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“Looks like the empress is getting ready to speak,” Bear said, pointing up to the three thrones.

Indeed, Saefii had risen to her feet and had her hands in the air, drawing the attention of the masses who quietened instantly upon seeing their ruler call for silence.

“Welcome, welcome, one and all,” Saefii said in the lyrical language of her race, her voice somehow amplified to echo around the entire space. “We are here today to witness the humans of Medora who wish to prove their worth by facing the Gates of Testing.”

A loud cry arose at her words, cheers mixed with jeers, the audience torn about whether to be excited or annoyed.

“Six tests over six days, that is what shall be required of them,” Saefii told her people. “Whatever their fate, they have already showed courage in being here today. Now allow us to offer them the respect that decision has earned.”

More cheers this time, and significantly fewer jeers.

“Any chance you want to fill us in?” Declan said from the corner of his mouth. His comment was to Kaiden, but Alex wasn’t sure if Kaiden had been taught enough by Athora to have followed everything Saefii had said. Either way, neither of them had the chance to fill in their friends, since the empress turned her gaze down to the circle and switched to the common tongue.

“TheTu’eh Saeron ess Telarishould not be undertaken lightly,” Saefii told them. “This is your final chance to change your minds.”

Alex shared quick glances with her friends, noting their tense but steadfast expressions as they each shook their heads in the negative.

“We will face your tests as agreed,” Alex said for all of them, her voice somehow amplified just like Saefii’s.

“Very well,” the empress said.

Saefii raised her hands again, this time pointing towards the three floating arches. Suddenly, their blazing increased and they started moving, circling slowly at first, but building to an incredible speed. Around and around they circled until they looked like a flaming ring suspended in the air. And then, as if someone had hit pause, they came to an instant stop, each now with a glowing word written in the empty space at its base.

Zoren—‘hope’.

Vaedan—‘strength’.

Ganoris—‘reason’.

“The Gates have spoken,” Saefii called, her silver eyes trailing over the words just as Alex’s had. “Today our challengers will be tested by either the Gate of Hope, the Gate of Strength or the Gate of Reason.”

As the audience gave another mighty cry, the Gates started moving again, even faster than before, the words disappearing like smoke in the wind. This time they slowed gradually, and as they did, they gently lowered until they came to a rest at triangulated points in the clouded gap beyond the edge of the raised stage.

“May the light be your guide, humans,” Saefii said, taking her seat again. “And may you choose wisely.”

That appeared to be all she was going to say, because with a wave, she indicated for them to begin. The audience tooappeared to be waiting with baited breath to see what would happen next. And they weren’t the only ones. Alex wondered if her heart was going to beat out of her chest with anticipation.

“Hope, reason, strength,” Bear said. “None of those sound too bad.”

“Better than death, plague and tragedy,” Jordan offered in agreement. “Fingers crossed they’re not on the agenda later this week.”

Alex crossed her toes as well, just to be safe.

Pivoting in the centre of the circle as she looked from arch to arch, it was impossible to tell which Gate had been for which test, the words now long gone. Turning back to the others, she asked, “What do you guys think?”

“I’m happy to leave this one up to you,” D.C. said. When Alex opened her mouth to object, her friend continued, “Saefii told us yesterday that the most demanding Gates will challenge you specifically. It’s only fair that you should get to choose which ones we go through.”

“But Idon’tget to choose,” Alex said, gesturing to the identical-looking Gates. “It’s basically a crapshoot.”

“Then it’s your crapshoot,” Declan said, clapping a hand encouragingly on her shoulder and giving her a shake that nearly rattled her bones. “Go on, Alex. We’ve got your back, whatever you decide.”

Resenting them all a little for the position they were putting her in—while also understanding why they were doing so and knowing she’d offer the same if their positions were reversed— Alex sighed deeply and moved towards one of the arches at random. She came to a stop at the border of the circle, which left a cloud-filled gap of about three feet between the stage and the base of the Gate. They would have to jump in order to pass through—but for what purpose other than to forfeit their dignity, Alex didn’t know.

Stretching forward as far as she could, she reached out to test the flames still flaring off the arches to make sure they wouldn’t burn her on contact. Instead, she found that it was just like the blue fire that appeared whenever she summoned A’enara— beautiful, yet harmless. At least to her. Aware that the star fire was known to severely burn anyone not bound to her magical blade, Alex held her breath as her friends stepped forward to test the flames themselves. She only relaxed again when none of them cried out in agony, satisfied enough to press onwards.

“Ready or not, here we come,” Alex said quietly. And with the assurance that the others were right behind her, she pushed off from the stage and leapt over the gap and into the Gate.

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