Alright I sincerely apologize that this has taken so long to update. I don't have a good excuse I kind of just didn't want to rush into it and wasn't really sure how I was going to approach what was going to happen next. I also apologize about this being an extremely short chapter but I figured I would start with this and hope that it'll help me be able to get into the rest of it faster. Please enjoy and review, it really helps.
Sophia's POV
As Landon walked away, I sighed contently and watched the dancing flames of the fire. I was suddenly shaken from my thoughts when I heard a twig snap in the distance behind some trees. I quickly shot up from the log I was sitting on and looked around at my surroundings and realized I couldn't even hear Landon. I furrowed my brow in confusion wondering just how far he went to go pee and then I heard a constant rustling in the trees that was only coming closer. I felt my heart race as I began to realize that something wasn't right and felt a twisted knot in my stomach as I thought that maybe something bad had happened to Landon. I had little more time to gather my thoughts as 5 figures formed through the shadows approaching me. I felt my heart stop and my breathing becoming frantic. I slowly began to back away and the last thought I had before I bolted was never hesitate. I sprinted through the trees and could hear the figures following. I worried that they had taken Landon by surprise and that he was out there somewhere dead or badly beaten. I didn't get far when I was attacked by two of the figures. I couldn't help but think I was doomed; I was left defenseless with no weapons, only my training to protect me. As I blocked a few attacks from both men, I gathered my senses, something inside me switched and I glared at both men in determination.
Standing in between both men, I was worried I had no way out, but as I quickly ducked down to avoid both attacks coming at me, both men had run into each other, knocking one another out. I wasted no time running further away into the woods, but little time was bought as two new attackers had found their way to me. One of them managed to lock me against their body as the other approached their attack on me. I managed to kick out at the attacker's chest making him stumble back as I brought my kick to the others groin, causing him to double over in pain. I continued my escape, but soon found myself coming to an abrupt stop. The last attacker was in front of me, hiding in the shadows of the night. We remained still and silent for a moment, the only sound my ragged breathing and my rapid heartbeat in the night air. My heart was pumping with fear, feeling for the first time what it must truly feel like to be helpless. I was shaken when the attacker spoke.
"Good luck getting yourself out of this one." He said roughly. My brow furrowed at the familiarity of the voice, but had little time to think on it as he rushed towards me. I quickly dodged and throughout a kick at him and the fight between us began. It was quick and a blur, but I knew we were both feeling the effects of each other's blows. I began feeling tired and hopeless, that there was no way I was getting out of this one alive. As my body began to weaken I heard my dad's words running through my head and felt like there was nothing left for me to do. "Run Sophia, just run." I heard my dad's voice inside my head and with one more kick to my attacker's side, I quickly turned and ran. Within minutes I was doomed though, something had caught my footing and I landed hard on the ground and then I felt it, he had his hand around my ankle and was attempting to drag me towards him so he could finish me off. Panic began to feel me and I began to fight against him and push myself forward grabbing for anything that would help. My hands grasped something that could only feel like a fallen branch from a tree. Perfect a make shift stake. The attacker had managed to drag my body to his at this point and as I turned around I blocked his final blow, punching him in the face, managing to knock him backwards giving me the upper hand. I managed to land on top of him and as I brought the stick down to meet his chest; I suddenly felt warm hands grasp me around my arms. My stake shook out of my hands and my eyes widened in fear.
"It's ok Soph, you can let go now, it's over." Landon whispered softly next to my ear. My figure underneath me sat up and I noticed it was no other then Hunter with a big grin on his face. I looked around and noticed the four other attacker were all different guardian from back at school and gazed up to see Landon's sparkling green eyes looking down on me. I was shaking and I could feel the mix of sweat and tears on my face. Hunter stood up bringing both him and I to our feet.
"Well done Sophia, you past your first task. I'm very impressed with your proceedings, Landon is teaching you well." Hunter said clearly impressed. I remained silent trying to get a hold of myself. Landon's hand remained resting on my shoulder.
"This…this was all some kind of test? How…how can you do this to us? All helpless with no warning… nothing to fight with… completely defenseless…Landon how could you let me go through that, you knew all along this was going to happen." I exclaimed completely distraught, my body shaking violently.
Landon's POV
"All novices must learn what it is like out there in the real world Sophia, you're not always going to be ready to take on your enemy; you have to be able to do in unprepared. I understand you are feeling upset right now, but it is over, you have passed your first test and will continue in your training. Landon did his duty he was not trying to put you in any danger. Landon take her back to your campsite and get her settled for the night alright? Hunter said looking between me and Sophia. I watched him and the other guardians walk away and turned my attention back to Sophia when he was out of sight. I was concerned about her current state, she wouldn't stop shaking, I had never seen her look so vulnerable before and I could feel my heart clenching. As I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, she quickly pushed it off and walk towards where our campground had been. I sighed and followed close behind her without another word. The fire had mostly burnt out when we returned and Sophia climbed into the tent still without saying a word. I stood there quietly trying to remember how I had felt when I had undergone a task similar to this one, I couldn't remember feeling so traumatized, but perhaps I had repressed it from my thoughts. I hated that she was mad at me for keeping this from her. I sighed and followed her into the tent. After closing it I turned and saw that she was curled up with the sleeping bag wrapped tightly around her. I quietly laid down on my back staring up at the top of the tent. I gasped in shock as Sophia quickly turned herself into me throwing her arms around me and began sobbing into my chest. I lay frozen for a minute, but slowly wrapped my arms around her tiny frame, softly kissing her head. I caressed her back softly whispering reassuring words into her ear.
"I'm sorry I couldn't warn you, but you did great and I'm proud of you Sophia." I whispered into her ear. I continued to hold her as her sobs slowly died down and I realized she had drifted to sleep. I smiled as I held her tighter drifting to sleep myself.
Alright that's it for this one folks… looks like Sophia and Landon are getting a little bit cozier here doesn't it, but it's not to say things are just going to openly blossom from here. Please tell me what you think! Until next time.