"I’ll give you more than a show next time," I said, and they beamed softly.

*****************

"Announcement: Every student is to gather at the arena entrance right now. Today we begin lectures," the cold, authoritative voice of Headmistress Lysanadra cut through the speaker floating in the air.

"I wonder what the first lessons are," two girls squirmed, passing beside me. One seemed really excited, while the lower ranks seemed puzzled and a bit worried.

"Looks like it’s all going to happen at the Bond Healing Chambers," Ryker said, staring darkly at the big panel that revealed itself after Lysanadra swirled her hands.

"Silence," she said, and the entire arena went quiet. I just stared, trying to make sense of what Ryker said. From his gaze, I knew it was something serious, especially since he had been to the academy before with his former master.

"Do you have an idea of what it is?" I asked, and he snapped his gaze to me. The anger in his eyes softened, and he gently patted my hair. "Don’t worry, you will be fine," he said, and I nodded, agreeing with him, though he sighed.

"The Bond Healing Chambers have ten chambers, each with different obstacles," he said, and my lips parted. I wanted to press further, but it looked like he was trying to forget something painful. I didn’t want to hurt him with my words, so I let it go.

Lysanadra started, "So today marks the beginning of the academy’s scheduled lessons. Each and every one of you is here to take your beasts, grow in power, so when the time is right, you protect the borders and get meaningful jobs to feed you and your beast husbands. Today’s first lesson is: The Bond Healing Chambers. It involves observing and experimenting on how beast-men evolve through bonding. It will be dangerous and very deadly. A box will be passed around, and the numbers are from 1 to 10. The number you choose determines the bond chamber you go to. Remember, these are deadly chambers, so no matter what chamber you are put in, exercise caution. Once you go in, everything will be explained to you. You may begin," she said.

Just then, Sonia walked over holding the box. I stared at it and placed my hand inside. After scrambling and moving my fingers, I finally grabbed onto something. I pulled out my hand, and my beast-men stood behind me, staring down at it.

"Number four." Staring at it, I didn’t feel anything. I didn’t even know what trial I was going to end up doing, but then Liora walked up to me.

"I’m number 3," she said, smiling brightly, and I laughed. "I’m four," I said, and she paused. "What’s that?" she asked, and I just shrugged my shoulders.

"We’ll know once we are inside, don’t worry," she said, and at least it eased my mind a bit. I stared at Ryker, but he didn’t seem fine.

"1 and 3 line up," Lysanadra said, and Liora waved bye to me, dragging her beast-man along.

"4 and 6," she called out, and I moved forward, but the panel shimmered and—

(Only one beast-man can be let in.)

Staring at the panel, I sighed. I’d have to choose now. I turned to my beast-men.

"Choose me, I’m better. I’m really strong at anything!" Veyra said, and Azrael scoffed.

"Choose whoever you want, Raven. We aren’t pressuring you," he said, and Veyra scoffed. "I know what you’re hinting at. You want to be chosen," he sneered and turned to me. But my gaze was fixed on Ryker. He seemed lost in thought.

"I’ll choose Ryker... let’s go," I said, grabbing his wrist. He snapped out of his thoughts but slipped his hand away.

"You should choose someone else," he said, staring at the ground, and I sighed.

"But I want you. You’ve been here before and know everything, every route. I can’t go in there with anyone except you," I stated, but he still wouldn’t budge.

"I just can’t go in there with you. Take Azrael or Veyra," he said, and I sighed.

"Raven, you are stalling the line," Lysanadra said with displeasure, and I sucked on my bottom lip. "Ryker... you have to face your fears. Whatever the trial may be, I’ll be with you every step of the way. You don’t have to bear it alone. If you still don’t want to go, I won’t force you," I said, and watched as his hands trembled.

"She was hurt last time," he said, and my eyes widened. Was this about his last master? I sighed. "I’m not her, I’m Raven!" I said. Really, I wanted to be jealous, but I didn’t dare, because apparently, he still thinks about her. He should focus on me only. I know it’s hard, but that’s why I need him to follow me. I want to see what he’s hiding, that vulnerability, and maybe I can slowly heal him.

Seeing he didn’t want to go in, I shifted my hand to Veyra. "It’s okay, you can stay behind," I said, although my voice sounded sad and low. Veyra looked at Ryker, then back at my hand. He slowly reached for it, as if hoping Ryker would reconsider and just then Ryker took my hand.

"I’ll go with you," he said, and I smiled. Veyra smiled at me and winked. "Thank you," I said softly, and walked off with him.

We entered the building, and suddenly the door shut, locking behind us. Ryker’s grip tightened, and I stared at our entwined hands and smiled. "Don’t worry, you are with me. You will be okay. This, I guarantee," I said, and he lifted his gaze. He was biting his bottom lip, his eyes wet, he was fighting back tears.

"What’s wrong?" I asked, but he just stared at me.

"I didn’t want to disappoint you... that’s why I followed you," he said, and those words made my heart shatter.

"You should have thought about yourself. If you aren’t ready, I can still go with Veyra," I said, and his lips parted.

"I really want you to be proud of me, Raven. I didn’t come here only because of you... but because of me too, I need to face my past," he said softly, and I felt my heart beat so fast it could burst out.

I tightened my grip, and he forced a smile. "I don’t want you to get hurt like her. I still feel guilty," he said, and I sighed.

"Ryker, look at me," I said, and his eyes bored straight into mine.

"Who do you see?" I asked, and his lips parted. "Raven," he said dryly, and my left hand reached up, gently caressing his hair. "That’s good. You see me, and only me," I said, and he nodded.

Just then, a panel appeared. Lysanadra was there, her lips locked tight together as she sneered at my actions.

"Cut to the chase, old woman," I said, and her sneer turned into a frown. "I hope you die in there," she cursed, and my smile widened. "If I do, I’ll drag you with me," I replied coldly, and before she could say another word, my cold eyes shut her down.

"You chose number four, which is: Pain Absorption Trials. Here, the memories of your chosen beast-man will be seen by you. You must share his pain..all of it, without screaming, breaking, or disconnecting. If you fail, you destroy your D-rank foundation and start from F-rank..." She paused.

"With that said, I don’t think you need good luck."

Just like that, the panel disappeared. When she left, I felt Ryker tense up. "Is there still a way you can choose Veyra?" he asked, but instead I flashed a smile.

"We don’t need to. I have you," I said, and the worry on his face was very much visible. I was a little scared too.

Especially when he hasn’t told me about her yet, it felt like using this trial to invade his memory.

"It’s going to hurt. My pain, my guilt... it’s more than you can handle," he said. Seeing the frown on my face, he probably thought I was scared instead...

"Not that. You haven’t told me what happened to her. Tell me....this trial feels wrong, like I’m invading your memory..." I said, and watched as his lips parted in shock.