The sunlight didn't feel real. Gentle rays of sunlight warmed me as we left the mouth of the cave. We were now in a wide, grassy bluff overlooking a large valley. The air was refreshing, smelling of earth and pine— a welcome change from the damp stone and algae. Soft billows of wind ruffled my hair and dress as knee-length grass brushed against my legs.

  It was hard to believe how far we'd come. In basically one day, we'd gone from a bustling city, to near-drowning in caves, to standing in a place so beautiful it looked like it had been painted.

  Rose fluttered beside me, making lazy loops in the air. No doubt enjoying the change of scenery too.

  Caelin took a deep breath and exhaled dramtically. "No algae? No water? I think it's safe to say we made it," he said with a grin.

  I tucked a strand of wet hair behind my ear. "You know, call me crazy, but I think you're right."

  I tried to walk, but my legs gave out from under me. I sank into the soft grass. It felt like a day dream, with the warm beams of light warming my body. If I let myself, I could've easily fallen asleep here.

  Raising a hand to block the light from my eyes, I looking up at the large rolling clouds. The glint of my ring caught my attention. Just this morning it had been a deep blue, but now was almost clear again, giving off a soft pale shimmer.

  My theory still held: the ring acted as a reservoir for my manaura, storing whatever I wasn't using while doubling as my focus. It was the only explanation for my ability to cast the spells I had so far.

  * I hate to admit it... but Muganno really did give me a unique gift... *

  * ~ Of course I did! ~ *

  I shot upright, heart skipping, only to find Caelin lying in the grass beside me with his eyes closed. There was no egoistic deity in sight.

  With a shaky breath, I laid back down in the bed of grass. The fresh air, the warm sun, the soft breeze— it was all too much as sleep quickly found me.

  ~

  A light tapping on my cheek woke me. I blinked open my eyes to see Rose insistently poking me with one tiny finger, fluttering backward as I sat up. A couple feet away, Caelin was sprawled in the grass, also asleep. We couldn't have been out long because the sun had barely moved.

  The ache in my stomach reminded me that I hadn't eaten since... yesterday? Before the trials? Time felt weird here.

  I reached for my bag and dug through it, hoping something— anything— had survived our spelunking.

  My heart sank.

  It seemed as though all of my 'just-in-case' supplies were ruined. The granola looked like water tasted, the jerky was jello, and the loaf of bread could've been a crime scene. All if it was a lost cause... except for one thing.

  Tucked under the cover of my codex was the slice 'wonder bread' that creepy old guy sold me in Elemyr. He'd insisted it would 'Never fail a traveler in need', and I was sure I'd wasted my money on it. I pulled both from my bag, removing the bread from the cover like it was radioactive. I hesitated a moment, gave it a sniff, and reluctantly took a nibble.

  Relief washed though me.

  The darn thing tasted like a blueberry muffin... without the blueberries or the muffin part. Several bites later I finished it, letting out the girliest 'mmmmm'. I felt some strength returning, even watching as my ring changed to a pale shade shade of blue again.

  * Thank you, creepy old guy, thank you! *

  I wiped a small tear away, deciding to flip through my codex for the first time in awhile. I'd practically forgotten about it, and since its forced hibernation, something had changed. Some of the symbols stamped on the cover now had a faint green glow.

  Curious, I flipped to the first page.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  The once-blank sheets now held unfamiliar markings, runes, and patterns I didn't recognize. Four or five pages were now filled with these markings, some more complex than others.

  * Huh... when did these get here? Not six days ago and this was an empty book. What does it mean?? *

  Before I could puzzle further, Rose tugged a strand of hair, and pointed down the hill. I followed her gesture, eyes widening as I saw a figure approaching. I quickly rolled over and bumped Caelin awake.

  "I'm awake, I'm awake! I was just relaxing my eyes..." he mumbled.

  "Cae, someone's coming," I whispered.

  We quickly got to our feet as the person approached with slow, steady steps, clearly in no hurry.

  As the figure drew closer, I was able to make out more details. Long, silvery hair fell past his shoulders, threaded with tight braids that caught in the breeze. Pointed ears peeked through the strands. His face was sharp, chiseled even, with a simple circlet resting across his brow.

  He wore what looked like rangers garb, with elegant looking leather padding and a white cloak that looked as though it were dipped in green. A dark-black sash, embroidered with golden letters, was wrapped around his arm.

  "That's a Lanarian if I ever saw one," Caelin whispered.

  I nodded as the person stopped a few paces away, studying us with pale-blue eyes that seemed to look pierce right through me.

  After a moment he spoke, his voice soft and melodic, yet carrying clearly across the grass.

  "I commend you, young challengers. You've successfully completed the second trial." He inclined his head slightly, "What are your names?"

  Caelin and I exchanged a quick glance. I spoke first.

  "I'm Mae," I said.

  "Caelin," he added. "And who are you?"

  "I am Auren—" he replied with a faint smile. "The proctor of your final trial."

  "Pleasure to meet you," I said with a slight bow, trying to be as respectful as possible.

  His presence alone was different from the proctors before— calm, composed, and undeniably strong. I could practically feel his manaura radiating.

  He met my eyes briefly, then looked just past me.

  "Hello, little one," he said, extending his hand.

  To my amazement, Rose fluttered out from behind me and landed gently in his palm.

  "You appear to be far from home," he murmured softly to her.

  Rose gave a tiny nod.

  Auren's gaze shifted back to me, a faint smile on his lips.

  "You must be quite special for a petal princess to be in your company. I look forward to seeing what you're capable of."

  I blinked.

  * What?! A princess? She's got some explaining to do! *

  "Uhh... thanks," I said, completely at a loss for words.

  Auren gently lifted his hand, allowing Rose to flutter back towards me. Without another word, he turned and started walking back the direction he'd come.

  Follow me," he called.

  Caelin and I exchanged a confused look, then hurried after him.

  Once Rose had settled back onto my shoulder, I hiss-whispered, "Why didn't you tell me you were a princess too!"

  She just shrugged and gave me a smug smile that said 'oops'.

  Caelin leaned in from the side, also whispering furiously, "Mae— why didn't you tell us Rose was a princess?!"

  "It's not like I knew either!" I hissed back.

  "You do know petal fairy princesses are a once-in-a-century kind of thing, right?" Caelin whispered, eyes wide.

  * Try saying that ten times fast... *

  "She never told me!" I breathed. "I'm just as shocked as you!"

  Rose was just giggling, no doubt amused by our surprise.

  "When we finally get a real chance to breathe," I whispered to Rose, "you've got some explaining to do."

  She offered a sweet, innocent smile, as if she had no intention of spilling the tea.

  "You butt!" I said, unable to stop myself from smiling back.

  For now, I let it go.

  The landscape had already started shifting from plains to hills, and hills to the base of a mountain. Trees grew thick, and clouds difted by low enough to touch. The air thinned, growing colder as we went higher.

  At last we reached the crest where a small outcrop jutted from the cliffside. Pitched at its center was a single canvas tent, its edges flapping lightly in the wind.

  The view was breathtaking, and not just because the air was thinner. Far below, a thick blanket of clouds hid the ground from view, glowing with streaks of red and orange as the sun dipped lower. Above, the open sky mirrored those same colors, fading into softer shades as a few drifting clouds wandered overhead.

  Massive pillars of stone pierced upward through the blanket, like ancient javelins hurled at the earth. Each varied in size, with sparse patches of trees and stubborn bushes clinging to their surface.

  Auren's voice pulled my attention back to him.

  "For now, you'll rest here," he said. "You have one hour to prepare as you see fit. Afterward, you'll begin the final trial."

  He stood at the edge of the tent, holding the entrance open and gesturing inside.

  I took a step, then hesitated. It was quiet— too quiet. No voices. No footsteps. No sign that anyone had made it this far. A chill crept up my spine.

  "Hold on... where is everyone?" I asked.

  "Gone," Auren said calmly. "Like the wind."

  "Well where'd they go?" Caelin pressed.

  "They've either gone ahead, or fallen behind," he calmly answered. "The final trial is to be taken alone. Please— rest. Your time starts now."

  Caelin and I shared a tense glance as he motioned inward again.

  I exhaled deeply. With our time already ticking, we couldn't afford to worry. Mentally drained, and physically exhausted, I stepped forward, ducking inside the tent. Caelin was right behind me.

  A pair of thin bedrolls and a softly glowing blue lantern waited for us, casting a gentle light on the canvas walls. The minutes blurred as we both nodded in and out of uneasy sleep, waiting for whatever the final trial would bring.