Tales of Six

Chapter 12 : Axes

The silence only enhances the tension in the air between the two women as they follow the turning corridor leading to the fourth room of the exam. The fire from their torches reveals what looks like a narrow corridor with a few alcoves on each side alternated with chokepoints.

Kaen stops before entering the room, untrusting. The elf walks past her and steps in. The moment her foot touches the floor in the room, the silence is broken by slashing sounds, and blades fend the air in front of her. Every choke point is regularly visited by a wide upside-down axe, which goes into the wall to finish its swing. The alcoves on the sides allow for up to three people between each choke point. The two stay silent for a moment, with the only sound being the blades' swinging.

Kaen- What is this ? How did they allow an actual danger in the EXAM ??

Elf- They would send you all to your deaths if it gave them even a chance at winning the war.

Kaen- .. No, they would never... But look, it was designed for the exam, there's space for the three students.

Elf- Huh ?

Kaen- You're supposed to take the exam in groups of three.

Elf- Hmm.

The wood elf steps forward and approaches the first choke point. Kaen seems uncomfortable but does not say anything. The elf then puts up her hand in front of her and reaches for the hilt part of the axe, but without touching it.

Elf, with a curious smile- Hmmmm.

Kaen- What is it ?

Elf, turning to Kaen- Well, your teachers might not want you dead after all. Or at least not yet.

Kaen- More illusions ?

Elf, facing the axe again- It's weird but I think so. They don't feel the same as before though, let me just...

She waits for the axe to be vertical and quickly grabs the handle.

Then screams.

She lets it go and takes a few steps back to look at her right hand, holding her wrist with the other hand. It's wet and shaking.

Kaen- What just happened ?

Elf- I... I don't understand... It's.. *grunt*

Kaen- So is it real or not ?

Elf- It's not about being real. Do not touch them. At any cost, at any point.

Kaen- But, can't we just...

Elf, bluntly- It's soul magic.

The silence returns brutally, peppered by the slashing axes behind them. Kaen, under shock and mouth still open, stares at the elf, then the blades.

Kaen- No, that's not.. It's impossible. Why ? How ? I don't...

Elf- We don't have time for this. We need to move on.

Kaen- But I don't want to get near that.

Elf, looking Kaen in the eyes- Do you think I do ? We don't have a choice.

Kaen shakes her head. The elf closes her fist, and the shaking fades. With a determined look, she walks to the chokepoint. She waits, observing the coming and going of the blade, counting. Then she leaps forward. Arriving safe on the other side, she breathes heavily, and starts again on the next. Observing, counting, preparing, and leap. Two down, one to go. She then looks back at Kaen who is still refusing to pass.

Elf- *sigh* Come on, we don't have all day.

Kaen, nervously- Magic is powering them up right ? We just have to wait until the reserves deplete, then they'll stop moving and we can go through. Yup, sounds like a plan, you're amazing Kaen. Great I'll just be waiting right here alright ? yup yup