The world around Edric blurred, as his senses began to gradually fade with each passing moment. His body had long since dispersed, leaving whatever remained of him in a vast expanse of nothingness

It was strange, yet somehow familiar. Ah, yes. He had felt this before, the first time he had entered the chamber. But it was also different. Back then he still had his body, now only his mind drifted-suspended in the void. Untouched. Utterly alone.

No. That wasn't right. He wasn't alone. The princess was also here. He couldn't see, hear or feel her presence-yet he knew. She was there.

Their relationship-if it even could be called that-wasn't one of friendship, nor did they get along particularly well. If anything it was the opposite. However, the thought of her being with him offered him at least a small measure of comfort.

His fears and worries also began to fade, as his mind drifted into some kind of sleep. It was a strange, calming sensation, as though the void itself cradled him, offering quiet respite from his burdens. But then, suddenly pain.

It surged through him, sharp and jagged, as though his very being was pulled apart. His senses flared back to life in an instant, raw and overwhelming. And so did his body, which in its entirety felt like it was on fire.

Some might've thought him mad, though he felt relieved. With his senses coming back, his fears and concerns trailed closely behind. The pain was evidence. Evidence that he was still alive and drawing breath.

The pain intensified, his body feeling as if it was being broken down and reassembled. He began to scream, or rather he would've but he seemed to lack vocal cords.

And, as suddenly as it came, it left again. The pain was gone, just like that, as if it had never been. Then he heard an agonizing scream; it took a moment before he recognized him as his own.

Edric's eyes shot open, it took a bit before he adjusted to the light pouring down on him. His lungs gasped for air as if he'd been drowning moments before.

Using his limbs, that felt somewhat foreign, he hauled himself to his feet. Observing his surroundings he found himself standing on a huge desolate hill of solid rock, cracks tearing through threatening to collapse at any moment.

The sky above was tainted in a muted gray, heavy with ash and thick clouds, which the sun just barely managed to pierce through. Far in the distance, a fire was raging.

Turning around, he found the princess lying not far from where he had woken up. She was still unconscious-and just as Halric said, her clothes had changed.

She was now covered in simple, dirt-stained gray robes and her hair had lost its usual lustrous color. It appeared as if the trial had made her appearance match the world around them.

Thinking about it, he realized he hadn't taken a look at himself, yet. Edric now wore a black tunic and a pair of common trousers in the same shade. A longsword hung from his ragged belt.

Unsheathing the blade he studied it, it felt rough and unpolished and slightly dull, certainly not the like the swords he was used to. But he wouldn't complain.

"At least something good," he muttered under his breath.

Edric exhaled, sheathing the blade again as he glanced back at the princess. Her unconscious frame was still, but there was a sudden twitch of her fingers. With a groan she stirred, slowly but surely coming to herself.

It was not long after that her eyelids snapped open. Unlike him, however, she was calm and if anything collected. Edric couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. It would've been amusing to see the aloof princess' polished exterior falter for a moment.

Noticing him she spoke: "Where… where are we?"

"I don't know."

A heavy silence followed, until Edric wasn't able to hold it anymore and erupted into laughter. Loud and uncontrollable.

"So this is it," he managed between laughs. "This was your big 'You'll see soon enough' moment? Throwing yourself at deaths door? Really?"

The princess didn't react to his outburst. Simply narrowing her eyes, she watched him as if he was being nothing more than an inconvenience to her. But Edric knew better-she was definitely angry.

"If you must make a mockery of it, then I would prefer you do so in silence," she stated.

"Ah, yes, yes. Of course, your highness," Edric said, his voice filled with mockery. "How'd you even come up with this beyond deranged idea?"

"That is none of your concern," she said coldly.

"Alright, if you say so," he said, calming himself. "So what now your majesty, any idea what to do?"

The princess pushed herself up, taking slow and measured breaths, her gaze sweeping over the desolate landscape. Though Edric noticed, that her usual confident demeanor wasn't there.

"I don't know."

Edric blinked, disbelievingly. The amusement he felt before, leaving in an instant. "You're kidding me aren't you?"

The princess turned giving him an icy glance, that said more than words could. She wasn't kidding. Edric was at a loss for words. Apart from being thrown into a life and death situation against his will, he was now also stuck with a deranged princess. He was beginning to wonder if he had been thrown into some twisted nightmare.

But then a thought crossed his mind, a small, bitter smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You know, there might be some merit to you being here."

The princess raised a brow.

"If we die during this trial, it'd serve as a big 'fuck you' to the king."

There was a pause. A long one. Then, to his absolute surprise, the princess chuckled. A low and quiet, humorless laugh.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," she said, her tone light. "But even if, I won't go down that easily."

"No, you definitely will," Edric said, flatly.

She was a princess. A pampered and sheltered girl that had mostly likely never held a blade in hand, let alone fought with one. Edric could not imagine a scenario of her surviving without his help. And to be honest, he himself wasn't all too confident.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that either," the princess said, pulling some sort of stone out of her pocket. It appeared to be a simple rock, however he soon noticed that there were some sort of runes engraved onto its surface.

"What's that?"

"A runestone," the princess explained. "By absorbing these you attain powers. Though normally they are granted at the very end of the trial."