Sapphire and Kira arrived at the training site, breathless and sweating. The air was thick with tension as they approached. the others already lined up, a towering figure with a stern expression.
"You're late," he growled, his voice like thunder.
Kira shot Sapphire a nervous glance. before anything could said a strong pressure crashed upon them, their knees digged into the ground,
"Stand" Instructor Ryven commanded, Sapphire and Kira pushed heavily against the suppressive force, their knees strained, bodies slouched against gravity.
Stepping away from others, Instructor Ryven walked, pressure increasing as he inched closer. by the time he was in front of them, Kira and Sapphire were supporting their body with their shaking hands.
Ryven eyes gliding over them with disdain. then stood in front of Sapphire with eyes that could bore into ones soul but yet couldn't care less. "Stand", he was commanding Sapphire.
Kira felt a pang of guilt as she starred as Sapphire struggled to stand, She knew it was her fault they were late. He had waited even though it would cost him. He could have gone letting her to face the punishment alone but he didn't, Sapphire waited. Other not dare move as they stood fixed to the ground they could only helplessly watch.
"Stand" Ryven repeated again. Sapphire struggled, pushing against the force, his hand slowly helping his body, his knees left the ground followed by his hand. He was halfway, knees still bent, staining. The other children saw this, their hearts were being lifted as they prayed and hoped for Sapphire to be able to stand.
Just when he thought he could go further, his knees jammed the ground with force. that his hand that he put to stop his fast descent could stop him but a snapping noise resounded, Sapphire cried out in agony as his flesh being torn open, a small bone sticking out. Blood trickled down, he was now supporting himself with his elbow.
"Stand up" Instructor Ryven still said upon seeing Sapphire in his state. The pain of seeing him like this was too much that Kira broke down, tears flowed as she begged, her voice chooking within sobs.
"Please… please, forgive him. It's not his fault" before she could continue, the pressure increased by another fold, it came all of a sudden that Kira didn't have time to prevent it, her head smashed the ground, her hair soaked as blood dripped from the side of her head. Her sight became groggy.
"Did I permit you to speak?" Ryven said I'm a menacing tone.
"Kira" Sapphire called out in a stained voice,
"please forgive him" Tears still streaming down her face
"Your tears are useless, much rather to end up as a waste than waste time and resources"
"I was the one that made us late. It's not his fault. please," Kira still begged,
"Then take note of your stupidity. Two people against a field of enemies, If one becomes a liability all becomes a liability" Ryven said coldly, staring down at her,
"Your death is much better than being a liability"
Sapphire felt anger rising as he saw Kira crying while being talked down to, it fueled him, despite the pain he strained his neck raising it up just to look at Ryven, his body shaking, trembling but he didn't back down.
Ryven felt eyes on him, not close enough to be threat a but good enough to be hatred. Ryven turned to look at the owner of that very eyes. holding each other's gaze before Ryven turned around, walking back to the other children lined up.
As soon as he did, the pressure placed upon Kira and Sapphire was released. Sapphire, who had been straining himself felt releaved and could now relax. immediately Kira crawled to where Sapphire laid trying to regain his strength while clutch is broken arm. but before a she could even touch him or help him up, something grabbed her from behind pulling with great force catching both of them unaware, Kira could only let out a gasp as she was pulled far from Sapphire, passing by the instructor catching a glimpse as their eyes locked for that very second despite her hair raging in the false wind.
Then she was falling, screams where heard but Sapphire's was the loudest "Kira!" as surprise and fear made an unearthly concussion in his voice. An unknown strength caused him to move, to run, to get to Kira but he was silenced as he received a punch knocked the winds out of him, black spots were forming before his eyes. "Kira" he called, coming out as pleading. As he was losing consciousness,
"Be strong enough to save yourself rather than to be foolish and die together"
was the last thing he heard before his eyes closed.
And the last thing Kira saw was a fast fading light before inevitably closing hers.
Ryven held Sapphire's bent limp body still dripping blood, silence rang loud as the other children dared not make a sound to avoid being the next. when Ryven straightened up, leaving his thought behind. they straightened further. when he finally turned to look at them, sweat soaked their fingers, waiting for what he would say.
"Filled those drums as your excersise and redo all the physical training you have been taught" With that Ryven disappeared along with Sapphire.
The breath they didn't know they held was exhaled, breathing was normal again. But they still danced on hot coal. Two to three of them came out to lead, the others followed as went to do the task assigned to them. when the other children were afar, Kealor who had stood apart when over to the cracked edge of the mountain, kneeling down, he stared down into the very darkness Kira fell into.
"Kira?," he called out, first in low voice unsure, when no answer came he increased his voice, calling out louder this time, "Kira?!" his voice echoed through, down the depths of the black cracks. a few more times and there was still no response, he sat up and looked to his right where Nirro stood waiting. He responded with a shake of his head signalling no answer,
"We can come back later to check right?" Kealor asked, worries etched on his face Nirro responded with a slight tilt of his shoulder. They stared down one more time before deciding to go carry out their task.