Elaine charged through the dim passage way, her lungs burning with each ragged breath, as a primal terror stripped away the remnants of her confidence, turning them into fragile leaflets scattered by the howling winds of her racing thoughts. Behind her, the arachnid beast unleashed a horrifying roar, a high-pitched screech that reverberated off the vine-infested walls. The creature had materialized from the shadows, a ghastly apparition that lunged at her with jagged, oversized claws, nearly seizing her in its relentless grip.

  She had been quicker, but this deathstalker was no ordinary predator. It moved with a terrifying agility, its eight legs skittering across the stone floor as it pursued her with greedy determination. Five minutes, she estimated, had passed since their deadly game of cat and mouse commenced. In the chaos, Elaine was uncertain whether her blind escape would lead her to safety or into further danger. The corridor twisted and turned like a labyrinth, merciless to one's sense of direction. Glancing over her shoulder, she was met with the sight of three pairs of violet-hued, multifaceted eyes glowing with predatory hunger, staring into her very soul. The deathstalker made its intent clear; unyielding in its quest to capture its prey.

  Yet Elaine knew she couldn't run indefinitely; he had to find the exit before the lesson concluded, or she would surely fail. She glanced down at the wand resting against her waist, trembling with each frantic step she took. Yes, she was a sorcerer capable of casting magic. What good was that skill if she did not wield it to free herself from this dire predicament? Elaine snatched the wooden wand from its holster. The familiar weight felt reassuring in her hand as she used her momentum to pivot sharply on the ball of her foot, her shoulder cape billowing dramatically behind her. Her gaze locked onto the monstrous figure just a few paces away, as it emitted another spine-chilling shriek. The creature continued its advance, and in its persistence, Elaine found the inspiration she needed—the deathstalker wouldn't stop, and that was exactly what she was counting on.

  Setting her jaw with a sharp crack, she gripped her wand firmly in her dominant hand. As she steadied her breath, a memory bloomed in her mind—an echo from the past when she had first performed the spell that now surged within her. That moment of surrender to an alien possession had illuminated her path to victory—an experience that was both thrilling and terrifying. It had saved her then, and she could almost feel its familiar, intoxicating power coursing through her veins again, promising to extricate her from the clutches of her present troubles. Shimmering rays of golden energy erupted from the tip of her wand, casting a warm glow that filled the dark surroundings. It resembled the strange glowstick she had once seen nobles brandishing during the rare occasions they bothered visiting their local festivals. But this "glowstick" was no ordinary trinket; it was not crafted from cold metal nor powered by a keystone. Instead, it had been painstakingly fashioned by a wandsmith from a secluded village nestled in the Misted Hills. The deathstalker closed in on her, readying to launch its claw in an attempt to crush her skull. Elaine inhaled sharply, and the name of the spell ejected out of her throat. "Light Magic: Icto Lumen!"

  Like before, her magic had summoned a concentrated beam of light shaped to look like a javelin. Creaking open her eyelids that she'd squeezed closed, Elaine watched as the golden harpoon soared toward its target. It moved as quickly as a bullet from a runerifle. That is to say, had Elaine blinked or averted her gaze even for the briefest of seconds, she more than likely wouldn't have seen the otherworldly sight. The projectile parted sheets of dust, rock, and debris that scattered along its path, shooting them off to the sides in clouds of dirt. The deathstalker, who had one of its pincers stretched in front of it, paused as the javelin of light collided directly into its face, forcing the creature to arch its spine backward, relying on the strength of its hind legs to keep it from tumbling over.

  An anguished screech clawed out of its set of quivering mandibles. The deathstalker shuddered its enormous frame, blindly swiping at the air, lacking any coordination. It had tried to kill her, but Elaine couldn't keep that feeling of sincerity and guilt as she watched it randomly flailing itself in pain, the front portion of its skull engulfed in a plume of smoke. However, Elaine realized she couldn't linger. Turning around, she bolted away from the deathstalker. With a swift movement, Elaine sped into the mouth of a nearby passage and slammed her back against the cold wall, the stone rough against her skin. She clasped her hands onto her shaking knees, lowering herself into an exhausted crouch. As she stood there, bent over, swallowing staggered breaths that felt like jagged stones in her throat, beads of sweat trickled down her forehead, stinging her eyes. Reluctantly, with her heart still racing, Elaine inched toward the edge of the corridor, straining to peer around the corner, every nerve alive with anticipation.

  Peeking around the corner, she spotted the deathstalker fixating its split gaze on a golden ember of magic energy that must have detached from her previous spell. It appeared little more than an orb of pulsating light, no bigger than a child's closed fist, hovering idly in the air. Though it was wounded—a horrid scar smearing over its skull and reducing its top pair of eyes to a blackened streak—the deathstalker tried grabbing hold of it, but as it was light made of magic, the sickled pincer merely phased straight through it. The animal would keep swiping at it until the little orb of light faded out of existence. Elaine's hand shot to her mouth to blanket the gasp that nearly escaped as the deathstalker released a howl at the sky. Was it trying to communicate with others of its kind? Was this a distress signal?

  Somehow, Elaine didn't think so. It was a discordant mess of a noise, almost as if the deathstalker was angry, no, sad. The screaming persisted for nearly five whole minutes before its vocal cords finally fell silent, and the deathstalker trudged down the corridor in the opposite direction, back where it had come from. Elaine diffused a sigh of relief as it disappeared in the distance, blending in with the darkness as a giant, dull shadow. If she could finish the test without ever seeing one of the repulsive, blood-thirsty monsters again, she'd make sure to offer Aeris an exceptionally long, especially grateful prayer that same night. But having evaded one of the perplexing labyrinth's threats was no reason to celebrate. There was still a test to complete. Elaine reminded herself of this as she reorganized her priorities and determination.

  "Hey, Elaine," said something behind her.

  Elaine couldn't restrain her terror, and her startled scream assaulted the hallway. Wand still in her grasp, she spun as fast as she could—causing her shoulder cape to flap wildly—and resolved herself to strike down the deathstalker with a human voice. "Icto Lume—"

  "Wait! Hang on a sec! It's me!" the boy stammered. Scrambling back in a startled, haphazard stride, he accidentally tripped over a protruding rock jammed halfway out of the ground, and collapsed with a thump!

  Elaine stared blankly at him, bemused as she blinked. "Custas...?"

  "Ah, coming to your senses again, are we?" he smirked, leaning forward to sit.

  "I don't understand. How did you find me?"

  "Simple answers to simple questions." Custas rose to his feet, brushing off the dust covering sections of his uniform. "We have only Luck to thank, my friend. Our destinies, they're obviously intertwined with one another."

  Elaine drew a line with her mouth, and she raised a brow at him.

  "That and I kinda, sorta saw your Light Magic spell," he said, awkwardly. "I'd advise not casting too many of those, by the way. These deathstalkers, they're attracted to light. The dulbrains confuse it for the glimmerbugs they hunt at the bottom of the canyons where they live. Shine off a few more light shows and you might wind up becoming a literal beacon for trouble."

  "Really?" Elaine asked, dumbfounded. Was that why the deathstalker behaved as dazed as it did? She had indeed taken notice of how allured it was by the remnants of her light spell. She'd need to be careful.

  "Anyhow, as inviting as this place is, I think we've overstayed our welcome," Custas said, striding past her, an arm stretched overhead. "What do you say we get outta here, you and me? I mean, unless you favor having a run-in with another of our buggy pals."

  "Wait, you know the way out of here?"

  Custas nodded. "That I do!"

  Elaine leered at him, doubtful. "You say that, but how can I be certain this won't end up like yesterday? Us aimlessly wandering around; you pretending like you know where you're going."

  "Okay, okay. I'll admit I'm not the best when it comes to directions," Custas grinned, holding up his hands defensively. "Even still, I'm being serious this time around. I'm aware of what's at stake just as much as you are. I wouldn't so easily jeopardize the fate of our student careers like that. Nah, I'll entrust this duty to a more reliable navigator."

  "Oh, yeah? Who?"

  Smirking, Custas tilted his head upward. Elaine followed his gaze, and what she discovered was a pair of mesmerizing amethyst-colored eyes, shimmering like polished gemstones, peering intently back at her. The creature, small yet graceful, lost its balance and tumbled off the ledge of the stone wall on which it had been perched. In a fluid motion, it landed softly on the ground, its delicate paws barely making a sound. With a playful swagger, it trotted over to Custas, its curly, velvety tail swaying rhythmically behind it.

  "It's a...cat?" Elaine said, more confused than ever.

  "Oh, no. This isn't just any ordinary cat you can nab from a pet shop," Custas said. "This right here is one of the spirits I'm currently Bonded with. Elaine Harwood, I would like to introduce you to Felis the Seeker."

  At first glance, the so-called spirit appeared unremarkable, lacking any overtly unusual or otherworldly characteristics that might signal to an untrained observer the truth of Custas’s claims. However, as Elaine stepped closer, the subtle imperfections in its ethereal guise began to reveal themselves. The small creature was draped in a coat of shortly-trimmed, purple-hued fur, each strand a different shade, creating a bewildering gradient that caught the eye. Intricate golden patterns, reminiscent of delicate filigree, wove elegantly from the crown of its head all the way down to its bushy tail, almost as if they were ancient runes inscribed by an unseen hand. Nestled against its fluffy chest was an odd diamond pendant, glinting like a star.

  Those intelligent, amethyst eyes, flecked with hints of green, scanned her as if they were assessing her worthiness. Intrigued, she reached out, her fingers trembling with excitement as she attempted to bridge the gap between them. Suddenly, the spirit emitted a sharp hiss, a sound that sliced through the air with a startling intensity. It arched its back, fur bristling as it revealed a mouth full of tiny, dagger-like teeth that glistened with an unspoken threat. Elaine gasped at it, staggering back as the spirit swiftly retreated to where Custas stood. The spirit bumped against his leg, its demeanor instantly shifting to one of playful affection, rubbing its soft fur against him like a familiar cat seeking comfort.

  "I don't think it likes me," Elaine said disappointedly.

  "Yeah, he's a bit tense around strangers," Custas laughed. "I'm sure he'll warm up to you eventually."

  "So, how will...Felis help us?"

  Custas snapped his fingers, and then he crouched onto one knee, lowering himself until his gaze locked onto the cat spirit, which was in the midst of diligently grooming one of its paws with a long tongue. "I was already on my way in this direction when we came across you, so I don't think we're that far off the beaten path. Felis," Custas whispered, his voice barely above a breath. The cat spirit halted mid-lick, the tip of its tongue frozen in an awkward protrusion from its mouth. Its head cocked slightly to one side, one ear folding lazily while the other perked up. "You will continue to lead me down the Chosen Road. And her as well."

  Personally, Elaine was more of a dog person than anything else. Growing up with Milo, a greedy and slothful border collie, she and Liam had spent countless afternoons playing with him in their front garden. Dogs, in her experience, were open books—expressive and straightforward. If they were hungry, they would whine incessantly, their pleading eyes irresistible. When nature called, they would scratch vigorously at the door, their impatient barks echoing with urgency. And in moments of excitement or fright, they would unhinge a guttural growl that sent a clear message.

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  Cats, however, were an entirely different enigma. All her life, Elaine couldn’t recall a single occasion when she actually encountered a feline in Page, at least not any that lingered long enough to form an impression. Usually, the most she would spot were two or three aloof cats slinking through the alleys or sunbathing on rooftops, their expressions consistently bleak and disinterested. Her younger self had deemed them as lazy, miserable creatures whose motivations were as inscrutable as their behavior.

  But at that very moment, she felt an unsettling recognition in the feline spirit's gaze. There was an uncanny intelligence in those celestial eyes. The spirit recoiled ever so slightly, its lip curling back to reveal its reflective teeth as it directed another scathing glare in Elaine's direction. Clearly, she was not in the spirit's good graces. Yet, amidst the tension of its hostility, strangely enough, Elaine couldn't help but sense that the spirit’s anger was perhaps not wholly directed at her.

  "Look," Custas said, "I know you're not keen on the idea, but I can't just leave her like this. Jeez, you need to calm down, man. I swear to Kyntho, Elaine's human, not some mangy mutt."

  Custas' rationalization lacked the support needed to fully appease the disgruntled spirit; nevertheless, it began to venture down the path ahead. Smirking, Custas beckoned for Elaine to follow him as he strode forward, hand behind his head. Elaine hesitated, glancing at the spirit, and she wasn't entirely convinced of its tracking abilities as Custas claimed. Doubts nagged at her: Were students even allowed to partner with one another in this test? Yet, she realized sticking with Custas and the spirit was undoubtedly a safer choice than continuing her aimless wandering through the labyrinthine halls.

  A sudden jolt of fear raced down her spine as she recognized that the spirit was leading them toward the direction where the deathstalker had vanished. If she focused intently, she could just make out the distant, chilling cries of the massive predator, echoing ominously through the corridors. Am I really making the right choice? As the invisible clock ticked away—its hands an unyielding reminder of fleeting time—Elaine felt an urge to break the silence that hung thick between them. Summoning her courage, she walked beside Custas, thinking of all the times he had come to her aid: the bustling marketplace in Lakestone, where he had swindled a clerk into giving her a wand at a discounted price, and the advice he had offered during Magihistory Class. Though their friendship felt like a delicate thread, woven from brief yet meaningful interactions, she recognized that, despite the uncertainty that lingered between them, Custas had proven to be a reliable ally.

  “Fritz!” Custas suddenly exclaimed, his foot unexpectedly snagged on one of the vein-like roots protruding from the floor, their gnarled form weaving like serpents through the earth. He flailed for balance, arms flung wide to either side, and for a moment, Elaine couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at the comical sight. Well, he's got his merits, that's for sure.

  Past him, Elaine noticed that Felis had come to a stop, its lithe body plopping down onto the floor and raising a paw to its tongue, grooming its glossy fur. It really was just like an ordinary cat, except for the ethereal glow that surrounded it. But the spirit hadn’t paused out of exhaustion or simple laziness. Spanning before it was a yawning chasm that split the corridor in half, a gaping maw adorned with jagged fangs that crumbled into dust when Custas ventured too close. The edges of the chasm seemed to ooze darkness, suggesting a stomach filled with nothingness. Elaine teetered over the side, gazing down into the pitch-black abyss, where not a flicker of light or a whisper of life could be seen. The sheer drop made her knees feel weak—who knew how deep that void sank?

  Steeling herself, she lifted her gaze across the divide, her eyes landing on the opposite side where the rocky corridor continued. It wasn’t an incredibly far distance; a mere twenty feet or so stood between her and safe passage. If she could time her leap just right, perhaps she could clear the gap and land safely on the other side. Yet, the shadows below pulled her gaze like iron filings to a magnet. Once again, she found herself peering into the seemingly bottomless pit.

  "Wonderful, plainly wonderful," Custas said beside her. He grabbed a stone off the floor and dropped it inside the chasm. They waited, waited for a sound, anticipating the familiar thud! of rock meeting rock. It never came. "Huh. That's not very encouraging."

  "What do we do?"

  "Jump," he said, shrugging his shoulders. Far in the distance behind them, the high-pitched shriek of a deathstalker sounded off. "We've got no other choice. Unless you want to go on a not-so-pleasant dinner date with our pals back there."

  "...Ah...right," Elaine replied, trying not to sound too frightened.

  "Well, then," Custas said, moving to the side, stretching an arm to the chasm. His eyes were closed, and his lips curved a dimpled smile as he spoke. "Ladies first."

  "What?!"

  "Oh. Do they not have that saying in this country? What I mean to say is—"

  "I know what it means!" Elaine shouted at him, her fingers balling into fists. "But there's no way I can just...I can..."

  "Sorry, Elaine. We're kinda low on options. Felis says the exit is that way, and it's not as if we have the luxury of choice. If we turn back now to look for an alternative route, we'd just be wasting more time. Class is almost over, and if we don't make it out of this maze soon, we could be facing expulsion."

  Fritz! She hated that his logic made so much sense!

  Inhaling sharply, she turned to face the chasm, the vast void splitting before her like a ravenous beast. Making a subtle and quick prayer to Aeris, she shut her eyes tightly. Gathering every ounce of resolve, she charged forward, propelled by an adrenaline-fueled rush, straight toward the maw of the gluttonous abyss. As she took her final step, the world seemed to pause; time stretched and blurred. With a swift, determined thrust, Elaine leaped over the edge. For a heartbeat, she soared weightlessly through the air, the wind coursing around her like ethereal ribbons. A fleeting glance, born of instinct, allowed her to see the terrifying emptiness that loomed below—an unfathomable drop that swallowed sound and light.

  Panic surged within her, tightening around her stomach like a coil of electricity-infused flames, igniting every nerve ending with primal fear. Holding back a scream that threatened to erupt from her throat, she envisioned herself plummeting into it, consumed by its insatiable darkness. The horrifying thought twisted in her mind: what would happen if she were to be engulfed, dragged below the Shadow? What fate awaited her in that spiraling black hell? Would she ever emerge from it again, or would she become just another whisper within the gloom? What would—

  "Wow! Nice jump!" she heard Custas cheer. "Didn't think you had it in you!"

  Popping her eyelids open, Elaine was greeted by a sense of profound relief as she discovered she had successfully landed on the other side of the chasm, glancing down at her feet to assure they were grounded. With a sense of cautious optimism, she lowered herself into a crouch, her lungs still burning from the intensity of her exertion, a stubborn reminder of her last desperate gasp. But indeed, she had made it across. As she whirled around, her heart swelled at the sight of Custas, his face alight with joy as he clapped his hands in celebration. Perched on his shoulder was Felis, whose expression was decidedly less enthusiastic.

  From this side, Elaine finally grasped the full scale of the daunting leap she had accomplished, the gap extending well over ninety feet in width. Had she truly succeeded at clearing such an enormous hurdle? Perhaps she was more athletic than she had ever given herself credit for. Memories washed over her of childhood adventures spent chasing Liam, sprinting after him whenever he’d sneak out of the house on a whim to escape classes. Capturing that annoying bush goblin had been one thing, with his erratic movements and infuriating giggles, but soaring above a trench felt like an entirely different realm of challenge. Yet here she stood, heart pounding and breathless, on the other side.

  "Okay. Guess it's my turn," Custas said, cracking his knuckles. Taking a steadying breath, Custas crouched slightly, and, with a sudden burst of speed, he leaped high in the air, his feet leaving solid earth behind as he soared over the chasm. In his right hand, he clutched his wand—a simple commoner's wand that was no mere duplicate of the wand she owned. As he flew, Custas pointed his wand below him, shouting "Wind Magic: Venit Latus!" Instantly, a bluish glow erupted from the tip of the wand, summoning forth a fierce gust of wind. The force enveloped him, propelling him forward in an accelerated rush that caused his dark hair to whip wildly around his face. Custas landed with a thud that sent a spray of dust dancing in the wind. He skidded to a halt mere feet in front of Elaine.

  Elaine gawked at him, utterly dumbfounded. "No way...You can use Wind Magic, too?"

  "I can, indeed," Custas said, presenting her with a bow. "Surprised you didn't notice sooner, given how obsessed you are with magic."

  "What...?"

  As Elaine replayed her memory, she briefly remembered feeling a current of concentrated wind slamming against her back. She had thought it was only her imagination, or perhaps the adrenaline festering in her core was catalyzing phantom effects. In actuality, it was Custas. He'd used a Wind Magic spell on her without her even realizing it. Was this the reason why he was intent on having her clear the chasm first? So he could cast a spell that would make her jump safer? Yes, it was more likely. Custas seemed a bit too proud of himself as he twirled the wand in his hand and boasted a dimpled sneer. But that magic, she'd never seen anyone cast Wind Magic before. And he'd used it so subtly; he must have been an expert at it.

  She'd read that there were a plethora of applications for Wind Magic. There were stories of Professional Sorcerers at Diamer Coast who used Wind Magic spells to boost themselves up the titanic, seaside cliffs. Travelers who visited Page last year spoke of spotting sorcerers flying through the sky like humanoid migratory birds. Soaring in formation towards the horizon's blade as uniformed blurs. Could Custas do the same? Better yet, could he possibly be able to teach her a few tricks—

  "Ah, ah! I know that look," Custas said, staggering away from her. "You're not thinking of doing anything weird with my tongue, are you?"

  "Huh?" Elaine said, and only then did she come to notice that she had both her arms stretched for him. Her lousy habit had taken root in her life yet again. "Oh! Don't worry, I'm not going to freak out again..." she said, embarrassedly, hiding her hands behind her waist in a swift motion.

  Custas snickered. "Well, thank Kyntho for that."

  "Your magic," Elaine continued, forcing a smile, "it was very impressive. I never knew you specialized in Wind Magic, of all things."

  "Oh, it's no big deal. I can even teach you a spell or two if that's what you want—"

  "Really?!" Elaine exclaimed, lunging for him and grabbing onto one of his arms.

  "...R...Really, really," Custas said, chuckling anxiously. He glanced away from her—back in the direction of the chasm—but Elaine nevertheless could spot his cheeks turning red, a hand covering his mouth. "Anyway, we should probably get a move on, yeah?"

  "...Ah...yes...that would be best," Elaine said, pulling away from him, hiding a blush underneath her blonde hair.

  Awkwardness aside, Felis continued its role as their guide with an air of ethereal grace. The trio walked in silence for five to ten minutes, a quietude thick with unspoken thoughts that enveloped them like a mist. Their path eventually unfolded into a captivating courtyard, framed by the remnants of crumbling structures that whispered tales of a forgotten era. Half-finished stone staircases twisted upward, their craggy edges casting irregular shadows against the walls. Meanwhile, ancient, broken pillars leaned precariously, some lying discarded on the ground intertwined with violet-colored vines that seemed to pulse faintly. Felis, with a flick of its tail, leapt onto a weathered boulder, its eyes shining brightly in the dim light. Rising onto its hind legs, the pendant on its chest began to glow with a radiant golden energy, casting a warm illumination across the courtyard. The intricate golden patterns woven into its fur danced and shimmered in a flicker.

  Custas nodded. "Right, Felis says we're getting close."

  "That's nice to know."

  "Yeah, it shouldn't be too long now." Suddenly, a piercing screech reverberated in the distance, followed by a blood-curdling scream—a terrified shriek from one of their classmates. Custas grimaced. "Right on cue. Come on, we're outta here. If I ever have to see another deathstalker, it'd be too soon." Felis purred softly in agreement. They advanced ahead of her with quick, purposeful strides, only for Custas glanced back when he realized she hadn't followed. "Elaine? Are you all right?" He took a step toward her, concern etched on his features as he searched her expression for answers.

  Frozen in place, Elaine could only utter a single word. "Fearne..."

  "What?" Custas asked.

  "That scream just now, I recognize it," Elaine whispered, her voice trembling from a chill. "It was Fearne. I'm sure of it."

  "No, it...it can't..."

  "She must have run into a deathstalker. We have to go and help her!"

  "Wait!" Custas called, an arm raised at her. "Hang on a sec, Elaine. We need to be smart about this."

  Elaine frowned at him. "What do you mean?"

  "Have you forgotten? This is a test," Custas explained. "We're being judged by how well we can escape the labyrinth, right? We can't turn back now, not when we're so close. We might fail."

  "But Fearne's in trouble!"

  "Trouble, huh? Look, I'm sure you were visited by the professor himself, yeah? I thought I'd gone insane when he appeared out of nowhere, looking like a ghost. But it was him, and he told me that we'd be immediately teleported out of here if anything bad happened to us. None of us is in any real danger."

  "What does that matter?"

  "It means our classmates will be safe," Custas clarified, speaking fast. "It means our most important priority should be trying to escape. If we focus on helping everyone of our friends, we'll never pass the test. We'd be expelled for sure."

  "But you helped me, didn't you? What makes me different from everybody else?"

  "Yes, I did help you, Elaine," Custas acknowledged, lowering his glare to the tears in the cement. His blush—though subdued—had returned. "You were close by, it wouldn't hinder me much if we were to make it out of this place together. Fearne's my friend too, but returning to save her might result in all three of us failing. Something I'm sure she wouldn't want."

  "But we can't—"

  "Some people survive by running!" Custas shouted, staring at her with a strained expression. "As ugly as it sounds—and believe me, I'm aware—that's just how this world operates. If you can't pull your weight, you're only left behind. I care about Fearne, just like you. At the end of the day, though, I've got my own problems to deal with. I want to be a Professional Sorcerer too."

  Elaine stared at him wordlessly, digesting for the first time what should have been blatantly obvious. "...I'm...I'm sorry, you're right."

  Custas hesitated, catching himself with a breath. "Yeah, yeah, I—"

  "It would be selfish of me to expect you to go along with my recklessness willingly. After you've helped me so much, I wouldn't want to be the reason you could potentially fail," Elaine continued. "You stick to the plan. I'll meet with you later. After I rescue my friend."

  "...Wait, what?"

  Whirling around so quickly that her blonde hair nearly whipped her in the eye, Elaine bolted to where she had last heard the deathstalker and her roommate. Behind her, Custas was calling her name, but she ignored him. It was a naive and thoroughly idiotic decision, one built on a foundation of irrationality. She abided by it nonetheless, falling into a full sprint as the screech of a stalker of death rang loud, inviting its prey for a feast of blood and bones.