Page 84 of Tempest Blazing
A horn blast cut through the arena, silencing the crowd like someone had flipped a switch. All eyes turned to the center of the battlefield, where Silvius Ellesar—Kane's father and the Guild's Lord Protector—appeared in a flash of light. His voice, magically amplified, boomed across the arena.
"Welcome, candidates, Guild members, and honored guests, to the Final Guild Trial!"
The crowd erupted, but I felt the weight of Silvius's gaze as it swept over us. When those silver-blue eyes landed on me, even from this distance, it was like ice water in my veins. He didn't want me here. Had made that crystal fucking clear from day one.But his disapproval only fueled the fire burning in my chest. I'd show him exactly what he was wrong about.
Silvius raised a hand, and the noise died like he'd strangled it. "Today, we witness the culmination of your efforts, your training, and your resolve. The trials ahead will test your strength, your cunning, and most importantly, your worthiness to join the ranks of the Dragon Riders."
He paused, letting his words sink their claws in before continuing. "The first phase of the trial will be… a Battle Royale."
My stomach dropped straight to my feet. Of course it would be. A free-for-all where everyone turned on everyone else until half of us were eliminated.
"The candidates have been divided into groups of twenty. Each group will compete within the arena until only ten remain standing. You may use any and all skills at your disposal—magic, physical prowess, or sheer determination. We've also scattered some weapons and shields throughout the arena. However, lethal force is discouraged."
I leaned toward Mason, my voice barely a whisper. "How exactly do they eliminate us? I mean, are we talking about actually—"
"Being knocked unconscious or sustaining serious injury will remove you from the trial," Silvius continued, as if he'd heard my question from across the arena. "Our staff will immediately teleport eliminated candidates to safety, where they'll receive full medical attention."
Relief flooded through me, though my heart still hammered against my ribs. At least I wouldn't have to kill anyone to prove myself. But I'd take whatever injuries I had to if it meant advancing. Pain was temporary—failure would haunt me forever.
His gaze swept the arena before landing on me like a target. "And let me be absolutely clear—those of you who have already bonded with dragons are forbidden from receiving any assistance from them during this trial. Dragon interference of any kind will result in immediate disqualification."
The arena began to shift beneath us. The ground rumbled, and sections of the battlefield rose and fell, creating this intricate maze of platforms, crumbling ledges, and what looked suspiciously like traps. Fog rolled in from the edges like something out of a nightmare, obscuring parts of the terrain.
"Remember," Silvius continued, "the goal is to survive and prove your worth. The top ten candidates from each group will advance to the next phase. The rest… will not."
His words hung in the air like a death sentence. I swallowed hard, clenching my fists until my nails bit into my palms. This was it. My moment to prove that I belonged here, that I was worthy of everything I'd fought for. No turning back now—and I wouldn't want to even if I could.
"Let the trials begin!"
???
Desperately, I forced myself to focus on what mattered most—proving I belonged here. I couldn't let anyone down, not Mason, not Kane, not Anya, and especially not myself.
This trial was everything.
Without it, I'd remain nothing more than the girl who didn't quite measure up, the one who needed constant protection. I had to succeed, no matter what it cost me.
Isolde Northfall, the Headmaster of the Dragon Rider Guild's Academy, stepped forward. The crowd went dead silent. She raised a hand, though she didn't really need to.
"Candidates," she began, her voice cutting through the air with magical amplification, "you stand here today because you have proven yourselves capable. But capability alone is not enough to earn the title of Dragon Rider. This trial will test your strength, your cunning, and your resolve. Only those who show true worthiness will advance." She paused, her stare sweeping across us. "I will now announce the first group to face the trial."
My stomach clenched as she began calling out names, each one landing heavily in the arena. I listened with every fiber of my being, waiting for my name, my muscles wound tight enough to snap. All those hours of practice, all the late nights with Mason drilling combat techniques, Kane helping me refine my magic control, Anya teaching me to read my opponents—it all came down to this moment. This was my chance to prove I wasn't just someone who needed saving, that I could stand on my own and earn my place among the Dragon Riders. And then—
"Tempest Whittaker."
The words punched through me. I exhaled slowly, forcing my shoulders to relax even as my pulse hammered against my throat. Mason's hand found mine, squeezing hard enough to bruise. The warmth of his touch, rough and familiar, anchored me to the moment. His dark eyes were all worry, but he didn't let go until my name stopped bouncing off the stone walls.
Then it hit me—none of my friends had been called. I scanned the group fast, my stomach dropping as I confirmed it. Mason, Kane, Draven, Anya… not one of them was in my group. I would be going into this alone.
The thought should have terrified me, but instead, it sparked something fierce inside my chest. This was perfect. No one could say I'd succeeded because of their help. No one could claim I'd hidden behind stronger allies. Whatever happened in that arena would be entirely on me—my skills, my determination, my worthiness.
What if I freeze? What if my magic fails when I need it most? But what if I don't? What if this is exactly what I need to prove myself once and for all? The thoughts spiraled deeper, each one cutting sharper than the last, until—
"You are never alone, little one."
Thalon's deep, rumbling voice flooded my mind, steady and grounding. I closed my eyes briefly, letting the bond between us smooth the jagged edges inside me. His presence pulsed warm at the back of my consciousness, a constant reminder that isolation was just an illusion.
"You've faced worse odds before,"he continued, his tone mixing confidence with something softer."Trust your instincts."
