A MIX OF TWO WORLDS

Dawn had barely broken when William stirred in his bed, the faint chill of morning creeping into the room.

His sharp ears twitched at the distant commotion outside the boys' tower, but it wasn't until he reached out instinctively that he noticed Alex's bed was empty. The sheets were still slightly warm.

He frowned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Where the hell is he?" he muttered. Alex wasn't one to sneak off without a word, especially after Tanaka's stern warnings about the looming trials.

Throwing on his shirt, William headed for the door, intent on finding his roommate. As he descended the staircase, the voices grew louder, excitement laced with tension. When he reached the common room, the source of the noise became clear.

A massive tapestry stretched across the far wall, glowing faintly with enchanted light. Its surface rippled like water, the image shifting constantly. Wolves, his packmates were displayed in vivid detail, struggling against a raging tide.

"The trials…" William breathed, his heart pounding.

The common room was packed with wolves, all gathered around the tapestry, their eyes glued to the scene. Older students claimed the best spots, lounging on the sofas or leaning against the walls, while younger ones stood on tiptoe to get a better view.

The air was thick with unspoken anxiety, punctuated by the occasional bark of encouragement or muttered curses.

William pushed through the crowd, finding a spot near the front. "When did this start?" he asked Derek, a second year who always seemed to know everything.

"Not long ago," Derek replied, his eyes fixed on the tapestry. "They were dropped into the ocean, sink or swim. No warning, no prep."

The salt laden air hit William's nose as the scene on the tapestry intensified. A cold draft swept through the room, mirroring the icy waters the wolves were struggling through.

Frost crept along the windows, and the distant sound of crashing waves seemed to echo faintly in his ears.

"Come on, Marcus, swim faster!" someone shouted, gripping the back of a chair tightly.

A faint smile tugged at William's lips despite his worry. "Classic Marcus," he murmured. But his smile vanished when the focus shifted to Alex.

The tapestry zoomed in on Alex. He looked pale, coughing up water as he flailed against the waves. His strokes were uneven, exhaustion etched into every line of his face.

"That kid's got guts," a senior said approvingly.

"Yeah, but he's holding them back," another muttered, earning murmurs of agreement.

William bristled but held his tongue. He couldn't deny that Alex looked out of his depth, but he also knew how stubborn his roommate could be.

On the tapestry, the wolves swam through the relentless waves, Tanaka barking orders and keeping the group moving toward the shore. The camera, if you could call it that, zoomed out, showing the faint outline of land on the horizon.

"They'll make it," Derek said, though his voice wavered. "They have to."

The air grew colder, the enchanted chill intensifying as the waves on the tapestry surged. When Alex faltered again, his arms barely keeping him above water, Rina was there.

"I've got you, Alex," she said, her tone firm yet reassuring. She hooked an arm around him, her strength cutting through his panic. "Breathe. Just breathe. You're going to make it."

Alex gasped, his fear evident even through the tapestry. William's chest tightened as he watched Rina's determination. The others slowed down briefly, creating a formation that shielded Alex from the worst of the waves.

"Stay close, Alex," Marcus called, his voice carrying over the crash of water. "We're almost there."

The wolves on shore leaned forward, the room silent except for the faint hum of the tapestry. Even those who had criticized Alex moments before were transfixed as the group worked together, their unity stark against the chaos of the sea.

"That's what a pack does," one of the older wolves murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

The wolves in the tapestry finally reached the shore, collapsing onto the sand in exhaustion. Alex's chest heaved as he clung to Rina's arm.

"I thought..." he began, but Rina cut him off.

"You thought wrong," she said, crouching beside him. "We don't leave anyone behind. Not in this pack."

Tanaka knelt beside them, his expression stern but his tone calm. "This is just the beginning, Alex. You can do this. Trust your pack, and we'll get through it together."

The scene shifted as the group moved inland, the dark labyrinth of twisting corridors replacing the open ocean. The icy cold gave way to damp air, heavy with the scent of mildew and earth.

William wiped his palms on his pants, the sensory enchantment making it feel as though he were in the labyrinth with them.

The foul stench hit them before they saw it. The wolves in the common room recoiled, covering their noses as the tapestry flickered ominously.

"Gods, what is that smell?" someone gagged.

William didn't answer, his eyes glued to the tapestry. The wolves on screen froze as a low, guttural growl echoed through the labyrinth.

A shadow moved, then a roar tore through the air, shaking the walls of the maze. The Minotaur stepped into view, hulking and monstrous, its bull like head swinging low as it sniffed the air.

"Run, Alex!" William whispered, his nails digging into his palms.

The wolves on screen scattered, Tanaka shouting orders. The Minotaur didn't charge; it stalked them, its heavy steps deliberate and taunting.

"Stick together!" Rina's voice rang out, firm and steady.

Alex stumbled, his fear palpable even through the tapestry's magic. William's breath caught, but before he could panic, Rina was there. She grabbed Alex by the arm, pulling him up.

"Breathe, Alex," she said, her voice calm despite the danger. "We've got you."

Marcus nodded, placing a hand on Alex's shoulder as they moved. "No one gets left behind. You hear me? You're part of this pack."

In the common room, the younger wolves watching fell silent, the earlier criticisms of Alex fading as they witnessed the pack's unity.

"Strong leaders," Derek said quietly, his voice tinged with respect.

"Strength isn't just muscle," William said, his voice firm. "It's the pack."

The tapestry shifted again, showing the wolves disappearing into the maze's darkness. The room erupted in noise. Shouts, arguments, frantic speculation. William barely heard any of it, his eyes still fixed on the now blank tapestry, its surface rippling like a calm lake.

"They'll make it," he said to no one in particular, his voice low but resolute. "They have to."

But deep down, William couldn't shake the image of the Minotaur or the fear etched on Alex's face.

For the first time, William felt the weight of just how dangerous the trials truly were.