Author Games: Path of the Guildpact

Task Two Entries: Dimir-Rakdos

Mars

Soft light brushed against the columns, the small streams illuminating all of the hairline cracks and deep crevices that adorned them.

The place had a different beauty than Vitu-Ghazi, one that was sharper, older. Thick vines trailed along the ground, wrapping themselves around large pieces of rubble and heavily entangling themselves with each other. They weren't lush but veiny and threatening instead as if they might snake up and grab one's ankles at any minute.

At the thought, Mars scooted a little farther towards the center of the courtyard. The feeling of an itch began to work its way up his arm, and he reached to scratch it. It spread onto his other hand, quickly leading to a stabbing feeling. Raking his teeth over his lip, he glanced down to find his skin turning an even brighter white. The vampire yanked his arm away, stepping back towards the vines as he immersed himself in the shade.

His elbow crashed back into another candidate's chest, smacking into hard metal. He held back a yelp, the blow causing a tremor through his entire arm. It wasn't as if it had really hurt, it just managed to connect with one of those few places where the bones kept throbbing for a good three minutes afterward. Letting out a shaky breath, he glanced behind him.

A figure towered over him, her eyes watching him mercilessly. Doing the smart thing, he immediately took several steps away. It was no longer her stature that made him feel small, but those cold, lifeless gray eyes. They were worthy of a hawk's, focused on whatever prey they could find; not to mention, she had the wings to match. Mind reading skills or not, it wasn't hard to discern she hated the vampire with a certain enthusiasm. Had it not been for the fact that they were both up for Guildpact, Mars was fairly sure she would've buried him in a cell six feet under and "conveniently" lost the key.

"Ahem," a voice cleared itself above the din, mercifully dragging the angel's attention away from their staring contest. "I suggest you prepare yourselves, you have one minute until we leave for the trial."

Mars's heart skipped a beat at the suddenness of the announcement. He caught a glimpse of the person who had spoken, but the elf was already busy conversing with a shorter man, who until now, Mars's hadn't even noticed to be standing in the corner. Running his teeth over his bottom lip as if he was trying to saw it in half, he settled for a final look around. His fingers tapped quickly against his leg, his gaze fluttering over the blood colored banners to the gnarled trees that clung to crumbling concrete. The one word that repeated as his gaze lingered, was ancient.

Thunk. The giant wood slab that had been barring the door crashed to the ground. Brass hinges squealed, and Mars watched curiously as they were shoved open. Dust swirled into the courtyard, the clouds obscuring everyone vision and sending one or two people hacking from what Mar's could hear. Furiously rubbing his eyes, he stared beyond the walls to find a clearing. Trees were sprinkled throughout, though they were short and squat, the leaves dulled in color. It looked as if it had been a very long time since it had rained, the ground made of dust and nothing else. Brick walls cut off the area at some point in the distance, though it was hard to fathom how far away they were.

"The trial is simple," the elf informed somewhere behind them, his heavy voice turning several heads. "If you wish to pass you must retrieve a Gruul signet."

The vampire squinted, where were the signets supposed to be? It couldn't just be one big game of hide and seek.

A horn blew, the dust swirling again as the sound carried over the clearing and rang in the candidates' ears. Mars cupped a hand over his left one, cringing as the blare just about blew out his ear drums. Blinking through the clouds, he swallowed harshly as his heart dropped into his stomach. He saw where the signets were.