"You're doing great. We're almost there," Orion whispered after noticing that they were approaching the final stretch of the tunnel.
The phoenix bird noticed the end of the tunnel as well and the flames on her body surged higher, allowing them to easily see the exit.
With a burst of speed, Orion and his phoenix emerged from the tunnel to feel the sunlight bathing their skin.
"One section down, four more to go," Orion informed the phoenix and she was ready for their next challenge.
The first section might have looked easy to complete, but it wasn't. The sharp turns and unexpected changes in the tunnel caught them by surprise but the phoenix was able to easily adapt to the task due to the trust she had in Orion.
She still didn't like humans, or anyone for that matter, but her view of Orion had taken a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn.
She didn't hate him anymore and was willing to help him win this tournament.