The Phantom Riser

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE - THE TEAMS

“What do you mean killed half of us?” Lucas asked. He had chosen to be silent for the most part of their journey for only one reason; Kiro wasn’t completely open with them yet. He didn’t bring it up so that it wouldn’t sprout doubt in his team member’s minds, but it was sure they felt the same way as well. Why Lucas felt especially concerned was because of his recurring trances; moments in time when he would say things that no one understood, not even himself. Kiro was similar in that regard. He was just as mysterious and he definitely knew more than he was letting on. It wasn’t that there wasn’t mutual trust between them. That wasn’t the problem. In fact, Lucas had no doubt that Kiro trusted them completely. He had made that part of his team. That was a good enough sign. The fact that he still hoarded information from them meant that he simply didn’t trust that they could handle it. They were either to weak or not mentally prepared for it. Either way, at their current stages, they were mostly just holding them back. So, when Theodore wanted to stand up for the team, Lucas secretly encouraged him. It was a chance to prove that they were finally part of the team. He was sure no one else noticed. Theodore played his part so well. But Kiro had advised against it. And they held his orders in contempt and went ahead with their plan right in front of him. Because they thought it would all turn out well. What could go wrong? A lot could go wrong. From what Kiro just said, that guy was extremely dangerous and Lucas just threw him into the lion’s den because they didn’t have absolute trust in Kiro. If anything made them a liability, it was that. There was no assurance than Victor and Karenia knew so much, but they do know a lot more than they do. But the important thing is their unwavering trust in him. Even when so many things don’t make sense, they still trust him wholeheartedly. Would they ever be able to pull it off?

“I don’t know too much about him, but I’m sure you’ve realized that we are far less than we are supposed to be. I’ve heard stories of someone that fits his description all too well. He triggers Risers to attack him and he kills them effortlessly. A psychopath with an appetite for blood. He killed all but his team members in his district,” Kiro said.

“All?” they chorused.

“Does that mean he’s the overall number one?” Theodore asked. He was starting to thank his stars that Kiro pulled him back.

“No, Kiro is. You can’t get higher points than defeating a Ranger even if he kills every Riser that exists. There’s that much of a difference. He’s overall number two, that’s for sure,” Victor said.

Lucas stared in awe. They had quickly digested the information and made their own deductions. There were many questions that were hanging around. Like, where did he hear it from, how, when? How was he so sure? So many. But yet, they didn’t question him for a second. They just moved on quickly and seamlessly accepted the information. That strength was exactly what they were lacking and nothing else. They were not attack-type Risers but they certainly had their uses. That was how they got into Kiro’s team in the first place. But that unwavering belief and trust was something they definitely needed to work on. They had to come to terms with the fact that there were things that Kiro wasn’t ready to share yet. And believe that whatever he was doing was for their common good.

After a few moments, Azak arrived. Without wasting much time, he called their attention. He seemed extra cheerful. Almost as if he could spring away at any moment. He was especially jumpy for reasons best known to him. “Hello, Risers. The best of the best. I have no doubt that our Zone has the best Risers of all the Zones. But that is only a handful of you. Set yourselves apart in this test and grow at a rate that would have been otherwise impossible. Relish in the test now, because changes can be made at any time. Such is the nature of the harvest.

“Does that mean he’s the overall number one?” Theodore asked. He was starting to thank his stars that Kiro pulled him back.

“No, Kiro is. You can’t get higher points than defeating a Ranger even if he kills every Riser that exists. There’s that much of a difference. He’s overall number two, that’s for sure,” Victor said.

Lucas stared in awe. They had quickly digested the information and made their own deductions. There were many questions that were hanging around. Like, where did he hear it from, how, when? How was he so sure? So many. But yet, they didn’t question him for a second. They just moved on quickly and seamlessly accepted the information. That strength was exactly what they were lacking and nothing else. They were not attack-type Risers but they certainly had their uses. That was how they got into Kiro’s team in the first place. But that unwavering belief and trust was something they definitely needed to work on. They had to come to terms with the fact that there were things that Kiro wasn’t ready to share yet. And believe that whatever he was doing was for their common good.

After a few moments, Azak arrived. Without wasting much time, he called their attention. He seemed extra cheerful. Almost as if he could spring away at any moment. He was especially jumpy for reasons best known to him. “Hello, Risers. The best of the best. I have no doubt that our Zone has the best Risers of all the Zones. But that is only a handful of you. Set yourselves apart in this test and grow at a rate that would have been otherwise impossible. Relish in the test now, because changes can be made at any time. Such is the nature of the harvest.