Being A Champion

Forgiveness

"Ma-ya! Ma-ya! Ma-ya!" The booming voices echo and vibrate off of the Durmstrang ship, and it's the best sound in the world to the champion. Maya laughs, her voice carefree for once as her fellow classmates pass around the red egg.

"Did you guys fucking see that skill out there?!" Billy merrily screams out, getting a round of applause and pats to Maya's back. The blonde rolls her eyes and makes her way over to the person holding her egg. The training quarters is packed with Durmstrang students, all yelling and sweaty, but marked with the biggest smiles Maya has ever seen.

Darby smirks at her friend and hands over the egg. "You deserved first shortstuff." Maya rolls her eyes as she craddles the red egg. Her fingertips trace over the intricate designs branded into it. On top is a locking mechanism, it almost resembles a bird claw.

"You just gonna stare at it all night, Hart?!" Billy yells over the voices, capturing everyone's attention. She sends an eye roll to him, a smile tugging at her lips. A stinging pain nips at her bottom lip, no doubt a cut from those endless trees.

Her and Riley never got the chance to disappear to the infirmary, Darby and Billy had snatched her away. She only had a second to send Riley a smile before the rest of Durmstrang followed.

"Go on, Maya! Open it!" Darby roars out, causing the whole ship to begin a new chant.

"Open it! Open it! Open it!"

Maya shakes her head and doesn't bother to hide her smile. She raises the egg in triumph one last time, creating more chaos of yelling. With one quick twist, the egg splits into four pieces, a bright red glowing center is revealed and

The most deafening noise comes screaming out.

It causes the cheers to stop and everyone to cover their ears, a few students duck outside. Maya makes quick work in shutting the offending object and locking it back up. Her ears still ring for a few moments, she almost believes she's lost her hearing.

"Jesus." Darby snaps, rubbing at her left ear. "Some fucking prize." She flicks the egg, sending it a death glare.

Maya grumbles in agreement. "Glad I went through all those 'totally safe' monsters just to loose my ears to this thing." A sigh escapes her as she slowly turns the egg around. Her eyes trace over every inch of it, trying to find any clues to help her. The design doesn't seem to contain any hidden message, there doesn't seem to be any other way to open it either.

No matter how long it takes, Maya will figure out this damn puzzle.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"You said it was safe!" Riley snaps at Headmaster Minkus. "A Manticore is far from safe!" Her voice picks up in intensity, an anger she's never felt is boiling in her. The stupid spiders were fine, hell even the troll wasn't the worse. At least those creatures can be detained, but a Manticore?

"Ms. Matthews, I know you're upset-"

"Maya could have died." She stresses, slamming a hand on the desk.

After Maya was whisked away, Riley made a hot beeline for the Headmaster. Be dammed that he's Farkle's father and those summers their families have spent together. Riley has no desire to be polite.

"Riley, please." Minkus sighs, running a tired hand over his hair. "Let me explain." He gestures to a chair. Deciding to take the olive branch, Riley sits and listens.

He sighs as he has a seat himself. "Over the years, we have worked with the creatures. Studying them and breeding them differently. This Manticore I can ensure you was indeed safe."

Riley interjects. "How can a beast with a scorpion tail that shoots darts possibly be safe?!"

"Because, the darts are no longer deadly. The poison it once possess is no longer in it. Now yes, the darts would have pierced her."