Four

KAELYN

The boy facing me was bigger. Stronger. His smirk made that clear.

“You’re dead, runt,” he taunted.

I ignored him.

“Begin.”

Commander Stone’s voice snapped through the air.

He charged first.

I dodged. Barely. His fist grazed past my jaw, fast and brutal. My chest tightened from the effort as I stumbled back.

Stay light. Don’t get hit.

But he was faster than I wanted to admit. His next hit slammed into my ribs. Air left my lungs as I hit the ground.

‘Get up, Kaelyn. Use your mind, not strength.’ Kaiven's voice echoed in my head.

I forced myself up as he advanced again.

Bigger. Stronger. But not smarter.

I ducked his swing and stepped in close.

‘Hit him where he wouldn’t expect it.’

I slammed my elbow into his side.

He grunted, staggering backwards, but not for long.

He spun fast, caught my wrist, and yanked me towards him. His fist crashed into my stomach.

Blinding pain shook my whole body.

I bit back a scream, dropping low, twisting my trapped wrist and kicking his knee. His hold loosened.

I drove my knee into his side.

He shoved me hard. I skidded back, breath shallow, body trembling.

‘Don’t stop, Kae.’

I charged forward.

At the last moment, I slid down, sweeping his legs from under him.

His body hit the ground.

‘Move.’

I was on him in seconds, one knee pinning his chest, my fist swinging fast. Over and over.

Blood.

I didn’t know whose.

Then a hand gripped my throat.

I gasped.

He was choking me. Lying under me, and still stronger.

I twisted, kicking. Nothing.

Think of Kaiven.

I slammed my forehead into his face.

His grip faltered.

I pulled free, rolling away, coughing as air scraped back into my lungs.

“Time’s up.”

Commander Stone’s voice cut through everything.

Silence.

I lay there, breathing, shaking, body burning.

Stone stepped close, staring at me,

“Claw rank.”

For a second, I couldn’t process it.

I won.

As I walked towards the rest area, my body burned crazily.

“Claw rank.” Davyn walked towards me, holding a thumbler of water.

“Thank you,” I grab the bottle and twisted off the cap, greedily drinking it.

The water mixed with the blood in my mouth. That guy had punched me hard.

But I punched him well too. My knuckles burned with bruises.

“Do you have any idea what the next challenge would be?” I asked.

“We are not allowed to tell.” He replied blankly.

Commander Stone's voice boomed louder than thunder, “Rest is over. Follow me.”

“I wish you good luck. Don't fret if you don't pass. We are in the claw rank so you won't be lonely.”

How do I tell Davyn that I most certainly do not want to be in the claw rank?

We all walked behind Commander Stone as he led us into a different place.

My stomach sank.

The slope looked impossible.

Jagged rocks. No clear path. Just a cruel incline that seemed to laugh at me.

Commander Stone’s voice broke through the sharp air. “This is your Fang challenge.”

I swallowed hard.

“Pick a partner. You’ll carry him uphill to the red flags… and he would carry you back down. Drop him once, you start over. Drop him twice…you fail.”

My fingers twitched.

Around me, boys easily picked their partners, friends, familiar faces. Heavier bodies. Bigger muscles.

I hesitated.

A hand grabbed my shoulder.

“You.” A boy behind me, stocky, heavier, eyes gleaming. I didn’t know his name.

I nodded stiffly. There wasn’t time to argue.

“You’ll carry first,” he said flatly.

Of course I would.

My stomach churned. He wasn’t just heavier than me, he outweighed me by nearly double.

Commander Stone’s whistle pierced the air. “Start.”

I dropped to my knees.

The boy threw himself over my shoulders like dead weight.

For a minute, I couldn’t breathe.

His body crushed my chest. My knees trembled.

I forced one step forward.

And then another.

And another.

The rocks sliced my palms as I staggered, my footing sliding against gravel.

Don’t. Drop. Him.

I could hear laughter somewhere behind me.

“You’re finished already, aren’t you?” my partner muttered into my ear.

My throat burned. “If I fail, we both won't make it.” He went quiet.

Don’t drop him.

Each step felt like my body breaking itself apart.

The red flags looked miles away.

Somewhere above, I saw Evren.

Leaning against a stone pillar. Arms crossed. His cold gaze fixed on me.

I hated how his eyes felt heavier than the boy on my back.

My vision blurred. But I kept moving.

Students groaned behind me. I heard the sounds of hits.

“He fainted!” Someone screamed.

I don't look back. Instead, I pulled forward.

My vision got worse as sweat trickled into my eyes.

I felt blood escape my feet as I walked towards the flags.

“You'd soon get there,” my partner said.

“Shut up.” I snapped, trying my best to concentrate. I felt like puking as my stomach turned from the force of strength used.

The moment I crossed the red flag, I dropped him carelessly to the ground as I ran to the side, retching out my breakfast and the water I drank minutes ago.

“Are you okay?” He walked towards me, “You are lazy.”

“Lazy?!” I asked, my voice went up a notch.

He won't understand.

He just won't understand. Because he doesn't get to carry someone bigger than him.

“Let's just leave.” He pulled me off, in his arms. Not even his back.

It was like I didn't weigh more than a rat in his eyes.

“Gosh, these stones are sharp.” He blurted.

I frowned, “Don't you dare drop me.”

“I won't. We have to win.” He said seriously.

I went quiet for the rest of the walk and only spoke when he crossed the threshold, walking back to Commander Stone.

“Mission accomplished, sir.”

Stone looked at both of us, “Fang Rank!”

My partner laughed cheerfully and dropped me to the ground.

The sun shone brightly on my face as my legs touched the ground. It burned from the hotness of the sun.

I took a step forward, my legs shaking. They gave way. My body hit the hard ground as my vision went black.