~Aurora~

　　All our heads are up and facing Prince Emeric. His announcements, instructions for the Trial that shall happen a day later are as clear as day,

　　"My heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the third trial. The banquet must have given you a great relief, I believe." He began his speech, addressing us victors who passed the third trial. Meanwhile I have come almost close to last, I was still a person who passed the Trial. I have two more tries, the fourth and the fifth trial...The fifth trial being the last and deciding trial for the Heir.

　　I watched Prince Emeric clear his throat before resuming, "The fourth trial has been named Trial of Victors, because this time...it shall be a team amongst all eighteen of you contestants."

　　The number has become eighteen now? Interesting...

　　"Listen to these instructions carefully:

　　The fourth trial marks three categories; namely your team cooperation, your relationship with other team members, and finally, your individual contribution to the team and yourself. You will be designated into a three man team, led by no one. There is no need for a leader in your team this time, because all of you shall be assessed individually." I nodded my head curtly to myself, following his words.

　　"The three man team will be decided by a lot system. You must be wondering what the fourth trial is about. Well, it's already been briefed, but other important aspects to remember are your skills of survival, will matter. Imagine yourself out there, in the woods where you have to spend three nights and three days with your teammates. There will be no perks for a warrior like there was last time. Your own dagger? Your own little healing potion vials? None of it will be given to you this time." With a small smile on his face, Prince Emeric watched us, a small crowd widened our eyes and looked around. We were frantic, of course!

　　Without our weapons and healing potions, we are almost as good as dead if it is the outer ring of dark woods! Thinking about our fourth trial is making me anxious.

　　"Bur fret not, cadets. We at Whispering Pines kingdom believe that true strength comes from within. A fool with a dagger is far less ruthless than a wolf with nothing but their intellect. Victory will be yours, only if you learn to have a way with it.

　　As a leader, a wolf must understand the value of teamwork and trust. Trust each other. There will be one day when YOU are a leader to a pack, to a house, or just a few men who follow you. You must remember that you are essentially a PART of the team, than a leader. The game can be played exquisitely, only if you are a team player and not playing individually.

　　Best of luck to all my contestants.

　　The lots will be drawn on the morning before the official commencement of the Trial of Victors."

　　I didn't know I was holding my breath all this while, as he spoke. I exhaled heavily, and I realized I wasn't the only one who was doing so.

　　Prince Emeric had captivated our hearts and minds with his words. His speech had moved us all to believe that we shall all ace this trial. All of us.

　　I blinked rapidly, slowly craning my head back down to look at my feet. We have been dismissed by Beta Roman. The other contestants around me had started dispersing, but I haven't quite moved on from Prince Emeric's words of strength and motivation.

　　"Hey," I see a pair of feet in front of me. He raised an eyebrow to look at me with a small smile,

　　"Wanna take a stroll in the dark woods with me?" I smiled as a response to his request. When can I ever say no to Odin? It's become our personal ritual.

　　I went back to my room, having requested Odin to give me some time to change into different clothes. He said he'd wait outside my room, and I retorted back to thinking about the 'privilege' I was having.

　　My eyes wandered around the room.

　　Do I really have a bigger room compared to all other contestants?

　　Well, should not faze me anymore. Prince Emeric might have feelings for me, these are all evidence. But at the same time, I don't have the liberty to wail away my time for this. We are bound to be future leaders of our packs and kingdoms. Him, ascending to the throne of his kingdom soon, and I, getting my position back as Heir and probably the alpha of Darkforest pack.

　　Coming back to reality, I picked out a white tee and a comfortable pair of black sweatpants. The evening is about to turn into night, and we have to come back for supper. Or...if we ever decide to come back even, that is.

　　Throwing on some perfume under the jacket, I walked out and greeted Odin again.

　　"Do girls always take this long to get ready?" He asked as if it was the most curious question in the world!

　　"Shut up,"

　　I've silenced him, effectively!

　　After the stroll and coming back at around midnight, we realized that we were too hungry to go back to the palace and be scolded by the warden as she serves us late supper. We decided to check for a shop in the kingdom nearby, which will be open at this moment.

　　To my surprise, three candidates from Trials of Heirs were already having tea-time with their friends, locals of the kingdom. Ignoring them, I walked into the store with Odin following me.

　　The night was complete after we filled our stomachs with good food. Good food...meaning junk food that we are strictly prohibited to have until trials have been completed. Our dieticians are soon to be reprimanded by our trainer, I guess!

　　Just like that, two days have passed by and we were waiting for our draw lot combinations.

　　A certain someone has been looking at me dead in the eye, staring right through the other candidates between us. The space, an open ground close to the gates of the outer ring, we stood in the middle of a roaring afternoon. We were waiting for the official commencement of the Trial.

　　Trial of Victors...

　　I had just one wish to pray for, that I wouldn't be paired with someone who I despise.

　　That's right.

　　Alexia Thorn has been staring at me, almost glaring at me. If looks could kill, her glare was boring a hot hard hole in the back of my head. All my hopes would come down if I'm ever paired with Alexia. She would bring me down deliberately, and she could do worse things, added to that.

　　"Pope Summer, Carla and Neiman. Please step forward and take your stance with each other." The announcer said. I looked at Prince Emeric, meanwhile. He was nonchalantly staring straight ahead.

　　"Aurora Fangborn," My eyes widened, head whipping back towards the announcer. He gave me a motion with his eyes to step forward, and I did. I walked past Odin when he gave me a look over his shoulder. To acknowledge him, I nodded curtly, very briefly.

　　"Han Hanzel,"

　　Oh~ Han Hanzel is the Heir to Alpha Jack Hanzel's pack! They're known to have a great lifestyle within the woods. Hence, they produced the best of the best warriors the world has ever seen!

　　"And Alexia Thorn."

　　...My whole world crashed down.

　　As I stood beside Han Hanzel, the prideful woman dared to smirk at me as she made her way through the crowd. She even scoffed while standing to my left,

　　This trial was going to be one heck of a time in my life.