Chapter 96: Frozen Rain (1/2)

Emil watched with uncertainty as the night sky had taken centrefold. The entrance to the trials, an old rusted war bunker with serval torches surrounding, was being prepared for the first trial. Zinnia stepped forward dressed in the trial uniform, a jumpsuit torn and used by the former trial goers. Chains were tied around the waist with heavy boxes tying her down. Each of them had a lock but no sign of any way of unlocking them. She had her hair tied up into a bob. Zinnia adjusted her gloves, taking a deep breath. Emil made eye contact with her as his concern dug deep into Zinnia. She bit her lip calming herself. ”I'm going to save Alton, Emil. Cheer for me, will you?”

”You'll need more than that.” Jinx giggled leaning forward on the table resting her elbows. ”This should deem entertaining. Try not to totally lose yourself in wherever you go.”

Zinnia dragged herself closer as Christopher stood, staring her down, hands on the lever to open the door. ”The first trial is about to commence. You will face the future—one which your mind will create one of horror and despair. You will be forever trapped in there unless you pass the trial. To pass the trial, you must unlock and dispose of all burdens holding you down. Those boxes will only fall loose from your body once you overcome the weakness in your heart. Go forth Zinnia Trost and good luck.”

The door to the war bunker cranked open as the abyss revealed itself. Zinnia looked into the dark seeing no sign of an exit. She looked back once more, wanting more than anything than to run away. Her legs were shaking, but she calmed herself. She knew what was at stake. Pressing in, she began descending into darkness and the first trial. The door closed behind her leaving her in total darkness.

”She doesn't stand a chance. What a foolish girl.” Jinx cackled sipping her drink. ”I'll give her two minutes before her mind breaks.”

”That's slightly harsh. I, I think she will last five minutes.” Florence whispered.

”She will do it.” Emil boasted. ”I know she can…”

****

Zinnia had been walking down the endless flight of stairs for what felt like forever. She took each step slowly and carefully being unable to see a single thing in the dark. She wasn't sure how long she could keep walking. Was this part of the trial? Or just some way to inflict dread on the trial goer? Zinnia wasn't sure. Her questions would be answered, however, as a flicker of light came from below. Making a quicker pace, Zinnia found herself in front of another door. One rusted and frozen solid. She could already feel a cool breeze rippling through the hinges. She was at her destination. Pushing against the door, her hands were starting to go numb as she used her whole force to slowly make the door open. As the door began to open, it spilt into two moving into the wall. The entrance opened, and she was blasted back by a strong gust of wind knocking her down. A blizzard slammed against Zinnia's face as she struggled to stand up. Lying on the ground, she held her hands over her face trying to pull herself up, the mixture of incredible winds and weights held her down. But she was determined. She pushed on managing to stand up. A loud click was heard as the first of the four boxes fell off collapsing to the floor. Immediately Zinnia felt lighter even if it was just a little. Not stopping she pulled herself through the Blizzard and onwards to the first trial.

Making it outside Zinnia was met with a frozen wasteland. She couldn't see all too well as the Blizzard was dampening her sight, but she could see what was near her. She was in a city. Skyscrapers hung over all frozen and left to die. Windows were either smashed or frozen over. The same could be said for the people, outlines of figures stood in the streets not moving lost to time. Wherever she was, the place was dead. Not sure where to go, Zinnia chose just to push forward with no specific place to go she kept going straight ahead. She only began walking and walking hammered by the Blizzard as she began to lose all feeling in her toes. Something nagged at the back of her mind through the hike.

Places seemed familiar, although hard to fully pinpoint with the way they were left. She couldn't entirely be sure until she came across one area in particular, which made her stop in her tracks feeling fear consume her. A park was in her path. The trees had withered and died, and the fence surrounding the park was frozen solid. But Zinnia recognised it. The hole in the right wall by the entrance. The broken fountain which had water frozen piling out. This was the same park she, Gale and Alton fought Pokiero. She knew it. This only confirmed her fears more. This wasn't just any city. It was Rhinefield.

The Blizzard was starting to die down ever so slightly. However, it was still a considerable effort to move even a single step Zinnia could now see a little more clearly. Because of this, she began to recognise more and more. Moving away from the park, she heard another loud click. Her second weight had ripped off. But this didn't make her feel any better. In fact, she was feeling much worse—the feeling of absolute dread eating away at her. There was only one place she knew she felt safe. One place she could take shelter out and be ok. The karaoke bars. Not too far away, she made her way to Rhapsody's hideout. It didn't take her long to find it. Or what was left of it.