The morning of the Trials was cold. The night before, a wintery wind had sprung up from the east. The wind brought snow with it, leaving the grounds around the Heroes Academy covered in a fine dusting of white. The wind formed small snow funnels around the gathered students as they stood en masse just outside the gates of the main building. Over one hundred apprentice heroes stood ready to face the Trials. The rest of the apprentices, either those who had already mastered the Trials, or those not yet ready to face them, peered out through windows, eager to watch their classmates set out, yet not quite so eager to stand in the biting cold.

The snow did not seem to bother Al’tun. Since Rachel had taken him from the Creature Compendium earlier in the morning, Al’tun had sensed Rachel’s excitement and now he was almost more excited than her. The chimera nearly quivered in expectation, his feathers rising and falling in waves around his body. Rachel was glad that Al’tun was ready for the Trials. She wasn’t quite sure if she was. The Trials were one of the final tests before an apprentice finally earned the rank of “Hero,” and as such, it was not easy. But no matter what threat or danger they faced, with Al’tun by her side, Rachel would be able to handle it.

“Now if only you could keep me warm,” she mumbled to the chimera, her breath coming out in a fog.

Rachel stamped her boots on the ground, working some heat into her cold feet. She turned to Alexia, hoping to take her mind off the cold while they waited.

“So, what, uh, where do you think our Trial will send us?”

“Does it matter?” Alexia’s voice was colder than the air.

“No, I just thought, you know…”

“Then I don’t care.”

With that, Alexia turned her back on Rachel and stared off in the distance. Rachel let out a misty sigh. So much for conversation, Rachel thought as she glanced around, searching for friendlier faces. After Alexia told her about their new partnership, Rachel had had little time to socialize. She had spent the previous hours gathering her equipment and preparing for the Trials. She hadn’t even found out who the others had been partnered with. Standing on tip-toes, Rachel searched for her friends.

“Looks like Ezah got her wish,” she said after a moment’s looking.

Not far from Alexia and her, Rachel spotted Ezah completely covered from head to toe in dark protective gear. She was crouched down, waiving a curved blade under the nose of a terrified looking Machinist.

Past those two, Rachel spotted Benzen and Jerome. Benzen was busy plucking his harp, serenading a pair of female Hunters while Jerome scowled at him. The Paladin looked up and his eyes met Rachel’s. She jumped up, waiving to him. Just as Jerome started walking towards her, trumpets blared, drawing all eyes.

At the end of the field, so the apprentices were between it and the Academy, a large wooden stage had been constructed. It was from there that the trumpets sounded, announcing the arrival of the Task Masters for the Trials. Three professors walked onto the stage-- Professor Hurc, though well into his later years, was built like a barn, his near seven foot frame full of muscles; Professor Trin, dressed in elegant Mage robes, seemed to flow across the wooden planks; and finally, hobbling up on his cane, Professor Saroc.

“Greeting apprentices,” called out Professor Trin, her voice magically amplified. “Welcome to the Trials!”

Rachel joined in the cheer that broke out from the apprentices. It was so loud, everyone must have joined in. Everyone but Alexia. She regarded the Task Masters with an icy stare.

Once the cheering died down, Professor Trin continued her speech. “You have all worked hard to reach this point, and you should be proud. Many of the apprentices that started with you have not. Yet each of you has been found worthy of facing the toughest task yet; the Trials.”

She stepped down and Professor Hurc took her place. His deep booming voiced resonated in Rachel’s bones. “Just because you made it this far, do not think that the Trials will be easy! Many have underestimated this task. They did not return. You and your partner will be pushed to your limits to complete your Trial. Working together, as a team, is the only way to pass. Acting alone will surely result in your death.”

Professor Saroc slowly hobbled up when Professor Hurc finished speaking. He looked old and tired next to the other two as he cleared his throat. “We have scatted glo-bulbs across the continent. Each pair of apprentices has been assigned one to find. You will be teleported near your glo-bulb, but it is up to you to locate it within the seven days of the Trial. Now, good luck, and let the Trials commence!”