The Trials

weaker.

I sat up quickly. I looked around only to find white blankness. I hung my head. Here again? Gosh, what is UP with me getting knocked out and coming back to this VOID every time?

Suddenly, Nance appeared in front of me, crouching so I had to look straight into her red glowing orbs for eyes. I gulped. "I'm back here... again."

She nodded. "You are growing weaker," she explained as she held out her hand for me to take.

I swatted it away. She gave me a hurt look, but I figured she was just acting. "How do you know I'm getting weaker?" I asked her.

She rolled her eyes (or whatever they were). "I AM you. I can feel what you feel, Nancy."

I crossed my arms. "That sucks. So to hurt you I have to hurt myself?"

"Indeed. But why would you try to pain me?"

"Oh, you know, 'cause you're creepy and supposedly stronger than me. The usual."

She chuckled. "Please. You'll, one day, be as strong as I am right now! Just join me and you'll get there sooner."

"Yeah, no way, Nance. Just tell me how to wake up."

She pouted. "Finee."

She dug something out of her pockets and opened her hand to reveal the items to me. Two marble medallions. I took them in my hand.

"Where did you GET these?" I asked her.

"Broke the rules a bit. You two girls have been through SO much pain and you haven't even completed all the challenges! So, I visited the challenge myself and got these for you. You'll wake up with them in the mortal world."

"B-but we were supposed to do it! Not YOU."

"Ughh, at least a 'THANK YOU' would be nice. Rude pre turd."

I smiled. "So if I eventually become you, then YOU'RE a turd? 'Cause you just called me a pre turd."

"Well, I- That's not important! What IS important is that you take those medallions, wake up with them, and get the other two medallions. Then you'll have five each then you can return back to Nars Academy."

I gave her a suspicious look. "Why are you so focused on me getting back to school?"

"No reason! Just want you to pass The Trials is all."

"You seem... jittery."

"No! Just being a supportive friend! That's all..."

I gave her a disgusted look. "Weirdo. Well, I'll be on my way, turd."

She nodded quickly. "Yes. Go. Now. Quickly!"

I frowned at her but before I could say anything, I woke up on the stone ground of the temple.