Playing With Fire

A Daunting Test

I called on my affinity, conjuring a fireball and tossed it toward the hedge, hoping that maybe I could just burn the maze down and the test would be over. As the ball got close to the hedge, the beaches struck out at slashing me across the cheek and batted my fireball to the ground where it fizzled out. I guess burning down the hedges would have been too easy, but I figured it was worth a shot.

I continued down, moved down the path when a wave of pointed sticks vaulted through the air towards me. Instinctively I threw my hands out and watched in awe as a tidal wave of fire incinerated the sticks. The ashes fell, covering me as I continued onward.

The pendant was now warm against my skin as I went through a list of spells I had read through last night. I did recall a charm to help the caster find something. While that spell was supposed to be used to find objects, perhaps it could help me find my way.

After a couple of tries, I think the charm finally worked work and the path before me was illuminated in a soft golden glow. I followed it, casting the shield spell that Carver had taught me. I bristled as a strong wind shuttered through the maze rustling the leaves on the hedges when I walked into something solid. I focused on the path to see what was blocking my way, but nothing appeared there. Stretching my hand out in front of me, I felt my palm press against a cool see-through surface.

Sighing, I turned back to find another way around them to find my path blocked by two watery figures. I pressed against the barrier in front of me attempting to find a weak spot. Panicked, I lobbed a fireball at one of the figures, but all that did was create a layer of smoke, making it almost impossible for me to see. I looked around wildly for anything that could help me when I noticed that the smoke defined where the barrier was. It looked like the barrier was about seven feet tall before coming to a stop.

Quickly I tried to think of a spell for flying, but I hadn't come across one. One of the watery figures latched onto me, attempting to pull me into it wanting to consume me. Panicking, I cast one of the first spells Carver had taught me for levitation. I kicked the watery beast off me as I floated upward through the thick smoke. I saw the edge of the barrier go by my feet, but the smoke was too thick for me to see much of anything else. I levitated higher, hoping that I could get an idea of how much farther I had to go, or even just levitate above the maze to the finish.

When I reached the top of the hedges, I ran into another barrier. Wincing, I rubbed my head as I tried to see anything that might give me a clue about how I was doing. I wasn't even sure if I was going the right way let alone anywhere close to finishing this stupid maze. Sighing, I floated back down past the first barrier.

Grunting, I hit the ground hard, feeling my energy fade quickly. I heard Carver's voice in the back of my mind reminding me that every spell cost the caster energy. I would have to rely on my fire affinity from here on out.

Swaying, I grabbed the hedge for balance, and the golden path in front of me flickered. I guess this was why that particular spell wasn't used for finding directions.

I tried to straighten up and move on, but something tugged at my wrist. I wanked and tried to pull free, looking back to see what had latched on to me. Vines from the hedge crisscrossed up my arm, pulling me towards it. I struggled, trying to break free, throwing fireballs at the hedge, which only tugged harder in response.

Larger gnarled branches snaked out towards my feet. I kicked out, trying to keep them back. Losing my balance, I fell forward. I cried out in pain as my shoulder was wrenched out of its socket by the unyielding vines still attached to my arm. It pulled me backward, capitalizing on my unsteadiness. I fell backward into the hedge, several more vines and branches wrapping round my waist and limbs securing their prey.

I struggled as they pulled me into the hedge. My temper spiked, and the pendant around my neck burned the skin underneath it. I had not come all of this way to be undone by shrubbery. The burning spread from the pendant across my chest and through my limbs. I shrieked in a mixture of fury and pain, feeling as if my very soul had been set alight.

The branches roughing my skin burst into flame, and the others retreated. I reached for them wanting to burn everything till there was nothing left but smoke and ash. I saw nothing but fire and longed to truly become one with it. To not have my soul be on fire, but be made of it.

Yes, a soft voice in my head whispered, fanning the flames in my soul. This is what we do to those who dare to threaten us. I recoiled from the voice, realizing with a start that it was not my own. The heat retreated from my limbs, though the pendant still burned hot against my skin.

I collapsed onto the scorched earth, darkness creating along the edge of my vision. I was no longer surrounded by the lush green maze but was alone, completely naked in a scorched arena.

Curling up in a ball, I lead my head back as the darkness settled over me. You did well, little dove, but it's time to rest now; a soft female voice comforted me. Sleep now, and in time, we will bring this world to its knees.

Authors Note: Hey guys thanks so much for reading! Please, please, please vote if you want to read more :) Also, comment with your favorite characters and favorite character relationships that you want to see developed over the next chapters :)