Line Hunters

10. Racing to the Trial

The predator Ian was watching from below the ground was, from what Ian estimated, a level two. Its form was similar to a four-legged animal, with long legs and a small head. Ian recalled the ten levels of Line Predators Madam had taught him. Level three and below predators could only take the form of animals and beasts, but staring at the level two predator, Ian realized how less beastly it looked, how its face was similar to a human's, and this human and beast mixed image was only for level four predators.

"The predators are reappearing, and for some reason, they've become stronger."

Ian slightly frowned. The level two predator he was watching had the form and strength of a level four. Up ahead, Ian saw someone heading toward where the predator was, and the predator also noticed, turning around. Ian stood up and hopped forward on the branches to be ahead of the predator. He sat down on a branch, one leg dangling in the air and the other tucked, and waited for the Predator to come. The person was making his way through the thick bushes, unaware of a predator running toward him.

Ian could finally spot the predator running out into the open field. He pressed his hands together and parted them, a glowing white sphere emerged from his hands. Ian stood up and jumped down. Ian landed on the predator and pressed his which held the sphere against the predator's neck. It was done quickly and the predator didn't have time to react. Its head drooped for a moment before straightening again, completely calm and silent.

I don't know why you've gotten so strong, but you're under my control for now...

"Take me to the building on top of that mountain," Ian said.

The predator began moving, lightly jogging then picking up its speed, moving as quickly as the other boy did.

Meanwhile, Triton, the blue-haired boy, was more than halfway through his run when he stopped and looked around him angrily.

"The exam hasn't even started!" Triton exclaimed aggressively. Because he didn't know where he was going, he hopped from tree to tree, but then he ran out of trees and went back to the ground. However, there was a tall and steep mountain with a rickety path, and because he was hopping trees, he lost more time than expected—and Triton knew he'd be slowed down due to the strong wind.

As Triton was about to move, he heard loud footsteps behind him. His eyes widened when he saw a charging predator with a weird face, and unexpectedly stopped. Ian was on the predator's back.

"Hi," Ian said with a small wave.

"Why is there a predator?" Triton questioned, backing away.

Ian shrugged. "I don't know either. Would you like to come with me? Those winds look very strong, you might fall if you attempt to go through it and you might be late to the exam."

"Can the predator be trusted?" Triton said suspiciously. His hopes diminished when Ian also seemed to doubt and Triton began thinking of the best way to through the mountain.

" You're right, the predator can't be trusted," Ian said after a short silence, "but you can trust me. I have the predator under my control."

Triton bit his lips to stop himself from snorting at the strange boy's response, but Triton was also intrigued by the boy's ability to control the predator.

"You can control predators?" Triton asked.

"To a limit," Ian replied. He looked up at the mountain. "We'll be late if we don't move now."

Although Triton was still doubtful about the predator, his curiosity got the better of him and he hopped on, sitting behind Ian.

"I'm not touching you," Triton stated when Ian looked back.

Ian lightly chuckled. Triton was noticeably sitting far away from him. "But you'll fall off."

"And how would you not? You're not holding anything."

"I am, just differently. At least grab the back of my shirt, the wind's not to be underestimated."

"I know that too," Triton replied. His parents raised him in a secluded place on the mountains, away from cities and neighborhoods, so he learned skills relating to understanding nature. "So how are you controlling the—Ghah!"

The predator had immediately begun running at a fast speed, and Triton was unprepared and barely missed getting a hold of Ian's shirt. It didn't take long for Triton to adjust to the accelerating speed, but he was more surprised to look ahead and see how calm Ian was. The pathway wasn't smooth and they could feel the force of the wind coming at them, but neither affected the predator's sprint, which was pleasantly smooth and steady. As much as Triton hated to think about it, he was glad he chose to go with Ian. It would have been nearly impossible to get to the exam on time if he went on foot. The predator's mass was many times greater than Triton's, so the wind had little effect on it, almost like the wind, while pushing them, was moving around them.

"There's the building!" Triton said, shouting over the wind.

"We'll make it," Ian replied, but as loud.

To avoid causing alarm, Ian and Triton got off the predator and ran to the entrance. There were wide doors open, but no one was guarding them. The two entered through the doorway and saw two elderly women standing in front of a door that was constantly changing shape and size.

"Maria, look, who knew there would be two more contestants at the last second?" one of the elderly women said to the other.

"I see that, and they're two young adolescent boys," the other replied. Then she said to them in her meek voice, "You still have ten seconds!"

"All you must do is pass through this lovely door and you're good to go!"

"Are they crazy? How could we pass through a door that can be as small as a plate?" Triton exclaimed.

"Five!"

"Four!"

"Just run," Ian replied through short breaths.

"Two!"

The two boys passed through the door."

"One!"

"Ha! They made it!" Maria said.

"Yes they did, lucky for them."

"Do you think we should have told them if they touched the doorframe they'll lose some of their spiritual power?"

"There was no time to explain, all that matters is that they got through."

"Agreed. If they pass the exam, they'll get double what they lost. It's a win!"

"Hilarious, Maria, only winners get the prize!"