Ray stood at the edge of the forest, staring into the distance thick with trees and bushes as the low, heavy footsteps drew near. I’ve only seen it in the book at the library. He took deep breaths, still focusing toward the sound. I only hear one aligktor, so it should be fine.

  He rubbed the hilt of his sword. The low, heavy footsteps grew louder and louder with each of his breaths. He turned to look at the surrounding apprentices. His eyes widened when he couldn’t spot Maximus. “What the hell? Where did he go?” He frantically looked around, searching among the groups of oblivious apprentices, through the dense forest, but to no avail. He covered his face with his palm, unsheathed his sword and took a deep breath as the trees broke behind him, followed by a loud growl and footsteps that shook the ground beneath him. The apprentices finally noticed and glanced around, unsure of the reason.

  Ray turned as the aligktor broke through the trees, dark green scales covering its body. It jumped at him, all of its six eyes focused on him. It attacked with its claws, as big as his sword. He ducked out of the way; its foot slammed into the ground as dust flew around. All the apprentices flinched as they grabbed their weapons. The aligktor roared, its voice so loud the nearby trees and some apprentices flew into the lake.

  The apprentices screamed as they ran in different directions; some lost their weapons, some trembled, clinging on to their weapons. Those who fell into the lake swam to the other side. Sera and the group grabbed their weapons, Cassandra directing the apprentices away from the aligktor. Ray stood beside it, his eyes fixed on it. The aligktor glanced at him and attacked with both its claws. Ray jumped back. It’s slow.

  Somewhere far up in a tall tree, Maximus looked over them. “Maybe I shouldn’t have brought Ray along; he’s the most competent.”

  Jon’s voice cut through the chaos. “What the fuck is that?! Are we gonna die?! I don’t wanna die; I still wanna see Vivi.”

  Elaira’s voice followed. “Listen here, SHUT UP!”

  The aligktor attacked Ray. He dodged one of its claws, but his eyes widened as he turned his sword sideways, blocking its other claw. The blow sent him crashing through the ground and into the lake. He remained afloat in the water, his right arm bent in the opposite direction but still holding the sword as the water turned red around him. It’s not slow at all.

  A searing pain shot up Ray’s arm, so sharp it stole his breath. He gritted his teeth and paddled toward the shore, using his good arm. Once outside, he breathed deeply and dropped his sword. After removing his tunic, he used his sheath to support his arm, tying the tunic around his arm and neck.

  Maximus stood on top of the branch, staring at Ray near the shore. “I guess I overestimated him.”

  On the bank, the scene was of pure chaos. The apprentices ran all around; some trembled and couldn’t move — except for one spot. Sera and the group had formed a shaky defense line, their weapons pointed at the beast. Sera’s eyes darted to the lake for a split second, spotting Ray’s condition. She turned to the beast, her breath hitched as her eyes met its.

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  It charged at them. All of them raised their weapons, shouting. The air whistled, and an arrow crashed into the beast’s scales, pushing it back. Without breaking her stance, Sera rushed forward. “Attack. Attack now.”

  The group attacked its legs, some from the front, some around the back. But its scales deflected all of them. It roared again, pushing back the group as another arrow crashed into it.

  Back at the lake, Ray still knelt, taking deep breaths. He stood, his legs shaking, his beige undershirt covered in blood. He glanced at Sera and the other’s unsuccessful attacks. Should I run? I can’t fight it like this. They should run too. He turned his back on them, staring into the forest. This is all Maximus’ fault, anyway. Why should I struggle? Why should I suffer?

  He stumbled forward, shivering, his jaw clenched. The voices, screams, shouts, roar around him faded; he could only hear his thoughts. I want to live. I will not sacrifice myself here. Not for anybody. Even them.

  Maximus squinted his eyes, nocking another arrow. “What is he doing? Running away?” He aimed at the aligktor and fired the arrow at it. “How disappointing.”

  Ray didn’t look back; he continued toward the forest. The world around drained of color, the voices barely a whisper. Then, a voice echoed in his mind, sweet, calm. Mother?

  —ecome… so…meone’s…guiding…light…

  —always…be…kind…

  He stopped in his tracks as a tear traced his cheek. I… had forgotten her voice. His hands trembled. I don’t even remember her face…

  “Why? Why? Why?” He gritted his teeth. “Why should I be kind?” He took several deep breaths and looked up at the sky. “Just this once, Mother.”

  Just as he turned around, Cassandra crashed at his feet. She looked up at him as blood trickled down her blonde hair. “Ray…run!”

  Ray shifted his weight and picked up a spear lying by his feet. “Shut up.” He pointed the spear at the aligktor. “I’ll attack its eyes; you guys focus on slicing its neck.”

  Cassandra stood, shaking. “But… but you’re injure-”

  “I said, shut up!” Ray glared at her, then focused on the aligktor. He aimed the spear, clenched it with all his might and launched it.

  Sera stood tall in front of the aligktor, Elaira knelt beside a tree and Jon lay near her. Ray’s spear crashed into the aligktor’s eye, followed by Cassandra’s voice. “Neck! Attack its neck!”

  As it fell to the ground, everyone near it rushed at its neck and sliced relentlessly as blood poured all over them. With a last whimper, the aligktor breathed its last breath. Silence followed for a moment before everyone burst out cheering, laughing, hugging each other. Cassandra smiled and turned to Ray, her eyes widening as he crashed face first into the ground. “RAY!” Her voice echoed over the cheers and laughs.

  Aidan and Sera rushed toward him, followed by Victor and the other surrounding apprentices. Elaira grabbed Jon’s arm and dragged him. Cassandra pushed Ray onto his back and let out a deep breath, wiping her forehead. “He’s passed out.” Sera sat beside him. Elaira arrived and threw Jon near Ray. “Listen here, what now?” Sera punched her palm. “I wanna know where Maximus is. That was too dangerous.” Everyone nodded and looked around, trying to find him.

  Maximus stood, his bow lowering slowly as a faint, approving smile finally broke through his stern expression. “Perhaps I didn’t overestimate him after all.” He jumped down and strolled toward them. The apprentices spotted and started complaining and expressing their disappointment. Maximus, without saying a word, stopped near Ray, measuring his wounds. He cracked his fingers. “Quiet!”

  The apprentices flinched and took a step back. “You all will never become knights.” He walked toward the aligktor’s corpse. “Your first instinct was screaming, running, dropping your weapons.” He knelt and pulled out his arrows. “Do you know what you’ll become? Meat shields. Expendables. The ones sent out to die because nobody cares about your pathetic lives.”

  He put the arrows back in the quiver at his waist and turned to face them. “That is why you’re here, aren’t you? In the academy? To not become expendables?” He shook his head. “This was a test, and all of you… have failed.”