Kenneth and Tiffany were the two best fighters. Therefore, he went to look for Tiffany. The others immediately contacted the base; it was the best option.

Sandra's expression changed. "No!" she exclaimed sharply.

Everyone looked at her. "Why not?" someone asked. "Are you going to watch Tiffany die?"

Sandra's demeanor softened, tears welling in her eyes. "Kenneth will die too," she pleaded. "The tiger is ferocious. Let's contact the instructors. That's the best course of action. Besides, if Tiffany hadn't shot down the drone, the instructors would have known we were in danger and come to save us. This wouldn't have happened!" She was trying to mislead them, hoping they would accept Tiffany's sacrifice—a sacrifice Tiffany had, in her view, requested.

Some of the less perceptive believed her, since Tiffany had indeed shot down the drone. Had she not, rescue would have arrived sooner. Sandra had manipulated them.

As they wavered, a sneer cut through the air. Ged, eyes blazing, glared at them. "Where's your conscience?" he demanded. "Did dogs eat it, or were you born without one? You can turn back, find a safe place! I'll save her myself! Cowards!" His voice roared, "Get lost! All of you, get lost!" He ran off alone to find Tiffany.

His courageous defiance ignited something in the others. "I'll go too!" someone shouted, and others followed.

Kenneth, seeing Sandra, pried her hands from his arm. "Wait for me somewhere safe," he instructed.

"No don't go" she cried. In the past, her distress would have broken his heart, but he couldn't stand by while Tiffany was in danger. Sandra watched, heartbroken, as Kenneth and the others raced toward the danger. The sandstorm swirled around her as she was left alone. Hatred twisted her features; she wished Tiffany were already dead.

Meanwhile, Tiffany, seemingly panicked, was actually heading toward an area of concentrated spiritual energy. The tiger pursued relentlessly, its sharp teeth terrifying.

She ran into a ravine and jumped down, landing behind a large rock. She searched her backpack—the trial equipment issued the day before—for self-defense weapons. Instead, she found deer meat and blood. She realized Sandra, her roommate, must have tampered with her pack while she showered. She'd felt it moved, but hadn't had time to investigate. "So, that's why the tiger cage was unlocked," she mused, a grim smile touching her lips.

The tiger's roar echoed nearby. It easily found her hiding place. "Hungry?" Tiffany tossed it the deer meat and blood.

The tiger devoured it but remained unsatisfied, approaching slowly. Its yellow eyes gleamed cruelly.

Tired, Tiffany leaned against the rock, feigning surrender. She counted the tiger's steps. "One two three" On its fifth step, the tiger lunged.

But just as it struck, the tiger's movement froze. All its strength vanished; it collapsed, unable to even raise its claws. Stunned, it watched as Tiffany approached, smiling. "I added a little something to the deer blood," she said.

The tiger, seemingly understanding, growled its displeasure. Tiffany slapped it, saying, "Be quiet, or I'll pull your teeth!" The tiger shut its mouth, though its eyes still blazed. It regretted its carelessness.

Tiffany, seeing a flicker of intelligence in the tiger's eyes, touched it. "Be good, and I won't hurt you. But I'm tired of running. You understand?"

The tiger, insulted, bared its teeth, its eyes glowing faintly green. It couldn't move, yet its power was undeniable. Tiffany, however, remained fearless. She produced a small meatball, teasing the tiger. "Want it?" The tiger, enraged, could barely tear its gaze away from the tempting treat.