Hell's Only Angel

Forty Seven

Adeline's P.O.V

The five of us walked over to a tree stump that had six cups on the table as well as a card, a scroll, and a maple syrup bottle. Jughead unrolled the scroll and read it.

"The Fate and Fortune Challenge. Before you are six chalices, each filled with Gargoyle blood. The Enchantress must choose her closest companion. They will each take turns spinning the bottle and drinking from the chosen chalice. But beware, for one of the chalices contains a lethal, rapid-acting venom."

"Seriously? Spin the bottle?" Veronica asked.

"More like Russian roulette," Archie pointed out.

"That's suicide. I refuse," Veronica said.

"Refusal to participate in the challenge results in the immediate execution of all remaining party members. Remember, we're watching," Jughead read.

"Vee, the scroll says you have to choose your closest companion. I volunteer," Betty said before handing me her flashlight. 

"Betty, no," Veronica shook her head.

"It's okay. I have faith. And what's the alternative? We get shot in the woods by snipers?" Betty asked. I stood next to Archie as we looked at the two girls. 

"I'm having a diabolical sense of deja vu," Veronica pointed out. I thought of Cheryl's party after homecoming my freshman year of high school where we played spin the bottle.

Veronica spun the syrup bottle. It landed on a chalice making her take a sip of the drink. She threw the cup to the floor before looking at Betty.  

"How do you feel?" Betty asked.

"I think I'm fine," Veronica assures Betty. Then it was Betty's turn. 

"I'm okay, Vee," Betty tells her after drinking the cup.

The two spun the bottle until there were only two left.

"Fifty-fifty odds," Veronica said before taking a drink from her cup. The last cup was in front of Betty. We all nervously stared at Betty who was terrified. 

"Okay."

"No," Veronica said before taking Betty's cup and drinking from it.

"Vee!"

"Veronica."

"Why did you do that?" Betty asked Veronica. 

"Because I love you, Bee," Veronica stated as she sobbed. "You're my best friend, and..." 

"I love you too, Vee," Betty tells her.

"Remarkable, Enchantress," I saw Mrs. Blossom walking over to us making me hold onto Archie.

"You've completed your challenge, and proven your loyalty," Mrs. Blossom said. 

"What?" We were all in confusion on what was happening.

"Of course. It was a character challenge. The game was testing if you had honor and loyalty. None of the chalices were poisoned," Jughead said.

"On the contrary, all of the chalices were poisoned. It's slow-acting, but the only way to obtain the antidote is to finish the game, and even then, you might not make it. Tick tock," Mrs. Blossom said to get us going. Archie held my hand before we started to head off again.

I walked behind Betty and Jughead while Veronica and Archie walked behind us. I looked around scared, hoping to make it out alive. I desperately wished that Beckham, hell even Sweet Pea, was here to help us.

"Love birds. Let's go," I said as I noticed that Archie and Veronica was left behind.  

We made it up to a tree that had the card, Hellcaster, on it. 

"You're up, Jug," Betty said before taking the scroll and reading it out loud. 

"The Battle of Kings. Only one shall leave the Kingdom of Eldervair."

We all looked at each other before we headed over to the area that was set up. I saw Chic who was shirtless walking over to us.

"Chic's alive?" I asked confused. Jughead quickly ran to the axe but Chic got it first. He swung at Jughead who luckily dodged it. 

"Why are you doing this? Why be the Gargoyle King?" Jughead asked Chic.

"Who doesn't wanna be king? Who doesn't want blood sacrifices made in their name?" Chic asked Jughead.

"Wow. Okay," Jughead said in disbelief. Chic swung again to Jughead. 

We watched as Jughead fought Chic. I held onto Archie as Chic then pinned Jughead down. 

"Jug!" Betty said as he got closer. 

Jughead managed to grab a rock next to him before hitting Chic's head. Knocking Chic out and releasing Jughead from the chokehold he was in. Jughead got back up before putting on his beanie. Betty hugged him but I noticed Veronica looking drained.

"Guys, we gotta move. Veronica doesn't look too good," I tell them. 

"Come on," Jughead said before we continued to walk.