Hybrid: The Mark

The Test

The test began with the members of the first sphere. The twelve members stood before the target with Andervain beside the tally to keep the scores. Sirah observed the gleams in their eyes while Matthew examined their bows and their arrows before they started the test.

"Aim."

They set their arrows on their aim, concentration seeping through their eyes.

"Fire" Andervain commanded.

Sirah's eyes couldn't believe as the arrows struck on the center of the target in unison. Her heart gradually began to hollow. She knew that it wouldn't be possible for her and she accepted the fact that she will be one of the others who will go to the Other side.

During the calculations, all eyes fell on the first sphere. Each minute grew tenser. After the calculations, Fereinia displayed the tally with a small smile on her face. There was a loud shout from the crowd as they applauded for the first sphere scoring the perfect ten. Sirah's heart skipped a beat. It was impossible for her to replace their positions in the proficiency. The members walked through the crowd with big grin on their faces and were clapped on their shoulders for their efforts. How Sirah wished that she could be appreciated like them.

After many more moments of nervousness and tensed silence, the second and the third sphere completed their test. Sirah's eyes fell on the tally where she scanned the scores of the three spheres. Twenty one scoring the perfect ten, five members scoring a nine and two members scoring an eight.

The test started to grow more tenser as the other spheres willed each other to replace the names on the top of the tally with theirs.

Sirah could just imagine her name being on the bottom of the tally.

"Sphere four" Matthew called out.

All the members including Sirah retrieved their bows and their arrows before stepping to the center. Sirah felt a small warm hand gripping her arm. She turned to see Mikaela standing next to her.

"Good luck." Mikaela smiled.

Sirah forced a smile to her and wiped her hands on her gown. She positioned herself, eyeing the others for how they poised before the target. Her heart started ramming against her ribcage. Sirah concentrated on the red dot of the target.

"Aim" Andervain's voice echoed through the silent crowd.

The members pulled their bow string back with anticipation.

"And fire."

Sirah let her arrow fly past her with a flash almost letting her wince due to the close proximity. She didn't want to do this. She wanted to escape. She opened her eyes and scanned the arrows stuck on the center of the target. All for except one.

Hers.

Not even close to the target. She heard a few snickers in the crowd.

Sirah had no clue of what to do but look down at her bow.

The tally was being casted while the members of her sphere assured each other that they would win. After the tally was calculated, Fereinia displayed the tally. Sirah let her eyes fall on the bottom of the tally.