Alara rose on shaky legs, pushing her body forward as her mind swam with what she was discovering about herself. She grabbed her staff and glanced forlornly at the tatters that had been her robes. Hopefully the next chamber was warm.
‘A slut like you should be on display.’ The thought came to her unbidden and sent a shiver down her spine. Shaking her head, she pressed forward. Pushing open the large door into the next chamber, Alara found herself walking into a vast desert. The sun hung high in the sky, but the air was only comfortably warm. The sand was soft and warm as her toes sunk in with each step. A colosseum in the distance was the only landmark, so it became her destination.
As she drew nearer to the looming building, she heard the clash of steel ringing through the air. Something was fighting in the arena, maybe she wouldn’t have to face the guardian this time. She thought of how easily she had been overpowered by the previous two guardians and a pang of disappointment came at the thought of being deprived another round. The labyrinth was changing her.