Chapter 56: Second Day Of Trials - Part 2

The girls stood with the guys, discussing what they thought would be required of them in the trials. “What do you think is the best way to test someone’s mental strength? Push them far enough to see if they lose their cool, or break down the wall and see if they crack under the pressure?” Ember asked, a bit hesitant. “Don’t worry, even though we are not fully mated yet, our bond is strong enough for you to pull strength from me to get you through this. I suggest the 10 of us stay close together today.” He looked at the girls while saying the last bit. They all nodded in agreement.

“Good afternoon, everyone.” A clear voice, almost as musical as Michelle's and her mom’s voices, speaks out from the stage. The candidates all turn their attention to the stage. Standing at the front of the stage were Legolas and Erin. “My name is Legolas. I am from the Royal Elvin Scholars Academia. I was recruited by our King and Queen Celine, to teach here at the Royal Supernatural Academy, and in addition to train you, Elvin, in healing properties and abilities.” They all applauded, and Erin stepped forward. “Good afternoon, everyone. “My name is Erin. As most of you know, I am a senior student here at the academy. But I am also one of the trainers, as part of my tenure to become a full-time teacher here at the academy after graduating. I am a White Witch and will be training you in battle against dark magic by using white magic.” After a short applause, Legolas stepped forward again.

“Today, to assist in assessing your mental strength, we have recruited Drelduin, one of the teachers at the academy.” Legolas pointed at the dragon shifter talking to Athos and Louis. He stepped forward and started his introduction. “Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Drelduin. I am a hybrid dragon shifter. Erin, Legolas, and I each have our way of assessing mental strength. Erin will be using one of the spells taught here at the academy. Legolas will use an ancient Elven technique that is designed to break even the strongest minds. I will be using a technique approved by the Dragon King and Queen Celine that was used by Dragons and Angels in a war, a very, very long time ago, designed to push you far over the edge, to see if you can remain steady enough to keep your people safe and protected. The spell Erin will be using will show you your biggest fear, and you need to find your way through the fog to clear your mind and see what is real and what is not.”

With that, the candidates were divided into three groups, each being assessed in turn by each trainer today. Erin started with the group that Michelle and the others were in. “Ok, I want you all to take a seat right where you are. Close your eyes and concentrate on my words.” She spoke in a language that only Stella recognized, but even so, Stella didn’t recognize the spell. After a few seconds, the group was all left in a mist of hysteria, as their biggest fears stood in front of them. Only for Michelle, it was something unknown, a dark black figure, with no real shape. One by one, the other candidates all got through the mist and realized what was real and what was not.

Michelle got up to her feet just as Drake got through his assessment with Erin and saw Michelle getting ready to shift. He linked with her, “Michelle, calm down, breathe. You are ok, we are here with you, just breathe.” She could see in her mind what was real and what wasn’t, and the dark figure in front of her was as real as her brother’s voice was to her link. Her wings spanned out, and she glowed bright white, speaking in a voice so mysterious yet musical. “Show yourself, showdown creature. Make yourself known, now.” Before anyone could do or say anything, a dark mist appeared in front of her, speaking in a disembodied tone. “You can not hide behind your family forever; we will find you. You will become ours.” The mist evaporated, and Michelle broke through the spell and looked at Drake, then at Darius, before turning her attention to Athos.

Athos walked over to her along with Roman, whom she only noticed when he reached her. “Princess, are you ok?” Athos’s voice was filled with concern. She turned to Roman, “Can you take a message to mom and dad?” He bowed his head to her, “Yes, Your Highness.” She shared an image of what she saw with him through mind link, and he immediately departed for the castle. Looking at Athos, she felt she needed to explain. “We are not safe, no one in the real is safe. That shadow creature is not just any mere creature. It is something ancient, something that knows what I am, but not that I received my grace. If they know I have my grace, they will move their attack up faster.” Stella got up and stepped in next to Michelle. “I know what that was. It is something from Purgatory. Not a demon, worse than demons. The Greeks called them Titans. We call them Leviathan.” Legolas stepped over, “If they are after you, Michelle, you will need to step up the trials and the training, fast. Trainers, swop groups. Michelle, you and your friends, please wait after trials for me here in the hall.” He walked over to his next group, while Erin walked to his group, and Drelduin walked over to them.

“Everyone, I need you all to stand in front of me. Look at my eyes, and concentrate. I need you to think of what makes you happy, and keep concentrating on that, while looking straight into my eyes. Ember looked at him, “My father approved the Dragon’s Glare?” She looked shocked, but sounded like she was not worried. He smiled at her. “Yes, Your Highness, he did. He also mentioned that you have mastered this technique yourself. I am impressed; it takes a very strong dragon to do that.” She smiled, and next to her, Drake felt proud of his mate. They all stood there, each one thinking of something that makes them happy. Staring into their eyes, Drelduin started using his ability, and after 5 minutes, 1/5 of the group gave in, and broke, giving up secrets no one was meant to know. After another 5 minutes, Drelduin stopped the dragon’s glare and found himself looking at a small group of candidates he felt proud of.

The trainers swapped again, and Legolas didn’t say a word; he stared at the group in front of him, reading their minds, showing them the secrets he sees hidden deep in their minds and hearts, showing them their fears, and then, at the end, he showed them what will happen if they give in to any darkness trying to take them over. Half the group broke and failed the assessment. All who were left of this group were the 10 friends.