Chapter 24
The sensation of falling enveloped me.
The rush of weightlessness sent my stomach lurching into my chest — a tumultuous dance with gravity that left me gasping for breath in the darkness.
Time stretched into infinity as I hurtled towards the ground. The void that surrounded my descent was one of shadows, devouring any light before it could penetrate its depths. I strained to scream, but my throat was constricted.
I couldn’t make a sound.
Crack.
I hit the ground with an impossible force, the shattering of bone and sinew echoing into the void.
The agony was immediate, searing through every nerve. A symphony of pain left me desperate for a breath that wouldn’t come.
Yet, even as I lay broken and motionless, the solace of death refused me. I was somehow still alive, trapped within the confines of my own mind, a prisoner to the nightmare.
This one felt so real.
In the silence, I waged war on my mind, yearning for the sanctuary of the waking world.
I couldn’t spend another moment in this dream.
Wake. The fuck. Up.
With a violent jolt, I left the darkness behind me. My eyes snapped open as I gasped for air, chest heaving in a chaotic rhythm.
The echoes of silent screams reverberated in my ears.
Esprithe damned dreams.
I shivered. Tear streaks stained my cheeks, and my muscles tinged with pain. It was just a dream. I forced myself to calm, to steady the frantic rhythm of my heart.
Breathe.
The room around me came into clear focus. I gripped my bed sheets and exhaled slowly, repeating the word several times until I felt my body relax.
This was a new dream. Given the atmosphere, I wondered if it was triggered by what we’d learned during class. I shook my head, Raine was right. It really was nightmare fuel.
I crawled out of bed and prepared myself for the day. It was going to be a long one. For the first time, I would somehow make it through a shift at the Apothecary, initiate training, and my individual session with Laryk.
The thought made me want to creep back into bed and suffocate myself with the blankets.
I didn’t attempt any small talk with Ma today.
My nerves were already on edge, and I had no desire to push them further towards freefall.
Now that I was only working mornings due to the strict schedule of recruitment training, we were busier than ever.
It was much easier to avoid awkward silences with the extra workload.
We spoke only in short, quipped sentences that were essential to the task at hand, but nothing further.
After finishing the last of my chores, I lingered in the rear of the shop, waiting for an ideal moment.
I quickly changed into my Guard uniform while Ma’s back was turned, but the familiar feeling of sadness lingered as I breezed past her desk on my way out.
She didn’t respond to my goodbye. How much longer could we really go on like this?
Nearing the entrance of the Compound, I noticed two familiar faces leaning against the exterior walls. Raine and Briar. Raine met my gaze as I stepped onto the crosswalk. She waved eagerly.
I offered both a simple wave, closing the distance between us.
“I see you survived the weekend,” Raine huffed, shooting me a smile.
“Next time you two decide to go bar hopping, I’d appreciate an invite,” Briar scolded, crossing his arms.
“Briar, I told you. It was a single bar. You really didn’t miss much.” Raine nudged his arm.
“Seriously, most of it was spent learning the fascinating intricacies of the Guard,” I murmured sarcastically. “Considering you’ve already learned all about that intriguing topic, I imagine you would have been bored to tears.”
“I’m jealous that your first impression of our group was from Raine . I’m much more fun. And a far better drinking partner.”
Raine cackled, playfully shoving Briar’s shoulder. I smiled, looking down. I wasn’t used to people wanting to hang around me so willingly. Not that I had ever given anyone much of an option.
“Are you free this evening, after training?” Briar asked with a sparkle in his eye.
Raine shot me a curious look. I had informed her of my schedule with the General. It seemed she had kept her word and not told anyone about my individual sessions.
“I wish…” I trailed off as I wracked my brain for a coherent excuse. “I have to head back to the Central district immediately after. Plans with my roommate.” I shrugged a bit too dramatically.
“Too bad. What about tomorrow?” His voice was thick with excitement. “I’m dying to pick your brain. You grew up in the city, right? You probably know all the best haunts.” His eyes glimmered.
“Erm–yes, but I’m afraid I won’t be of much help with that. I don’t get out a lot,” I admitted.
“Well, we’ll just have to discover them together then. Perhaps that’s even more fun,” Briar mused as his eyes fluttered around the streets.
“I guess we’d better get to class. I would hate for Mercer to glare at us the entire time for being late,” Raine said with a cheeky grin before turning towards the gate.
As we filtered into the Compound, I couldn’t help the comfort that set in.
Walking through the halls with a group was much less intimidating.
I grinned, silently praising myself for managing not to scare them off.
We neared the small room at the end of the row of gyms and Briar reached for the door, pulling it back and stepping aside.
“If we’re late, I think you two are far more equipped to meet the Lieutenant’s rage. I’m just a simple farmer boy after all.” Briar smiled sweetly, gesturing for us to go ahead of him.
“How noble of you,” Raine remarked, brushing past. I followed her with a gentle laugh.
Mercer was half-sitting on the table at the front of the room. He nodded to us as we entered. Baelor and Nazul sauntered in after us, followed by Draven, who looked as white as a ghost. I wondered if Baelor had anything to do with it.
Glancing around, my gaze lingered on the seats from last time–ones that were now obstructed by five stacks of black fabric.
“Change. We’re starting physical conditioning today,” he remarked, pacing out of the room and shutting the door behind him.
All of our eyes shuffled around, casting unsure glances at each other. All of us except for Baelor, who strode over to his chair and snatched the clothing. Soon enough, he was undressing. I shot a look at Raine, who returned it with a confused shrug before unbuttoning her shirt.
I guess privacy was a luxury we weren’t afforded.
After what might have been the most awkward series of events in my life thus far, we followed Mercer outside towards the grassy field on the back side of the Compound. The expanse was filled with members of the Scales and Fang factions, running through drills.
I shifted my weight in between steps, and stretched my arms from side to side, trying to adjust to the new black, leather uniforms we were all wearing. They were stiff and didn’t offer much flexibility. It seemed an odd choice for athletic wear.
But they were sewn with the strongest fibers known to the realm, and reinforced by enchantments that leant to their strength, making them nearly impenetrable.
Laryk helped design them. We couldn’t wear the armor of the Base soldiers.
It was too heavy. So, we wore leathers, and we’d have to get used to moving in them.
Mercer halted as we stepped onto the grass, turning to us and folding his arms behind his back.
“Agility is the one thing that might save you if you find yourself surrounded.” He began pacing.
“When you’re trapped in the grips of a Wraith, your focus won’t matter. Your combat skills won’t matter. At that point, the only option you have is to find an escape. And fast. ” He turned to look at us.
“Only cowards run,” Baelor said, crossing his arms .
The Lieutenant marched towards the pale-haired boy, stopping a mere inch from his face.
“Interrupt me again, Soleil, and I’ll double your sprints.” Mercer’s voice was unwavering. Baelor stared back unfazed. The air around him seemed to pulse with tension. Mercer turned around and cracked his neck.
“Staying alive is not cowardly. It’s your priority. The five of you will be joining our strongest faction. Your survival is vital to our mission.” He cleared his throat.
“Speed is going to be important for all of you. Along with endurance and flexibility. But first, we need to get all of you into perfect shape for combat.”
“See these markers?” he questioned, gesturing towards ten white lines on the ground, spaced evenly along the length of the field.
“When you reach the first, you’ll come back and touch the ground before running for the second, and we’ll repeat this pattern for the rest of them.
Understood?” He arched an eyebrow. “You’re going to run them until I tell you to stop. ”
A collective groan ran through the group as Mercer turned his back on us.
“Take your position. I’ll tell you when to begin.”
We all spread out. I eyed Raine who was pouting quietly. I don’t think any of us expected this today. I pulled at the collar of my top, trying to stretch out the tight fabric around my neck.
The sun blazed down on us. The air was thick and warm, nearly suffocating. We were already a few weeks into Eibhlín, but today was uncharacteristically hot. I already felt the beads of sweat prickling my forehead.
My lungs reflexively sucked in a gasp of air, sighing long and slow before turning my head, inspecting the stance of the other recruits. Everyone kneeled, anticipating the command. I followed suit.
“Go!” Mercer shouted, and we all launched forward. Baelor shot off into the lead, expertly spinning on his heels as he reached the first marker.
I pushed myself, trying to keep a steady pace, but my lungs were already aching.
By the time conditioning was finished, we were all slumped over, gasping for air–even Baelor, who managed to lap us multiple times throughout the afternoon with a proud look on his face.
He still took every opportunity to shoot a contemptuous glance in my direction, like he wanted to spear me straight through the heart or burn me to ashes. I couldn't be sure.
As we neared the gates of the Compound, I sank down onto the cobblestone, stretching out my overworked muscles. My body hurt in places that I didn’t know existed.
Guards of all factions littered the street in front of the gates, coming and going, socializing and collecting mail and deliveries.
Raine slid down beside me, groaning as she hit the ground. We both heaved in unison for a few moments.
“That was torture,” she said breathlessly. I leaned forward and bent my head. My body was still trembling from the intensity of the sprints.
“Absolute torture,” I agreed. A breeze wafted the sweaty curls from my face, and I sighed with relief. These leather uniforms were unbearably hot.
“And now you’ll go see the General?” she asked, apprehension drenching her voice. Our breaths finally calmed, returning to their normal tempo.
“Yes,” I huffed. “Although I’m not sure I’m in the best state to perform. I can’t even feel my legs.” A laugh escaped my lips.
“I can’t feel anything. I’m about to drench myself in ice before crawling into my bed,” she murmured. It sounded like a joke, but her eyes were serious.
“Not going out with Briar?”
“No fucking way.” She laughed .
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow… that is, if I don’t die in the next few hours,” I sighed, attempting to stand. My legs wanted to give out. They trembled as I straightened them.
“Good luck.” She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. I could tell it was the only sentiment she could muster. Turning on wobbly heels, I limped off towards the gym near the Apothecary.