The Emerging Part I: Dream
CHAPTER VII

“Another in Injix, eh? I have quite a journey ahead of me,” Uxxok says not sure whether he said it aloud or just to himself.

The sun creeps towards the middle of the sky. Vaiqon announces to the group of children that has gathered just outside the protective barrier of the obstacle course he has now constructed for the third time, “Those of you that has entered into his or her twelfth year may attempt this course. Those of you that defeat this course will receive a most invaluable prize. That prize being, of course, the opportunity to become a Rniti!”

The Dzrtian children merely blink at the elderly Rniti speaking to them with ire enhancing his voice so that his speech seems to sound directly next to their ears. The children then quietly and uneventfully organize themselves into a line just on the other side of the fence that bars the entrance to the first obstacle of the Wall Climb.

Vaiqon’s warm smile fades slightly with each and every failure as the line of children slowly dwindles to just a handful remaining. He feels boredom etch from Hawk, Fox, and Pork in droves of wafting pulses. He shakes his head, sighing, but then glances at Hawk when he feels a spike in anger and adrenaline.

Vaiqon follows Hawk’s gaze to the line of children remaining and sees two boys have entered the line at the end. Vaiqon scratches his head and senses another child fail at the Wall Climb.

A boy steps through the entrance to the Wall Climb. Vaiqon notices the boy harbors a dark secret behind the scarf he wears on his face. Vaiqon shudders at the feelings of anger and betrayal that are deeply etched into the dark boy’s face.

Vaiqon then announces, “You may begin when you are ready, young man, and there is no time limit.”

Desert glares at Hawk one last time before he tears towards the Wall Climb. He easily replaces the ladder of nails and quickly ascends the entirety of the wall. Desert glares at Hawk again as he walks down the stairs leading to the Log Roll.

When Desert approaches the Log Roll, he wastes no time in pushing the log as hard as he can and rapidly jumping on top. He then easily rolls the log over the small pool of water and jumps off just as the log comes to the edge of the small pool.

He smiles even though no one can see his smile through his ever-present scarf. He glares at Hawk one last time before facing the Evko Jump.

As soon as his vision befalls the massive pit, he gapes widely, glad that no one can see his fear through his scarf. He curses to himself before breathing deeply in an attempt to calm himself.

‘C’mon, Desert,’ Desert thinks to himself, ‘that bumbling Hawk was able to get past this obstacle. Even that idiot Pork could get past this obstacle. Clearly, I can jump as far as I need to as well. I am stronger than both of them.’

Desert merely closes his eyes, focusing on his breathing. He imagines his jumping technique. He imagines himself flying through the air. He imagines landing on the other side of the pit safely, his powerful jump leaving his boots imprinted in the ground a few inches.

He smiles to himself as all he does is squat deeply, then lunge high into the air as if propelled from some unseen force. Desert sails through the air, forcing everyone watching to emit gasps of shock and awe.

Desert feels the wind blowing into his face as his jump brings him closer and closer to the other side of the pit. He is tempted to look at Hawk ad Pork in mid-flight, but realizes he must maintain a constant vigilance upon the ground that is nearing him every second.

Desert than readies himself after looking at the proximity of the pit’s opposite side. He lands with a mighty stomp of both feet, his boots implanting themselves a few inches into the sun-baked dirt.

Desert turns to face Vaiqon expecting a warm smile and proud twinkle in the old man’s eye, but instead, Desert is merely treated with a curt nod and, “Congratulations, young man, please accompany me and the other victors on the stage.”

Desert nods curtly in direct opposition to the old man, but travels up the steps to the stage nonetheless. Desert glares at Hawk and Pork, and only projects a mild dislike towards Fox, his hatred not yet defined for the small boy.

He then turns on his heel after hearing Vaiqon speaking, “...our last contender for the day. Young man, you may begin whenever you are ready and remember, there is no time limit.”

Desert watches with nervous energy as his closest friend, Brick, tears after the Wall Climb. He smiles as he watches Brick, noticeably slower than himself, struggles to climb the wall.

The nervous energy inside of him building to a climax, Desert begins twitch, hoping that Brick will be able to defeat the course, the thought of venturing to the legendary Injhihato without his friend nearly unbearable.

Brick falls again and again, soaking himself again and again in the purposely muddied water. After the sixth time Brick has fallen into the water off of the Log Roll, Brick is covered head to toe in mud, but attempts the obstacle one last time, this time merely wrapping his massive arms around the log as it rolls.

Brick receives more muddied water upon him, but at lasts succeeds in defeating the Log Roll.

Desert listens to Fox and Pork complaining about how Brick has cheated, cringing as he restrains himself from smacking both boys in the jaw.

Fortunately for Fox and Pork, Hawk settles the debate, “He did not cheat. Vaiqon said there are no rules and no time limit. He just made a different way is all. Getting a little wet doesn’t mean you’ve lost to the obstacle.”

Vaiqon overhears Hawk’s statement and smiles at the intuition of the young man at such a young age. Vaiqon watches the current contender balk completely at the Evko Jump, running away from the massive pit before even attempting to span the great chasm. Vaiqon bows his head low, sighs deeply, then turns to Desert.

“Ah, young man, you are the only one to have defeated my course today, may I have your name?” Vaiqon asks warmly.

Desert’s memory flashes with this same old man not even smiling at him when he conquered the Wall Climb and Log Roll in spectacular and rapid succession.

Desert shrugs, “Desert.”

“Of the Konvit?” Vaiqon asks.

When all Desert does is nod in baffled silence, Vaiqon continues, “Well, your parents have become quite the politicians here in Dzrt, I am surprised you are not at the university learning all that you can.”

Desert scoffs, “Why would I want to learn anything when I got my muscles?” Desert condescends while showing off his developing pre-adolescent muscles.

Vaiqon briefly reads into Desert’s aura and discovers the hurt and anger Desert holds deep within. Vaiqon nods to himself as he merely states, “Knowledge is power as well, Desert.”

Desert immediately drops his arms to his sides, the old man’s words affecting him as if the words have slapped him. Desert nods as if compelled to do so and answers Vaiqon’s question with, “My parents are home. I can take you to them.”

Vaiqon smiles, “Then, by all means,” he gestures for Desert to lead.

Passing squat buildings of the Imperial Market, the group led by Desert soon begin passing substantially more ornate pieces of architecture. Some homes resemble pyramids, some stretch into the sky as if two hands are placed palms together, and others are built into the likeness of animals.

“The next house, the one shaped like a massive bird,” Desert starts gesturing to the right, “is-” Desert pauses and stops walking suddenly.

Vaiqon follows Desert’s eyes to see a boy covered in mud, the same boy that failed the obstacle course. Vaiqon can only assume Desert’s thoughts, and commands, “Desert, do not speak to them. We cannot afford to waste time.”

Desert scoffs as he runs to his friends and gang. When Desert approaches his gang, he stiffens, mirroring his supposed friends that have straightened at his presence. Brick turns around to glare directly into Desert’s eyes, the only part of his face that is exposed from his scarf.

Desert does not retreat, but merely states, “So, you’ve replaced me already.”

Brick chuckles, “You’ve been replaced long ago. This hasn’t been your gang in weeks.”