Who Will Escape?

The Path Of Betrayal

Another challenge lies before them, and as far as Shangag's concerned, there's only a few choices.
"If we have to send in two people," he says calmly,
"I feel like it should be two people that haven't proven themselves yet."

"Shaadira and Daniel?" Amarie asks.

"Wait hang on." Bryan protests.
"Shouldn't we vote?" He asks the group.

"Bry. Everyone is going to have to do a challenge at some point. They might as well get there's out of the way." Shangag crosses his arms.

"But-" Bryan feels a hand on his shoulder. It's Daniel, he just smiles and nods.

"Okay. I guess we're going in." Shaadira shrugs.

Bethany turns to Shaadira.
"Don't you think that's fair?"

Bethany
Please don't be mad at me, Shaadira. You're my friend. I don't want you to die. I just want to make sure that everyone gets the same shot as everyone else. Just get this challenge over with please..

"You haven't, I haven't, let's go in." is Shaadira's brief response.

"Yeah, you're right," Daniel admits. "It is fair."

Shaadira has been expecting this. Really, it was simply only a matter of time before someone chose her for a death challenge. She's just glad that the other team was upfront and rational about it.

"Guys, you can do this." Rita insists, but her words sound hollow, feeling empty and not as encouraging as she'd like them to be, as if hope is nothing more than a formality.

Bryan says "we believe in you" in a soft and meaningful voice.

The group says their goodbyes to the Mystic and to the Professor. Everyone not really sure on who will make it out of this challenge.

Bryan
They both are great game players. They're smart. They're fast. They're strong. They're a great asset to our team. Either winner will be great to have back, but it'll also be a huge loss..

The ice guard hands them a scroll, which Shaadira reads out loud.

Along the Path are five riddle boxes, each containing a key. To make it past the second Guardian, you will need to gather three keys. You must each walk the path separately, and only one of you will be able to gather enough.

"Here's the talisman," says Daniel, handing it to the ice guard.
Then, to Shaadira, "You, ready?"

The Mystic nods, and together, they enter the Path of Betrayal.

This is Shay's least favorite part. Having to watch her friends disappear...knowing that one of them is most likely never coming back...it hurts her heart so much.

She hates this game. She's tired of saying goodbye.

"We love you guys!" she calls after their fading figures.

The Path is dense, dark, and deep.
Trees surround Daniel and Shaadira like crazy.
The dense surroundings is almost enough to convince Daniel that this place is doing its best to suffocate them.