#fourt

[meirmakesstuff]

This is why I keep staying with fourth grade. They're just fantastic

I just found the earliest email I ever sent from my email address, and it’s the funniest goddamn thing I can possibly imagine a fourth grader sending her teacher:

(Context - my fourth grade teacher was on maternity leave, and the class had conferenced at recess regarding the poor state of the classroom goldfish’s tank. We decided to inform our (24yo, new mother) former teacher of the dire situation, and I was selected as the duly appointed representative for this solemn communication.)

[testlix]

post

[dreamsuvivor]

Liam and Ridoc have my heart 💔

[metacrisisdoctor]

4.12 | 4.13

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

good to see you posting lots the past few days! i loved your “little sister” hc for Garrick. would you write a fic in this same universe where the little sister is hurt or upset in some way and xaden’s not available so she turns to her big brother ?

Boyfriend Xaden x reader x brother Garrick

For what it’s worth

It was so rare to have a brother and boyfriend who got along. No drama. No stupid bickering. Well occasionally. But it was normal and they were both always looking for a way to get on one another’s nerves for fun. But you knew that deep down in their ways they were inseparable friends. Garrick had more than once told Xaden that was the only man he would allow to date his sister.l “You two can do whatever you want I just don’t… not in front of me”, he would scrunch his nose up at you two kissing.

“Here you are, been looking everywhere for you”, your brother’s voice snapped you out of your daze. “Just wanted to get some fresh air”, you lied. Xaden had been away on a mission for a couple of days now. To say that you had been anxious about it would have been an understatement. “I see right through you, remember?”, Garrick sighed sitting down next to you, nudging your shoulder slightly.

“He will get back. It’s Xaden we are talking about”, Garrick said reassuringly. “You don’t know that. What if he’s in some field bleeding out”, you whined pointing towards the distant fields in front. “What’s your heart telling you?”, Garrick asks turning to you slightly. “That he’s dead”, you whimper. “That’s your head, y/n, not your heart”, Garrick cut in firmly. You swallowed, trying to take hold of your emotions. “He’s… It’s just taking time”, you sighed.

“I know that you’re worried and I’m so happy he has you now doting over him but…”, “I’m not doting. If it was you I would be just as restless”, you grunted, crossing your arms over your chest. “I’m touched by your words, sissy”, he dramatically sighed, making you flip him off, “Don’t go whining that I don’t love you enough”, “I promise you, he will be back”, Garrick reached out squeezing your hand, “Trust me on it”, he leaned in kissing the side of your head, “Come inside, if you get ill Xaden will be up my ass for at least a week”.

[annie-creates]

The greatest mistake | Part 1

Pairing: Dain Aetos x Riorson reader

Genre: fluff to angst

Words: 2246

Note: My first official multi part story! This was supposed to be only two parts, but it kept getting longer and longer, so it's gonna be four parts coming out once a week and then maybe some more if you like it and want them. Please be aware not every detail might be completely true to the canon source material.

Dain Aetos was absolutely smitten by you. It started innocently enough, when he offered to train you after hours seeing as you needed a little bit of extra help compared to your squad. But soon he noticed how brilliantly fast witted, strong minded and smart you were. You didn’t let anyone mess with you. You always had a fast snap back when others teased you. You pushed yourself harder and faster every day. You were no fragile flower, but still you were beautiful. Possibly the most ethereal woman Dain has ever seen and would ever lay eyes on in this life. And maybe any life after that.

First it was just a few training sessions, then sitting together at lunch every once in a while. After that he helped you with studying for history and battle brief, late night sessions in the library slowly moving into his dorm once the weather and temperatures started to drop. With every day he felt like he has learned something new about you, even if he didn’t want to at first. Your favorite dessert. Your favorite children’s book from back when you were little. And during the nights you spent stripped in his bed, your souls as naked as your bodies, he traced the dark lines of your rebellion relic, the abstract pictures embedding in his mind.

Sometimes he felt like screaming his love for you from the rooftops, felt such a powerful wave of happiness it barreled through him like a tsunami, leaving nothing but wreckage in its way. Realistically that was unacceptable tho, so you settled for light touches at the morning formation, jokes exchanged in the dining hall and secret kisses hidden in the shadows of the courtyard’s pillars. A boy like him could never date a girl like you in a place like the Basgiath War College. And even if he could, you didn’t want to hear any more whispered gossip and rustling assumptions about warming leadership’s bed, your reputation here was already bad enough.

“Hey, nice flight today.” Dain catches you as the rest of your squad clears out the flight field.

“Thanks, we’ve been working at that maneuver for a while.” You wink at your dragon who’s lifting his chest in pride.

“Good job. Let’s go for lunch.” Dain falls into step beside you as you walk to the courtyard.

MY good job. Your dragon reminds you in your head.

You could also let me take a bit of the credit. You poke at him jokingly.

When you’re the one flying it I’ll bow to you. He argues back with sass before returning to the vale to do his own thing, not talking to you anymore for the moment.

“I’ll catch you later, alright?” Dain promises as you near the commotion of the quadrant.

“Sure.” You nod, smiling at him.

He kisses the top of your head before departing in his own direction and you join the few friends you have in your squad, most of them other marked children. People in this place were not in the habit of forgiving and forgetting what your parents did years ago, so you mostly stuck to ‘your own kind’, as most would call it. After lunch you have a physics class and then you’re free for the day, which means you’ll probably stop by the gym to train a little and hopefully will find a bit of time to work on the battle brief assignment you’ve been putting off for the past couple days. As you’re making your way across the rotunda, Dain catches you.

“Hey.” He greets you again with the damn smile of his that made you weak in the knees.

“Well hi to you again.” You laugh. “What’s up?”

“I wanted to ask, do you want to go to the Reunification Day party with me?” Dain offers, catching you off guard as you stumble over your words to answer.

“I… don’t know… I mean, it’s a little sore subject…” Your sight slides to your friends talking in the hall.

“Come on. Please?” he smiles at you sideways.

“I’ll think about it.” You promise little lost for words.

What would your brother think of you for coming to such a celebration? On the other hand, it’s just a day, right? Could you pretend it was just a day? That it wasn’t tied to the execution of your father and possibly every adult figure you knew up until that day? But maybe you could make it just a party..? The thoughts don’t leave your head even as you come to the gym a few hours later, ready to spar and train with someone, looking over the mostly usual occupants. No Dain in sight tonight, but instead you had your pick of marked cadets and a few other first or second years who were a little behind. Your brother’s girlfriend was apparently one of them, resting leaning on the wooden pillar.

“Hey, Violet, can I ask you something?” You greet her.

“Sure, what’s up?” She smiles at you, lazily drinking form her water bottle.

“Do you think it’s okay if I go to the Reunification Day celebration? Dain invited me, and I… I don’t know if it’s right.” You admit, your eyes scanning over Xaden and Bodhi working out on the other side of the gym.

“I think if you want to go, you should.” Violet answers after a minute of thinking. “It doesn’t have to be just a day of depression and sorrow if you don’t want it to be.”

“Alright, thanks… Will you help me find a dress?” You plead with a glint in your eye, clearly you didn’t need too much convincing.

“Fine, if you teach me the maneuver you do with the knife I’ll help you.” She rolls her eyes with a smile.

“Deal!” You nod eagerly, ready to get to work.

A week later you’re standing in front of your mirror, brushing out any wrinkles in your skirt. You’re wearing a strapless sweetheart neckline corset burgundy dress with a princess A-line skirt that’s almost the same color as the dragon relic on your chest. Your rebellion relic curves around your arm freely, you had no reason to be ashamed of it today. You wanted to show it with pride. Dain waits for you outside the door, linking his arm with yours after he picks his jaw off the floor.

“Ready?” He asks.

“Hope so.” The nerves evident in your voice.

“Don’t worry, you’re the most beautiful rider in the quadrant.” He assures you as you step into the great hall.

“That’s not what I’m afraid of.” You admit in a whisper.

Immediately you’re faced with two colonels who greet Dain and you smally bow to them. They hardly spared you a glance, but their stance towards you is palpable. People are equally surprised and disgusted to actually see you turn up, which is quite ironic considering the school tried to force every cadet to participate no matter their origin. Everyone around whispering about the relic wrapped around your arm.

“What an interesting choice of company.” One of them measures you with his sight, both clearly displeased with your presence.

“You want a drink?” Dain asks noticing your sudden shyness.

He walks off with you still linked on his arm all the way to the refreshments bar. He chooses a drink for the both of you, scanning the crowd of colonels, lieutenants, generals and other important personnel of Navarre. You could hardly believe so many of them chose to get together in such a place, weren’t they afraid the marked ones could try something on them? Or were they so blinded by their unreachability they gloated in it?

“Yeah… maybe this wasn’t a good idea. Maybe I shouldn’t be here.” You admit as you’re sipping from the glass he gave you.

“Nonsense. Come on, let’s dance.” He almost drags you to the dance floor before you can react.

As you twirl in the rhythm of waltz and old Navarrian dance, you smile at each other as if there’s no one else in the room. For a moment you have your own little bubble filled only with the presence of each other and the warm feelings you share. Like the first sunrise after a heavy storm. The days he was afraid of his feelings for you seem suddenly so distant, as if they happened in another life because now, all he knows is you.

“I didn’t know you can dance like that.” He wows amazed.

“I was practically a duchess.” You remind him, finishing the dance with a twirl.

He takes your arm once again, leading you off the floor, flushed and beaming with a smile that freezes on your face the moment you realize who suddenly stopped before you and why Dain went not only to a full stop but completely rigid. He looked like even his heart and blood flow stopped as he stared into the eyes of his own father.

“Evening.” General Sorrengail greets you and you bow your head to her and colonel Aetos next to her.

“Is this who you’re taking to the Reunification celebration? Riorson’s daughter? Disgusting.” Aetos fires immediately at Dain, you clearly not even worth his sight.

“Dad…” he tries to negotiate letting go of your hand. “It’s not…”

“No. You’re not my son.” The brutality in his voice takes you back. “My child would never shame me like that.”

“Hey. That’s not necessary…” You defend Dain, slightly stepping in front of him.

“I’m not talking to you, you filthy traitor. Dishonorable just like your father.” You take a step back as if he had actually punched you.

Dain uses the space between you two to stride away, leaving you behind with the two leaders as his angry steps echo away. Clearly he was too preoccupied with what he just heard to even remember he had you with him. Now you really felt out of place, your cheeks slightly reddening. You could hold your own but it didn’t mean you appreciated being left alone in the presence of every higher up who ever wanted you dead in one room.

“Dain…” You try to call after him but he’s long gone.

“Some heroic boyfriend you got there.” General Sorrengail mocks you and you wrap your hands in fists before you turn around and practically run out of the room, echoes of laughter following you out.

You couldn’t believe the humiliation they all gave you. It’s one thing for them to treat you with no respect, but to personally attack your father? And for Dain to leave you there hanging as if he didn’t just bring you into the hungry lion’s coop? As you’re trying to breathe in some fresh air of the night in the courtyard, you’re surprised by a group of Xaden, Garrick and Bodhi in flight leathers, accompanied by Violet and Imogen coming out of the gym.

“Seriously? We have so much to worry about and this is what you do? Go to a party to celebrate our father’s death?” Xaden furiously stares at you in your dress.

Suddenly you felt a little stupid for even considering going in the first place and then actually doing it. His angry sight made you feel tiny and weak, even tho everyone was compared to Xaden. The anger and betrayal overcoming the disappointment on his face. You let him down. There weren’t many occasions in your life when he had actually let you know that.

“Xaden this is really not a good time for this…” You try to moderate but it falls on deaf ears.

“No, it’s a perfect time. What did you think you’re doing celebrating the death of our parents!?” He thunders at you.

“It was just a dance…” You try to oppose with a little voice full of uncertainty.

“I’m ashamed of you, Y/n. Our father would be disgraced by you. You’re not my family. You do not deserve our name. You’re not worth being my sister.” He levels you, angrily turning on his heel.

“Xaden!” You call after him, tears threatening to spill as Violet runs after him.

You look over your other friends, but all you see in their faces is disgust and hate. Garrick uncompromisingly shakes his head and Bodhi looks at you with the utmost disappointment, before they all leave you standing there. Your tears flow down your face as you make your way to the last person you still have to talk to and gently knock on his door. Maybe he’s not there? Maybe he’s cooling off somewhere else? But then you hear rustling of clothes and slow steps.

“Hey…” You whisper as Dain opens the door.

“What do you want.” He spits, your heart clenching.

“Seems like I’ve been now also disowned by my family so…” You don’t get the chance to say anything more.

“Like I care. Leave me the fuck alone Y/n, I want nothing to do with you. You were a mistake.” With that he slams the door in your face, almost hitting your nose.

Lost for what to do, you get to your room, sinking to the ground by your bed and crying your eyes out into the duvet. This was supposed to be just a sweet night with your boyfriend, one filled with dancing and sweetness and love, so why did it turn out so horribly? How could you lose every single person you had in the matter of just a few hours?

[albaqae]

A good amount of these might b repeated, so, sorry dude bros

[caffichai]

A DnD icon commissioned by and for @touscow of her tiefling paladin, Yora

Thanks for your patronage!

[joejoeba]

minor peeve but I hate it when people misunderstand Mista's 4 thing

[xxplastic-cubexx]

that scarlet witch cover is so pretty!!!

AAAA I KNOW they all caught my eye near instantly when i saw them in the shop … i love the art of this series too its so vibrant and gorgeous ……

[dreamsuvivor]

currently re-reading Fourth wing and this part made me pause, it’s when Vi and Rhi talk about the Venin fables during the presentation. Was it really just a funny story or was Lilith as some point becoming Venin and got cured?

[shayennelovesbooks]

"We have a runner,” Ridoc mutters. “Shit.” I cringe, my heart sinking as two others from Third Wing decide to follow his example, their arms pumping wildly as they make a break for it from First Squad of their Tail Section. This isn’t going to end well. “Looks contagious,” Quinn adds as they race by. “Fuck, they actually think they’ll make it.” Imogen sighs, her shoulders drooping.

I really like this bit. I can't tell you why but I just like it. It has the vibes of disappointed parents watching their children making an extremely stupid mistake but they didn't want to listen 🤷‍♀️

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

I don't know if you're taking requests, but I'll take a chance haha, I read His Girl and became completely obsessed with Garrick because of you haha, could you make Garrick possessive/jealous of the female reader he says he hates, pleeease?

Well... I caved in. As always it's not exactly as the request but still something along the lines. 🤍✨🫧

Silent worry

"These are the petrol stations for today, hand them out to the squads", Garrick dropped a stash of papers next to you. You frowned at him instantly, "Our squad is supposed to be on a rest this week", you grunted, flipping through his plan. "Things change, hand them over. The first squad is supposed to leave in fifteen minutes", Garrick said bluntly.

"No they are not", you say firmly, and Garrick instantly raises an eyebrow at you. "I'm second in charge. You run this shit through me. They are not ready and will not fly. End of the conversation, Tavis", you pushed off the wall trying to size him up but in all honesty, who were you kidding? The guy was at least twice your size. His power was lethal. He didn't listen to people ordering him around. Unless it was Xaden or someone from the upper management.

"I gave you an order. You're not gonna follow through?", Garrick leaned over you. You hated that the height difference allowed him to look down on you lime that. You bit the inside of your cheek. You knew that you had to follow his orders but this was unheard of. The same squad that was supposed to fly now had only come back hours ago. Most of the cadets were still asleep.

"I'm telling you that I don't agree with your decision", you said through gritted teeth, "As a section leader you should know better". That was enough to ear a growl from Garrick. "You're getting too comfortable in your own position", he snarled, "Forgot what tasting dirt beneath other's boots felt like so quickly?". You know that Garrick can see the hurt that flashed through your eyes. You flex the muscles in your jaw. No, you were not gonna break beneath this man's gaze.

"Knock it down you two", Xaden's warning voice boomed as he and Bodhi walked towards you both. You drop your gaze yet you could almost swear that Garrick was about to say something but he had chosen against it at the very last minute. "Why are you too bickering once again, huh?", Bodhi draped his arm around your shoulder, pulling you closer to him playfully but the tight smile on your face didn't ease. More anger, however, flared in Garrick's eyes. Gods, you were done with this. Pushing Bodhi's hand off you. You shoved the papers into Garrick's chest, "I'll form a squad myself and we will leave when I say that we leave", you hissed, sparing him one last look as you pushed past them.

"Was this necessary?", Bodhi asked as he moved to lean against the wall. "No one asked for your opinion, Bo", Garrick huffed as he looked down the balcony at you rushing down the stairs. "You're too harsh on her", Xaden mused. "We don't cuddle cadets, Riorson", Garrick bit back coldly. "Right, but she's a friend. A part of our close group, not some newbie", Bodhi noted firmly, clearly getting fed up with watching you two bickering back and forth no doubt. "She deserves better from you, man", Xaden tapped his shoulder as he turned to step away. As if Garrick didn't know that himself. But he wasn't grown on love. All he had was Xaden and then along the way, they found people they could trust. But emotions... Let's just say managing them had never been his strongest asset. "Fuck it", Garrick grumbled as he pushed away from the railing, turning to the stairs. Bodhi chuckled in the background, "Don't forget to tell her that you love her", he shouted from behind, only earning a vulgar gesture in return.

He had just rounded the corner when Chradh's voice echoed through his mind. Save yourself the running, she already left. Garrick let out a frustrated growl, How many did she take with her? There was a beat of silence. Three, others declined. Declined? How dare anyone decline your orders? The squads were as much under your command as they were under his. Before you blow up and embarrass yourself, she gave them a choice. No, he was going to have a long conversation with you when you came back and Garrick was more than ready to remind you just how you don't ask but give orders.

What he didn't know was that he was going to get long hours of waiting. Filled with nothing but self-sabotage. You should have been back a couple of hours ago. No matter how much he tried Garrick couldn't focus on anything. He was clueless in the class that he paid zero attention to. He didn't hear most of his friend's conversations. Training had taken some of the toll but only for that time. Only while he was punishing. One swift hook under another. The bag cracked through the seams. "Right, tiger, step aside", Bodhi called out but his joke didn't land and Garrick had him pinned against the wall in the blink of an eye. Xaden quickly cut in, pulling at his lifelong friend, "Outside now", there was no question in his voice, this was a demand.

Garrick rubbed his hands over his face. The cool breeze helped but it also reminded him that the sun was setting down. Meaning now it was way WAY past the time you were meant to be back. "She will come back", Xaden said calmly, "So whatever that's brewing inside you now", he gestured to his friend, "let go of it because she will be too tired to deal with your bullshit". Garrick knew that himself without anyone having to tell him.

"You know", Xaden moved to stand next to him, "You're miserable company when Y/N is not around". They both snickered quietly but Garricks's face glazed over first. "And whatever that you're thinking now is not true", Xaden cut In quickly, "Not that you deserve any praise but she likes you just the way you are", "Fuck you", Garrick muttered, turning away from his friend, "Violet made you soft as fuck". Xaden only smirked, "I would do anything for her. We both have sharp edges and scowls but they see right through it".

He sat in the courtyard after that. Glaring at the darkening horizon as if that somehow prevented the night from settling in. You humans are unbearable creatures Chradh mused. Ask her dragon where they are. A chuckle sounded, I enjoyed watching you sweat way too much to do that. Garrick was about to fight back as the sound of the wings filled the sky. It had to be you. It had to. All other squads were back. He had chucked dozens of times. The moment your blue dragon came in view Garrick nearly sank to the floor. You were seated. Your posture seemed strong. You had to be fine.

The moment everyone dismounted Garrick stepped forward. Crossing the distance between you two. Your dragon merely rolled his eyes. "You three are dismissed", he said bluntly to the cadets motioning for them to get on their way. They slowly looked among themselves before their eyes fell on you. "I said...", Gaarick started again but you quickly cut in, "Go you guys, I'll see you in the morning. You did great", you said softly, offering them a tired smile, that they quickly returned. Shooting Garrick a dirty look as they walked past, already engaged in a conversation of their own.

Your shoulders slump slightly, "Let's hear it", you sighed, clearly preparing yourself for Gaarick's harsh words. That flickered guilt within his chest. Had he genuinely been such an ass to you lately, that him getting angry was all you expect? Garrick stepped forward, his arms instantly reaching for your body as he wrapped you up in his embrace. Your body stayed stiff for a moment. The shock of the situation kept you paralyzed before you muttered, "Garrick?".

"Just tell me if you're hurt. Did you get attacked? Does anything hurt?", he pulled away abruptly, looking you over. Your eyes fall on his wind-swept hair, "Have you been sitting here all night?", you asked him softly. He lost a breath himself, halting before he nodded his head. Your face softened as you reached up to cup his cheek, "You didn't have to, everything is okay", "You were meant to be back hours ago and we separated like that and...", a string of frustrated words slipped past his lips. You watched him for a moment before you stepped forward, pressing your head against his chest as you squeezed him to you. Garrick lost a labored breath, his own body relaxing before he pressed a couple of loving kisses along your hairline. Tenderly stroking your back. You looked up at him, "Worrying looks good on you", you teased him softly earning an eye roll, "You sound like fucking Bodhi and Xaden", he huffed but his tight smile curved upwards as you softly giggled. "Come on let's get you fed and washed up", Garrick pulled you alongside him, his grip not loosening on you as you two walked towards the main entrance.

[annie-creates]

In the meantime I have the angriest Dain x reader angst in the works that might be my longest fic yet. Can't wait for it to actually be done so y'all can cry with me over the fake scenerio from my head🥵

[alinasaart]

This is Andarna from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros ⚡🤭🤭💛. Go to insta to see the version with Violet!!

[malrieldremm]

INTERLINKED

Prologue

oc! Xaden Riorson's sister! insert.

Summary: Xaden's little sister finds herself having to survive in the war college of Basgiath, between new truths and the rediscovery of what she really is.

TW: none

A/N: All rights to the characters and plot of the book go to Rebecca Yarros, however you have no right to republish or rework this story.

Also out on wattpad!

Masterlist - Next chapter

«At least you kept your promise. You stayed alive long enough to stab me in the back.»

—found correspondence of cadet Eris Riorson

That warming sense of welcome in running through the corridors of the building when you are little, that sweet sense of belonging of that hug or laughter. That loving look - that you never directed at me. The look of disgust, of hatred, that I caught in your eyes every time they fell on me. And then, the bitter taste of betrayal.

I find myself having to face the test of the parapet, on a sunny day in July - a pretty bad month, given that 7 is my unlucky number. But perhaps the worst thing about the whole conscription day is the slow walk of shame I have to do while I stand in line to sign, while I see everyone and their families talking, or looking at me contemptuously. The knowledge that I have been forced to enter the rider quadrant makes me so nervous that I want to throw down the parapet itself, but the realization that I would probably - even if the apostasy had never happened - entered it, shows me how perhaps in reality the relic of the rebellion that I wear on my arm is more of a blessing than a condemnation, or at least that's what he always says. 

If you think that a look might be annoying, it's because you haven't yet signed the register to enter the rider quadrant with "Eris Riorson".

Yes, because what's worse than having a dragon rider looking at you and saying: "are you a Riorson? THAT Riorson? Your mother must not have been very faithful, I would say anything, BUT that you are Xaden's sister" comments a bastard sitting behind the register table in a completely inappropriate way. "You look fragile, like you might break if I look at you for too long."How disgusting. The look he gave me made my stomach turn. But I remained impassive, signing, and heading towards the turret to go up the stairs. In front of me were two girls and a boy. Among them, I recognized without a shadow of a doubt the partly silver hair of the girl on the left, near the wall. She is a Sorrengail. If that girl on the right of the stairs wasn't involved, I might throw her down. Or maybe I could throw them both down.

The girl on the right turned to look at me, studying my clothing. "I'm Rhiannon, and you are?" she told me calmly. Perhaps the shirt and the bandages hid the relic too well, so well that now some people, who seemed decent, were speaking to me, and were not  running away as if I were a plague to be eliminated.

"Eris," I simply said, with a calm expression, as if climbing these stairs was something I do every day. "Violet," young Sorrengail responded. Do I really have the right to hate her? She is not responsible for her mother's actions."Dylan!" Yelled  the guy in front of us. He looked cocky, as if he was sure he could do it. May the gods help him.

"You seem calm," Rhiannon told me, looking at me inquisitively. Did the sleeve roll up, revealing the relic?I looked down, seeing that the sleeve was still in place. Strange. "Why shouldn't I be?" I replied with a simplicity that would send shivers down anyone's spine. "Percentages speak."

"Yes, and they say that around 25% of volunteers die at the parapet, even before becoming cadets" replied the little Sorrengail. She is short, seems fragile, and above all, scared.

"75% is a lot. It's almost like flipping a coin. We're just flipping a lot of coins. Like a game" I replied, looking at the girl on the left, while all three of them turned to look at me with stupid looks, and I could see a note of disgust in Rhiannon's gaze, perhaps because I compared someone's life to a dime. "And if you know you can't win a game, you can only cheat, right?" I replied simply, they stopped, and I advanced along the staircase. Maybe I had scared them?

There were some boys in the turret, who wrote down names and sent you forward. From the position I was in - behind a couple of people - I already could see and recognize the shoulders and hair of the person writing down the names. One person after another climbed onto the parapet, while some fell.

"Name?"

"Eris Riorson." I said with a smirk as I saw my brother turn and go from an indifferent look to a small smile. "It's about time, I thought you ran away" he replied jokingly.

"Are you crazy? I've been waiting for this day since I was 10 years old" I replied. Taking a couple of steps towards the railing."Keep your arms open for balance, don't look too low, if the backpack slips - drop it. It better than you."He said seriously, looking at me. I turned to him, nodded, and began my bet with Malek.

I had put on a mask as I climbed towards the tower, pretending to be calm when in reality I wasn't, but now that I found myself on the parapet, suspended in the void and one step away from death, I felt an absurd and inexplicable sense of tranquility. I felt an adrenaline rush, one of those you only feel if you find yourself walking alongside Malek, one of those that makes you feel alive. The wind was strong, but my feet were planted firmly on the rock beneath me, holding on to my skin.The feeling of being one step away from death sent a shiver down my spine, it was a sick comfort, knowing that one step would be enough left an anguishing sense of tranquility. If I wanted, that moment would have been enough to put an end to all my doubts, all my fears, every single uncertainty. It was only a second.

It was just a thought.

But as the motion of my steps stalled for a moment, I looked below me.

It was just a moment.

It was just a thought.

It only lasted a second, I immediately picked up the pace to cross the parapet.

But that second was there, and for that split second the idea of ​​crossing the parapet seemed less inviting than finding myself in Malek's arms. When I looked up I turned and looked at Xaden from afar, and he was staring at me. I knew he had seen it.

He always saw it.

Even when nobody did.

When I reached the other end of the parapet, I hoped I had jumped. I was now officially a cadet.

Well, i'm fucked.