Task #2- Hogwarts

[Mike Gray]

Focus. Just stay focused Mike scolded himself. He didn't want a repeat of the first task. He had underestimated it and it had cost him- big time. But not all was lost. If it played Mike's way then he would hopefully be climbing the leader board at the end of today's task. He stood, nervous, the hairs on the back of his neck tingling with anxiety. He waited patiently for his turn, twiddling his thumbs, hoping, waiting that his time would hurry up. Crowds roared, urging on the competitors. He had slept well, and was physically and mentally fit and prepared for the task that loomed ahead. The only item they were allowed was a wand, which resided in Mike's robe. Heavily breathing, he entered the icy cavern, his wand drawn, taking timid footsteps, trying to keep his balance. "Lumos" he muttered. Nothing happened. He realised that the cavern must have some sort of enchantment against certain spells. The coldness numbed the tips of his fingers, but he kept on going. He was positive he would face worse than cold during this task. Remaining calm and collected, he advance onwards anticipating what would happen in the cave. His thoughts dwindled on how the others of done, but sense soon prevailed. He wasn't going to find out their times until after his task had ended, so it was worthless focusing his thoughts on them rather than at the task ahead. Carefully, he advanced with his hand out in front of him, in case of him hitting any obstacles.

 

[The Cavern]

(Out of Character Note: Please do not roleplay your character's spells working. The cavern is enchanted, and only spells it wants to work for its own purposes will work within it. For instance: Lumos did not light enough of the cavern to see. In fact, at this time, the cavern is stifling all Lumos spells.)

---

---

As this, the last champion of the day, entered the cavern, the walls watched him enter. This would be fun. The other two had down well enough against the cavern's charms, it was true, but this boy would see a new side of the maze - something that hadn't been used on any other champions. For the time being, however, the cavern elected to keep the path simple - there was only one way for the boy to go at present, and soon enough there would be no ways for the boy to go at all.

Spoiler: Mike's Position in the Cavern

 

[Mike Gray]

He looked around, not that it did any good. He stared, squinting, trying to see anything that would give him a clue where to go. He continued to advance onwards, cautiously. His hand was still outstretched using the wall to help guide him. He continued to advance onwards, taking it step by step. The coldness continued to numb his fingers but he pressed onwards. He wasn't sure whether or not to warm them up. It would add time on and it may distract him. After all he had no darn clue who or what was hidden in the depths of this cavern. He continued, trying to keep his balance and not slip on the floor. He needed to pick himself up from the dismal attempt he had made at task 1, and picked up the pace just a bit. He kept using his hand to guide him. His breathing was restricted, and his ears were freezing. The grip on his shoes offering little grip on the icy floor, but he continued, bravely into the unknown.

 

[The Cavern]

The Cavern allowed Mike to advance for a fair while before it determined it would be appropriate to 'turn up the heat' on the boy, or so to speak. Out from the wall came two streams of fire, one before and one behind Mike, which caused some of the ice on the opposite wall to melt as they burned. An unfortunate side effect of the flames, however, was the light they allowed for the champion to see with. These flames lasted a short time, very short, but their purpose had not been to harm, simply to make Mike aware of what might face him. No, the fun part was still to come. In fact, the fun part would be just around the corner.

Spoiler: Mike's Position in the Cavern

 

[Mike Gray]

Advancing cautiously he continued onwards before stopping. Oh crap he exclaimed as jets of fire came out of the walls behind him and in front of him. The heat caused perspiration to form, dripping down his forehead. Ice started to melt and the Cavern suddenly felt like a sauna. Mike didn't know what to do. He wasn't sure whether his spells would work, or whether it would just be a waste of energy. Then the flames had gone as quick as they had came. Panting heavily, Mike took a couple of moments to catch his breaths, and sort out his train of thoughts. Wiping his forehead with his sleeve, he continued with a bit more gusto in his stride. He didn't want to get caught in the bursts of fire. Armed with his wand, although much good it would do, it gave Mike some comfort to think that it would be useful in times of extremely dire need.

 

[The Cavern]

As Mike advanced the cavern grew anxious for more excitement, but wanted the taunt the boy a little while it still could. As he rounded the corner, the cavern sealed off his exit. Then, as Mike continued on, a single icicle fell from the cavern's ceiling and broke over his shoulder. Something was coming, and soon, what it was to be... well that was yet to be discovered for the poor boy from Hogwarts New Zealand.

Spoiler: Mike's Position in the Cavern

 

[Mike Gray]

Anxious and paranoid, Mike continued through the chilly cavern. He heard a loud boom and stopped in his tracks. He turned his head and soon realised that there was no way back. The exit had sealed and the only way out was at the end of the cavern. He timidly advance and after regaining confidence, he picked his pace up into a jog. When suddenly something fell and hit Mike impacting on his shoulder. He stopped and extended his wand hand towards the floor and searched for what had hit Mike. It hadn't hurt Mike, but he was nervous. What was it? Who done it? He finally found the object. It was cold to the touch and one end was jagged. Mike second-guessed that it was in fact an icicle.
Keep calm. Just keep focused. He kept telling himself. Currently he was in the place he never wanted to be. Last. But he needed to pull himself together if he wanted to lift off from bottom place. A surge of confidence erupted throughout his body. His attitude had changed and that little pep talk it seemed had helped."Bring it on" he shouted out, speaking to the cave as if it was a human being. He used his hand to guide him along the wall. He continued to run into the unknown.

 

[The Cavern]

Suddenly another wall slammed down hard in front of Mike, causing the entire cavern to shake once more and several icicles fall from its ceiling down. The second wall then started to creepy forward toward Mike, closing the distance between itself and the other wall that had been formed. The sound of ice sliding, scraping, against ice echoed in the cavern as time continued on.

Spoiler: Mike's Position in the Cavern

 

[The Cavern]

As the wall moved closer and closer to mike and his spells grew more and more futile the cavern could tell that he was going to crack under the pressure. The ice walls were within a metre from each other. Soon enough, Mike would be a pancake between them. Then one of his spells worked. Red sparks. The walls melted and then the water faded in to oblivion. Mike could walk out of the cavern freely, now.