RISE OF THE SWARM

The summons from Merlin had left Liams nerves frayed like rope pulled to tight His mind was still trying to catch up with what the old wizard had told him It felt like he'd been given a glimpse of some great truth but one that only made the world feel heavier not lighter The healing salve had worked though his ribs no longer screamed every time he moved only a dull ache a ghost of the elementals punch That pain almost felt good it reminded him he was still here still standing

The walk to the Combat Arts training grounds seemed longer then it should have Every stone archway every stretch of coridor felt strange like the walls were less solid than yesterday He carried the feeling of not quite belonging like a shadow that clung to him

When he stepped into the Iron Yard the smell hit first Sweat and damp earth mixed with the sharp bite of ozone that faint sting that came whenever powerfull magic was being worked Sunlight poured down through high arched windows cutting across the wide sand floored arena The place was alive with chaos Bolts of light shimmering barriers spells flashing as students practiced The sound of grunts and shouts filled the air fists slammed into targets blades rang against shields It was a storm of raw power visible tangible power and Liam felt like an exile in his own school

He stayed close to the entrance He had no sword no staff no weapon at all The thought of walking into that storm with nothing but his nullity made his stomach turn He'd be nothing but a target

"Liam Over here"

The voice broke through his fear familiar grounding He spotted Leo waving from a stone bench pressed against the far wall The boy had already thrown up one of his little wards a thin shimmer of light shaped like a dome around the seats It buzzed faintly in the air weak but enough to push aside stray sparks Liam hurried over ducked inside and sat with relief like he'd stepped out of the rain

"You cut it close" Leo said not looking up He was hunched over his sketchbook charcoal flying as he scrawled notes around a half finished rune diagram "Korbin doesn't like tardy students She'll eat you alive if you keep this up Lucky shes not here yet"

"Thanks" Liam said still catching his breath His eyes drifted back toward the field where a girl had three silver daggers circling around her spinning like birds of prey "I… I wasn't sure what we were supposed to do here"

"What we always do" Leo muttered his hand smudging the edge of his notes "We sit We watch We stay small and quiet Look at them" He jerked his chin toward the tall boy with the shock of red hair Alistair Even from here Liam could see the heat shimmering off him the faint orange haze curling around his fists The boy tightened his hand and fire leapt out crawling across his skin before he slammed into a wooden dummy setting it ablaze The smell of scorched wood carried across the Yard "Thats Alistair Blaiken" Leo said flatly "Fire aspect Thinks hes the second coming of the Sun Scion" Then he pointed his charcoal toward the girl with the knives "Elara Metal and air Look at the control Theyre leagues above us Liam We'd just get burned to ash out there" His voice hardened resigned "Our role is support Logistics Brains not brawn" Words he'd repeated so often they became a shield against shame

Liam nodded but the words stung It was the same excuse they gave him in Mana Channeling class Just watch Just learn Never join Never try

The sense of being watched made him tense He turned too late Alistair had already noticed them The fire around his hand vanished with a careless flick He said something to his two companions broad lads with dull eyes and thick arms then strode toward the bench Students melted out of the way like reeds before a wave

The privacy ward sparked once and died as Alistair shoved through it Leo grimaced his sketchbook sliding half shut

"Well well" Alistair said his voice oily with fake friendliness "Look what the cat dragged in" He stopped in front of them the heat rolling off his skin enough to make Liams face prickle "The Null Did you come to show us a trick Maybe fizzle out our spells hm Might actualy be useful for once as a practice dummy"

Leo ducked his head "Were just observing Alistair Master Korbins orders"

"I wasnt talking to you rune rat" Alistairs eyes never left Liam He rolled fire across his fingertips making the air flicker "I was talking to the academys newest mistake Whats wrong To proud to join in Or just scared after you broke the crystal"

Liams jaw clenched He stared at the sand "I dont have a weapon"

"You dont need one" Alistair laughed flames leaping higher "Use your famous nullity" He crooked two fingers in mocking quotation marks "Come on Show us Unless you're just a fraud"

The words dug deep dragging up the memory of the elementals strike ribs bruised breathless fear He couldn't fight Alistair He knew it But anger stirred anyway

"Leave him" Leo said quietly though his hand trembled on the sketchbook "Hes not bothering anyone"

"Everything about him bothers me" Alistair leaned closer heat pressing like a furnace door opening "He's a flaw And I fix flaws" His hand lit with ember light as he reached to grab Liams tunic

The growl stopped him

Low vibrating through the sand itself The crowd shifted From the far side near the racks of wooden weapons a shape emerged A tall figure lean but solid muscle dark hair messy Wolf ears twitched at the top of his head a thick tail swayed slow behind him Two wolves padded at his side huge bodies made of shifting blue energy translucent but solid enough their paws stirred sand Their eyes glowed pale gold They moved with menace

Fenrir

"Something wrong here Alistair" His voice rolled like distant thunder rough edged but calm carrying threat One spectral wolf opened its mouth in a snarl teeth glittering like blades of pure mana

Alistair jerked upright his hand dropping The fire winked out "This doesnt concern you mutt"

Fenrir strolled forward easy steps tail giving one lazy flick Wolves followed precise Students hushed whispers rippling

"Looks like it does" Fenrir said "I see you trying to start with two boys who clearly dont want a fight Thats coward stuff Alistair" One wolf slid behind the lackeys silent as smoke The boys stiffened

Alistair flushed red "Theyre here for Combat Arts If they cant fight they shouldnt be here"

"And you're the judge of that" Fenrir asked baring teeth in a grin Golden eyes narrowed "You want a fight Fight me"

The wolf behind the lackeys growled again the sound buzzing through ribs of everyone who heard The boys flinched Fenrir's presence filled the Yard

"You want to fight Good My pack could use a warm up" Wolves prowled closer cutting off paths circling

Fear rippled across their faces Alistair tried to sneer but his voice cracked "I dont have quarrel with you"

"You do now" Fenrir replied voice quiet but weighty "You bothered the Null and the rune rat That bothers me So lets settle it First to yield" Wolves growled in harmony like earth warning of a quake

Alistairs pride burned against his fear Flames crawled brighter hotter across his arms "Fine" he spat "You and your pets want a beating Youll get one"

Heat and shimmer filled the air Students held their breath Liam frozen guilt and relief tangled He wanted Alistair to stop but he also wanted him crushed

The air cracked with tension Then Alistair lunged A line of fire blazed like a whip It slashed toward Fenrir hot enough students flinched

Fenrir barely twitched A spectral wolf leapt jaws snapping shut on the fire itself The flame burst apart sparks scattering harmless The wolf shook its head growling

Gasps rippled Liam's pulse quickened Fenrir hadn't even broke a sweat

"Is that it" Fenrir grinned sharp teeth flashing "I hoped for a challenge"

Alistair's eyes narrowed pride bleeding He roared more flames licking till his whole body a torch He hurled both hands forward a rushing wave of fire across the arena Sand blackened under the heat

Both wolves sprang intercepting the blaze glowing brighter as they drank it Then impossibly surged forward through it untouched Snarls echoing thunder

Alistair stumbled back arms flailing Bravado faltered

Before they struck a sound cut through it

"Enough"

Not shouted The word cracked like a whip Every student froze Wolves halted flickering uncertain

Master Korbin had arrived

She strode from the far end of the arena her long black coat swaying Boots clicked louder than fire A thin scar curved across her cheek Her eyes chips of obsidian

Silence cloaked her Even the ozone sting retreated

"Alistair Blaiken" she said voice sharp "Explain yourself"

Alistair swallowed The fire died "I—he insulted me Master The Null he—"

Her gaze pinned Liam Then back to Alistair "Lies" she said flat "I saw enough"

Alistair flinched whispers stirred around

"As for you" Korbin turned to Fenrir "You showed restraint But you let yourself be baited This is not a kennel You will not settle disputes with teeth in my Yard"

Fenrirs tail flicked "Understood Master" calm but faint defiance curled in his mouth

Her gaze swept every student "If you wish to test strength you will do it properly Under my eyes By the rules"

She raised a hand Runes flared glowing sand shaping into a dueling ring Wards pulsed strong enough Liam's skin prickled

"Fenrir Alistair You will fight Not a brawl A duel First to yield If either breaks my wards if either endangers another you will answer to me" Her eyes flashed warning

The circle sealed

Students shuffled closer eager The Yard thrummed walls leaning to watch

Alistair straightened flames nervous across his hands Pride with no where to hide His chin lifted but his fingers tremored

Fenrir stepped forward easy His wolves sharpened eyes glowing brighter He looked every inch the predator

Liams heart raced He couldnt look away Part of him feared for Fenrir Another part whispered he wanted Alistair broken

Korbin stood tall arms crossed face stone

"Begin" she said

The air collapsed inward Fire roared in Alistairs fists Fenrirs wolves surged forward growls like storm winds

The duel had begun