Kept in the Dark

Kept in the Dark - Chapter 5

Kallum was the earth caller, he had obviously been training outside, which had lightened his hair to blonde. I never saw him call the earth! Why had he kept something like that from us? I had it wrong earth callers weren't big dumb jocks they were beautiful, graceful, peaceful. Kallum was at the center of the ring eyes closed arms spread out palms toward the ground. The earth was moving, shifting, lifting, chunks of dirt flying toward the diving opponent who was, surprisingly enough, holding his own. Spinning, dipping, ducking, jumping, he dodged everything thrown his way at such a fast pace that if I didn't know better I would have guessed that he could see the future. He was light on his feet as well. Kallum had turned the ring into a nonstop earthquake and the guy had yet to fall he jumped from boulder to boulder moving closer and closer to Kallum. I studied his movements I had never seen anything like them they were specific, balanced, light, silent, perfect. He's an-

"Essential." Lane whispered his eyes no more than slits studying the man as he closed in on Kallum. An essential! I had only heard rumors! They were the "ninjas" of the 24th chromosome both physically and mentally. They were the elite fighters, the strongest, the fastest, the most adapted. They knew every pressure point, they knew how hard to hit to kill you or just knock you out for a few minutes, they knew their surroundings and had the quickest reflex's. They were doctors, fighters, scientists, amazing. Kallum was going to have his hands full with this one. The essential had one more boulder to jump before he could land on Kallum's back. It happened quickly, he balanced pushed off and would have made a direct hit but Kallum sent up a wall of dirt, which the essential dodged, but Kallum was now in fighting stance his eyes open and alert. They became blurs. Kallum punching and kicking all with no reward. The essential counter attacking so gracefully it stopped looking like fighting and became a dance. A large rock sailed silently through the air. The essential blocked it but he only had two hands so he was open. Kallum jabbed him in the side. The essential kept moving. More rocks flew at him some hitting there mark some being deflected. The essential was amazing he knew himself, he knew his body, he knew his surroundings, he knew how hard to push off something and where he would land, he knew when Kallum would drop his shoulder or his arm or his balance would be off and he would go for the attack. But more surprising than the essential was Kallum. He was astounding. I had never seen him move so fast! If i didn't know any better i would say he was an essential as well. He was quick, agile, dipping and dodging, moving and rolling; he used the ground and the ring as if he designed it himself. He stepped and jumped dodged and hurdled all whilst keeping his balance, counterattacking AND sending rocks flying through the air. The man was definitely a multi tasker. Both men were breathing heavily when finally a large rock made it through the ninjas defense-hitting his head and effectively knocking him out. I would have called that cheating but the judges apparently like scumbags so they gave him a smile, practically kissed his ass, and had him walk off the stage. As much as I didn't want to admit it, Kallum was dam impressive. I had never seen him fight like that. EVER. He would have taken me out within seconds fighting like that.

I was preparing for another battle but the row of judges never give us the signal instead they turned in toward each other and started talking. Whispers, the best dam whispers I had ever heard or haven't heard, which was what made them that good. They motioned to the ref to come over whispered in his ear then he walked to the center of the ring.

"That will conclude the fights for today. Congratulations to those who made the top sixteen you were both impressive and surprising in how advanced your powers are. Everyone please report to their generals in one hour's time and you will be filled in on who will be leaving and who won't." What?! First, I'm not fighting and now there is a possibility that I might be leaving. Lane grabbed my hand worry making his grip too tight. There was a large buffet table set up outside with food and water scattered everywhere. I was ravished! Me and Lane sprinted over and made quick plates. I absentmindedly wandered over to the gate thinking about Kallum's fighting. It had been so impressive. Intense. Strong. Focused. Amazing. He was rounded in all the right areas but was still so strong offense wise he could and would take down anything that got into his way. I had never seen anyone as strong as him. Lane cleared his throat. I glanced back at him. He was sitting next to me sitting in front of the gate leaning on some bushes.

"What's up buttercup?" I asked teasing.

"Did you see Kallum?" He asked nonchalantly.

"Ofcourse! The man was," I paused trying to find the best word. "Astonishing." Lane grunted. Apparently I was being a little too generous.

"I don't know if I would go that far but yes I will admit he was very good. That essential....." He trailed off. I agreed the essential was breathtaking. I sat in silence with Lane thinking over the fights and what to expect next. We were being split. How odd. I was learning new things every day. I had no idea as to what to expect next-I could very well be sent to Spain to participate in the bull fighting. I cringed. I really hope I don't have to do that. Lane glanced over at me curiously but was interrupted by the sound of a horn signaling our hour was up.

The foreigners were making their way to a tall man next to the doors that led into the cafeteria his booming voice carrying to the back of the field where our General was waiting patiently looking as impressively bullish as ever.

"I have two lists here," He held up the two pieces of paper as if to prove that he really did have two of them. "The first has a list of names that will be staying at the base, the second is a list of names that will be leaving the base to study elsewhere. Each list is alphabetized and if your name is on the leaving list then next to it is where you will be leaving to study and yes before you ask the tournament today was to help us see how people were advancing both magically and physically and to see how the Cor was doing personally. There is no right or wrong here people, you are being moved to fit your ability or you are staying because it fits your ability. No one is better than anyone else." I snorted yeah right! Okay mom. I waited patiently, Lane still clutching my hand too tightly, to make it to the general and check where I was on each list.

Grace Esteem Angle - Kruger Hill, New Zealand

Excitement flooded me NEW ZEALAND. That place was beautiful. I had never heard of this Kruger Hill place but whatever I was so excited. I quickly scanned the page trying to see who else was going there. Worry quickly replaced the excitement, there wasn't any other names I scanned the page again hoping I had missed someone the words WERE tiny.

"Grace I need to check move." Lane pushed me to the side before I could finish my second slower scan. He stilled his eyes finding his name, then his eyes flew across the page scanning quicker than I did. He couldn't read that fast! No one could. He smiled the biggest smile I had ever seen than just as quickly it was gone rage taking its place. Whoa what the heck did that mean?

"What -?"

"We are going to the same place."

"That's GREAT! Oh man I don't know how I missed your name. That's the best news yet! What's with the look of hate?"

"I'm joining you guys." Kallum muttered darkly directly behind me. Lane yanked me back towards him then stepped forward so I was protected from the one we call "Mr. Mercen". Geeze Lane was being an overprotective fool!

"That's .....Cool." I panted out of breathe then winced, it sounded false even to me. Kallum chuckled darkly.

"Yeah? Well your boyfriend doesn't seem to agree." I went to correct him but Lane cut me off.

"You're bad news." Lane bit out through clenched teeth. I burst out laughing. That was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard! Who even says that anymore?! Lane spun and gave me the evil eye. The this-guy-hurt-you-you-idiot eye. I shrugged at him, he let out an exasperated breathe through his nose and stomped off. Kallum smiled and moved closer practically standing on top of me it took every ounce of my control to not step back.

"He's right you know. This place that we are going, it has no rules, nothing to keep us in check." He eyed me up and down in a way that made my stomach drop. "Yeah I am definitely bad news for you."