The climax to the race was nearing, the distance of the hidden passage to the base was only about 800 metres, but sprinting such a distance was no easy feat. No one wanted to face off with Oscar, especially if its self initiated, so underhanded means was not out of question for Carl. The battle for first was one Tyle and Azekah knew all too well, both were always at the top of the class in terms of strength, speed, smarts, skills and even style. Their personalities differed, but it was never an issue, instead it egged them on and encouraged their growth. As they edged closer and closer to the base the only thing that came close to distracting them from their goal was a familiar shadow awaiting their presence. The rest of the group couldn’t see this familiar man as they were far behind, but this mans presence wasn’t going to stop their long awaited battle to see who was really the best between them.

Their faces serious, the hidden man’s face had a full smirk from a distance, anticipating who would arrive and receive punishment first. Tyle and Azekah were only 50 metres away, now 40, now 25. Bolting, thrashing, swerving, their feet stomping the ground with violent haste, whose time was it? Who was the groups ace?

About 210 metres behind them was Ji-Ho and seconds behind him was Nia, they had their own thing going on. One minute Ji-Ho would be ahead, the next it would be Nia. Their speed almost identical as the gap between them and Azekah/Tyle was shortening, soon they could see the familiar mans shadow from a distance. For a brief second they were both shocked and slowed down, but seeing their leaders so close to the base, it quickly brought their confidence back lighting a flame within them.

The race was serious. So serious that Nilly strained her body to get ahead of Carl. She wasn’t in the best of shape, you could blame that on her unhealthy diet, but one thing for sure was that she was no slacker when it came to her work. When determined, the usually lazy Nilly would become studious. Running wasn’t something that was in her league; but for the sake of not coming last a stinging stitch was something to bare with. She pulled ahead a little creating a distance between her, Raulie and Carl.

“ARRRGH!” Screamed Carl, he couldn’t stand fat Nilly actually being faster than him and Raulie somehow holding her own whilst racing. His inferiority complex began acting up again as he gasped and barked for air. I can’t stand it! How DARE that ugly bag of rolls outrun me! Carl thought. Enough is enough, no way in hell I’m coming last! He conjured up a nasty plan and used his last bits of energy to speed up to Raulie. Just before reaching her, he swooped down to clasp as much sediment as possible. Most of what he collected was sand, twigs and dirty wet leaves with a couple stones. Carl threw the heavy stuff away and with that his choice of forceful diversion was complete. He waited for the right moment to enact his scheme, pacing behind Raulie as if not to give too much of an impression of danger. The last thing Carl wanted was for Raulie to get a feel of him closing in and outrun him again. The cooling gust of wind once again came by, Its now of never! Carl thought, he immediately pushed through. Before Raulie could notice any foul play Carl had already unleashed the sand, the gust of air abruptly blew the debris into her eyes.

“AHHHHHHHHH, MY EYES, MY EYES!!” Raulie screeched, she tumbled and fell, smacking her head into her knees as she tried to make sense of it all.

“HELP ME, NOO MY EYES, NOOOOO, THEY HURT, IT HUUUUURTS, IT HURTS MEEEEE!” The whites of her eyes quickly became burning red, while the once small intricate blood vessels were now bulging and throbbing with sand. Raulie’s eyes were watering uncontrollably and blurred her vision, she couldn’t see a thing. Raulie continued screaming as she cried through the confusion and pain. Nilly having heard the screeches turned back.

“RAULIE, IS THAT YOU?!” Nilly yelled out as she ran back to help her friend. Carl however had different ideas, he didn’t care for a second about the actions he had just committed nor did he care for the repercussions on Raulie’s expense. Carl refused to come last and didn’t care who he hurt to achieve it. He continued running without worry, as he hightailed forward he passed Nilly running back. Carl slowed down to a brisk walk.

“Hey, I don’t know what happened, but I’m going to continue on to get help from the group ahead!” Said Carl as he huffed tirelessly.

“Yeah you do that! I’ll go check on her and we’ll try to continue on walking since it’s getting late—“

“—Thats right, sun fall is close and Oscar wanted us at base long before that!”

“Alright.” Said Nilly as she followed the screams of agony, after getting a better look at Raulie collapsed on the ground, she shouted, “BE QUICK, SHE LOOKS BAD!”

“WILL DO!” With that Carls vile plot had succeeded, he’s secured his place in 6th position, injured a potential threat to him during the alleged exam and won’t have to worry about being humiliated by Oscar when arriving at the base. All is right, thought Carl as he trudged on. Not too far from him was Deluna, quick stepping silently through the now wet marshland.

Azekah and Tyle had already burst past the marshland and were in Birch Meadows, the base right in front of them within eyes sight. With both of them seeing the fast approaching finish line the deciding factor was who could endure. Meanwhile Nia and Ji-Ho were dealing with their own physical test of endurance.

“You know I have the natural upper hand!” Said Ji-Ho as he galloped with speed pushing his long legs to the extremes.

“Sure you legs are long and you’re a guy, but you know what they say: the taller the tree the harder it falls!” Joked Nia as she refused to allow natural selection overcome her desire to win.

“HAH!” Ji-Ho laughed, he didn’t want to go easy on Nia, as that would be unjust. He treated her as he would any opponent in a serious battle; he knew she has talent that equals his own, so to go easy would only be an insult to her.

“You know, its a long time coming, usually girls can’t even be taken seriously, let alone become a serious crafter…” Said Nia as she pushed ever so slightly ahead.

“I get you, thats why I respect Oscar… Maybe because he’s not conventional and nor are we, considering we’re the misfits—“ Ji-Ho replied as he now overtook Nia.

“—True, true. It’s difficult enough to just get acknowledged to join a Root Classification, so for Oscar to have been granted and initiate his own Root is something unheard of. I’m not surprised that we’re the first eight to join!—“

“—But I’m surprised Azekah and Tyle joined!”

“Same. Not so much Azekah, considering he does illegal shit like crafting without a licence: but Tyle yeah! I was real surprised!”

“His crafting surprised me! I’ve never seen someone create a weapon so advance that didn’t already have a licence! I just knew he was talented, since he was always talked about and called the Silent King throughout school, college and high ed.”

“Wasn’t Tyle known as the Undefeated Emperor? He’s from Noble linage, so when it came to selection I expected him to choose Taproot, considering they’re the main branch, most desirable RC and guaranteed promotions especially since the vast majority of them are nobles themselves!”

“—But I have to say Fibrous is popular too—“

“—For commoners like us, yeah. After all we didn’t really have a choice and Adventitious wasn’t an option either, but there’re famous Crafters like Cedar who’ve emerged from Fibrous.” Said Nia as she quickly made a breakthrough and began to lead.

Ji-Ho thought about what Nia said as he looked at the peaceful sky, Our time will come, he thought sensing changes in the cloud formations. I don’t know why, but something just doesn’t feel right. He didn’t know how right he was, but in that present moment his mind was on catching up to Nia.

“OUCH! Slow down, please!” Begged Raulie as Nilly held her arm around her waist and escorted her through the marshland.

“What happened to you?” Nilly quizzed.

“I don’t know, I was running and next thing I know the wind picked up and sand flew in my eyes!” “It hurts so much!” Raulie wailed as she hobbled with the aide of Nilly.

“Good thing I had a water bottle with me, I managed to gush what I could on your eyeballs, most of the sand should be out, but for now I’ve wrapped cloth around your eyes. They’ll be sensitive to light and touch so we’ll have to see a doctor as soon as possible when we get to base!” Nilly was said, she knew what this injury meant, if Raulie’s eyes were damaged she may not be able to partake in the exam, she might not even be able to keep her place in Oscar’s Root. Right now their only job is to get back as soon as possible.

“Thanks Nill’s, I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

“No problem, but we really need to hurry! Do you think you can continue running while I hold your hand?”

“I’ll try, but promise me you’ll be carful!”

“Promise.”

Nilly, reached for Raulie’s hand and began running, they’re only 400 metres away, but they’ll need to be extra carful in the terrain.

Tyle and Az were neck and neck, both had endured the strain, but before their anticipated showdown could have a final result the figure they knew all too well began to move.

“SO THIS IS HOW YOU’RE SPENDING YOUR TIME?” Oscar roared. “YOU ACTUALLY HAVE THE FUCKING NERVE!”

Oscar wasn’t having it, his face was as serious as a heart attack. It wasn’t enough to deter them though, Oscars punishments could wait, his bravado was the least of their worries. In this particular time, they needed an answer once and for all, but Oscar thought otherwise. As he walked towards the speeding leaders, a clear and precise clacking could be heard. Each step taken the clacking became louder before Oscar abruptly came to a halt.

He was now situated right in front of Azekah and Tyle, he raised his arm and with one utter he said, “Stop.” That was all that was needed to bring them to a prompt standstill. The look on Oscars face was deadly, he was incredibly serious. “Shits going down, get in the base right now.” The two leaders looked at each other.

“YES, SIR!”

They both responded and headed in without question, something was about to happen and whatever it is, was enough to keep an unusual air of trouble around Oscar. The rest of the members caught up and headed straight into the base, Raulie and Nilly wobbled into the base absolutely exhausted and fatigued from their struggle, but Oscar didn’t even bat an eyelash as he instructed them to head in. All he said to them as they stumbled past was, “We’ll discuss this after the meeting.”

With that the race had been concluded, Tyle and Az: draw, Deluna: Third, Nia and Ji-ho: collective fourth, Carl: fifth and Nilly/Raulie: collective sixth.