The Phantom Riser

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO - THE TEAMS (2)

“If you can’t bother to come in person, then at least create a proper clone of yourself. Get rid of this pitiful clone. I’ve seen better,” Kiro said with all seriousness. Even if anyone could see the future, there was no way they could have seen this coming. Did Kiro just challenge a Representative of the Eight? Their current test instructor. No one dared to move lest they be caught in Azak’s fury. What the hell was Kiro thinking? Did he have any idea how much trouble he was getting them all into?

“Are you challenging me, Riser,” Azak said. He took a few steps forward until the space between himself and Kiro was not wide enough for a hand to pass through. But Kiro was showing no sign of backing down. He didn’t flinch. Azak’s attempt to intimidate him was futile.

“The clone. Drop it. If you don’t have the courtesy to come yourself then don’t come at all,” Kiro said with even more conviction. There was something more than just sheer courage even though at this moment, it could be pegged as stupidity. It was almost like he was sure that Azak would not react. Why and how was he so sure?

But Theodore thought differently. There was a certain nostalgia that came from the current scenario. A sense of Déjà vu. It felt like the time Kiro went on a rampage against Kelleher. But at that time, their lives were in danger. He said something about Karenia. Like she was the trigger. But there was no trigger now. But what if it was the same thing? “Do you guys know who he is? Has Kiro mentioned him to you before?” Theodore asked, even though he expected a negative answer.

“No, never. Why?” Karenia asked.

“This feels exactly like the time when he faced off with Kelleher. I think he’s pissed at him for a reason,” Theodore said. That was the only plausible reason Kiro would throw caution to the wind. Like he had a bone to pick.

“It’s not impossible. I think you have a point. We need to get him back before he causes irreversible harm,” Lucas said. But that wasn’t even the problem. The problem was who was going to go there. The tension there was enough for you to wish that the ground just swallowed you.

“Say it one more time Riser. I didn’t hear you quite well the first time. What was it you just said,” Azak challenged Kiro one last time? He was curious to see how far Kiro was ready to defy him.

“Drop it,” Kiro said one last time.

Azak grinned. Kiro was confident alright. And it was not a bluff. There was something about him that allowed him to challenge a High Riser without flinching. He definitely would make a promising Ranger. He didn’t look like the type that would stay long as a High Riser. Whether he would progress from Ranger to Knight was another debate entirely. Most people end up stuck as a Ranger throughout their lifetime. It was a difficult rank to get out of.

He tapped Kiro’s shoulder and laughed loudly. Loud enough to make everyone uncomfortable. Everyone but Kiro however. “I like you. But I won’t be showing myself this time. Pass the test and you just might get the chance to meet me in person. The same goes for the rest of you,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear. He leaned forward to whisper something in Kiro’s ears. “I’ll let this one slide because your courage intrigues me. But if you publicly disrespect me like this again, your friends will pay for it,” he whispered. He could tell that Kiro had little regard for himself. The only thing he seemed to truly worry about was his friends. Every time that he went on a rampage, his friends’ lives and not his were threatened.

“You’ll pay the next time you threaten my friends. Even the Kraken won’t save you, traitor,” Kiro whispered and left. Whatever he meant left a strong impression on Azak. The shock on his face was clear for everyone to see. Now everyone was curious about what he said to make a High Knight shocked. Probably the same reason he dared to stand up to him in the first place.

Azak stared at him as he walked back. How did he know about the Kraken? And why did he call him a traitor? Who was the Phantom Riser? Did he want him to survive anymore? Azak’s clone dissolved into a mold of clay and merged with the ground. It started slowly and then the noise was unbearable. Everyone had something to say. Some talked to their friends and others to themselves. But the topic was all the same; Kiro.

“You have a lot of explaining to do. Why did you throw yourself into the limelight like? At least let us look cool too,” Karenia teased.

“Yo, there was no way you wouldn’t have peed yourself. That was some cool intense stuff,” Victor concurred.

Lucas, Theodore, and Olivia stared at them in shock. Weren’t they complaining about the wrong thing? Kiro almost put them all in trouble and they were worried that he was hogging the limelight for himself? Shouldn’t they be glad he did? But at that moment, Lucas saw the same thing he saw the last time as well. The unwavering trust they had in Kiro was why they could throw their worries out the window. As long as he was okay, they were okay. It didn’t matter how crazy what he did was. As long as he was the one doing it, they would follow him without thinking about it. That was how strong their bond. And that was probably responsible for their rapid growth as well.

Kiro could see the worry on Lucas’s face. He smiled warmly at him. “Don’t worry about it Lucas, you’re fine just the way you are. You all are,” he said. Could Kiro tell what he was thinking? Or was it just that obvious? Whatever the case was Kiro’s words brought all the succor he needed. And at that moment, he felt a glimpse of what Karenia and Victor felt; unwavering trust.