CHAPTER 4: This Ain't a Scene, it's a Relic's Race

The fortress loomed before them, a menacing labyrinth of jagged stone and pulsating light. 

Each step they took toward the entrance seemed to thrum with otherworldly energy. Oliver and Adelle were ahead, their movements swift and deliberate as they navigated the crumbling staircase leading to the fortress doors.

Michael and Jace paused at the base of the stairs. 

“We have to outthink them,” Jace said, his voice low but firm. “They’re are faster and stronger, but we’re smarter.”

Michael nodded. Oliver was a brute, yes but a ruthless competitor nonetheless. And not to mention Adelle, whom Michael knew very well.

Arlon's voice returned, echoing through the air around us:

“ Candidates, you will face three trials. It is said that the Relic chooses those who deserve it. Regardless of whether you have the mutant trace or not. "

His message left room for interpretation. Was the relic a key to activating the Mutant gene or did he just say that to mess with them?

“We stick together. No matter what.”

“Agreed,” Jace replied, forcing steadiness in his voice.

As they entered the fortress, the air became thick and heavy at the touch. The walls eteched with glowing runes, lighting their path through a dim corridor.

TRIAL ONE: THE MIRROR ROOM

The first chamber was a vast, circular room filled with mirrors of all shapes and sizes. As soon as they stepped inside, the mirrors distorted and versions of themselves stepped out. These weren’t simple reflections—they were twisted and malicious, with glowing red eyes and menacing aura.

“Mirror clones,” Michael muttered. 

Before Jace could respond, one of his reflections lunged at him, its hands morphing into jagged claws. Ducking a nd rolling, he managed to avoid its strike. Another rushed at Michael, but he countered with a swift uppercut, sending it staggering back.

“They’re fast!” Jace shouted, dodging another attack.

“But they’re us,” Michael called out, grabbing a shard of broken glass from the floor. “They think like us. Use that against them!”

Jace focused on his clone, watching its movements. Every time he moved left, it mirrored his movements going right instead. He had figured it out. Jace made a movement with his left hand, feinting a punch, his copy did the same to his right. In that moment, Jace attacked with his right, the shard in his hand slicing through it, disintegrating into light.

Michael finished his copy with a similar maneuver, and soon the room fell silent.

“First trial down,” he said, offering me a grin. “Not bad, Jace.”

TRIAL TWO: THE SHIFTING FLOOR

The next chamber opened into a narrow bridge suspended over a pit of swirling shadows. The bridge shifted and spun with every step, threatening to throw them off balance.

Ahead, Oliver and Adelle were already halfway across. Adelle hand swung with careful precision below the bridge, her focus unshakable. Oliver, however, darted forward with alarming speed, his smirk visible even from a distance.

They stepped onto the bridge, testing each wooden tile before putting their weight on it. After a couple of steps, two tiles broke as Jace fell through.

“Watch it !” Michael yelled grabbing his arm.

After being yanked onto the bridge, they pressed on, each step a calculated risk. By the time they crossed the other side, Oliver and Adelle had disappeared through the next door.

“I slowed us down,” Jace said in frustration.

Michael didn’t falter. “We’ll catch up.”

TRIAL THREE: THE RELIC CHAMBER

The final chamber was breathtaking. The ceiling soared high above them, adorned with constellations that shifted and glowed. At the center of the room, hovering above a pedestal of black stone, was the relic. It looked like a crystalline orb, radiating a soft, golden light.

Oliver and Adelle stood near the relic arguing.

“We take it together,” Adelle said, her voice sharp.

Oliver’s smirk grew darker. “Not yet."

When they stepped close to them, Oliver snapped his gaze toward them, grinning.

"If it isn't the dynamic duo. I waited for you." He crunched his knuckles and neck. "Oh, I've wanted to do this for a long time."

"We don't have to do this, Oliver," Adelle said. "We can right now."

“Stay out of this,” he growled.

Michael stepped forward, his stance firm. “No. You stay out of our way."

"That’s not happening, pretty boy," Oliver grinned. "No rules that say I can't beat you to a pulp."

In a flash, Oliver lunged at Jace, punching him to the ground before he could block. Michael moved, throwing punches of his own but Oliver blocked them, then restrained him with a chokehold.

"Weak," he said, punching Michael on his ribs.

Jacee got up and kicked Oliver on his back. He let go of Michael who gasped on the floor and turned.

“You’re in my way, Jace,” he hissed. “And I don’t let anyone stay in my way.”

He punched through Jace's guard, the force sending Jace to the ground then kicked him. Before Oliver could do more damage, Michael launched himself at him, grabbing his waist.

"Grab the Relic!" Michael yelled.

Jace woke up and ran but Adelle stood in front of him.

"Sorry, I can't let you take that," she said.

Jace exhaled as she took a fighting stance. He didn't want to fight but there was no choice. He threw two punches that Adelle evaded easily then slapped him once.

"I don't want to hurt you," she said.

Jace smiled, clenching his fists. "Don't worry, you won't."

He was an average build, even less muscular compared to Adelle but Jace was not useless. His dad had taught him hand-to-hand combat for as long as he could walk, so he could fight.

But before they did, Michael was flung straight into both of them, crushing on the ground with a thud.

"What the hell, Oliver?" Adelle pulled Jace, whose face was on her chest.

"What? I thought I told you not to interfere," Oliver said moving towards her. "I don't need your help to crush them. Just stay in the corner like a good girl..."

THWAP!

She slapped him, stepping back. "Have at it then."

Jace and Michael, seeing that, slowly took steps back toward the relic while looking at Oliver.

"Where are you going, guys? The fun is just beginning."

Oliver lunged but this time Jace and Michael moved in front, grabbing his shoulders, then Michael swiveled behind, grabbing his waist. Oliver shook but Michael planted his feet behind. Jace hit a closeline on his neck sending Oliver back with momentum.

Then Michael pinned him, repeatedly punching him. "Go Jace!"

Oliver, grinning despite the hits, shoved Michael off with surprising strength and reached for the relic.

“Not so fast!”  Michael shouted, scrambling to his feet.

Jace dove touching the relic. The moment he did, the room exploded with golden light and the constellations above swirled violently, energy surging through him.

“The relic has been acquired. The trial is over.”

On the displays, MUTANT TRACE appeared above Michael, Jace and Adelle's name. Oliver stood frozen in disbelief as the words NEGATIVE TRACE appeared above his.

"No!" he shouted. "My dad is a mutant. This isn't right!...." 

Well, that's the thing: the mutant gene was prevalent in everyone in the Dome. That didn't necessarily mean that everyone could manifest abilities. It was still being researched in Elite but the mutant gene was known to skip a generation or two. Case in point, Jace's mother didn't manifest abilities despite her entire family having one.

“We did it,” Michael said, clapping Jace on the back.

Oliver glared at them, his face dark with rage. “This isn’t over,” he spat before storming out. 

"Congratulations, even if it was just a fluke, "Adelle said as she walked back to her seat. 

"Wait," Arlon returned to the podium. "That was the last matchup but I request that everyone to remain in their seats. Mrs. Dumont has an important announcement to make."

Oliver turned at the door just as Scarlett returned to the podium.....