“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.”

  Hippocrates, Greek Physician

  “She’s in bad shape, Emily. I’m barely able to keep her stable. We need something stronger.”

  “Delorus, do any of your friends… Rocky! Rocky, she’s awake. Bethany, can you hear me? Stay with us. Stay…”

  Bethany’s eyes flickered open. She felt drained, and so tired. The world felt surreal and chaotic, yet she felt apart from it. She might have been whimpering, or perhaps screaming, from the enormity of her pain, yet it felt as if it was happening to someone else. She just stared into Rocky’s eyes, his face contorted in alarm, as he pressed his hands tightly against her stomach.

  She let her eyes focus on the stars above as her body let out another painful scream. It didn’t feel real. None of this felt real.

  It’s a beautiful night, but not as beautiful as my void. That light… that rainbow river of cosmic light. The essence of creation. It calls me back – my void. Where there is no pain. No fear. No fighting. Just… empty peace…

  “Shit, she’s not going to make it. Elias! Delorus! Solve Omoikane’s fucking scenario. If there’s a healing talent as a reward, I need it. It’s the only chance she has.”

  Faintly, Bethany heard the flurry of activity around her. The voice of Omoikane echoed across the maze as he repeated his final contemplation. She didn’t catch any of his words, and the frantic debate that erupted between the players was simply white noise in the distance as she stared up at the stars.

  The darkness pressed down upon her like a weighted blanket. Comfortable. Inviting.

  She closed her eyes and let the pain overwhelm her, and the world went dark.

  * * *

  The bust of Omoikane collapsed into dust and the stairwell suspended above descended into the clearing – their path home. The impact brought Bethany back to the brink of consciousness.

  She cracked open her eyes, and even that tiny movement was a struggle. Rocky still hovered over her, his face covered in sweat and knees shaking, as he stared towards the ten golden discs that materialized around the staircase.

  “Hurry Emily!” Rocky shouted, as Emily dashed towards the discs. Bethany thought his voice sounded both desperate and distorted, as if he were underwater. In the recesses of her mind – that small part that still clung to rationality despite the agony that had consumed all else – she knew she didn’t have much time left.

  “Please. Please. Please. Yes! Rocky! Second from my right! An upgrade for your Healer’s Touch,” Emily shouted back, her relief palpable.

  Rocky withdrew his hand from Bethany’s stomach as he sped towards the golden disc – Bethany’s only chance of survival.

  Bethany cried out as her pain returned six-fold, no longer numbed by Rocky’s healing magic. She screamed, and, this time, it didn’t feel like it was happening to someone else. It felt very, very real.

  In an instant, Elias was at her side, clutching her hand gently. He squeezed, and she tried to squeeze back.

  “She’s awake Rocky. Hurry it up,” Elias urged frantically. “Hang in there, Bethany. Rocky’ll get you fixed right up. I promise.”

  “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”

  Sargeant Smith stepped in front of Rocky, his hand raised in a gesture to stop.

  “Hold it right there, fatty. Who gave you the right to select first? We…”

  The mammoth man didn’t bother to slow down. He barreled straight into the cop without hesitation. With Rocky’s enhancements, it was like a football player tackling a small child – the result of which knocked him back a dozen feet and sent him sprawling to the ground.

  Rocky reached for the golden disc, and it dissolved in his hands with a brilliant flare of light. He turned to run back where Bethany lay bleeding, his hands already engulfed with brilliant blue light.

  A red-hot angry Smith rose to his feet and drew his firearm from his holster.

  Everything happened at once. As Rocky caught a glimpse of the gun out of the corner of his eye, Emily formed her claws and leapt at the man. Delorus reached for her own firearm at her hip, her eyes fixed on Smith, and Elias released Bethany’s hand to form his fire sword.

  Smith’s finger moved to the trigger as he raised the weapon towards Rocky.

  “Drop your gun, Smith!” Delorus shouted as she snapped off the safety and aimed at Smith.

  Smith’s weapon was suddenly yanked out of his hands and flew across the clearing, landing at Brandon’s feet. The child, his hands shaking from the adrenaline, had used his telekinesis to disarm the enraged cop. He took a cautious step away from the gun, as if it were a cobra ready to strike.

  Chief Benton, as if it were no more than an inconvenience, grabbed Smith by the collar and unceremoniously yanked him out of the way of Emily’s attack. Her claws swiped through empty air where the sergeant had been only a second ago. Benton’s motion had been lightning-quick, and had sent the sergeant to the ground behind him.

  “That’s enough everyone. Calm down,” Benton bellowed, pouring his authority and charisma into his call. “We’re all standing on the knife’s edge right now, and Smith here was simply the first to crack. He acted the fool, but no harm was done.”

  “He tried to shoot my boyfriend,” Emily retorted, her face red with anger.

  “It was just a warning,” Smith lied from behind his Chief’s back. “We fought hard to get here – we lost two of our group – and I’ll be damned if you leave us with the shittiest powers after all we went through.”

  Benton held up his hand to silence Smith. Smith shut up, his eyes never leaving the woman with the metal claws. His hand unconsciously reached for his gun in its now-empty holster.

  “Warning my ass. You’re lucky Brandon’s a brave kid, or you’d be digging my claws out of your chest right now,” spat Emily. “You self-righteous asshat.”

  As they fought, Rocky knelt at Bethany’s side and pressed his hands against her wound. His magic flowed, and Bethany screamed as her insides began to knit themselves back together. Her scream cut through Emily’s anger like a hot knife through butter.

  “As I said, Smith acted the fool, and I will bring him before the police disciplinary panel for his actions,” Benton assured Emily. It was a line he’d used with members of the public far too often when it came to Stone.

  “Disciplinary panel? Do you think we buy that?” Elias said, his sword lighting up the clearing. “What a load of cop nonsense. Protecting your own as usual. Even the God Contest didn’t change that.”

  “The panel is still functioning, and it can be effective,” Delorus said hesitantly as she eased her firearm back into its holster. “The Sargeant is quite familiar with the process, having gone through it several times before.”

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  “There, see?” Benton said chipperly, trying to ease the tension. “He’ll be punished for his actions. As will anyone who decides to pursue violence when where there could be peace. Police officer… or civilian.”

  Emily dissolved two of her metal claws to give them both a particularly threatening middle-finger.

  “But…,” Chief Benton said, drawing out the word. “Smith does have a point. Your team members were not the only ones to suffer through the trials Omoikane’s maze. Are we all not entitled to the rewards presented before us. As you picked first, I believe we should receive the next two. Deal?”

  “As long as that asshole picks dead last,” Emily countered, staring daggers at Smith.

  “Agreed,” Benton said without hesitation, despite Smith’s attempt to protest.

  Benton beckoned Kim Hilton over to the golden discs, leaving Smith behind. The pair circled around the discs, muttering between each other as they studied each option.

  Elias watched Smith carefully, his sword still drawn, while Emily hurried over to Rocky and Bethany. Delorus went to retrieve Smith’s gun.

  “How is she?” Emily asked, kneeling beside Rocky and resting her head on his shoulder.

  “I’ve… been better,” Bethany responded weakly through gritted teeth. The pain, though intense, was no longer overwhelming. The darkness had faded from her vision, and whispered a silent thanks to Thoth.

  Emily held her hand tightly. “But you’re still with us, and that’s what matters. How much longer will it take, Rocky?”

  “It’ll be a few minutes before we can safely move her,” he responded, his palms sweaty. “The magic is far stronger now that it’s enhanced, but her injuries are severe. I’ll be at this all night. And, Bethany, we’ll need to get some food in you straight away. You’ll be famished after this healing.”

  “What happened to you?” Emily asked, staring at Bethany’s torn shirt, drenched in her blood.

  Bethany’s eyes flickered over to Chief Benton, who was directing Kim to pick one of the discs.

  “Not here,” Bethany whispered. “In private. Any sign of the riddle?”

  Emily shook her head. “No, not yet, but we’re still picking talents. If it’s like Thoth’s Arena, it’ll happen after we’ve chosen.”

  “Emily, it’s our turn to pick,” Delorus called as Benton and Kim returned to Smith, having selected their talents.

  Bethany tried to sit up, but Rocky placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her still. “This is harder than it looks, Bethany. Please don’t move. I won’t have the magic to heal you a second time.”

  Bethany lay back down and stared at the starry sky above.

  How many gods are watching us now? Or did Omoikane’s anger send them scurrying away? I want to activate my eye to see… but I just don’t have the energy left in me to do so.

  Emily gave Bethany’s hand a supportive squeeze before heading over to the discs. “Come on, Delorus. Let’s get you your first talent.”

  * * *

  Elias gently scooped Bethany into his arms and carried her over to the staircase, where the last two golden discs hovered. Though too weak to stand on her own, Rocky had been able to heal her most critical injuries, though it would take hours to restore her to full health.

  “What… what’d you get?” Bethany whispered, hungry and exhausted. She struggled to stay awake as Elias held her close, his scent both comforting and intoxicating.

  I guess there’s an upside to almost dying.

  “A talent called The Eternal Student. Epic level,” Elias recounted, trying to keep Bethany awake. “It doesn’t do anything right away, but if I see a monster or player use a sword technique, The Eternal Student lets me acquire it. Figured it was a good long-term bet, give the whole fire sword thing.”

  “You’re smart,” Bethany muttered, snuggled against his chest. She yawned. “And the others?”

  “Hey now, no falling asleep,” Elias cautioned, giving her a gentle squeeze. Bethany’s stomach growled. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a granola bar and handed it to her. Bethany grasped it weakly with both hands and took the first bite. “I’ve got another when you finish that one.”

  Bethany gazed into his eyes, already half-finished the snack. She tried to mumble a thank you but only succeeded in getting granola crumbs all over his shirt.

  Elias chuckled and wiped away the crumbs. “Well, Delorus got something called Marksman’s Meditation, which let her convert magic into spiritual bullets for her gun. Handy once ammunition grows scarce, which can’t happen soon enough if assholes like Smith are the ones with the guns. Emily took Shield of the Mind, which helps her resist mental attacks. Apparently, she’s been waking up at night, disoriented and in tears – a side effect of Infinite Recollection. Rocky thinks Omoikane add this talent specifically for her to help stave off memories while she sleeps.”

  “I… I didn’t know she couldn’t sleep,” Bethany muttered, feeling guilty. She hadn’t noticed yet, looking back on their past week, her struggles were obvious.

  “Emily’s pretty good at keeping things to herself, Bethany,” Elias comforted. “Don’t beat yourself up over it. The God Contest does that for you.”

  “Was that a joke, farmer boy?” Bethany asked with a sly smile.

  Elias shrugged. “Maybe a little one. In bad taste?”

  Bethany shook her head. It helped take her mind off the grim reality they faced. “And the kids?”

  “Now, those two are interesting,” Elias whistled, glancing over at Harmony and Brandon, who were busy hurling stones at each other. “They didn’t get a choice at all. The moment they stepped up to the discs, two flew straight at them. The same talent – something called Shield of Innocence. It gives them an energy shield to absorb hits. The talent can only be earned by children. Maybe Omoikane has a conscience – a small one."

  Bethany glanced over at the kids. Harmony wound up and threw her rock at her brother. It struck Brandon’s forehead, and he fell backwards. A tiny pop resounded across the clearing as his shield disappeared. He laughed, picked up the rock, and took aim at his sister, who just stood there grinning.

  “It takes about a minute to recharge,” Elias said. “Rocky thinks it’s meant to put the kids on more equal footing with the adults.”

  They had reached the golden discs, and Bethany immediately knew which one was meant for her. Engraved upon the first was a shadow beast blacker than night, leaping towards a woman who glowed as bright as the sun.

  Bethany pointed towards the rightmost disc. “That one,” she whispered. She knew its name even before she touched it.

  Bane of Shadows.

  “You sure?” Elias asked, and Bethany nodded. He walked up to the disc and Bethany reached for it. The disc dissolved and Bethany felt the power flow into her.

  Send your shadows for me, Ah Puch. I’ll not be so weak the next time.

  Sargeant Smith, his anger barely contained, stomped over and touched the final golden disc – a basic Healer’s Touch talent. The man scoffed, as if the ability to heal another were beneath him.

  “Shall we get out of here?” Elias asked, nodding towards the stairs.

  “We… we should stick around for a few minutes,” Bethany replied anxiously.

  This was a knowledge arena. If Omoikane’s Arena works the same way as Thoth’s, the second riddle should appear now.

  Bethany glanced around the clearing. Emily and Rocky stood anxiously, also waiting. Chief Benton hadn’t moved either, though Kim Hilton, anxious to finally leave the maze, had already climbed up a dozen stairs.

  “Chief?” Smith asked uncertainly.

  “You go ahead, Smith,” Benton said, ushering him towards the stairs. “I’ll stay behind to ensure our new… friends… safely leave this maze.”

  Smith didn’t need to be told twice. He began to climb the stairs, and within a few seconds had caught up to Kim.

  Benton knows… he must know. There’s no other reason to stay behind.

  She remembered the figure standing atop police headquarters – the figure from her dream – and her hair stood on end.

  In the deep silence of the completed maze, they waited for Omoikane to arrive.

  During their week hunting monsters, Bethany and Emily earned six silver coins for Mr. Mercury's Emporium. Rocky earned five. Bethany increased her strength, agility, and magic by four. Emily increased her strength by six, agility by four, and toughness by two. Rocky increased his toughness by four and magic by six.