In Huck's Hands

Bonus Aiko Chapter 4: But at what cost?

The air in the preparation chamber was thick with tension, a palpable mix of fear, anticipation, and barely contained aggression. Aiko stood before a rack of weapons, her eyes scanning the array of lethal implements laid out before her. The choice seemed impossibly weighty--There were an arrangement of many culture's most prized and deadly instruments of violence.

Saxun's words still rang in her ears, delivered just hours ago to the surviving candidates:

"Your second trial will test not just your physical prowess, but your tactical acumen and moral fiber. In the Arena of Frost, you will face each other in combat. Only 10 of you will emerge to continue your training. The rules are simple; incapacitate your opponents by any means necessary. Death is not the goal, but it may be an unfortunate consequence."

The headmistress's cold smile reminded Aiko of Queen Marna Vasca's own from the court. "Choose your weapon wisely, candidates. It may well determine your fate."

Now, as Aiko's hand hovered over the weapons, she found herself questioning everything. How had they come to this? Forced to fight each other for the right to continue through with their education... to endure blade on blade without failure.

She thought of Lina, of Mei, of the tentative bonds reformed in the days since their return from the tundra. Would she be forced to raise a weapon against them or would they forgive each other for what transpired?

Her fingers closed around the red basket hilt of a slender broadsword, its balance reminiscent of the training blades she'd used under her father's tutelage. The familiar weight brought a small measure of comfort, a connection to home, and reminder of the skills that had kept her alive so far in this far-off land's trial.

A motion to her left caught her attention. Nikolai stood nearby, his face a passionless camouflage as he methodically examined a set of throwing knives that glistened in the faint light of goat horn sconces. Their eyes met briefly, not daring to interact more than that as the boy studied their opponent's way of handling their weapon. Aiko hoped that they would not meet in combat, he seemed much more dangerous than he appeared or let on.

On her other side, Mei was hefting a long wooden staff, her small frame belying the strength in her arms as she tested its weight. The quiet girl's face was set in grim resolution, a far cry from the hesitant companion of their tundra ordeal that marked her as weak in Aiko's mind before.

A loud clang drew Aiko's attention to where Sven was experimentally swinging a massive war hammer. The burly Svetlan's face was split in a ferocious grin as if he relished the challenge ahead, possibly even wanting to dish out his previous anger after being ignored by the group. Nearby, Finn paced nervously, a crossbow clutched in his trembling hands as he knew he was much weaker than the rest.

And Lina... Aiko's heart clenched as she saw her friend struggling with a bow, her injured ankle still not fully healed from the trek. Their eyes met across the room, and Lina offered a weak smile that didn't reach her eyes. Aiko felt guilt, Lina still saw her as a friend even after leaving her to die of frost merely hours ago.

Before Aiko could move toward her to offer an apology, a harsh buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the allotted preparation time. The massive iron doors at the far end of the chamber began to grind open, revealing a blinding white light beyond.

"Candidates," Saxun's sharp voice echoed through hidden speakers, "enter the arena. Your test begins now."

With a collective intake of breath, the survivors moved forward, emerging onto a vast circular field enclosed by towering walls of ice. The ground was a mix of snow and pale bare rock, dotted with ice formations that could serve as cover or obstacles. Above, a domed forcefield shimmered faintly, protecting the rows of spectators that ringed the upper levels of the arena.