Wura
Wura, Nath, and Ru hurried toward the gathering place, hidden deep within the dense forest. Around fifty participants were already there, surrounded by towering trees. Those without an amulet were immediately asked to leave.
Wura's heart tightened as she caught sight of their downcast faces. She could have been one of them, if she hadn't met Nath at the very beginning of this journey.
In the end, only about thirty people remained.
— The next trial will take place in a tower several kilometers from here, announced the priest. Once you arrive, you'll receive further instructions. Form groups of three now, it's essential to continue.
Nath grinned.
— We're ready, he said cheerfully.
Without hesitation, the trio set off.
The path stretched farther than they had imagined.
At first, Wura managed to keep pace, but fatigue soon crept in, making each step heavier than the last. Nath was struggling too. Only Ru seemed unaffected, calm and silent as always.
After a long walk of nearly ten kilometers, they reached a grey tower rising endlessly into the sky, standing alone in the middle of nowhere. At its base shimmered a strange luminous gate, like a dimensional portal. Its curved outlines, intricately carved, resembled sacred vévés.
Groups passed through one after another. With her heart pounding, Wura stepped forward with her companions.
The moment they crossed the threshold, they found themselves inside a vast, vaulted hall. The air felt unreal, dense, vibrating. Massive statues lined the walls, separated by majestic columns.
Wura looked down. She was standing at the center of a small white circle. Lifting her gaze, she realized it was part of a larger pattern: two more concentric circles and a glowing point at the center. Eight lines radiated outward from that point, crossing all circles.
On each side of her, two statues of archers stood guard, bows drawn. She tried to take a step forward, but an invisible barrier stopped her. Turning her head, she saw Nath and Ru trapped in similar circles. Opposite her, on the middle ring, Nath looked around in confusion. To her left stood Ru; to her right, a statue of an armored warrior brandishing a sword.
— What the hell is this? Ru grumbled.
— I'd like to know too, Nath replied.
Suddenly, three new figures appeared across the circle. At the same time, three statues rose from the ground: a swordsman, an archer, and a man in a priest's robe.
The newcomers were part of the same trial. The blank looks in their eyes showed they, too, had no idea what was going on.
A cracking sound echoed through the chamber. A massive golden hourglass appeared above them. At that instant, golden weapons materialized in Ru's hand and that of his opponent, shimmering swords. Another player received a bow, while a golden robe wrapped itself around Nath. The central figure of the opposing team was crowned with a radiant sun-shaped halo.
Then, a mysterious voice filled the air.
— Welcome to the Rite of the Brave. To succeed, your team must win before time runs out.
Wura's eyes widened, stunned by the sudden turn of events.
— Swordsmen, archers, and priests, the voice continued solemnly, protect your King and eliminate every enemy. If the King falls, so do you all.
— The King? Wura repeated, bewildered.
Nath and Ru both turned toward her. Just like the opposing leader, she now wore a sun crown. She was the King. But why her?
A translucent blue window appeared before each player. Lines of golden text began scrolling silently.
— The match begins in ten minutes, the voice said. Use this time to read the rules.
Wura's pulse raced. The countdown made her uneasy. She glanced at Ru and Nath, they were already reading intently. Across from them, the opposing team exchanged tense looks.
She returned to her own screen.
Three concentric circles. Each team begins with six players positioned on the two outer rings: two swordsmen and one priest on the middle ring; two archers and the King on the outer ring. Each player may move one square at a time, either in a straight line or along the curve, in any direction. There are two ways to eliminate an enemy:
Impact: a swordsman steps onto an adjacent space of an enemy who has no ally behind them.
Suction: if two enemies are side by side, one can step back a space to eliminate the other.
Wura frowned, lost. She had never played anything like this before. It reminded her of those school tests where she discovered the rules at the same time as the questions.
And this was only the first part of the instructions…
— I'm done, said Nath.
— Same here, Ru added.
— I'll admit… I didn't really get everything, Wura murmured, slightly embarrassed.
— We've got about five minutes left, Nath said. We can explain.
His tone warmed her. Nath calmly broke down the rules again.
Swordsmen were the only ones who could use Impact. Archers and priests relied on Suction. The King could do both, and also switch places with an ally.
— The glowing point in the center is the Sanctuary, Nath continued. If a priest reaches it, they can cast different spells. That's pretty much the gist of it.
— Fine by me, said Ru. Let's get ready.
Wura nodded slowly, her eyes still wide.
— Uh… Nath, could you just go over the…
— No time, Ru cut her off sharply. Figure it out as we play. We need to focus on strategy.
Wura lowered her gaze, a bit hurt. Nath opened his mouth to say something, but a sharp tone rang through the hall.
— Begin.