Ahead of them, the next obstacle stretched across a wide ravine. A rope bridge.
From where they stood, they could see it swaying with every step taken by the recruits already on it. The ropes strained and creaked under the shifting weight, the wooden planks uneven and spaced just enough to make every step uncertain. Below, far enough to make the fall feel real, water crashed violently against jagged rocks, the sound echoing up through the gap like a warning.
A recruit slipped halfway across. For a split second, he clung to the rope, legs kicking wildly. Then his grip gave out. His shout disappeared into the roar below.
Mercer's stomach tightened as he watched it happen.
'That could be me if I lose focus for even a second.'
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm.
'Don't rush it. Just get across.'
By the time the bridge cleared, Mercer stepped forward. The moment his boot touched the first plank, the entire structure shifted beneath him. The sudden movement threw off his balance, and his body reacted before his mind could catch up. His arms shot out, grabbing onto the side ropes as the bridge swayed harder.
For a brief, sharp moment, panic hit him.
'I'm going to fall….'
He stopped himself. Forced a breath.
'No… relax. You've got this. Just slow down.'
Mercer adjusted his footing, lowering his center of gravity slightly. The movement of the bridge didn't stop, but it became something he could anticipate instead of fight against.
Step by step, he moved forward.
Each plank felt unstable, shifting under his weight, but he focused on his rhythm. One step. Then the next. His grip tightened on the ropes, his arms absorbing some of the sway as he moved.
Behind him, someone shouted. Another cursed loudly. Mercer ignored it.
'Don't think about them. Don't think about the drop. Just keep moving forward.'
The sound of the water below faded into the background as he locked his attention onto the path in front of him.
Step. Breathe. Step. Breathe.
By the time his foot touched solid ground on the other side, he didn't stop immediately. He took another step forward, just to make sure, before finally letting go of the ropes.
Only then did he turn back. Asher was stepping onto the bridge. Even from a distance, it was clear the obstacle didn't suit him. His size made every movement heavier, less forgiving. The bridge dipped more under his weight, swaying wider with each step.
He moved carefully. Too carefully. The recruits behind him weren't patient.
"Move!" someone shouted. "You're holding us up!"
Another voice followed, sharper, more panicked. "Hurry up!"
Asher didn't react. He kept moving at the same pace, steady and controlled, eyes fixed on the planks in front of him. Mercer watched him, his jaw tightening slightly.
'He's doing it right. If he rushes, he's done.'
Asher took another step. Then another. The bridge swayed harder, but he adjusted each time, refusing to let it throw him off. Mercer didn't realize his hands had clenched until his fingers started to ache.
'Come on… just a few more steps.'
Asher was close now. Almost there. He stepped off the final plank and onto solid ground. At the same moment, the recruits behind him surged forward.
Too fast. One of them misstepped. His foot slipped between the planks, throwing off his balance. He grabbed for the rope, but the sudden shift in weight sent the bridge swinging violently.
The second recruit lost footing immediately after. Both of them went over.Their shouts echoed for a split second before being swallowed by the sound of rushing water.
Mercer stared for a moment, then let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. A short laugh escaped him, more from disbelief than humor. Asher stepped beside him, shaking his head slightly, a faint grin on his face.
"Guess they should've slowed down," Mercer said.
Asher huffed a quiet laugh.
"Yeah… guess so."
They didn't linger. Both of them turned and kept moving, the next obstacle already waiting.