It was only when Norok heard the sound of stone grating together from below that he recalled Will’s words during the weakest link exchange-- “Rik’s range is deadly up close.” Norok’s hold on Rik loosened nervously as he looked down, eyes wide at the sight before him. Rik’s stone boots had merged into an upside down pyramid over his boots, spiral grooves emerging from the surface. Drilling downwards, Norok’s stomach lurched as Rik’s body spun with enough force to pierce the surface below. Panicked, Norok released his hold, trying to free himself before Rik dragged them both beneath the dirt. But Rik clamped his hands firmly on Norok’s arms, brutally digging his fingers into Norok’s flesh.

  “You wanted to stay,” Rik barked maniacally. “So stay.”

  Norok didn’t get a chance to reply. His vision was blinded by the sudden impact of earth as they spun faster and faster below. Chunks of dirt and rock flew up in his face. The immediate compression and the whirling motion of Rik’s attack left Norok helplessly nauseous. Rik’s stone drill ate through the dirt cleanly, the rest of his body trailing along indifferently as Norok suffered the brunt of the terrain scraping against his limbs and face. They turned under the ground, Rik pushing his boots above him and sending them sailing up and out with great momentum. Norok barely processed the sun above him as they soared through the air. Rik’s boots crumbled, allowing him to flip over Norok’s stunned form in middair. Rik was behind him now, his legs pulled up and his hands laced firmly together beneath Norok’s chin. Painfully, Rik jerked his hands in unison, positioning Norok upside down as they came crashing to the ground. The top of Norok’s head met the ground with such impact, it left a small crater as he toppled back over onto his stomach.

  His mind was a mess of agony and fear. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, cycling through every panicked thought Norok could muster in a matter seconds. He was going to die. Rik was going to kill him. Norok was going to die, and really, what was so bad about that? His body alternated between sweating and freezing, his vision flickering spastically like a broken lamp. Maybe Norok was better off dead. No more bootcamp trials, no more hungry little sister to look after, no more burden.

  Is that it? You’re going to throw in the towel just like that?

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  The second voice piped up just as Rik reached towards Norok and pulled him up by his hair. Blood trickled down from his scalp, cold and oddly soothing as it trailed down his nose and arced beneath Norok’s unfocused right eye.

  “Surprised that one didn’t knock your scrawny ass out,” Rik said, panting lightly.

  Of course he is, the second voice scoffed. All you’ve done is run away and waste time while everyone else does all the work for you. What a coward you’ve become, Norok.

  “You and your sister must be made of some pretty tough stuff.”

  At least she is. By now Mona’s probably landed a hit on the big captain herself. What have you done to help?

  “Shut up,” Norok said shakily. “Or I’ll make you shut up.”

  You’ve been nothing but a meat bag this whole time. What a waste of potential.

  “Big words,” Rik snorted. But Norok was hardly listening to him over the throbbing in his battered skull.

  You couldn’t make anyone do anything, Norok. Much less me.

  Rik jammed his boot deep into Norok’s gut. Instinctively Norok threw his hand out, dulling the weight with his magic, but the pressure was undoubtedly there. He took a deep breath and cleared his mind. Both Rik and the second voice eating away at the back of his mind were chattering insults and grievances. Norok had embarrassed himself in front of Rik. Norok had embarrassed himself, period. But here at rock bottom, the rock bottom Rik had forced him into with that stupid smirk and his fast casting, Norok knew the only way to go was up.

  Norok tilted his head back. A hysterical laugh escaped his trembling lips, and he leveled his wide-eyed, apathetic glare at Rik’s confused expression. Gleefully, feeling as free as a bird, Norok laughed as he said confidently, “Rik? I think I’m going to kill you.”