Growl of Trial

CHAPTER 3 (Spot)

The thick fog that shrouded the area of Adamson University began to dissipate as the rays of the morning sun penetrated the dull grey tapestry, their brilliant light cutting through the mist, laying bare the arena step by step. I stood at the edge of what was to be called the "Bloody Circle," having now reached the next stage of trials, feeling the burden of the moment settle on my shoulders. Ominously the fiercely bright, red line of the circle glowed on the trampled earth. In a charged tension in the very atmosphere, there was a matching reflection of my racing pulse.

My heart throbbed and hummed in my chest as I took in the scene before my eyes. Somehow, there was an air about this elimination round that insinuated the physical battle that was forthcoming—the brutal testing of physical power and strategic cunning. The rules were very simple: you bowl your opposition out of the circle, and the last ten left will move on. I knew more than anyone that the execution was where the true difficulty resided. It hardly was about muscle but indeed about endurance, strategy, and timing.

"Now, Dana," Diana strongly whisper and tried to breathe evenly. "Now's the moment to test everything you've learned. There's more to it than just brute force. There's strategy and timing to it."

The starting signal boomed, and all hell broke loose. Wolves shot into the ring; growls and shouts alike merged into this haze of belligerence and chaos. Into the messy assemblage, I launched my body, somersaulting through in part practiced agility and part instinct.

A quick scan of the scene let me get a feel of which wolves were banding and which wolves were fighting solo. The trick was to keep mobile, dodging being pulled into the middle of a fracas by one particular pack. My mind raced, telling myself, "Get yourself to somewhere safe, bide your time, and take advantage of an opportunity," as my mind went through strategizing.

My first approach was to stay out of the strong opposition's way; instead, I obstructed minor skirmishes and did my part to focus the other competitors' attention elsewhere. I was hoping this would save energy and be patient.

However, my plan was about to be put to the test when, out of my peripheral vision, I caught sight of Rei, the only commoner who was fighting alone, at the fringes of the circle. One mean, bulky contender kept pushing him back, and my heart sank. Every gut instinct in me wanted to rebel.

"Think, Dana, think!" I berated myself. Think quickly but think smart.

I wove my own way through the melee on the loose of-the-shelf towards Rei, fluid and purposed. As I reached him, the gigantic contender gobbled, shoving Rei farther towards the rim. I dove between the attacker and him, pressing my body into the other. "Rei, behind me! Stay in back!" I yelled at him, trying to shield him.

But nothing I attempted would outshine the contender's mass and strength. I could only watch helplessly as Rei got forced out of the circle. He locked his gaze with mine, regret and defeat written all over his face, before he dropped to the ground outside. Anger flared through my body, but I couldn't afford to waste another second on him out here. The elimination round was merciless, and I needed to refocus myself. "One setback doesn't mean failure," I told myself. "You need to adapt and overcome.

I watched the tactics of the high-ranked wolves in their interaction: some of the wolves would establish a temporary alliance, while others would continue to be more aggressive—maybe to the point of subduing the other ending—and other high-ranked wolves used strong-arm tactics to push out competition. I knew I had to handle this. "Use their aggression against them. Let them waste energy trying to outfight us, then strike when they are too tired."

I started to implement my new plan, waiting for overreaching charyuger or isolating my contenders. When I saw another overt contender pushing one excessive for faze, I saw my opening. I slipped in on him, and quick moves and well-applied force, I pushed him out of the circle.

It was risky but it clicked. My sudden move caught the attention of the elite wolves at the fringes of the circle. I glanced over the direction of Elias, and his surprised expression was now replaced with thoughtfulness.

"Imagine that, "I told myself feeling proud and thankful. "Keep it up. Maintain concentration."

As the circle grew smaller, so did the competition grow stiffer. I twisted and turned vehemently, trying to avoid the most vicious skirmishes and, as always, trying to find an opportunity to fight back. By every opponent I threw out, my confidence stacked up, and the sense of achievement fueled my willpower.

When the final bell sounded, I was one of the last ten on my feet. I felt worn but exhilarated at the same time, standing there and looking around the arena, taking in all the proofs that hard-earned success provides. My spot in the next round was secure, but my victory was bittersweet. The harsh reality of the competition had sunk in.

When the other competitors were eased off the field, Elias's gaze lingered upon me. The intensity in his eyes revealed now; there was respect to my strategic acumen on the rise. I met his look with unwavering determination; I knew this was just the beginning. Time to brace for the even more daunting challenges ahead.

As the day closed, I reflected on the trials that have come my way. The final eliminations truly tested me in ways I never thought of but, at the same time, proved that I could be strong and resilient in the face of such challenges. With this support and strength I had discovered within me, I was ready for whatever might come at me from Adamson University.