Michelle and Luca watched Bryn’s movements dumbfolded by his preciseness. Standing at the midheight of the platforms both thought about how to address the landing. Bryn’s first jump was daring for someone at level one, absorbing the fall with your legs was not the hard part though. As he landed, his hooves glued to the earth and rock surface; his balance was perfect as his knees bent, his body crouched, arms extended forward to maintain his center of gravity within the area between his hooves. The landing sparkled Michelle’s eyes at the same time that it frowned Luca’s eyebrows.

The following move was a large jump for Bryn, they could tell he had used his entire jumping potential. His hands almost didn’t find the top and the way his body hit the pillar indicated that it had been his limit. Both brother and sister had much more statuses than him so it would be no problem to reach the top of the second pillar. But once again the small faun surprised them.

Repositioning his body and taking a deep breath, Bryn looked down to the remaining obstacles he could use and focused on the smaller pillar there was. He moved his body up and down, rehearsing the following jump, looked down another time to measure himself, and leaped. As his body started to propel upwards, his legs hit the very edge of the pillar top and his neck tilted backward. His neck started an arch that combined with his spine, felt like the faun was flying for a second. As his eyes spotted the landing, he pulled his legs close to his chest. The movement added to the rotation speed as he was almost at the landing spot. Extending at the very last second, his hooves once again sank into the ground as his body used all it could to try and control the impulses still reverberating. At the very end, he was not able to stick the landing and had to conclude his sequence with a small and last drop to the floor.

“This little rascal…” Luca thought.

“Wow, I wanna be able to do that.” Michelle thought.

After landing safely on the ground, Bryn could hear his own heart beating against his chest. Cold sweat mixed in with regular sweat from the intensity of the first and last jumps. Adrenaline pumping his veins he looked at his hooves partially covered by earth. He had forgotten the very first rule of the parkour sport. “Check your surfaces, Bryn… I was lucky not to get hurt or wiped out in my landings. I have to pretend it was all according to plan, calm down.” he thought.

Recomposing his posture, he looked up at his competitors “OK, who is going next? Michelle?” Bryn asked.

Still replaying the movements in her mind, Luca woke her from her awakened dream. “Michelle, are you paying attention?? Do you wanna go next or would you like me to go?” he asked.

“Yes! I’m here! Yes I’ll go.” Michelle said shaking her head.

She climbed to the top of the structure and looked at the pillar Bryn had first dropped to. From where she was before, the jump looked ok; she had enough strength and dex to take the fall. Now looking up, the landing zone looked smaller than a plate of food. The height was also playing tricks in her mind. As she could see the ground behind the small landing zone and a few meters below, her sense of depth got fuzzy. The more she looked, her heart rate grew. Unlike what Bryn expected from the scene unfolding into his eyes, Michelle was not feeling increasing fear! Her lips curled upwards, her eyes constricted and focused on the spot she aimed towards, and he jumped. One leg almost extended and the other following still bent, the air blew her hair upwards. Midair she joined both legs imitating Bryn’s movement and she focused on the landing.

The difference between the two was almost none. She had taken his skill and absorbed almost everything there was to learn with one look. Bryn was certain he was looking at world-class talent. She had learned acrobatics days ago.

“Well, she might have understood the landing technique… But how is she going to reach the next pill-” Before he finished his thought, Michelle had already jumped to the next position, as easily as if taking a step.

Luca saw the face jaw-dropping and let out a laugh. “You are level one, Bryn… We may not have trained these types of movements as much as you, but there is no chance for you to overtake us in other areas…”

Michelle looked at the landing some times before committing to the last jump. The backflip was done perfectly, the time in the air, the rotation and the distance towards her target. But as soon as she touched the floor, the earth already messed by Bryn’s landing made her lose her footing. She was quick to react, pretending that she had planned for another drop as soon as she landed. Arriving at the floor, she looked at both Luca and Bryn. Bryn was still impressed by the amount of difference that status could offer when compared to a level one. She had the talent to control her body movement perfectly without training as well as the strength to compensate for the lack of experience.

Luca on the other hand, “Hahaha, Michelle, that was no landing at all! My turn to show you two how it can be done.”

Michelle was proud of herself that she had almost reached Bryn’s level. Since he was her teacher it was expected that he would be better at it than her.

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“Hmpf, I wanna see what you can do Luca!!” She said with her face a little red from the mockery and crossing her arms.

“Watch and learn.”

At this point, Bryn extended his hand so Michelle could meet him at the mid-height platforms.

Luca went up and looked at the challenge. His confidence was still high at first sight. He decided to go for it without a second thought.

“Do you think your brother will be able to complete the challenge?” Bryn asked.

“No doubt, though I wish he didn’t…” Michelle answered.

“Why do you say that? Is he that good?”

“Hmm, he has gone hunting many times. The mountains have many difficult areas to go by. It is not the same as your training, but he has done many things on these hunts.” Michelle complimented.

Bryn nodded his hand as if understanding that her brother was not only talking big.

His drop proved that as well. He had a precise landing not having any issue at all. Jumping straight towards the second pillar as if the landing didn’t affect him at all. The second jump was easier for him than the others. The last part and the one that had Michelle stumble and Bryn unable to complete was up. Luca looked back at the pillar once. His head barely back from gazing at the pillar his body jumped. Unlike Michelle or Bryn, Luca decided one backflip was too little. It was time to show the Faun what he was all about.

“He didn’t! That is too much impulse!” Bryn said as he ran towards the last pillar.

Despite the talent, Michelle still didn’t have the experience to judge the initial impulse as fast as Bryn. But as soon as he moved, she dashed to the landing zone.

Her brother realized during the double rotation that both his sister and the faun were approaching him and the landing. When the end of the second rotation he realized what was happening. His feet were already past the pillar, he tried to correct the rotation so he would land correctly on the ground, but it was too late. As his legs and body passed the top of the pillar he felt something touch his feet. Looking down with his eyes he realized that in the fraction of a second, it took him to comprehend he was off target; Bryn had moved and Michelle followed to help him. His mind worked fast as if time had stopped, but it hadn’t. He landed straight into his sister and Bryn’s arms, taking all of them to the floor with him. She was able to reach him completely; Bryn, even though he moved first, only held Luca's feet.

The three of them looked at each other repeatedly without saying a word or moving. All were shocked to their cores.

I shouldn’t have provoked him so much… But how is it my fault? This 12 year old wanna peacock me? I’m not even nine in this universe, but my pride as 30 years 30-year-old executive still exists! Being competitive is in our nature. Still, he would have a nasty fall because of that… Bryn thought looking at Luca’s feet still in his hand.

Hahaha, that serves you right brother! No one told you to show off! Was all Michelle could think.

Luca’s face told it all, a mixture of thank you and shame with his eyes still opened wide. He quickly said “Let go of me, I’m fine already. Thank you.” As he got up fast.

“Are you sure you are ok? Michelle, are you alright as well?” Bryn asked.

“I said I’m fine!” Luca said.

“Hahahahah, I wanna do that again!” Michelle answered.

Looking at both youngsters Bryn could tell that only Luca’s ego got hurt by the fall this time. Trying to remedy the situation, he proposed, “How about we call it a draw and go for lunch?”

“If that is what you want, I’m ok with that Luca said.”

“Why?? There is still another round!! How are we going to know who wins?”

Bryn mentally facepalmed himself. Michelle had zero sense of embarrassment.

“I’m already tired, and today we are going hunting in the afternoon… We better not overdo it.” Bryn said looking at Luca.

Both reached a mental agreement instantly.

“I agree with Bryn Michelle, best for us to save energy and use it in the afternoon.” Nodding to Bryn.

“Fiiine, but that means I didn’t lose!! We can play again tomorrow then.”

The trio started to walk back to the entrance of the U-shaped structure, going by many different people trying out different parts of it.

The training session was going well for the most part. People were still learning the spots, climbing areas and routes. It was too much information, especially for the younger members of the training camp.

Going by familiar faces Luca said all of a sudden. “Don’t even think about it, Michelle…”

Looking at the little girl next to him, Bryn noticed her eyes set as sniper scope at Zara who sleeping at one of the edges of the structure wiggling her tail.

“I said nothing!!”

“I know what you were thinking… We are going for lunch now. Lunch you hear?”

Michelle didn’t answer, simply turning her head to the opposite side and rolling her eyes.

Arriving at the village, Bryn started to walk towards his tent.

“Hey, Bryn… How about you eat with us?” Luca said, screeching his head.

“Sure, I would love that.” He answered.

Instead of going to the main hall, Luca guided them to the side of the main square, arriving at a place without doors.

“Hello everyone. Hey Mr. Lysander, could you prepare us lunch?” Luca asked.

Its HIM!

Bryn recognized the man at the counter, he was the master chef controlling the feast from the night before. His mind was still numbed from the wonders he tasted yesterday.

“How are you, kids? I see you brought a visitor today. Who might you be young fellow?” Lysander asked.

Bryn as usual tried and failed to appraise the man. Provoking a small frown on the man’s left eyebrow.

“I’m Bryn, I’m new in the village. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lysander.”

Before he answered, Michelle raised her hand.

“Are we having mystic boar today Mr Lysander??”

“Unfortunately the people ate everything from the feast, only the bones were left behind. If you wish we might have some of them for you young lady.” He answered as he shuffled her hair.

“Stop it!! And no, thank you. No bones for me!”

“So, I’ll go prepare your meals, you two take care of our guest,” Lysander said as he started walking to the kitchen.

“Luca, Michelle, Gabriel told me we are going hunting today… I’ve only hunted once… What should I expect?”