Heroes' Journey: To be the Strongest, Be the Weakest

CHAPTER 10

Similar events unfolded during the weeks. Hebridean kept in the races by a whisker, almost getting completely lost when Musculier flung him over a hedge in the maze challenge. After that, they kept going head to head. Magpie assured him that that was good: before, Musculier would always be way in the lead. This meant Musculier was tiring.

"Yeah, but so am I," Hebridean had snapped back before falling asleep. Now they were nearing the end of the challenge, but Krishna had just missed completing the 'Broomsticks with Rabies' challenge. Hebridean had quite liked that one: since his broom always went berserk on him, it was the easiest challenge yet. Now it was the semi-semi-finals, and there were only seven schools left in the mix, with four representatives in each: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, Salem, Mahoutokoro, Koldovstoretz and Uagadou.

"CLIMBING." The voice boomed. "THREE. TWO. ONE. JUMP." The students jumped up, instantly finding handholds on the just-appeared wall. They pushed past one another fighting for the lead. It was a timed challenge, and the seconds flew by. Thirty seconds left to reach the top.

"Magpie!" Krishna screamed from the audience. Hebridean ducked as Magpie flew by, screaming at the boy from Uagadou that had pushed her off. As she neared the bottom, she was able to grapple onto the side, and began to climb back up.

"TEN. NINE..." The chant was picked up by the crowd. The students fled to the top, trying to regain balance. Hebridean climbed around to the other side to dodge the falling students. He reached the top, pulling himself up. Musculier clambered up, pushing the last Salem representative off the wall. "ZERO. END. REST."

"Beat you down," Musculier snapped, flying from handhold to handhold. Hebridean smiled.

"Hey, Musculier!" Hebridean called from the bottom of the wall, "Good luck with the semi-finals!" Musculier looked down in shock.

"Erm... he's a formidable opponent..." the Gryffindor gulped, looking down. How is it possible? He thought. I'm only halfway down, and he's already at the bottom? I even had a head start! Hebridean laughed, passing by Krishna and thanking her for the ride. She grinned and levitated the next student down.