Five months later. (Mid-term Exams)

" On your left, Serene," Zeph shouted. I swivelled to my left and shot the creature leaping towards me with my arrow, hitting it square on its chest. It heaped on the ground like a pile of clothing. I send a thumbs up to Zeph and rushed toward Ayrden to help her who was surrounded by a bunch of them.

We were in the middle of our midterms and Lavaria Sensei was making us fight these gnarly creatures which were two feet in height with grotesque facial features. Greyscales covered the back of their bodies. Their claws were sharp and they could jump at least 5-7 feet in the air. They were called " Chimloks ". We were competing as a team and our task was to kill as many of them as possible in the allocated time. The team who would have the highest kill ratio will score the most points.

Mikasim had transformed into his werewolf form and was tearing them apart with his bare hands. Arlo was using his speed and strength to overcome them, while Zeph had his sword out and was slicing them in half with ease. Ayrden had called in some Eaglins who were picking them apart with their strong claws and eating them.

Still, they kept coming at us in hordes. " Gather up everyone," I called my team and all five of us made a circle and attacked them at once instead of fighting individually. I made my protective shield around them so four of them could attack without causing any injury to themselves. We continued our assault for 15 minutes and it seemed like the army of Chimloks had thinned down. They began to appear less frequently from the barrier that has been created in the training ground, especially for them.

I was completely exhausted so I lifted my shield and sat down. There were only one or two of them left so Mikasim took care of them and everyone fell to the ground beside me like fallen leaves of a tree except Arlo, who was still standing looking at the barrier. " Oh! this was hard, " Ayrden spoke from beside me. " That was a whole damn army they threw at us. " Zeph complained laying beside me with his arms folded behind his head and his bloody sword lying on top of him.

" Don’t let your guard down. I don’t think we are done yet." Arlo warned us without turning, keeping his gaze fixated on the barrier. " What, now?" I asked annoyed. And as if to answer my question I saw a gigantic brown leg protrude out of the barrier followed by the second one, then the torse supporting a ball-shaped head the size of a large football. It looked like a Chimlok had been left in water for too long and had become bloated and expanded in length and width by at least three times. It was followed by another and then another. " Damn, seriously Lavaria Sensei?" as I picked myself. " It’s an exam not a piece of cake, get your bearings together and focus." And Zeph was back to his sarcastic self. "Look who is talking, weren’t you the one complaining two seconds ago." I shot him an angry look.

" Quit whining both of you, we need a plan to defeat these." Arlo shot us one of his death stares. He was right and as Team Captain for this mission, I had to take charge:" Arlo, handle the one on right. Your speed and strength will make it easier for you to handle it alone. Ayrden and Mikasim, the middle one is yours. Ayrden can you try to distract it with your birds so Mikasim can make a sneak attack on its neck? Zeph you are with me, I will make long-range attacks and divert its attention towards me so you can finish it with your sword. Improvise if something goes wrong or doesn’t go according to plan." We gave each other a final nod and made our way toward our targets.

I switched to regular arrows as I was almost out of energy and wanted to reserve whatever I had for Zeph’s final blow. The first arrow pierced its eye making it go berserk as it flailed its arm trying to catch me in its claw. The second one penetrated its extended claw but it attacked me with its other claw before Zeph could cut it off, and sent me flying at least 10 feet. Zeph followed me with his gaze, his mouth open in shock.

Luckily, Arlo caught me: "Are you alright? " his voice concerned. "Yes," but my shirt felt moist from my waist, the claw had penetrated my skin making it bloodied. Arlo’s whole body tensed as he put me down and took a step back from me. Damnit, way to go Serene, why didn’t I access the situation from every angle? " Go, I am fine. Help Mikasim and Zeph, send Ayrden to me." He left instantly without further delay.

I looked at the Chimlok Arlo was supposed to be fighting and it was already lying on the ground, dead. Arlo was a beast when it came to fighting and he always got the job done. Zeph had brought his one down as well, he picked up its severed head and made his way towards me. " You are hurt," as he glanced affectionately towards me. "It’s just a scratch." I tried to reassure him. " Doesn’t look like a scratch to me."

He took off his shirt tore it in half and carefully bound my wound with it. His chiselled physique glistened in the sun and I couldn’t help but stare at him. Ayrden came running towards us and was soon joined by Arlo and Mikasim. "Serene you alright?" her eyes reflected sadness and fear. "I am fine," as she began to heal my wound. Zeph sat beside me while Arlo kept standing at a distance with his concerned eyes fixated on me.

" Good job everyone, " I tried to cheer them up. Zeph touched his head with mine and smiled, Mikasim let out a victory howl while Arlo remained unfazed.

" Not bad you guys, you made me proud. My estimate was one hour but you folks finished them in half an hour." Lavaria Sensei clapped as he made his way toward us. " Hey! Sensei, " we all waved at him. " Serene, you should get this wound checked. Although its claws are not poisonous still it’s good to avoid any infection." Lavaria Sensei looked concerned.

" I healed her but the wound is deep so she will need antibiotics," Ayrden told him. "I will take her," Zeph helped me to my feet. " See you guys soon and again I am proud of you all." I smiled wholeheartedly at them. " I will save you some lunch." Ayrden waved at me as Zeph lead me to the infirmary.