FORTITUDINE (COMPLETED)

23) Trial One: Battle of New Thoughts

I wake up to my mother gently shaking my shoulder.

"Good morning sunshine!" She whispers into my ear.

I smile. 'Now this is how I should be woken up.' I think to myself.

I sit up in bed and rub the sleep from my eyes. I sigh and hug my mother. "Is it time?" I ask her quietly, already knowing the answer. 

"Yes dear. I have your clothes all laid out for you on the table." She says as I stand up and stretch.

"Thank you mother." I whisper. She nods her head and walks out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

I walk over to the table and look at my clothes. There is a plain beige dress and a pair of tan boots along with a small beige hat. 'So unique.' I think to myself.

Once I am dressed, I tie my hair up in its usual braided bun that my mother taught me with a white ribbon.

I walk down the stairs with my hat in hand and see Thomas and Stephen waiting for me at the bottom.

"Since we can't go into the Great Hall because we are not elders..." Started Thomas.

"We thought we could at least wish you good luck." Finished Stephen as he hugged me.

I gladly return the hug and then do the same for Thomas. "Thank you both." I sniffle.

"Don't cry! You can't ruin that pretty face of yours before the Trial." Says Thomas.

I give a dry chuckle and walk to the outside door. Once I get to the door I turn around and wave to my friends. They give a smile (that doesn't reach quite to their ears) and wave goodbye.

I take a deep breath and walk out to the awaiting buggy. 'Lord help me. I'm going to need it.'

Once we reached the Great Hall, Gaius led me into the large building and straight to the center of the room beside Thanatos.

Strangely, he was dressed in nearly the same clothing as me. He had light brown trousers and leather boots. He had a beige shirt as well as a tan hat.

Two large chairs sat behind us facing each other with a ten foot distance between each other. 'Most likely because the last time we had this trial Thanatos tried to kill me.' I smirk to myself seeing that they don't entirely trust him.

Father cleared his throat and Thanatos and I waited for him to speak. "Today begins the Trials of New Strength. Today's Trial is called the Battle of New Thoughts. You will drink the potion Gaius or Robert hands you and you both will go into a trance that makes you believe you are in a different place. Mere minutes will feel like hours to you and any pain you feel will only last as long as you are in the trance." He paused to look each of us in the eye.

"You will not die or come out of the trance unless you have been killed by your twin. This time, you will only be given one 'wish' each so choose carefully. Under law, I am not allowed to tell you where you are going. But, as your father, I wish you both strength and courage for the Trial ahead. You may take your seats." He finishes with a wave of his hand, signaling Gaius and Robert to give us the potions.

As Thanatos and I take our seats Father stands up. "One more thing. Your powers won't work where you're going."

I mentally groan. 'Now how am I supposed to defeat him?' I sigh and take the small cup from Gaius' hand.

I look up to Thanatos and see he is watching me. He raises his glass in a silent toast as if saying good luck. I raise mine as well and we swallow the sweet liquid at the same time.