them on my bed. The room was silent, everyone was bracing themselves for another day of uncertainty.

I left for the washroom, awaiting my turn to wash up in the cold, freezing water.

After a very quick wash, I returned to the room, putting on my training gear.
“Ready?” Clio’s soft voice pulled my gaze to her. She was already dressed in her training gear, her hair braided neatly.

“Yeah.” I breathed out, slipping into my boots. I moved my hair, raising the red locks in a high ponytail and binding it with a string of fabric from my torn dress.

“Something about today feels quite eerie,” Jira said, stopping before us. She was also kitted up.

“Everything about FrostVale is eerie Jira,” I replied, forcing a smile. “We are in a cursed land.”

Jira nodded, smacking her lips. “And that's why every day feels like a death sentence.” She teased and a sneaker left my throat.

“Come on. We don't want to be late. An angry commander might actually be a death sentence.” I grabbed both their arms and we walked out together, joining the others at the training field.

Kithara avoided my gaze each time our eyes locked, but at least she wasn’t glaring anymore. A small progress on my side.

The cold wind struck our faces as we found our way to the training field. The wide space had been layered with more snow than the last, making our movements heavy and slow.

Commander Saphena stood in her usual position, her hands clasped behind her back, her expression cold as ice.

“Good morning Commander Saphena.” We greeted in unison, and her reply was a snort.

“Now that you are all here, we begin the training task of the day,” she announced, her voice loud as always. “Yesterday was merely a warm-up. The beginning of your journey as survivors of the plague and FrostVale.”

“As you all are aware that this kingdom is not meant for the weak. Only the strongest of people reside in the cursed lands.” She said, raking her gaze across us. “Today’s test is about your endurance. Your will to survive.”

A ripple of unease murmurs spread through the group. Clio, Jira, and I exchanged nervous glances. I couldn't even imagine what exactly would be going through her mind.

Saphena stepped forward, her lips curving into a thin smile, which meant nothing good was coming out of that mouth of hers. “You will be placed inside a ring of fire. Your task is simple: get out of it unharmed.”

Her words struck like thunder.

A fresh round of murmurs erupted among us. “Fire?” Susan gasped. “You can’t be serious!”

Saphena smirked, “Do I look like I jest?”

“Commander,” Kithara spoke up, frowning deeply. “With all due respect, we will die. Fire is all-consuming, despite this cold, it would burn us alive. You can’t expect us to…”

“Silence!” Saphena barked, and the group went mute murmurs dying down in a flash. “You have faced the frost and the beasts; those tests pertain to your survival skills in Frost Vale, not actual war, not the real battle of the plagues. What makes you a true soldier under the leadership of the Alpha King is facing death. The fire will teach you endurance and resilience, and you will obey.”

“Oh Goddess…” someone gasped as fear hung thick in the air. My heart pounded loudly against my ears, and my hands were trembling from both the cold and the fear.

Saphena turned sharply on her heel.

“Follow me.”

We hesitated, but the guards behind us drew their blades, forcing an involuntary movement amongst us.

The wind lashed our faces as we followed Saphena beyond the castle walls and into the open. The journey felt endless, but the armor protected us from the harsh cold. A plus on our side, even though we were marching towards our death.

As we moved forward, we noticed the icy white slowly faded as a glowing orange hue appeared up ahead.

A clearing opened before us, and Saphena halted, and we stopped as well. My gaze settled in the center, flames roaring in a burning circle that cut through the frost.

The fire burned so hot it hissed against the snow, melting everything around it into a steaming pit. The air shimmered with smoke and heat and from the distance we halted, I could feel my skin sting.

Jira took a sharp step back. “This is madness,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “We will burn in there.”

Clio gripped my arm tightly. “Royanna… what do we do?”

I couldn’t answer. My throat felt dry, my mind numb. The cold and the vicious heat before us made it hard to even think straight. The flames danced like living creatures; they looked wild and hungry for our souls.

Saphena swerved, facing us. “There,” she said, pointing to a narrow patch, a small gap in the circle where the flames parted slightly. “That is your entry point. Once you step inside, the fire will close, and you will find your way out… if you are capable,” she said nonchalantly as though this was some simple task like plowing the farm.

I couldn't take it anymore, “And if we can’t?” I asked, biting my cheek to stop me from letting out a scoff.

“Then the flames will decide your worth.”

A few gasps echoed around me, and quiet sobs followed. The smell of smoke and burning wood filled the air, and I could feel my palms sweating despite the cold wind.

This isn't training, it’s torment.

I clenched my fists. “Commander Saphena,” I called, keeping my voice steady. “We have already proven ourselves. This is over the top, we won't survive.”

Her gaze landed on me, unforgiving. “That’s the whole point.” She revealed, taking a step closer.

“You think surviving once is enough to keep you alive when we storm the outside world and wage war? Did you think one task is enough to make you a plague, to earn your place here?” She swiftly took off her robe revealing steel armor. She didn't stop there, ridding her body of the metal, as well as her inner shirt. Saphena's upper body lay bare before us, revealing her charred stomach.

“This is what it takes to be a plague.” She said, the flames hissing at her words, as she emphasized the burnt scar that spread across her stomach.

She slipped back into her clothes and snapped her fingers. Three guards marched forward, their swords drawn, ready for a strike. My heart clamped, seeing their hard and determined faces.

“Lead them into the fire.” She commanded and the guards moved in obedience.

Clio’s hand trembled against mine as the guards urg
ed us to move with their swords. I held on to Clio and Jira,bracing ourselves for death.