THE ASSASSIN'S FLAME

CHAPTER TWELVE

The host's voice boomed, "Welcome to the qualifiers! Thirty contestants remain. Today's challenge: save the realm's inhabitants by lifting a curse of defeating a monstrous entity within two hours."

The contestants stood ready, eager to begin.

"The rules are simple," the host continued. "You will be transported to separate locations within the same realm. Your goal is to destroy the curse's source: a terrifying sea creature."

With a flash of light, the contestants vanished, reappearing in various locations throughout the aquatic realm.

Sir Malakai materialized in an underground cave, the air thick with the scent of damp earth. Lyra, Thrain, and a few others stood nearby, their eyes adjusting to the dim light.

Meanwhile, Grin, Kael, and most contestants found themselves beneath a twisted bridge, encircled by a shield of water. The bridge's wooden slats creaked above, waves gently lapping at the barrier.

"Looks like we're in this together," Grin said, grinning.

Kael nodded. "Let's find that monster."

The audience buzzed with excitement.

"Look at the different locations!" a spectator exclaimed.

"I think Sir Malakai's group has it easiest," another said.

"But what about the ones under the bridge?" a third asked. "They're practically in the ocean!"

Lysander's family, seated in the audience, wore worried expressions.

The Queen of Maronia, Lysander's kingdom, leaned forward. "Where is he?"

Her advisor whispered, "Your Majesty, Lysander is with Alethea, in the enclosed location."

The camera panned to Lysander and Alethea, standing in a small, water-filled chamber. The water level rose alarmingly.

"So, I remember you," Alethea said, her voice calm. "You helped me block those attacks in the last round. Seems like we're stuck together."

Lysander smiled. "Nice to see you again. Guess we're stuck together. We must get out of here."

Alethea's gaze remained steady. "We shouldn't do anything. Just wait until the water fills the place."

Lysander's brow furrowed. "But—"

Alethea's voice remained soothing. "Trust me. We'll get out automatically."

Lysander hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, I trust you."

As the water rose to their necks, Lysander's family grew anxious.

The Queen of Maronia watched intently.

Finally, the water engulfed the chamber, and the room transformed. The walls, now made of coral, shimmered in the soft light. Schools of fish darted past, and seaweed swayed gently.

Lysander's eyes widened. "We can breathe!?"

Alethea smiled. "Must be a spell."

Their surroundings had become a breathtaking underwater palace.

Lysander turned to Alethea. "What now?"

Alethea's emerald eyes sparkled. "We find that monster."

Together, they set off into the unknown, ready to face the cursed waters.

Chapter 24: Beneath the Twisted Bridge

Grin and Kael stood beneath the twisted bridge, surrounded by the gentle lapping of waves against the water shield. They split up to explore separate locations, searching for clues to lift the curse.

Grin ventured deeper into the bridge's underside, discovering hidden crevices and ancient carvings.

"Looks like I've got some puzzle-solving to do," Grin muttered.

Meanwhile, Kael explored the outer edges of the bridge, uncovering hidden symbols etched into the coral.

"These markings seem to match the curse's language," Kael thought.

As they worked separately, an hour passed.

The host's voice boomed. "One hour remaining. Contestants, make haste!"

Grin and Kael converged, their paths crossing near a massive coral formation.

"Find anything?" Grin asked.

Kael nodded. "Symbols pointing to this location. I think we're close."

Suddenly, a colossal squid emerged from the depths.

"Looks like we've got our work cut out for us," Grin grinned.

Kael drew his sword. "Let's take it down."

The battle raged on, Grin and Kael working in tandem.

As they fought, they realized the squid wasn't the actual monster.

"This thing's too... manageable," Grin panted.

Kael nodded. "It's a guardian or a test."

Upon defeating the squid, a hidden entrance revealed itself.

"A portal!" Grin exclaimed.

Kael sheathed his sword. "This must lead to the actual cursed monster."

Grin grinned. "Time to finish this."

Together, they stepped through the portal.

On the other side, they found themselves in a dark, foreboding chamber.

A massive statue loomed ahead, its eyes glowing red.

"The actual monster?" Grin whispered.

Kael drew his sword. "Let's find out."

The chamber began to shake.

The statue's eyes flashed brighter.

"Prepare yourselves," Kael warned.

Grin and Kael steeled themselves for the battle ahead.