Warrior Princess; Her Quest to the throne

It was foggy and grey this early morning, making the vast area look bleak and ominous. To top, it Prithvi wore a freezing expression matching the surroundings.     

Calling everyone's attention, Prithvi said, "This contest is a day long event. The purpose is to check your agility, strength and problem-solving skills. In a limited period of time, with limited resources, you have to reach the prize. The details will be explained by my colleague."     

Saraswati stepped forward and started speaking formally, "The competition will start with the obstacle course. After crossing it successfully, the teams will then progress to the labyrinth. The rules for the same will be explained to you when you enter. Needless to say, if you finish the obstacle course faster, you get more time to spend inside the maze looking for the prize. As soon as you find the object, the officer standing there will allow you to come out and report here. That would mark the end of stage 1 of the competition for you. At any point in the contest today, you cannot go ahead if your partner has lagged behind or is unable to compete. Understood?"     

Someone raised a hand and asked, "Are we allowed to carry any equipment with us?"     

Saraswati shook her head and said, "You will be entering in and out of this place empty handed. As for necessary essentials, I am sure you will find them inside in due course of the day."     

People looked at each other in confusion. What exactly did she mean by that? But looking at the stern expressions on the faces of both Gurujis, no one asked anything further.     

The participants and their partners were asked to form a line and follow an officer straight ahead.     

"It is going to be a bloodbath in there today. These are young girls, after all. I am afraid that post today's event, some of them may just abandon the contest. Why couldn't we have stopped the qualifying round at the obstacle course as has been the tradition?" Saraswati asked.     

"Are you worried about their age or their intent? If a heart can't handle a little carnage, how will it take tough decisions on behalf of the country?" he replied dryly.     

Saraswati shook her head ruefully. There was no arguing with her boss!     

All of the 180 students made their way to the starting line. A fierce looking person dressed in the army uniform was standing there.     

"Listen up, everyone! As I speak, numbered badges are being circulated by my colleague. Make sure that you and your partner wear the same number badge. Also, you have to ensure that you don't lose the identification anytime during the entire day today. It is the only way to recognise you and your partner for the next few hours. Now, there are two parts to today's challenge. The first part is to cross the obstacle challenge. Whether you successfully manage to do so or not will be determined by the army personnel standing at each obstacle point. You and your team mate must clear each stage before moving to the next. The goals are as follows –     

1) From this starting line, you need to run straight to the point where you see a hill.     

2) Each pair needs to climb that hill and reach the top.     

3) There is a tunnel which both partners need to crawl through to come down the hill to reach a bridge.     

4) A suspension rope bridge which is placed above a lake has to be crossed.     

5) The bridge ends in the middle of the lake. Jump in and swim across the remaining bit to reach the other side.     

6) An enclosure will be visible which you need to enter and exit successfully to reach the end of the obstacle course.     

Further instructions will be given once you reach there. You must remember that if either of the partner can't make it at any stage, the other person can't cross through. Any questions?" he asked but was met with silence.     

As everyone took their position horizontally across the start point, Abhirath leaned in and whispered urgently into Mriga's ear.     

"From this point on, there is no one else except you and me in this place. I don't want you to get distracted by anyone, nor stop to help anyone, nor intervene if you see two people fighting. Just you and me and the final goal. Understood?" his voice brooked no argument.     

Mriga didn't even get to nod her head when the man's voice boomed loud, making everyone scramble ahead.     

For the next ten minutes, everyone ran indiscriminately. From a distance, they looked like headless chickens tumbling ahead. Abhirath had grabbed Mriga's palm somewhere within the first few minutes of the start of the race. There were simply too many people packed in close proximity and he didn't want to waste time looking for her when they reached the base of the hill. Apparently, few others had the same idea and about ten sets arrived at the first obstacle almost at the same time.     

Once the person standing there confirmed that the people ready to climb, were in their respective pairs, they were allowed to start the ascend. Mriga thought that she caught a glimpse of Vindhya amongst the people around her. But she didn't stop to look closely, bearing Abhirath's instructions in her head.     

"Ahhhh!" One of the many people who had been ahead of her and Abhirath came tumbling down and went past her startled eyes.     

She landed on the ground painfully while her partner who had been way ahead, looked on in horror. She hadn't managed to stop or slow her fall.     

Mriga had been a few steps behind Abhirath but she stopped now to look at the rocks and then her hands. Blackish thin layer of slime covered the surface of her palm. She raised her head and gazed up at Abhirath who was wearing a grim expression.