Round one capstone challenge

Angelica stood on the beach, looking out at the waves crashing onto the shore. She seemed to be coming here a lot, trying to get space from everything. The clock was close to noon. Soon she'd have to compete in whatever challenge was prepared for them, and she wasn't even sure if she could count on the help of any of her friends. She wondered what she'd do if the challenge was a straight up competition. Could she topple her peers to push herself forward? Even if she did, what would that leave her? A heart filled with guilt and a place by her worst enemy. The prospects were grim no matter what. Perhaps Tyra was right and the best thing to do was just to wait and see what happened. Go with the flow, like the waters of the ocean lapping at the shore.

Christina and Athalia were getting ready. Athalia made sure that she looked as dignified as she could in a maid outfit. Christina buttoned up her own shirt, also trying to look nice. She wasn't sure why she was bothering. Maybe staying with the vain Athalia was starting to rub off on her. Or perhaps she really did want to look good for the challenge. For him. Christina was so confused on what to think about everything. She thought that maybe she could be like Angelica, defiant until the end. It was certainly noble. But after that night, she wasn't sure. She couldn't tell if she was terrified of or enamored by Malgor. That thought alone sent shivers down her spine.

Daelana didn't talk to Lila. She had run into their residence with tears in her eyes. Daelana considered trying to find out, but then she thought she would be the last person Lila wanted comfort from. Lila had cried in the corner and Daelana had let her, hoping that it was better than making things worse by talking to her. Lila wished there was a potion to take away her fears and sorrows like the one that took Tyra's fatigue. It would make going into this challenge with her much easier.

Tyra slumped down in her bed, utterly dejected. She was angry at herself beyond a doubt. She wanted to be angry at Malgor too. He was the one that schemed with her, toyed with her, placed these foul instincts within her. But was it truly him she could blame? She couldn't stand the sight of him ravaging Lila even though it wasn't real. She could've endured it, but she didn't. Instead she gave him everything he wanted so that it'd stop. So that she'd have a piece of the pleasure herself. And now that she was back in reality all of those wishes came crashing down. Even if Lila could love her, she wouldn't now. These thoughts weighed on her as the time inched closer to the fated hour and Tyra left to do as they were all told.

Noon struck. Every girl, no matter what they were doing, found their way to the outside of the black palace as punctually as possible. Lila looked down, trying to avoid Tyra who looked at her sorrowfully but respected her boundaries. She didn't want to risk any more bad blood between them. Angelica looked around, checking on everyone. Christina fidgeted nervously. Daelana stood with stoic banality. Athalia simply checked her nails, trying to come off as unfazed.

Footsteps could be heard echoing from the castle. The girls all looked towards the gates and saw Helga approaching following Malgor himself. Angelica and Lila who hadn't spent a night with him yet and were used to having a decent amount of distance from him shuddered as he approached. Christina also shuddered, but for a different reason. Daelana looked at him strangely. Not quite hateful or awe-struck. Somewhere in between. Tyra had the most disdainful look, the pain of her earlier screw up still stinging. And of course, Athalia did her best to smile for Malgor, though he paid her little mind. He stood before them and Helga went up to speak.

"Thank you all for showing up on time," said Helga, "I suppose there'll be no punishments for now. It's time to explain what the first capstone challenge will be!"

Helga dramatically held her hand up to gesture towards the television on the palace. Everyone looked up at it. Dramatic music played and words appeared on the screen in a stony font with a sword through the letters.

Capstone Challenge: Otherworldly Kiss

"The rules are simple," said Helga, "Everyone here, including Malgor, will be transported to another world. One slightly like your own but different. There, all of you girls will race to find Malgor. When you find him, you must kiss him. Once three of you girls have kissed him, the challenge will end and you will be transported back here. The remaining three girls who weren't quick enough will lose the challenge!"

The girls all were in deep thought, imagining the prospect of kissing Malgor. Angelica particularly looked absolutely disgusted by the idea.

"You talk of winning and losing," said Athalia, "Those terms have no meaning unless you win or lose something."

"I'm glad you mentioned that, little maid," said Helga, "There are many things to win or lose. Most important of all, Victory Points! The first girl to kiss Malgor will win a grand total of 20 VP! The second girl to kiss him will get 10 VP. And the last girl will get 5 VP. The unlucky three that don't make it in time will each lose 20 VP."

Many of the girls paused at that. They all knew 20 was a lot to lose.

"And of course, this is the end of a round," said Helga, "If any girl here is below 0 VP at the end of the round, they are permanently eliminated. And by the looks of things, there are a couple of girls here for which a loss would mean instant elimination!"

Helga snapped her fingers and the scoreboard came up on the screen.

Angelica: 6VP

Christina: 51VP

Daelana: 19VP

Tyra: 34VP

Lila: 25VP

Athalia: 21VP

Angelica gulped as she was reminded of the score. It seemed that her and Daelana were in the same boat. Losing here would mean losing everything. Angelica reconsidered her thoughts on kissing Malgor. It was still against her principles and dignity, but now she wasn't sure if she had a choice. Could she bring herself to do such a thing? Would she even be able to?

Daelana had less worry written all over her face than Angelica. She simply solemnly looked down, thinking of all she had done. The slime hunt saved her a good amount of points, but it would mean nothing if she couldn't bring it home here. She thought of all she had suffered through the past few days and wondered how much she could go on playing this game.

"In addition to Victory Points," said Helga, "The end of a round is also when new transformations will be given to each of you girls! The three winners will receive more positive and helpful transformations while the losers will get punishing ones."

"More punishing than what we already have?" said Lila.

"Oh, do be a bit more grateful," said Helga, "Those transformations are the tip of the iceberg. You'll realize that once they start piling up."

Lila clutched herself in fear, and the other girls weren't faring much better. These transformations were already making their lives more difficult. They certainly didn't want more of them.

"A few more rules before we get started," said Helga, "You will be coming into the world with no weapons and only the clothing we give you. if you die in this world, we'll consider it an instant loss in the challenge. Any magical abilities you might've had before will not work in this world. However, if you can find a way to use this world's magic, you may. Beyond that, there are no rules. Do whatever you deem necessary to survive and win. There will be a time limit of two days. By the end of those two days, anyone who hasn't kissed the master will be considered losers. Once the challenge is over, you will be brought back here in the same condition as you left. So let it be known that we will not be healing any injuries you may take until the challenge is over. By the way, these rules apply to the master as well. In the rare case of the master's ****, everyone will lose."

The girls all looked like they were struggling to keep everything straight in their heads. Malgor was also in deep contemplation. It seemed like he would truly be a part of this game, affected by its rules and subject to its conditions. He didn't know how to feel about that. He wanted nothing more than power but it seemed like it would be taken away from him.

"Um, what do you mean by 'find a way to use this world's magic'?" said Lila.

"As I said, this world is much like your own," said Helga, "Magic exists in it, but it is slightly different from magic from your world. So while you can't bring in your own magic staff and cast spells you know, you can... well, I don't want to spoil anything."

"This world," said Tyra, "What is it?"

"If there aren't any more questions, you're about to find out!" said Helga.

Helga looked around at the girls and Malgor, making sure no one had any lingering quandaries. Everyone remained silent. Helga smiled.

"Very good!" said Helga, "Then without further ado, the first capstone challenge... begins... now!"

Helga snapped her fingers and the world started shaking. The girls struggled to maintain balance as a bright light started enveloping each of them. Malgor also squinted as he felt himself being absorbed into the energy, filling his vision until all he could see was pure white. And then at its zenith, the rumbling suddenly stopped.