Chapter 25 - Part 3

Panic instilled in Haiden as his breath was partially cut off, unable to take a deep breath claustrophobia settled in while being wrapped in vines. He squirmed and pulled as much as he could but he could not get free. He tried to scream in vain, the vines gagging him shut. They slowly tightened around the chest, applying incremental pressure.

Calm down. Screech tried to say in a soothing voice. Haiden didn't register what he said and Screech boomed as loud as he could in his mind. CALM DOWN ALREADY!

Haiden's eyes fluttered open, his eyes still obstructed by the vines, only a tiny gap allowed him take a peak beyond the snare, there was a pair of feet standing before him saying something muffled. Haiden felt a few blasts of shock, as if someone was attacking his green cocoon. The following blows brought him back fully from his state of daze.

Haiden concentrated his energy around the vines that were close to his face, forming balls of plasma. He saw the figure back down through the small gap. He manipulated the balls into very sharp blades and carefully cut around his face.

It came at the cost of a bad haircut but Haiden managed to finally breathe normally. He gasped fresh air as the vines fell.

"Haiden!"

"Maree!" Haiden lost his footing and Maree caught him.

"What happened, who did this to you?" Maree inspected Haiden for any injuries

"Master Rwoy. I fought him." Haiden avoided Maree's eyes.

"You idiot! You should've ran. You don't look like you're injured. Let's go" Maree pulled on his arm to help Haiden regain his ballance. "Can't believe you lost," he added under his breath.

"I can't compete with a Master, he has a lot more experience and skill than me." Haiden lied. He quickly dusted himself up and followed Maree. In truth he did not give his all in the fight with Rwoy due to three reasons, out of which the main one was that he didn't want to hurt the Master Wielder. Not wanting to reveal his spells before his fight with Bras, and not wanting to bring any further unwanted attention to him, especially from his classmates fell on second and third. But Haiden was too blind because of his friendship with Master Rwoy, he knew he wouldn't hurt Haiden, but he didn't expect his Master to go so far. The surprise and panic from that attack left Haiden unable to think. He was certain that Bras was far more experienced than him, and would not make such silly mistakes. He has been preparing for this far longer than I have.

"Hurry up, Haid." Maree urged. "Bras was on my tail moments ago. He's not as fast, but he was powerful."

"You clashed with Bras?" Haiden stopped and gave Maree a once over, his worries came through as soon as he saw his hand holding his side. "What did he do to you?" Haiden rushed to Maree inspecting the wound.

"I got cocky." Maree looked away, his jaw clenched. He was definitely pissed he had to run away. Probably the first time Maree had ever felt powerful, in control. And this was his chance to show his bully, the man that tormented him, a dose of his own medicine.

"Does it hurt." Haiden asked while he probed. Maree flinched and gritted his teeth but shook his head. "Suuure. I'm going to heal it."

"No! I'll be unconscious!" Maree protested.

"Relax, I won't fully do it, alright. Just enough to stop the bleeding and turn off your pain receptors temporarily. Alright?" Haiden took his hand and squeezed it to assure Maree he will be fine.

"I won't fall asleep?" He asked to confirm.

"You won't fall asleep" Haiden repeated looking straight in his eyes, then Maree nodded. The young Wielder covered his hand over the wound and concentrated deeply. He had to do this fast, Bras was on his way here and he wanted to move fast. He sent his energy into the wound and sensed just like Coner had taught them. He hated the man with every fiber of his being, but his knowledge was extremely valuable. He hated to admit it, but he was an amazing teacher.

Haiden detected the pain receptors first, making sure that Maree felt no pain. Then began to encourage tissue repair around the gash, stopping the bleeding both internally and externally. If this was a simple wound, that would have sufficed. But it needed to be re-opened, cleaned, restore blood flow, repair both bruised and damaged tissue and so much more before he would be fully healed, and Maree was right. He couldn't expend the energy for his body to fully heal while they were being chased by a monster.

"How is that?" Haiden asked while getting back on his feet.

"Better, but still hard to move." Maree said, testing his mobility.

"It will need to do for now." Haiden turned his back and walked over towards the entrance he came through. He sent his energy around the door, static flowing through his hand. Stone blocks pulled from the ground, blocking the doorway.

"Nice." Maree nodded in agreement.

"It won't hold that monster for long. Let's go."

They moved as fast as they could with Maree still stiff from the wound and soon the tunnel opened again. They were back in the trench. Up ahead of them there were many Ashen going swiftly through the obstacles, along with Nolan and Malitcia.

"How long was I wrapped in those vines?" Haiden asked, stunned. Even Malticia had managed to get ahead of him. But he didn't see Tasgal as he looked desperately around, but then what he had done to him came back in a furious flash, sinking his heart to the depths of the river. His stomach churned.

Stupid. He told himself

Hey! Screech smart! The voice in his head objected.

"Let's hurry, Maree. Can you run for a few feet, we'll make my way to get ahead." Haiden looked in his eyes and Maree nodded, his face determined.

"Just a few feet." Maree agreed. They began in tandem and Haiden quickly prepared the column of stone the moment they both touched the stone at the same time it jutted from the earth at great speeds.

They felt the air for a moment of freedom before something had caught their legs and pulled them back to the ground.

Maree began to scream in fear as he grabbed onto Haiden.

Screech! Haiden screamed in his mind, and inches before they hit the ground they had stopped in mid air, inertia pulling their organs even further. Screech had managed to cast the levitation spell on them just in time. After releasing it, both fell in the cold water of the trench.

"I don't know what tricks you're playing, Nobody, but they won't work with me. Give back my pray and maybe I will forgive this time." Bras said with intense venom in his voice as he slowly walked over.

Haiden scrambled to his feet, placing himself between Maree and Bras. "Stop this now, or else you -"

"Else what, Nobody?" He began to laugh maniacally. "You know, I've been really good to you. You don't even know how benevolent and patient I have been with someone of your status, which is a Nobody." His lips widened in a sick smile. "One word to my father that you even laid a hand on me, and you'll be killed not even a moment later. Do you even know how low you stand, Nobody?"

"Then why haven't you? You don't have real power!" Haiden taunted, even if what Bras was saying was true, he knew he was protected by the rules of the Trials.

"I wanted the satisfaction to crush you like the insignificant bug that you are with my own two hands, but it's quite unfortunate to say that you have proven yourself rather resilient for a bug. The first, I must admit I got a bit over my head and rushed," He laughed. "the second...well, they were just a bunch of weak tools, can't rely on anyone these days. Then the third time came around, I thought I had you, not going to lie, but then you stroll around from the backwoods, alive." Bras gritted his teeth. "I thought that your luck was too good for someone like you. But what really put me over the edge was the last time, I'm done with childish games, I no longer wished to watch you squirm till you die. I'll do it fast and easy. Don't worry it won't hurt, much." bras began to laugh again.

"Talk about crazy!" Maree tried to whisper to Haiden, but Bras heard, his neck snapping towards him.

"What did you say you dirty Yeva'ah!?" He spat.

"Calm down, I don't want anyone to get hurt." Haiden warned.

"The only ones who will get hurt will be the two of you. You should talk only when spoken too, Nobody. Don't you think I don't know you and Tasgal along with that little slut are Yeva'ahs! All three of you, abominations!" Bras yelled and prepared a massive collection of energy in one hand. Static washed over Haiden in waves of pure energy.

"Haiden, let's run!" Maree pulled on his arm.

There's no time! Get behind me, Mar!" Haiden opened his arms and raised a strong barrier. Haiden was surprised by the amount of energy he could coalesce.

"Die!" Bras yelled from the top of his lungs. Haiden closed his eyes in preparation for the impact but nothing came their way. "What the... YOU!" Bras screamed.

Haiden saw Tasgal with his sword drawn at Bras. He couldn't stop thinking how heroic he looked, in his armor, but soon shame flushed over him and he forced himself to look away.

"Go! Muscle man!" Maree cheered.

"Are you two alright?" He asked.

Only Maree replied with a stern "Yes", Haiden was too nervous to even look at the man.

"Oh, you'll pay for this Tasgal." Bras spat at him. Haiden sensed another build up of energy behind Bras' back, if Haiden wasn't an empath he wouldn't have guessed the man in front of him channeled any energy or intent. It was dreadful, It would look like an attack from nowhere to Tasgal and Maree and it was even greater than the one from before.

"Watch out!" Haiden called out to Tasgal, taking a step forward Haiden and wrapping his energy around the Ashen pulling him back. Then with a swing of his arm the earth between them and Bras rose up erecting a solid wall. "Run!" He yelled and extended his barrier to shield all three.

The next moment he knew the wall exploded in a rain of debris, dust swallowed the trench.

"Keep going!" Tasgal urge as he rushed as fast as he could, his heavy armor splashing through the water.

Haiden pulled on Maree's hand to hurry up while deflecting stones and rocks away from them. The wound began to take a toll on his body and his movements were much more sluggish than before.

"There's the finish line!" Tasgal said, pointing to where a group of people gathered a few hundred paces away with light stones hovering above them.

"Come on, Mar. You can do it." Haiden slid under his arm and they rushed towards the finish line as the dust settled down. Maree's wound reopened, the shoddy stitched tissue was beginning to come undone as he tried to jog.

"He's coming!" Maree tried to say between hardened breaths. He clutched at his wound in vain, as blood pooled in his hand. The slight stones became more clear as they approached. It wasn't just a finish line, the light stones formed numbers. It was the time they had left, only five minutes.

"We need to rush!" Haiden stepped up the pace, almost dragging Maree along. From behind he could hear Bras' curses and footsteps. "He's closing in!"

"Leave him to me, you two go!" Tasgal ordered. "Go!" He yelled and Haiden obliged. Tasgal took his fighting stance and got ready for impact as Bras ran towards him, his hand cocked. Before he reached Tasgal within a few dozen feet he sent his fireblast right at him. It was a great ball of that could have easily engulfed Tasgal, but in his enraged state Bras forgot that full frontal attacks like this are useless against an Ashen.

His sword cut the ball of fire right in half before dissipating into the air as wave of warmth.

"I will fucking kill you Tasgal even if It makes father angry!" Bras began to throw a barrage of spells at his opponent. Not one landed. "I'm sick of your lies and tricks, ever since we were little you have tricked and cheated your way up from a lowly maggot!"

Tasgal swung his sword gracefully through the air, anticipating where the next blast would be and successfully canceling any spell that Bras threw at him. He noticed how aggravated he was becoming, his face turned red and his eyes bulged out. He had been like this ever since he first met him, when Ameral took him in. Tasgal always knew that he was envious of him because his father was spending more time with him rather than his sole son, but it wasn't the merry time Bras though it was. He wished he could tell Bras the truth, if only it was as simple as that.

"I won't let you pass, Bras. Master will not let you return if you even put a scratch on me. Remember last time." Tasgal warned.

"I don't fucking care! That sick old man can drop dead for what I care!" Bras sent his energy beyond Tasgal to the stones behind him. They pushed through the ground hitting Tasgal in the back with great force.

Tasgal yelled in pain as he dropped on his knees. The Wielder quickly took advantage of his opponent dropping his guard and threw another great fireblast. Tasgal rolled his body just out of range, quickly drawing his sword to protect him from the blast.

"Stop moving so much!" Bras whined.

"Bras, stop. You're out of time!" Tasgal struggled to get on his feet.

"No!" Bras' neck snapped to the countdown, two minutes left. Panic washed over Bras. He began running., ignoring Tasgal, and prepared a column of earth just like Haiden. The moment Bras touched stone with his foot, the column burst out of the ground on the diagonal, propelling his into the air. He had placed much of his strength in this one spell, it had sent him flying across the trench quickly traversing the distance between him and the finish line, even passing Haiden and Maree. One thing he did not plan for was the landing. He did not have the knowledge Haiden had thanks to Screech and he could not land safely.

He screamed from the top of his lungs. The crowd began to disperse and flee, only Master Uligarth did not move. With a raised hand he slowed down Bras and gently placed him with his feet planted solidly on the ground beyond the finish line.

One minute left and Haiden and Maree were about to cross the line. With shaky legs Bras stepped forward and prepared to strike again, his anger flaring.

Master Uligarth stepped in, placing his hand on his fully cocked fist that was ready to release. "No, son." he said and stifled Bras' attack.

People cheered as the clock ticked out. There were plenty ashen, along with Malticia and Nolan and of course Bras which had disappeared. Haiden could not see him anywhere after they crossed the line. Master Omnelia rushed to take Maree away to the infirmary leaving Haiden alone in the crowd. He looked back and saw Tasgal limping towards him. He looked battered, he definitely fought others after Haiden had left.

"Hey!" Tasgal said with a gruff voice. His face was ashed from Bras' fireblasts and glossy from sweat. The leather helmet framed his face perfectly, emphasizing his angular face.

Somehow he managed to look beaten up and defeated hot. Haiden thought. "You don't look too great."

"What do you mean? You don't see these muscles?" Tasgal flexed and laughed. Haiden had to agree, they bulged even through thick leather armor but he wasn't commenting on his amazing body, but the state of him.

"You know what I mean. Here let me call..." Haiden caught himself and was about to say Master Coner.

"It's alright, I don't need his help. I'm fine!"

"The hell you are, you ninny." Master Uligarth came between them. "Sit! NOW!' he yelled at the wounded Ashen.

"I said I'm fine, Uli, don't need to -"

"Shut up or I'll make you, boy" The old man insisted, grabbing a handful of his undershirt and dragging him to a seat.

"Let's talk later, Haiden." Tasgal insisted. "Wait for me in the gardens, that's where the Headmistress will congratulate the winners.

"Alright." He said meekly, his stomach churned and bubbled. Haiden wanted to talk to Tasgal, but after what he had done to him he was scared of what he might say. The feeling of nausea overcame him, he felt as if someone pulled at his mind from a certain direction. And pulled. A sentiment of familiarity tingled the back of his spine, there was something nostalgic that tugged at him from the... Left? Haiden's head snapped and looked in the distance. He only saw the Academy's tall white walls. There was nothing tangible that he could see that was making him feel this way, or intangible, it was more like a sensation of knowing. His whole body shivered with anticipation and desire then back to nausea. His heart beat increased and his breath hardened.

Haiden! It's very close! Screech became agitated in his mind. It's in the city!