Calculated Risk

Alex turned his attention back to Freya, who stood perfectly still, her breaths shallow and her face pale with terror.

Despite her fear, she was still holding her position.

Impressive, considering what she was facing. 

"Well," Alex muttered under his breath, "guess I'd better join as well." 

Without a second thought, he stepped forward, heading straight toward the starting line. 

Freya's eyes widened as she caught sight of him approaching, disbelief flickering across her face. Alex didn't stop, didn't even acknowledge her shock. 

As he raised his leg to cross the line into the trial's madness, one of the beast's glowing eyes snapped toward him. 

It moved fast—unnaturally fast—and Alex stopped wondering what the beast's reaction was about. 

The creature was enormous, resembling some kind of orangutan demon with thick, corded muscles and glowing, malevolent eyes.

Its gaze was intense, radiating an aura of death.