I cautiously stepped into the long hallway. Step by step I walked on. Slowly. Taking my time. Simulation or no, it was something I would face in reality soon enough. This was as close as I would get to a practice session, in probably all of my time. The simulation was never the same. It was really rare to get the Palace of Akuno in your Final Test. Over the years, Enigma gradually began creating different simulations. Some more real than the other.
As I walked along the empty corridor, It seemed as if I had lost sense of time. It felt as if I had completely messed up my directions. I decided to try out the 'don't take your right hand of the wall and you'll exit the maze' method. Yet there's only so much your right hand can do against multiple dead ends.
It seemed really strange to be completely alone in these halls. Suddenly, I stepped on what seemed like a loose stone. I was instantly on high alert. I looked around, trying to gauge my surroundings. I noted the extremely tiny holes in the large walls trapping me. I slowly moved my foot and it was as if time slowed down. Arrows whizzed through the air and the walls began to close in. I almost began to run when I noticed that the arrows weren't really coming out via the holes.
Confused, I looked down. There were shadows whizzing past. They seemed more real than the arrows. I made a quick decision. I focused on the shadows and began running. Adrenaline coursed through my body. It was almost as if I could see the arrows and dodge them. All those times dodging scolding taps for errors from Master Shiro seem to be coming in handy. Before I knew it I was out into the next passage-way , rapidly closing in on me.
The years of training kicked in. Watching, observing, deciding, acting all in the matter of a split second. It felt like an endless loop. The passage-ways never seemed to end.
After a while, I began to notice something strange. The maze seemed to never be where it was. Arrows didn't fly from evident holes and water didn't flow in through gaps. Even though I was in a maze, I couldn't help but feel like they were illusions. I felt like I was fighting shadows.
Suddenly, a buzzer rang far away. The maze around me began to crumble into nothingness. Bright lights shined into my eyes and I was once again back in reality. Surprisingly, Enigma himself was there behind the glass screen, watching me with what resembled a curious expression.
The door to the room opened and master Shiro walked in.
"You should have worn your silent soles." He told me with a smirk.
"Well, now you at-least get 'I told you so' rights" I replied. I swiftly received a tap to my head for that sassy remark.
He walked me out of the room and towards the changing rooms.
"Instincts Luna. Always trust your instincts." he muttered as I yet again watched him walk away leaving me confused, for the nth time.
Suddenly a heavy weariness settled over me. I was tired. I dragged myself to my shelf. As I was unwrapping the bandages on my hand, a snap sounded in front of my face.
"Nicely done Lu. Way to get the toughest sim right at the beginning" she said mockingly.
Ladies and gentlemen. I introduce you to Raven Collins. My best friend.
"Shut up Rave. Cut me some slack"
"I heard Enigma showed up to view your test" she asked.
"Yeah, He was watching me as if I grew three horns" I replied, somewhat lost in thought.
I couldn't help but feel as if something was wrong. I didn't know what was bugging me. It was as if I had all the clues on the tip of my tongue, but I could recall none of them
"Hello? Lu? Panagea to Lu!" Raven's voice cut through my thoughts. "What's wrong? What's going on in that head of yours?" concern evident in her voice.
"I, I don't know Rave. It's almost as if I'm missing out on the obvious. As if we ALL are missing out on the obvious. When I was in there, I felt as if I were fighting.... shadows. Not live objects.
"Trust your instincts Lu. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Now come on. Catch up on some sleep before muster." She said.
We walked back to our dorms. That's when I noticed. It began to click. I couldn't be sure, but now I had an idea. It seemed impossible.
I hastily changed and took a shower. Within minutes I was in bed, mulling over my test. The more I thought of it, the more impossible it seemed and at the same time the more sense my idea made. I didn't know when I drifted off into a dreamless sleep. Like the calm before a storm.
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Luna, you guys. I honestly love her so much. Also.......Introducing Raven! She's bomb too. Who am I kidding, I'm going to love all of them so much haha. (Author feels)
Once again, Thank you so much for giving Relics a read. (Showers love)
- Yours Truly, Lilempress
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