CHAPTER 25 — WELCOME TO HELL

# THE FALLEN LIGHT — SEASON I

## CHAPTER 25 — WELCOME TO HELL

Two days passed in genuine enjoyment. Percy had kept his word. Nobody trained. Nobody was woken up early in the morning. Nobody practiced Orin. They swam in the lake. They played games for hours. Arthur and Percy fought over soccer. Clara called them both cheaters. Charlotte explored the lake with Sophia. Daniel, Marcus, and Theodore held races. Nathaniel kept record of all the races. Elias prepared the fire in the evenings. Lucas told ridiculous stories to everyone. Noah hardly ever came out of the lake. Adrian Cole tried his hand at fishing. He caught nothing at all. And Ethan... He genuinely spent half of those two days sleeping. William? William ate sandwiches. Nobody was surprised by that.

At the end of the second night... The clock struck exactly 00:00. All the lights in the camp were extinguished. Everyone was asleep. Except Percy Grant was not sleeping.

He quietly stepped out of his tent. He walked to the edge of the lake. The preparations were complete. Percy looked around. The thirty-five kilometer track was ready. The entire ground was covered in sand. Thick. Soft. Deep enough to make running arduous. Percy took a few steps. His feet sank into the sand. He smiled.

"Good."

Then he looked down at the sand. Thousands of scorpions were moving about. The sand almost looked alive. Percy nodded.

"Good."

Then he looked at the lake. The surface of the water was completely calm. But beneath the surface... Hundreds of piranhas were swimming around. Percy nodded once more.

"Good."

Behind the track stood large wagons. Inside them were roughly five thousand potions. All of them were meant for healing. However, the students did not know this.

Percy took one final look around. Sand. Scorpions. Piranhas. Potions. A thirty-five kilometer course. Everything was ready.

A short distance away stood four people. Holar Jun. Eleanor Leyvar. Elizabeth Olsen. Galahad.

All four were looking out over the grounds. None of them were speaking. Olsen finally broke the silence.

"Percy..."

Percy materialized behind her.

"Yes, ma'am?"

Olsen startled slightly.

"When on earth did you get here?"

Percy:

"Just now."

Galahad was still staring at the scorpions.

"Percy."

Percy:

"Bro?"

Galahad:

"What are you planning?"

Percy:

"Nothing."

Eleanor turned to him.

"Is this nothing?"

Percy:

"I haven't even started yet."

The expressions on all four of their faces changed simultaneously. Percy looked at Holar.

"Grandpa."

Holar:

"Yes?"

"I need your help."

Holar raised an eyebrow.

"What am I to do?"

Percy pointed to the track.

"Cover the thirty-five kilometer area."

Holar:

"With what?"

Percy:

"With red."

Holar fell silent for a few seconds.

"With red?"

Percy:

"Completely."

Then he turned to Olsen.

"Professor Olsen."

Olsen:

"Yes?"

Percy:

"May I ask for something?"

Olsen looked at him suspiciously.

"I'm listening."

Percy:

"For fourteen hours straight..."

"...could you radiate your fire aura?"

Olsen's eyebrows shot up.

"Fourteen hours?"

Percy:

"Yes."

"Why?"

Percy smiled.

"You will understand."

Eleanor crossed her arms.

"What am I supposed to do?"

Percy:

"Watch, Auntie."

Eleanor:

"I don't like the sound of this at all."

Holar raised his hand. Orin spread forth. In an instant... The thirty-five kilometer zone transformed.

The earth darkened. Red light rose from beneath the sand. The shadows of the trees were dyed crimson. Even the shore of the lake changed.

The entire area... Looked blood red. Galahad slowly looked at Percy.

"You are preparing a hell."

Percy:

"A little bit."

Olsen raised her hand. The fire element answered.

WHOOM!

The temperature skyrocketed.

The fire aura enveloped the region. The air grew heavy. Breathing became difficult. The red landscape began to ripple.

Eleanor's eyes widened.

"Percy."

Percy:

"Auntie?"

Eleanor:

"The kids are seven years old."

Percy:

"So am I."

Eleanor went quiet. Galahad turned away to keep from laughing. Percy clapped his hands together.

"My turn."

He looked toward the tents. Everyone was sleeping. Percy took a deep breath. He focused sound magic into his throat. Galahad's eyes widened.

"Oh no."

Holar immediately covered his ears.

"Percy."

Eleanor:

"Don't you dare."

Olsen:

"What is happening?"

Percy filled his lungs.

And then...

"FIRST-YEARS!"

The entire camp shook.

"WAKE THE HELL UP!"

Silence.

And then... Chaos. A scream erupted from Clara's tent.

"MOTHERF—"

She went quiet for a second.

"PERCY!"

Arthur tumbled out of his tent.

"WHAT IS GOING ON?!"

Charlotte emerged with disheveled hair.

"IS THERE A FIRE?!"

William walked outside. He held a sandwich in his hand. Percy looked at him.

William:

"Don't ask."

Daniel Crawford ran out.

"Is there an attack?!"

Marcus Vale was preparing a spell.

"Where is the enemy?!"

Theodore Hale shouted from his tent.

"WHO DIED?!"

Nathaniel Reed was searching for his glasses.

"I CAN'T SEE A THING!"

Elias Morgan burst out.

"WHY IS EVERYTHING RED?!"

Lucas Ferran tripped on the ground.

"MY FOOT!"

Sophia Mercer came out holding a pillow.

"WHO AM I BEATING UP?!"

Noah Bennett was half-asleep.

"Is the lake on fire?"

Adrian Cole looked outside.

"This isn't normal."

Finally, Ethan came out. His eyes were still closed.

"I refuse."

Percy raised his voice again.

"EVERYONE ASSEMBLE IN FRONT OF ME!"

Arthur:

"WHAT TIME IS IT?!"

Percy:

"00:07."

Arthur:

"YOU ARE SICK."

Percy:

"GET IN LINE."

Arthur shut his mouth. Because... Percy's face was completely serious. A minute later, everyone was in line. Clara was giving Percy a look that could kill.

"You..."

Percy:

"Later."

Clara:

"No, right now."

Percy:

"Clara."

Clara went quiet. Percy looked at his class.

"Remember."

"From this moment on..."

"...my orders are absolute."

Nobody spoke. Percy pointed to the region behind him.

"Now examine your surroundings."

"You have two minutes."

Everyone looked around. Sophia was the first to notice. Her face turned ghost-white.

"Um..."

Charlotte turned to her.

"What?"

Sophia pointed to the ground. Charlotte looked down. She froze.

"Percy."

Arthur looked too.

Then Daniel. Marcus. Theodore. Nathaniel. Elias. Lucas. Noah. Adrian. Ethan.

The sand... Was moving. Thousands of scorpions. Across thirty-five kilometers. Arthur turned to Percy.

"You have lost your damn mind."

Charlotte:

"THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THEM."

Sophia:

"ONE IS COMING FOR MY FOOT."

Marcus took a step back.

"How many are there?"

Percy:

"I didn't count."

Theodore:

"YOU DIDN'T COUNT?!"

Percy:

"A lot."

Nathaniel:

"That wasn't an explanation."

Elias:

"I AM NOT RUNNING."

Lucas:

"Me neither."

Noah:

"I'm getting into the lake."

Percy looked at him.

"We will discuss that in a moment."

Noah's expression changed. William looked at the lake. He tried to discern something. But the water was pitch black. Percy checked his watch.

"We will begin at 01:15."

"First, I will present the rules."

Everyone looked back at him. Percy pointed to the track.

"One lap is thirty-five kilometers."

Silence.

"Until eleven-thirty in the morning..."

"...you will complete twelve laps."

The silence persisted. William calculated. Then he looked at Percy.

"Four hundred twenty kilometers."

Percy:

"Correct."

Clara's mouth fell open.

Arthur:

"WHAT?!"

Charlotte:

"420 KILOMETERS?!"

Daniel:

"In eight hours?!"

Marcus:

"Is that even possible?!"

Theodore:

"IN THE SAND?!"

Nathaniel:

"With scorpions?!"

Elias:

"UNDER A FIRE AURA?!"

Lucas:

"I AM GOING HOME."

Sophia:

"I WANT MY MOM."

Noah:

"I'm definitely choosing the lake."

Adrian:

"This isn't training."

Ethan:

"I refuse."

Percy raised his hand. Everyone fell silent.

"The scorpions will attack you."

"You may not harm them."

Arthur:

"What?"

Percy:

"You cannot kill even a single one."

Clara looked intently at Percy. Percy continued.

"You will move before they attack."

"You will step over them."

"You will run between them."

"You will jump."

"You will evade."

"But you will not kill."

Daniel:

"What if they sting us?"

Percy:

"It will hurt."

Marcus:

"Very helpful."

Percy:

"Healing is ready."

Nobody had seen the potions in the wagon. Percy still didn't mention them.

"This will not be a normal run."

"The sand will weigh down your feet."

"Every step will grow harder."

"Your breath will grow heavy under the fire aura."

Olsen slowly looked at Percy. Now she understood why he had requested it. Percy turned to Holar.

"Grandpa."

Holar:

"Yes?"

"Seal their magical powers."

Silence. True silence.

Arthur:

"...What?"

Clara:

"Percy."

Charlotte:

"You're joking."

Even William was surprised.

Daniel:

"Without Orin?"

Percy:

"Yes."

Marcus:

"No shields?"

Percy:

"No."

Theodore:

"No speed spells?"

Percy:

"No."

Nathaniel:

"No healing?"

Percy:

"Not while running."

Sophia:

"You are a demon."

Percy:

"Thank you."

Eleanor looked at Percy.

"You really thought this through."

Percy:

"For three days."

Holar still hadn't moved. Percy looked at him.

"Grandpa."

Holar scrutinized the students. Then he looked at Percy.

"Proceed."

Percy nodded.

"Run slowly if you wish."

"Run fast if you wish."

"I do not care."

"But you will finish by eleven-thirty."

Arthur:

"What if we don't finish?"

Percy pointed to the lake.

"You will be thrown into the lake."

Noah immediately laughed.

"Good."

A few people relaxed.

Ethan:

"I choose the lake directly."

Percy smiled.

"Your abilities have not been sealed yet."

"Use your perception."

Everyone looked at the lake. William was the first to notice. His expression changed.

"No."

Clara:

"What?"

William pointed to the water. Clara released her Orin perception. A second later...

"HOLY FUCK."

Eleanor:

"Clara!"

Clara:

"MOM, THERE ARE PIRANHAS!"

Arthur opened his perception.

"NO WAY."

Charlotte:

"HOW MANY?!"

Daniel:

"THE WATER IS PACKED."

Marcus:

"PERCY!"

Theodore:

"I AM NOT GOING INTO THE WATER."

Nathaniel:

"I'M RUNNING."

Elias:

"I'M RUNNING TOO."

Lucas:

"I LOVE SCORPIONS."

Sophia:

"SCORPIONS ARE SO CUTE."

Noah's face had fallen.

"I changed my mind."

Adrian:

"Lake option canceled."

Ethan raised his hand.

"I do not accept."

Percy looked at him.

Ethan:

"I don't want to."

"I won't do it."

Percy began walking over.

Ethan:

"What?"

Percy arrived beside him. Ethan pulled back.

"Percy?"

Percy grabbed Ethan.

"You..."

Ethan's eyes widened.

"...will run thirteen laps."

Percy threw him into the sand.

"HEY!"

Ethan landed right among the scorpions. He scrambled to his feet instantly.

"MOTHERFUCKER!"

He ran right back.

Percy:

"Look."

"You're awake."

Arthur burst out laughing.

Ethan:

"I HATE YOU."

Percy:

"Thirteen laps."

Ethan:

"TWELVE."

Percy:

"Thirteen."

Ethan:

"MOTHERFUCKER."

Percy:

"I can make it fourteen."

Ethan:

"THIRTEEN IS FINE."

Holar finally raised his hand. Orin radiated out. In an instant... Everyone's magic fell silent. Clara's light vanished.

Arthur clenched his fist. Charlotte couldn't feel Orin. William closed his eyes. Daniel held his breath. Marcus opened his hand.

Nothing happened. They were all on their own now. They had only their bodies. Percy opened his hand as well. His power was sealed too.

Arthur noticed this.

"You too?"

Percy:

"Of course."

Clara looked at him.

Percy:

"I will be running too."

Charlotte:

"Twelve laps?"

Percy shook his head.

"No."

"Twenty."

Silence.

The smile on Galahad's face vanished. Holar frowned.

Eleanor:

"Percy."

Olsen:

"Seven hundred kilometers."

Percy:

"Yes."

Arthur looked at him.

"You are insane."

Percy:

"Perhaps."

Clara:

"You can't do it."

Percy looked at her.

"I will."

William:

"If you can't finish?"

Percy didn't hesitate for even a second.

"I will resign as class president."

This time... Everyone began talking at once.

Clara:

"No."

Arthur:

"Don't be ridiculous."

Charlotte:

"There's no need for that."

Daniel:

"We are running twelve."

Marcus:

"Why are you running twenty?"

Theodore:

"That isn't leadership."

Nathaniel:

"That's killing yourself."

Elias:

"Seven hundred kilometers, Percy."

Lucas:

"There really is no need."

Sophia:

"Run twelve with us."

Noah:

"And don't resign as president."

Adrian:

"Nobody asked for this."

Ethan:

"I asked for it."

Everyone turned to Ethan.

Ethan:

"I was joking."

Percy smiled.

"It is decided."

He checked his watch. 00:23.

"First, I will show you."

"I will run the first lap alone."

Galahad stepped forward.

"Percy."

Percy looked at him.

"Watch, Bro."

Then... He ran. His first step sank into the sand. His second step was faster. The scorpions moved.

They attacked as Percy approached. Percy jumped. He cleared three scorpions. He landed on the ground. The sand dragged at his foot.

Another scorpion struck. Percy twisted sideways. The stinger grazed past his face. Percy accelerated. There was no Orin.

There was no magic. There were no shields. There was only his body. And... Probability.

Stolen from NovelPhoenix, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

He saw the scorpion's movement. He shifted direction before it attacked. He leaped over a rock. He bounded off a tree. He swung around a branch.

He landed back in the sand. He kept running. Everyone was watching. Arthur's smile had vanished. Clara was holding her breath.

William didn't take his eyes off him. Galahad's face was completely serious. Percy vanished into the distance. He disappeared into the red darkness. Half an hour passed.

And then... A shadow appeared in the distance. He was running. Percy was coming back. He didn't slow down in the final kilometer.

On the contrary, he accelerated. He leaped over the final scorpion. He crossed the starting line. He stopped. He was gasping for air.

Nobody spoke. Blood was trickling from Percy's feet. The sand had torn up his skin. A scorpion had stung his foot. Yet he had not killed a single one of them.

Percy looked at his class.

"This is your task."

Clara looked straight at his feet.

"Percy."

Percy didn't answer. Galahad couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward.

"Let me ask you something."

Percy:

"Ask, Bro."

Galahad pointed to the scorpions.

"Why can't they harm them?"

Percy went quiet for a few seconds. Everyone looked at him. Percy slowly straightened up. Then he looked at his class.

"Because..."

"...one day, we won't be here."

Holar's expression shifted. Percy continued.

"Those before us won't be here either."

He looked at Holar. Then at Eleanor.

"We will take their place."

Eleanor's eyes widened slightly. Percy turned back to his class.

"This group..."

"...will look back in the future."

"And take the place of the past."

Nobody was joking anymore. Percy pointed to a scorpion in the sand.

"We must get used to protecting life starting now."

Arthur was watching Percy. Clara's hand slowly clenched into a fist.

Percy:

"Because we are strong..."

"...we will not learn that we have the right to kill."

Holar's gaze transformed.

Percy:

"A life may be small."

"It may even be the life of a scorpion."

"But it is still life."

Galahad was silent.

Percy:

"How important every life is..."

"...we will learn through suffering."

He paused for a second.

"Not by losing one another."

Silence. True silence. Holar was looking at Percy. He had lived for thousands of years. He had seen countless students.

Yet these words... Were being spoken by his seven-year-old grandson. Eleanor slowly exhaled. Olsen's fire aura was still burning. But the expression on her face had changed.

"Now I understand."

Galahad looked at Percy. Then he smiled.

"Alright, President."

Percy looked at him. Galahad bowed his head slightly.

"Proceed."

Percy turned back to his class. Clara stepped forward.

Percy:

"Clara?"

Clara extended her hand. Percy looked at her hand. Then at Clara.

Clara:

"You're my president."

Percy raised an eyebrow.

"But..."

Clara took Percy's hand.

"...earlier, I said I would never let go."

Percy fell silent.

Clara:

"Can we run together?"

"I won't be disobeying your order."

A smile formed on Percy's face.

"Of course you can run."

Clara held his hand tighter. Arthur called out from behind.

"Even while running?"

Clara looked at him.

"Yes."

Arthur:

"You are maniacs."

Percy:

"Wall Green."

Arthur:

"Okay, okay, I'm quiet."

Percy turned to the class.

"Everyone."

Everyone looked at him.

"There is one more thing."

Arthur closed his eyes.

"No."

Percy:

"What do you mean, no?"

Arthur:

"I've learned your tone of voice."

Percy pointed to the side.

"Do you see those bags?"

Everyone looked. Stone sacks were standing there.

Percy:

"Each one is fifteen kilograms."

Silence.

Clara slowly turned to Percy.

"No."

Percy:

"Yes."

Charlotte:

"Percy."

Percy:

"Yes."

Daniel:

"420 kilometers."

Percy:

"Yes."

Marcus:

"In the sand."

Percy:

"Yes."

Theodore:

"With scorpions."

Percy:

"Yes."

Nathaniel:

"Without Orin."

Percy:

"Yes."

Elias:

"Under a fire aura."

Percy:

"Yes."

Lucas:

"Carrying fifteen kilograms."

Percy:

"Yes."

Sophia took a deep breath.

"Holy fuck."

Olsen:

"Sophia."

Sophia:

"Apologies, Professor."

Noah:

"I was about to say it too."

Adrian:

"We were all about to say it."

Ethan:

"I consider it said on my behalf."

Arthur picked up a bag. He threw it over his shoulder.

"You really are a psychopath."

Percy's expression changed. He raised his voice.

"ANYONE WHO DOES NOT WANT TO CAN LEAVE!"

Everyone fell silent. Percy looked into their faces one by one.

"Anyone who objects can leave the class!"

Clara looked at him. Arthur's face turned serious.

Percy:

"I will not force anyone to stay."

"However, if you are going to stay here..."

"...know why you are staying."

Percy pointed to Holar.

"They left the world to us."

He looked at Eleanor.

"Tomorrow, it will be our turn."

Then he turned back to his friends.

"Those who want to protect their families tomorrow, stay."

"Those who want to protect their friends, stay."

"Those who want to protect people, stay."

"Those who want to protect the world, stay."

Percy's voice hardened.

"Those who do not..."

"...can get the hell out right now."

Silence.

Nobody moved.

One second.

Five seconds. Ten seconds. Arthur adjusted his bag.

"You talk too much, President."

Percy looked at him. Arthur walked to the starting line.

"Are we running or what?"

Percy smiled. Daniel picked up his bag. So did Marcus.

Theodore. Nathaniel. Elias. Lucas. Sophia. Noah. Adrian.

Ethan looked at his bag. Then at Percy.

"Thirteen?"

Percy:

"Thirteen."

Ethan picked up the bag.

"I still hate you."

Percy:

"Say it while running."

Charlotte slung her bag over her shoulder. William lifted his. Clara picked up her bag with one hand. Her other hand was still holding Percy's. Percy looked at her.

"You're really not going to let go."

Clara:

"No."

Percy picked up his own bag.

"Alright."

The time was 01:15. Percy stepped up to the line. Fifteen people stood beside him. Holar was watching them. Eleanor had her arms crossed.

Olsen was maintaining her aura. Galahad was smiling. Percy raised his hand.

"First lap."

He brought his hand down.

"Begin!"

They all ran. The first hundred meters were easy. Then the sand began to assert itself. Feet sank deep. The bags pulled at their shoulders.

The scorpions began to stir. Arthur dodged the first attack.

"SON OF A—"

A scorpion struck a second time. Arthur jumped.

"THIS THING DOES NOT LIKE ME!"

Percy ran past him.

"The feeling is mutual."

Arthur:

"FUCK OFF."

Daniel maintained his rhythm. Marcus was slightly ahead. Theodore had started too fast. William noticed this.

"Theodore."

Theodore looked at him.

"Slow down."

Theodore:

"Why?"

William:

"You'll exhaust yourself in three kilometers."

Theodore reduced his speed. Percy saw this. He didn't say anything. William was starting to lead. Charlotte was running side-by-side with Sophia.

Sophia's foot slipped. Charlotte caught her.

"Are you alright?"

Sophia:

"For now."

Percy shouted from a distance.

"THAT'S MY LINE!"

Clara:

"FOCUS ON YOUR RUNNING!"

Percy turned to Clara. They were running hand-in-hand.

"You're getting tired."

Clara:

"No."

Percy:

"Liar."

Clara:

"You're tired too."

Percy:

"I am the president."

Clara:

"Your muscles don't know that."

Percy laughed. A scorpion attacked. Clara pulled Percy back. The stinger grazed Percy's leg. Percy lost his balance.

Clara held him up.

"Watch your step."

Percy:

"Yes, ma'am."

Clara:

"You're the president."

Percy:

"I forgot."

The first ten kilometers passed. Laughter diminished. Fifteen kilometers. Conversations died down. Twenty kilometers.

Only breathing remained. Ethan began to fall behind. Percy noticed this. He let go of Clara's hand. Clara was surprised.

Percy:

"One minute."

He dropped back to Ethan's side. Ethan was breathing with great difficulty.

"Go."

Percy:

"No."

Ethan:

"Aren't you the president?"

Percy:

"Yes."

Ethan:

"Then get out front."

Percy shook his head.

"The president doesn't have to be out front."

Ethan looked at him.

Percy:

"Sometimes he stays at the very back."

Ethan said nothing. Percy began running alongside him.

"Shorten your stride."

Ethan did.

"Take a breath every three steps."

Ethan tried it.

"Switch the bag to your other shoulder."

Ethan switched it. After a while, his rhythm stabilized. Ethan looked at Percy.

"I'm not going to thank you."

Percy:

"I'm not expecting it."

Ethan:

"I still hate you."

Percy:

"Thirteen laps."

Ethan:

"MOTHERFUCKER."

Percy laughed. The final kilometer of the first lap arrived. The group reunited. Nobody had planned it. But they had waited for one another.

Arthur pulled Daniel along. Charlotte supported Sophia. Marcus adjusted Noah's bag. William maintained Theodore's rhythm. Nathaniel guided Lucas.

Elias encouraged Adrian. Clara held Percy's hand once more. And... Sixteen students crossed the line. The first lap was complete.

Everyone collapsed to the ground. Arthur lay flat on his back.

"I'm dead."

William:

"No."

Arthur:

"Spiritually."

Charlotte sat in the sand.

"How many left?"

Nobody answered.

Percy:

"Eleven."

Everyone shouted at the exact same time.

"SHUT UP!"

Percy burst into laughter. Ethan held up a finger.

"Twelve for me."

Percy:

"Correct."

Ethan:

"I hate you."

The second lap began. This time, nobody burst out fast. Everyone had understood William's warning. The group split naturally. But nobody was left alone.

Daniel was running with Marcus. Theodore stayed by William's side. Sophia was running with Charlotte. Noah and Lucas were together. Nathaniel watched over Elias.

Adrian stayed beside Ethan. Arthur... Came up to Percy's other side. Clara was holding his right hand. Arthur moved to the left.

Percy looked at him.

"What are you doing?"

Arthur:

"Running."

Percy:

"Is there nowhere else?"

Arthur:

"There is."

Percy:

"Then go there."

Arthur:

"No."

Clara laughed.

Percy:

"Why are you laughing?"

Clara:

"No reason."

Arthur looked at Percy's bleeding foot.

"You're slowing down."

Percy:

"No."

Arthur:

"Liar."

Clara looked at Arthur.

"I told him too."

Arthur:

"For once, you're right."

Clara:

"For once?"

Arthur:

"Let's not fight today."

Clara narrowed her eyes.

Percy:

"Arthur."

Arthur:

"What?"

Percy:

"You're in dangerous waters."

Arthur:

"The piranhas are safer."

Percy laughed. Then... A scorpion struck. Arthur shoved Percy. The stinger went into Arthur's arm.

Arthur gritted his teeth. Percy stopped.

"Arthur."

Arthur:

"Run."

Percy:

"It stung you."

Arthur:

"I noticed."

Clara stopped too. Arthur looked at the two of them.

"What was the order?"

Percy didn't answer.

Arthur:

"Not to stop."

Percy raised an eyebrow.

Arthur:

"President."

Percy looked at him for a few seconds. Then he smiled.

"Run."

The three of them moved once more. Halfway through the second lap... The pain was real now. Feet were being shredded. Shoulders were burning.

Breathing was becoming excruciating. But... Something had changed. In the first lap, everyone was thinking of themselves.

In the second lap... They had begun looking out for one another. Holar was the first to notice this.

"I see now."

Eleanor looked at him.

"What?"

Holar pointed to the running children.

"Percy's true training."

Olsen looked as well. Galahad was already smiling.

Eleanor:

"It's not endurance?"

Holar shook his head.

"No."

Daniel was waiting for Marcus. Charlotte wasn't leaving Sophia. William was guiding Theodore. Arthur was to Percy's left. Clara was holding his right hand.

Ethan was now waiting for Adrian. Holar's smile broadened.

"Unity."

Galahad nodded.

"And responsibility."

Olsen looked at Percy.

"Did he plan this for three days?"

Galahad:

"No."

Olsen turned to him. Galahad smiled.

"This is just the beginning."

The finish line of the second lap was approaching. Percy's feet were completely bloody. Clara's hand was trembling. Arthur's arm had swollen. William's breathing was heavy.

Everyone was in pain. But... Nobody fell behind. They approached the line. Percy shouted.

"TOGETHER!"

Everyone accelerated. Final hundred meters. The scorpions struck. Sixteen people shifted direction. Not a single scorpion was crushed.

Final fifty meters. Arthur stumbled. Percy caught him. Clara's foot slipped. Charlotte grabbed her other hand.

Ethan was trailing behind. Adrian turned back for him. William shouted.

"THE LINE!"

And... They all crossed together. The second lap was complete. Seventy kilometers.

Sand. Scorpions. Fire. Blood. Pain.

Yet... Sixteen people had started. Sixteen people were still there. Percy collapsed to his knees. Clara sat beside him.

Arthur fell to his other side. Percy looked at the two of them.

Arthur:

"Don't say a word."

Percy opened his mouth.

Clara:

"Don't you dare."

Percy took a deep breath. Holar shouted from a distance.

"PERCY!"

Eleanor:

"NO!"

Galahad:

"DON'T YOU DARE!"

Even Olsen had realized.

"DON'T DO IT!"

Percy looked around. And then... He smirked.

"BOOOOOOOOO—"

Clara clamped her hand over Percy's mouth.

"MMMPHHHHH!"

Arthur burst into laughter. Percy tried to break free. Clara didn't let go.

Arthur:

"Now that's real leadership."

Clara:

"Be quiet."

Percy shouted from beneath Clara's hand.

"MMMMM YEAAAAAH!"

Galahad shook his head from afar.

"This kid is beyond fixing."

Holar smiled.

"I hope he isn't."

Because... There were still ten laps left. And hell... Had only just begun.

END OF EPISODE