Rhiannan lay curled against Arwen's bare chest, her legs tangled with his as her other mates sprawled across the bed like overgrown golden retrievers. The room was warm with peace and lingering spice, their bodies still humming from the night before. Mo, tiny magical menace and chaos monkey, snored softly atop her hip like the self appointed guardian of dreams.
The sun hadn't even dared peek over the horizon yet when...
"AAARGH YOU BACKSTABBING FAKE ASS PIXIE
LOVING GOAT FUCKER!"
A window shattered somewhere outside.
"Oh, for fuck's sake," Rhiannan muttered, blinking blearily as a chorus of howls, magic sparks, and steel on steel clanged from the courtyard.
Sable shot upright, wings twitching. "Who the fuck is already trying to die before breakfast?"
Elisha groaned, smoke curling from his nostrils. "If it's that banshee bitch again, I'm roasting her into jerky."
Kaleb was already halfway to the door, shirtless, claws flexing. "Why does this place attract so many fucking lunatics?"
Arwen yawned like a cat and stretched lazily. "Because chaos is sexy and apparently we're all delicious bait."
They all grumbled and cursed their way out of bed, dressing hastily as Mo leapt up, proudly announcing...
"I sensed boobs. But alas, battle calls."
By the time they made it to the Great Hall, the castle was full on vibrating with energy. The faenet countdown blared from magical rune screens all over the room:
⏳ 00:56:37 – UNTIL THE SURVIVAL TRIAL BEGINS ⏳
Thousands of registrants filled the massive room and spilled into the outer courtyards. The scent of fire grilled meats, fresh faeberry bread, and sizzling spell smoked mushrooms filled the air. The buffet stretched for what felt like miles, enchanted platters constantly refilling as rebel soldiers, magical creatures, and wild eyed thrill seekers chowed down like it was their last meal.
Because for some… it might be.
Rhiannan stood on the raised dais beside her five lovers and Gailia, radiant and solemn in a flowing cloak the color of divine fire.
She raised her arms, and silence spread like magic across the crowd. She spoke with fierceness.
"May you fight fiercely, love deeply, and never forget who you are. You are not just here to impress me..."
Her voice grew raw with power.
"...you are here to show the gods that your fire cannot be extinguished. I bless each of you with strength and clarity… may your path be clear, your aim true, and your hearts brave."
The wave of divine energy that blasted outward left people trembling, gasping, crying.
Her faith bar shot through the roof, blinding light rippling around her body like a halo as people fell to their knees in worship. Whispers surged through the crowd like a heartbeat...
"She's a real goddess…"
"I felt it in my soul…"
"She looked into me and I remembered who I was…"
Mo stood proudly beside her, tiny arms crossed. "Damn right. That's my goddess, bitches."
LIVE STREAM STATUS:
🟢 FAENET LIVE BROADCAST – "THE GODDESS'S FIRST TRIAL"
🎥 Viewers Watching: 12.7 million and climbing
🗣️ Trending Hashtags: #TrialOfTheChosen #PrayToRhiannan #SentryOrBust #HotTwinsConfirmed #MoForPresident
The entire castle grounds buzzed with the kind of raw energy only life or death competitions can spark. Magical banners flew high, tents and food stalls were everywhere, and rune cameras floated above, broadcasting every damn second to Faenet.
The hedge maze loomed in the distance like something out of a dark fairytale. The outer walls pulsed with magic, twisting, shimmering, whispering.
"This looks like if Harry Potter and a fever dream had a baby," someone muttered behind the broadcast rune.
Faenet Comments Flood In:
👤 @SwordDaddy_69: 💬"I got 50 gold on the redhead with the battle axe."
👤@MysticMILF: 💬"Why is the guy in the leather thong already bleeding? Trial hasn't even started."
👤@MoFanClubOfficial: 💬"WE RIDE FOR MO. MO 4 SENTINEL. #MoKnowsBest"
👤@GoddessFeetPixRequest: 💬"Y'all think Rhiannan sells bath water?"
👤@KissMyRune: 💬"I saw one of the twins wink at me and I'm pregnant now."
👤@FireInMyLoins: 💬"This trial is about to be sexier than it is dangerous and I'm here for it."
Bickering contestants argued in every corner.
"Your enchanted sword looks compensatory."
"At least I didn't show up in cursed armor, dumbass."
"Say that again, I dare you."
"Okay, YOU LOOK LIKE A DISCOUNT NECROMANCER!"
Spells sparked. Potions smoked. A goblin jug band played in the background.
One guy walked up shirtless, painted in glow in the dark runes.
"For glory and for Rhiannan!"
He tripped on a root and face planted into a plate of faeberry pie. The crowd roared.
In the center of it all, Rhiannan stood tall on the Trial Platform.
Her cloak fluttered dramatically behind her, because yes, of course it was enchanted. Mo stood beside her in a tiny red cape, holding a little scroll that had nothing written on it but made him feel important.
Down below, the dragon twins wrapped their arms around Gailia.
One kissed her forehead, the other her hand.
"We'll be back before you can miss us."
"And if we're not, tell our babies we died stupid and sexy."
Gailia slapped them both. "Don't you dare."
Tears spilled, and she hugged them like her heart was tearing in two.
Other lovers kissed.
Mothers pressed blessings to their children's foreheads.
Brothers embraced.
Rivals side eyed and whispered about sabotage.
Rhiannan's heart ached as she watched. She hated this, this fear, this risk, but it was necessary.
This was how the strongest rose.
This was how the Sentinels would be found.
Up above, Sasha chimed in via public Faenet feed,
"Welcome to the Trial of the Chosen! Please refrain from dying in the first five minutes. We've got bets going, and I'd rather not lose gold over your incompetence. :)"
Rhiannan raised her hand, and the crowd fell into stillness.
She looked down at the swirling magic below, the maze whispering like it had teeth and secrets.
"You've got one hour left before it begins," she said, voice like thunder and velvet.
"Say your goodbyes. Say your prayers. Say your fuckin' last words if you need to. Because once you step inside... the maze doesn't let go easy." She blew a final kiss to the contestants.
She then stepped back as the countdown rune ticked lower.
⏳ 00:58:16