Chapter 95: The Montague Trials (1/2)

Emil stared out the window knee constantly shaking as Zinnia was having a check-up before she could take part in the trials. Gritting his teeth, Emil growled turning around. ”You can't do this Zinnia. There has to be another way.”

”You heard your father. If we want the help of Helga, Zinnia needs to complete the trials. We don't have time to think of a different plan. This is the best shot we have.” Gale argued, lying on the sofa.

”You don't understand Gale. These trials aren't a walk in the park only the most powerful streamers in both body and mind even stand a chance in completing such a challenge.”

Dismissing Emil's warning Gale chuckled reading a magazine. ”Eh, sounds like a largely fearmongering load of crap. If you passed it, I think Zinnia will be fine.”

Emil gave a look of concern as he stopped his handshaking. ”But I didn't pass. I'm a failure in their and my own eyes. To call me a Montague yet I couldn't even pass those trials. What a noob move…”

Zinnia had a plaster placed on her arm from the blood test as she had been silent throughout the debate. As the nurse finished off the last of the tests, Zinnia put her jacket back on. ”What even are these trials anyway? I've heard of them a couple of times now. Jinx mentioned them a little while back.”

Emil gave a defeated look resting his head against the window overlooking his father talking to Florence. ”A living nightmare. The Montagues are all about the worthy and the strong. They cannot accept weakness. The trials were created for such feeds weave out the weak, only the strong survive. Every Montague takes the trials on their thirteenth birthday. Three trials over the course of three days. Complete all the trials prove your worth and grants you a place on the stage. Each trial is catered to the individual's weakness. Their past, present and future. Their deepest fears are all put to the test. So, do you understand Zinnia? You won't pass them.”

Zinnia stood up stretching, ignoring Emil's warnings. ”I just have to pass the three trials and Alton will be saved. Simple enough.”

”Didn't you even hear what I just said? Dozens of streamers, those much powerful than you have failed the trials. People have descended into madness because of them. Two of them took their own lives. You haven't prepared for this challenge at all. People, my family train their whole lives for this. There has to be another way. We don't even know if Helga can even help Alton. This might just be a waste of time.”

Zinnia adjusts her sleeve, looking away. ”Even if that's the case. I still have to try. Alton is counting on me, for once I'm going to save him.” She left as Emil punched the wall in retaliation. Gale lowered his magazine sighing.

”Is this really about Zinnia?”

”The hell is that meant to mean?”

Gale threw the magazine aside, looking at Emil curiously. ”You've been more talking about your own trials than Zinnia actually passing them. You've been talking her out of it instead of giving her any advice. You know her once she has her mind on something there's no going back. You're more worried that she will pass the trials, aren't you?”

Emil flinched as his eye began twitching. ”What, what makes you say that?”

Gale stood up shrugging. ”Just a wild guess. But if Zinnia passes those trials, it will just make you in your eyes more of a failure than ever. How old are you?”

”Seventeen”

”Seventeen? You failed the trials four years ago. Never thought of retaking them?”

Emil snapped, pointing at Gale with a loud bark. ”I don't need you talking down to me Gale! I don't need the reminder that I'm a failure of both a Montague and a streamer.”

”The only one calling you a failure here is yourself.” He said, leaving Emil to his own hated fuelled burnout.

****

Zinnia stood outside, staring at the cloudy sky. A faint breeze blew through her hair as she held her jacket tightly. ”Umm, excuse me, umm, miss Zinnia,” Florence whispered standing behind her.

Zinnia turned, seeing Florence flinch slightly. ”Oh, sorry, I didn't see you there.”

”That's alright, most people don't notice me anyway…” She stuttered, shaking uncontrollably.

An awkward silence lingered around the two as Zinnia cleared her throat. ”Are you cold Florence?”