(Amaia)

"Here," Alnilam ties a tiny crystal with Rigel’s black rose on my wrist. "This is a Shanguite crystal, in case you need to use your magic, this will help keep it contained."

Thankfully, I nod at him. He kisses my forehead. "Be safe out there and protect each other. Heal them if it’s an emergency by channelling your power into your weapon. Tell them it’s the charmed dagger Maeve gave you in the paper room."

Kacir and Rahria still don’t know I am a Fae so openly using my healing ability in front of them could be tricky.

He lets me go with these final instructions. The lock of his hair remains bound on my wrist, my forever companion even in Alnilam’s absence.

We have chosen Kacir as the team leader. He is observant, rational and takes into consideration everyone’s opinions.

We are led out. All the participating teams are gathered in what appears to be a vast barren ground with five doors in front. Each with different colours and materials.

My eyes take them in. The first door is multi-shaded with vines loaded with delicate blossoms. It has a handle of knotted tree branches with new green leaves sprouting.

The second door is crafted from sun-baked olive wood, with a handle of rough iron that appears as hot as if it were burning under the unyielding sun.

The third door is rich, dark walnut, shaded with a handle carved from amber and featuring dry wheat stalks and corn husks.

The fourth door is Silver Bluish Grey. The snowflakes and clear quartz crystals decorate it. It possesses a handle of clear, cold crystal.

The fifth door is built from heavy, water-darkened teak wood, its grain has risen into a pattern of smooth, dark ridges and valleys. It is coloured with oxidised copper, malachite green and azure blue that bleed down the wood like rain stains.

I think these five doors represent five seasons. What lies behind these doors is a hidden world. For now, we can only see the barren vast land behind.

Then it clicks, Meissa’s mention of seasons.

Oh God! She tried to tell us. But why? The thought baffles me but I keep it to myself for now.

They had provided us with uniforms with distinguishable colours.

We wear all black.

Team Istrale has chosen blue.

Saratopian’s don purple.

Team from Deira wears gold

And Fudarian’s wear red.

We have been allowed to carry as many weapons as we can. I have my double-edged sword, the one my mother gave to me and the charmed dagger. My teammates carry their own.

The voice of Gaslne echoes through a magnifying device.

"Before you are five doors. Each team will enter through one door and face the challenges that lie ahead. You will have to find the next door and pass through from your area to the next. The team that will successfully conquer all five hidden worlds will see a blue door emerge. Cross it and overcome the final quest to acquire the spear created of black opal," she explains and we pass a look.

We are unaware of what challenges lie ahead but we can expect monsters and harsh weather.

She continues to speak, "Remember at least one team member has to survive to lift the Spear of Centaurus. There is no restriction on taking lives to achieve your goal. Use strategies, according to the terrain you are in and cross over to conquer the terrains of other teams."

I am not even surprised. They want us to kill each other, just to get a stupid Spear and be victorious.

A murmur goes through the recruits. It seems like this rule has been recently added.

"Has this rule always been there?" I ask Min and he shakes his head.

"Accidental killing was allowed but not deliberate. They changed the rules this year because it’s Istrale. What can we expect?"

I turn my head and observe Alnilam, who is standing with the other instructors. He has a fisted hand pressed against his tight lips.

His worried gaze fixates on me.

The mindlink opens between us all. I know it’s Alnilam using his alpha power to speak to us. As an alpha, he can create collective mindlinks and he has just created one with the five of us.

"Be careful, watch each other’s backs. This guild war will be bloody."

"We will be," Alnitak determinedly answers, holding his battle axe.

"We will fight as one unit," Rahria’s determination flashes through her words.

Offering Alnilam a small assuring smile, I turn my attention back towards my teammates. We form a huddle, crossing our arms over each other’s shoulders.

Gaslne’s voice booms again. "The teams will choose doors according to alphabetical order. Deira will go first, then Fudaria, followed by Istrale and so on."

Team Deira steps forward first, they have been whispering together.

"They will choose the spring door," I murmur to my companions and Rahria giggles.

"Yeah, seems the easiest one," Alnitak chimes in.

"We will be second to last. So what option will we be left with?" Mintaka questions.

"Most probably winter and summer," Kacir answers.

"I think it will be winter and rainy," I give my opinion and others nod.

"It doesn’t really matter since we have to pass through all five doors and seasons to reach the final door," Rahria says.

"It will matter in the beginning. If one gets the harshest season in the beginning it can get challenging to advance," Alnitak counters. We agree with him.

"So it’s settled, we will try to avoid winter and choose whatever other option will be available," Mintaka offers and our eyes turn to Kacir. Since he is the team leader, the final decision rests with him.

"It’s decided." With that, we break the huddle and watch Team Deira choose the spring door. Opening it, they vanish through it. The door closes behind them.

After them the recruits from Fudaria step ahead and choose the Autumn door. They also step inside one by one and the door closes behind them rather ominously.

I get this dooming feeling that some of them might never return. They have just entered the pathway to their deaths.

It’s Istrale’s turn next and three doors are left.

Summer

Winter

Rainy.

Which will they be choosing?