I open my eyes. The blinding darkness strikes my mind. I can feel it's bitterness touching my skin as if it were a killer attempting to give a warm embrace. I can smell the wet earth surrounding me. Alrik must have put me underground somewhere. The small space lights up as the hatch above me opens. The brightness shocks my eyes and I am lifted into the air by strong arms and my now bare feet reach the ground. I try to look around and capture my surroundings, but someone thrusts a bag over my head. The arms push and pull me in different dirrections forcing me to a destination. Finally, they shove me into a room and remove the bag from my head. The area is small, but comfortable. The walls appear to be made out of some brownish grassy material. Red pillows are scattered arounda small wooden table the dirt floor. I notice a painting on the wall. It's not like the one's I've seen in Cultridia as it was black and white. I walk over to get a closer look. The picture is of a man and a teenage boy. The man is tall, young and holding a staff. The boy is on his knees, staring up at the man and shaking his hand.
"Enjoying the artwork?" Alrik's voice booms behind me. I turn around to face him my heart pounding in the moment. "Sit" He continues motioning toward a pillow on the ground. I follow his command without hesitation. "Elias and I have come to an agreement about you. It was only a month ago that he discovered his gift of foreshadowing. However, I've known since he first set foot in this villiage. It would be foolish of me not to take his theory into consideration. My heart agrees with Elias one-hundered percent. However, because you are Cultridian, my mind tells me otherwise. We have come up with a test to prove that you are the next female foreshadower and that you will not be a threat to our villiage. Do you agree to this test?" I nod. "Do you have any questions?"
"No"
"We must begin right away. Follow me." He turns and exits the small building I rise and follow him into the sunlight. Everyone in the villiage is staring at me with wide, fearful eyes. Mothers are hurring their children indoors. One man in particular, holding a spear, looks at me angrily and grips his weapon tighter as I pass. Finally, we reach what looks like the edge of the villiage. Alrik stops and faces me. A frightened young woman approaches and hands me a bag filled with food and blankets. As soon as the cloth item is released from her clutches she flees into the arms of a strong young man. The man and I exchange stares as the woman sobs into his chest. What could the Cultridian's have done to make an entire race so fearful? How many of these people have stories just like Elias' sister's?
Alrik speaks again. "If you are a foreshadower, this task will be fairly simple. If you are not, it will be nearly impossible. Elias is hidden somewhere in the forest. You must use your abilities to try and find him. If you find him and bring him back within three days, you have proven yourself a foreshadower. Throughout your journey, you will encounter many trials. Your choices in these trials will tell us where your loyalty stands between us and Cultridia." He turns and points to the sun. "In three days, if you do not return by the time the sun touches the trees, as it is know, you have failed." I swallow hard. My heart is racing faster than ever. "Are you ready?" I look up at Alrik and nod. "When I count to three, you must run until your legs burn. Then, your challenge begins." I look around. Everyone in the villiage has gathered around us. Staring, waiting for the outcome of my test. "One..." The word recaptures my attention. "...two..." I turn toward the forest, ready to go. "...three..."
I take off running as fast as my tired body can take me. Pebbles rip through my feet and branches slap my face. I begin to slow down when the ground beneath my feet bursts into flames. I can feel them tear through my pants and painfully dance around my legs. Then, I remember Alrik's words. "You must run until your legs burn." Is this what he meant? Again, I slow down bringing myself to a stop. The fire vanishes. I scan the area. There's no one around, not even Henly. I'm alone in the Lower-Flat-Lands once again. My test has begun.
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