Page 85 of Riftborne
I managedto slip into the sparring gym right before the day’s briefing started. I tried to focus my thoughts on the class instead of on Eron and what he must be thinking of me right now. The questions that must be running through his mind.
I eyed the room as I took my seat. Baelor was still nowhere to be found. A sense of calm crept over me. I had to admit, team V looked much better without him.
Mercer walked around the room, collecting our blood into our individual vials before starting the lesson. The same blonde in emerald uniform came and retrieved them as soon as they touched his desk. A shiver ran down my spine.
“We’re going to start transitioning from physical conditioning to tactical maneuvers and strategic training. Although I expect each and every one of you to continue your warmups before class,” Lieutenant Mercer said as he walked to the center of the room.
“You’ve all become stronger, quicker, more resilient. But that is just the beginning.”
I looked around, gauging everyone else’s reactions. I sure didn’t like the sound of that.
“Does anyone remember what I said about the Wraiths during your first briefing?” he asked, a rare curiosity peaking his brow.
“They’re nearly impossible to catch,” Raine stated, leaning forward in her seat.
“What else?”
I tried to search my memory for the details.
“We believe they are limited to the Western border. That they lose strength the further they get from their homeland. From the tear between worlds,” I said. And as if Draven had read my thoughts…
“They crave power. They’re potentially after our stores of arcanite, which could allow them to move further into the Isle,” he added quietly, looking down.
“True, but not the answer I’m looking for. Can anyone remember what I said about their fighting style?” Mercer asked calmly.
“They swarm you, and once you’re in their grasp, it’s nearly impossible to escape,” Briar said with confidence.
Mercer cracked his knuckles, turning towards his desk.
“They cast out darkness and distort our vision?” Raine guessed.
“You can’t breathe,” I murmured.
Mercer stopped in his tracks and turned back to us.
“Correct,” he said, nodding in my direction.
“You mean… they’re able to suffocate us?” Nazul asked hesitantly. It was the first time he had spoken all day.
“They siphon the air from your lungs. It’s like a vortex of shadows. This is clearly a disadvantage considering we all require oxygen.” Mercer took a measured breath before continuing. “So that’s what we will work on next.”
“You mean, like, practicing holding our breath?” Raine asked nervously.
“Something like that.”
For a moment, my thoughts wandered to the General’s scar. It looked like an injury from a blade.
“Lieutenant Mercer, do they attack with anything else?” I asked. The rest of the recruits looked at me.
“There’s still a lot we don’t know about them, but yes. The vortex doesn’t seem to be their only form of combat. It’s just the one they employ most often.”
“Now pay attention please,” he said before turning towards his desk and extending his arm. Suddenly, the pieces of parchment that littered the wood surface flew off and spiraled in the air. I could feel the wind all the way from my chair.
“So that’s your focus,” Briar said in amazement.
A wind wielder.
“Which means I’m particularly qualified to simulate the effects from the Wraith’s grasp,” he said before turning back to us.
