CHAPTER 54 — END OF SEMESTER: UNEXPECTED EVENTS

THE FALLEN LIGHT — SEASON I

CHAPTER 54 — END OF SEMESTER: UNEXPECTED EVENTS

SEASON FINALE

Time... 03:30. The camp was quiet. It was the final day... Of the thirty days of hell.

Percy Grant... Opened his eyes. He checked his body. His leg... Was almost completely healed.

The wound on his arm... Had closed. The pain remaining in his ribs... Was now only mild. Percy sat up.

Then... He looked across from him.

Clara.

She was sleeping. Percy, for a few seconds... Just stared. As much as a seven-year-old boy... Could like someone...

That was how much he liked her. Maybe a little more. She was so pretty. Her hair... Was messy once again.

Percy's eyes... Got caught on a strand of hair. An urge to pull it came over him. Percy reached out his hand. He stopped.

"No."

He pulled his hand back. Three seconds passed. He reached out again.

"Just a tiny bit."

As his fingers approached her hair... Percy stopped. He looked at his own hand.

"Why am I like this?"

Then another thought... Entered his mind. Today... Was the last day of camp.

Percy's lips... Slowly curved upward.

"Since it's the last day..."

"Let's revive..."

"...the old tradition."

He looked at Clara.

"Clara."

No sound.

"Clara."

Clara slightly... Moved. Percy looked at her. He couldn't bring himself to wake her.

For a moment... He was going to give up. Then Clara's... Eyes opened.

Sleepily... She looked at Percy.

"What happened?"

Percy:

"Get ready."

Clara:

"What time is it?"

"03:30."

Clara's eyes closed.

"Percy..."

"Hm?"

"I hate you."

Percy:

"No."

Clara opened her eyes.

"How do you know?"

Percy:

"Yesterday for two and a half hours..."

"you didn't let go of me."

Clara's face... Even in her sleepy state... Flushed red.

"Shut up."

Percy laughed. A short while later... The two of them went outside. The air was cool.

In the sky... Was the moon.

The camp... For the first time really... Looked peaceful.

Percy looked at the moon.

"Today is the last day."

Clara:

"Yes."

Percy turned to her.

In Clara's eyes... Leftover from sleep... He saw tiny sleep crusts.

He placed both hands... On Clara's face.

Clara:

"What are you doing?"

Percy, with his thumbs... Cleaned the corners of her eyes.

"Now it's fixed."

Before Clara could respond... Percy leaned in. Right in the middle of her forehead... He kissed her. Clara froze.

Percy pressed his forehead... Against hers.

"Even when you're beside me..."

"I miss you."

Clara's eyes... Softened.

"I miss you more."

Percy:

"I miss you more."

Clara:

"No."

"I miss you more."

Percy laughed.

"If I say I miss you more..."

"it'll become our new saying."

Clara:

"Let it be."

"I miss you more."

Percy:

"No."

"I miss you more."

Clara:

"Me."

Percy:

"Me."

Both of them... Began to giggle. Percy extended his hand. Clara took it.

Percy:

"You might want..."

"to cover your ears."

Clara:

"Why?"

Percy looked at her.

"The woman who makes my heart beat fast."

Clara's brain... Woke up.

Completely.

Her face turned bright red.

"You..."

Percy smirked. Clara was just about to answer when... She saw Percy take a breath. And... Understood what he was about to do.

"Percy."

Percy pulled in his breath. Pulled back his stomach. Advanced 2. Core power... Maximum.

Orin... Channeled to his voice. Clara's eyes widened.

"Percy, don't."

Percy was smirking.

"Percy."

"Percy."

"PERCY!"

And... Percy let it loose.

"WAKE UP, YOU LAZY BUMS!"

The voice... Struck the entire camp.

"ARE YOU GOING TO SLACK OFF..."

"EVEN ON THE LAST DAY?!"

"BARRACKSSSSSSS!"

"WAKE UP!"

"WAKE UP, MANNNNNNN!"

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The entire camp... Shook. Nathaniel... Shot out of his bed.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"

His blanket wrapped around his head. He fell to the floor.

"IS AN EMPEROR MONSTER..."

"ATTACKING?!"

Arthur... Woke up casting a shield.

"I THINK SO!"

William got out of bed.

"IT REALLY MIGHT BE!"

Marcus ran to the door.

"MOTHERFUCKER—"

He opened the door.

"WHAT'S HAPPENING?!"

Charlotte under the bed... Without knowing how... Found herself.

"HOW DID I GET HERE?!"

In another room... Galahad's eyes snapped open. And...

THUD!

He fell to the floor.

Silence.

Galahad, from the floor... Looked up at the ceiling.

"Percy."

He stood up.

"...You're dead meat."

As for Elizabeth... Out of reflex, her aura... She had released it.

Flames... Spread around the room.

"PERCYYYYYYYY!"

However... Two people... Were prepared.

Holar Jun.

Eleanor.

Around the two of them... Was a silence spell. The sound... Didn't enter.

But Percy's Advanced 2... Orin wave... Had shifted the wind.

Eleanor's eyes opened. So did Holar Jun's.

Both at the same time:

"Percy."

A few minutes later... In the middle of the camp... Everyone gathered.

Or rather... Almost everyone. Percy wasn't there.

Nathaniel:

"Where is he?"

Arthur:

"He was just here."

William looked toward the lake.

"...Over there."

Everyone turned.

Galahad and Elizabeth... Were dunking Percy... In the lake.

Percy's head popped out.

"BROTHER—"

Galahad pushed him down again.

GLUB.

Clara:

"Don't kill him."

Elizabeth:

"We're not killing him."

Percy popped up again.

"INSTRUCTOR—"

GLUB.

Nathaniel:

"I'm staying out of it."

Arthur:

"Me too."

Charlotte:

"He deserved it."

Clara thought about it.

"...A little bit."

Percy's head... Popped out for the third time.

"CLARA?!"

Clara:

"I miss you more."

Percy:

"IS NOW THE TIME FOR THAT?!"

Galahad:

"Down."

GLUB.

Two minutes later... Percy finally... Was released.

From his hair... Water dripped.

Galahad:

"Do it again."

Percy:

"I will."

Galahad:

"Percy."

Percy:

"I won't."

Nathaniel:

"Liar."

Percy:

"Shut it."

But then... Percy's face changed. The comedy vanished. He looked at everyone. Thirty days.

A full thirty days.

"Guys."

Everyone went silent.

"This..."

"...is absolutely..."

"the last day I give orders."

Arthur's face changed. William paid sharp attention.

Percy:

"First off..."

"No training today."

Nathaniel:

"WHAT?!"

Percy:

"Nathaniel."

"I'm shutting up."

"Today..."

"You will think about what you experienced..."

"up until today."

"You will reflect."

"And in the future..."

"...thinking about how far..."

"you can go..."

"...you will write it down on paper."

William:

"Are you going to read it?"

"No."

"No one will read it."

"That paper..."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"...is yours alone."

"One day..."

"When you want to see..."

"how far you've come..."

"...you will open it and read it yourselves."

Percy was quiet for a moment.

"There are things I need to say."

"From the first day..."

"...to the thirtieth day..."

"You have received the reward..."

"for all the pain you suffered."

"Now..."

"...you are no longer the same..."

"as the other first-years."

On some of their faces... Pride appeared.

Percy instantly:

"But."

They all looked at him.

"Don't think you are equal..."

"to the fourth-years either."

Galahad smirked. Percy pointed at him.

"My brother..."

"...he himself might be a monster."

Galahad:

"Thank you?"

"But just below him..."

"...there are a lot of people."

"People you cannot defeat..."

"There are second-years."

"There are third-years."

"There are fourth-years."

Percy pointed at himself.

"That goes for me too."

"The fact that I'm Advanced 2..."

"...doesn't mean the world..."

"is surrendered to me."

Arthur smiled.

"Not yet."

Percy looked at him. Then he smirked.

"Not yet."

Holar Jun... Looked at his grandson. He said nothing. Percy continued.

"Also today..."

"...is the end of something else."

He looked at everyone one by one.

"To the battlefield..."

"...everyone is sent..."

"in groups of eight."

The mood shifted. Because... They knew this. But now... It was real for them.

Percy:

"As a class..."

"We will never..."

"leave one another."

"But in the future..."

"...in order to fight..."

"we need to split into two groups."

"For now..."

"...we will be two groups."

"But we are always together."

"Until we reach Advanced 1..."

"...and gain our elements."

Percy clenched his fist.

"After that..."

"...for a lifetime..."

"...on the battlefield..."

"we will always be together."

"We will never..."

"...separate from one another."

Clara looked at Percy. Arthur's face was serious. William... Silently nodded his head. Percy took a deep breath.

"Now..."

"On my own initiative..."

"...in front of all of you..."

"I want to form..."

"my own combat squad."

Then... He first turned to his family.

"Our honorable savior."

Holar's gaze shifted.

"The strongest in the world."

"Saved the world..."

"...from destruction."

"But..."

"...even he couldn't..."

"clean up everything."

Holar silently... Listened to Percy.

"How strong the Emperors are..."

"...none of us know."

"I..."

Percy looked at Holar. Then at Eleanor.

"One day..."

"...beside my grandfather..."

"...and beside my aunt..."

"...I want to fight with pride."

Eleanor's eyes... Softened.

"And this world..."

"...from monsters..."

"I want to clean it completely."

Percy looked at the sky.

"Ahead of us..."

"...if there is no light..."

"to illuminate the path..."

He turned his gaze... To his friends.

"...that light..."

"...will be us."

Silence.

"That's why..."

"My squad's name..."

Percy smiled.

"The First Spark of Hope."

No one spoke. For a moment... There was only the wind. Galahad was the first to smile. Percy turned to him.

"First of all..."

"My honorable..."

"...fourth-year brother..."

"Galahad."

Galahad bowed his head.

"My personal instructor..."

"Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smiled.

"The world's strongest..."

"...but sweetest..."

"second warrior."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow.

"Destroyer of the battlefield."

"Eleanor."

Eleanor:

"Sweetest?"

Percy:

"Yes, Auntie."

Eleanor:

"Go on."

Nathaniel:

"Found the weak spot."

Percy finally... Turned to Holar.

"And..."

"The strongest."

"The best."

"Humanity's savior."

"The First Awakened."

"My beloved grandfather."

"Holar Jun."

Percy's smirk... Grew wider.

"The Monster."

Holar's face fell.

"That last part..."

"...you could have left out."

Percy burst out laughing.

Nathaniel:

"HE'S EMBARRASSED!"

Holar looked at him.

Nathaniel:

"With respect."

Percy once again... Turned to his friends.

"And..."

"My dear classmates."

"Do you grant me permission..."

"...to form my squad?"

Everyone was surprised.

Arthur:

"Permission?"

"Yes."

Percy:

"Those I choose not to take..."

"...must not get the wrong idea."

"My decision..."

"...is not about who is more..."

"valuable."

"It is entirely..."

"...to preserve..."

"in-squad strategy."

"That's why..."

"...I am asking for everyone's permission."

Galahad's eyes... Widened for a moment. Then... He understood.

Percy was no longer... Just choosing people.

He was allowing them... To choose him... As well.

Galahad stepped forward.

"Permission granted."

Elizabeth:

"Me too."

Eleanor:

"Permission granted, Percy."

Holar Jun:

"The decision is yours."

"Permission granted."

Then... The students. Nathaniel stepped forward. Percy looked at him.

Nathaniel:

"You weren't a great class president."

Percy raised an eyebrow. Nathaniel continued.

"You were the class president..."

"...that we chose."

Percy's expression changed. Nathaniel smiled.

"And..."

"...I'm proud of you."

"Permission granted."

Percy, for a few seconds... Couldn't answer.

"Thank you."

Charlotte came over.

"My best friend."

"And..."

"...the president we chose."

"Permission granted."

William stepped forward.

"I..."

"...won't stop questioning..."

"your decisions."

Percy:

"Good."

William:

"But..."

"...I saw the logic..."

"behind your decisions."

"Permission granted."

Marcus:

"You tried to show us..."

"what we couldn't see."

"Sometimes..."

"...I hated you."

Percy:

"Sometimes?"

Marcus laughed.

"Most of the time."

Laughter spread.

"But..."

"...permission granted, President."

The others as well... Spoke one by one. Then... Arthur arrived. He stood in front of Percy.

For a while... They looked at each other.

Arthur:

"Before..."

"...my enemy."

The smile on Percy's face... Vanished.

"Now..."

"...my rival."

Arthur extended his hand.

"Hopefully..."

"...soon my friend."

"And..."

"...my chosen president."

"Permission granted."

Percy... Took his hand.

Tightly.

"Not soon."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

Percy:

"Very soon."

Arthur smiled.

"We'll see."

Last of all... Clara remained. Percy looked at her. Clara walked up. Stood in front of him.

Then... Spoke without an ounce of shame.

"The future owner..."

"...of my heart."

Silence.

Percy's face... Turned bright red.

Clara:

"You don't need to ask permission."

Nathaniel:

"WOOOOOOOO—"

William:

"Shut up."

Percy, for a few seconds... Looked at Clara. Then... He pulled her toward himself. Clara's eyes widened.

Percy... On the left corner... Of her lips... At the very, very edge... Planted a tiny kiss.

Clara froze.

Percy too... Understood what he had done... A second later.

Both of their faces... Flushed red at the exact same time. Clara whispered.

"First time."

Percy looked at her.

"It won't be the last."

Clara raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

Percy:

"Yes."

"How many will there be?"

Percy thought.

"For now..."

"...one."

Clara:

"And after?"

Percy smiled.

"The future's..."

"...and yours and my..."

"possibilities are limitless."

A three-second... Deadly silence.

Nathaniel:

"GET A ROOM, MAN!"

Arthur:

"SERIOUSLY!"

Charlotte:

"SOME OF US HAVE SOMEONE..."

Marcus:

"SOME OF US DON'T!"

William:

"I don't want to be..."

"part of this conversation."

Galahad was roaring with laughter.

Elizabeth:

"You're seven years old!"

Percy:

"WE KNOW!"

Clara:

"THEY STARTED IT!"

Nathaniel:

"YOU STARTED IT!"

Eleanor covered her face... With her hands. Holar Jun... Was looking at the sky.

"Killing monsters..."

"was easier."

Percy:

"GRANDPA!"

Laughter... Filled the camp. Finally, Percy... Clapped his hands.

"Alright."

"I'm choosing."

The air once again... Grew serious. Percy looked at Clara.

"Clara."

"The one who will attack..."

"from the front with me."

Clara nodded.

"Arthur."

Arthur looked at him.

"My shield."

Percy smiled.

"And..."

"...hopefully soon my friend."

Arthur:

"Maybe."

"William."

"Commander of the battle."

William's eyes... Widened slightly.

Percy:

"Even I..."

"...in the middle of battle..."

"cannot see everything."

"You..."

"...will see the entire battlefield."

William:

"Understood."

"Charlotte."

Charlotte looked at him.

"The squad's Healer."

Charlotte:

"Me?"

Percy:

"Yes."

"You'll be the Healer."

Charlotte, for a few seconds... Thought. Then she smiled.

"I will."

"Marcus."

Marcus:

"Here."

"Our scout."

"What we don't see..."

"...you will see."

Marcus struck his fist... Against his chest.

"Alright."

Percy looked at all of them.

"Six in total."

Percy.

Clara.

Arthur.

William.

Charlotte.

Marcus.

"The First Spark of Hope."

Nathaniel:

"Wait a minute."

Percy looked at him.

Nathaniel:

"Us?"

Percy smiled.

"The rest of you..."

"...will be a separate squad."

Nathaniel's face fell. But Percy continued.

"However..."

"...here's how it works."

"We..."

"...are the main combat squad."

"You..."

"...are the auxiliary combat squad."

"You will be..."

"...our auxiliary combat squad."

Nathaniel:

"So..."

"...we're still with you?"

Percy:

"Always."

Nathaniel's face... Brightened up again. Percy looked at them. Then... He said something unexpected.

"I chose you."

"But..."

"...you didn't accept me."

Everyone went silent. Percy smiled.

"That's why..."

"...so that you will..."

"...for a lifetime..."

"...I will ensure we stay together..."

"...and try to prove myself."

Nathaniel:

"Idiot."

Percy:

"What?"

Nathaniel:

"For thirty days..."

"...what do you think we've been doing?"

Percy stopped. Charlotte laughed. Arthur nodded his head.

William:

"Really, sometimes..."

"You're very smart."

Marcus:

"And sometimes..."

"...you're incredibly stupid."

Percy:

"Thanks?"

Clara took his hand.

"We..."

"...already chose you."

The smile on Percy's face... Slowly... Changed.

This time... There was no joke. Only... Happiness.

But... One person stepped forward. Holar Jun. The laughter stopped. Percy turned to him.

Holar:

"Percy."

"Yes, Grandpa?"

"Since..."

"...you made your decisions so firmly."

"Then..."

"...before going to the battlefield..."

"you must know that you need..."

"permission from me."

Percy instantly... Adjusted his posture.

"Of course, Grandpa."

On Holar's face... A small smile formed.

"But..."

"...as your grandfather..."

"...I want you to earn..."

"that permission."

Everyone went silent.

Holar... Walked toward the area... Where they had fought yesterday.

Percy followed him.

Clara:

"Uncle?"

Holar stopped.

"Don't worry."

Then... He turned to Percy.

"You will fight me."

Silence.

Nathaniel:

"...What?"

Holar:

"I will use..."

"...my full power."

Percy's eyes widened. The smile on Galahad's face... Vanished.

Eleanor:

"Father."

Holar raised his hand.

"I won't kill him."

"However..."

"...I won't hold back for him either."

Percy's heart... Accelerated.

Holar:

"You too..."

"...will use your full power."

"The rule is simple."

"Thirty seconds."

"If you can endure..."

"for thirty seconds..."

"...you win."

Percy swallowed hard. Holar continued.

"Interplanetary..."

"...Level 2."

"Full power."

The air itself... Grew heavy.

"Don't you dare forget."

Holar's eyes... Locked onto his grandson's.

"Show me..."

"...that you can be the leader..."

"of the First Spark of Hope."

Percy's fear... In an instant... Turned into a smile.

"With pleasure."

Galahad:

"Percy."

Percy looked at him.

Galahad:

"This..."

"...isn't me."

Percy understood. Holar Jun. The Monster. The absolute strongest in the world. Percy took a deep breath.

"[Nature of Fire]."

FWOOOOOOOSH!

The field expanded.

Fire... Around Percy... Began to dance.

Advanced 2. Full power. [Absolute Cancel]... Ready.

Dancing Orbs... Ready. Everything Percy possessed... Was ready.

As for Holar Jun... He just stood there.

Then...

"Begin."

William shouted.

"THIRTY!"

Holar's aura... Was released. The world... Fell silent.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Percy's knees... Instantly buckled.

"AAAAARGH!"

Clara's eyes widened. This... Wasn't even an attack. It was simply... Holar's presence.

The earth... For kilometers... Trembled.

The sky... Changed color. The clouds... Pushed outward from the center.

William:

"TWENTY-NINE!"

Percy stood up.

"ABSOLUTE CANCEL!"

The portion of pressure... Directing at him... Broke for a moment.

Percy dodged to the side. Holar... Took a step. Just... One step.

Percy's eyes widened.

BAM!

Percy... Was blown back a hundred meters.

Arthur:

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"

Galahad:

"Grandpa..."

"...hasn't even attacked yet."

Silence.

Nathaniel:

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN..."

"HE HASN'T ATTACKED YET?!"

William:

"TWENTY-FIVE!"

Percy mid-air... Flipped. Fire... Exploded beneath his feet. He shifted his direction.

He landed on the ground. Holar... Was right in front of him.

Percy:

"Dancing Orbs!"

Dozens of fire orbs... From different angles... Flew toward Holar.

Holar raised his hand. All of them... Extinguished.

Percy:

"...Holy shit."

Holar's fist came.

Percy:

"ABSOLUTE CANCEL!"

KRAAAAAAAAAK!

[Absolute Cancel]... Didn't negate the fist.

It simply... Shifted its trajectory... By millimeters.

The fist passed... Right by Percy's cheek. But the shockwave... Sent Percy flying.

BOOOOOOM!

William:

"TWENTY!"

Percy hit the ground.

Once.

Twice.

Three times. He stood up. Blood was dripping... From his nose. He smiled.

Holar too... Smiled.

Percy:

"You're badass..."

"Grandpa."

Everyone:

"PERCY!"

Holar's face... Flushed slightly.

Nathaniel:

"HE'S EMBARRASSED AGAIN!"

Holar:

"Eighteen seconds."

Percy's face fell.

"Motherfucker—"

BAM!

Percy flew again.

William:

"FIFTEEN!"

Percy's [Nature of Fire]... Field was shattering. Holar's aura... Was crushing him.

Percy pressed his hands... To the ground.

"I..."

He stood up.

"...am the leader..."

One step.

"...of..."

Second step.

"...the First..."

Holar came again. Percy's eyes... Sharpened. [Absolute Cancel]. Side step.

Fire.

Evasion.

"...Spark of Hope!"

Holar's attack... Destroyed the ground.

William:

"TEN!"

Clara's hands... Were clenched tight. Percy's body... Couldn't take it anymore.

Nine.

Holar's pressure increased.

Eight.

Percy's knees... Trembled.

Seven.

[Nature of Fire]... Extinguished.

Six.

Percy's right knee... Touched the ground.

Five.

"No."

He stood up.

Four.

Holar Jun... For the first time... Prepared a true attack.

Galahad's eyes widened.

"Percy!"

Three.

Percy gathered all his Orin... In front of him. [Absolute Cancel].

Two.

Holar's hand... Drove forward.

The world... Collapsed... Upon Percy.

ONE.

KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!

Percy's [Absolute Cancel]... Shattered. The fire went out. His Core emptied.

Percy's body... Was blown back. William looked at the clock. 29.9.

Percy... Was losing. Holar's eyes... Were on Percy.

He was about to take... One more step. And right at that moment... Clara screamed.

"UNCLE!"

Holar involuntarily... Looked at Clara. Clara's eyes... Were wide.

"PERCY ISN'T THERE!"

Holar's face changed.

"What?"

He turned his head back. Percy... Was right in front of him. Holar's eyes widened.

Clara... Had lied. And when Holar Jun... Realized this... William shouted.

"THIRTY!"

Silence.

30.00. Percy was on the ground. But... Time was up.

Holar Jun... Remained motionless. Clara covered her mouth... With her hands.

Percy on the ground... Opened his eyes. William looked at the clock. Looked again.

"Thirty..."

"...seconds."

Nathaniel:

"DID HE MAKE IT?!"

Arthur:

"HE MADE IT!"

Charlotte:

"PERCY!"

Galahad... Roared with laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Even Elizabeth... Was laughing. Eleanor looked first at Percy... Then at Clara.

Then... Covered her face with her hands.

"Clara..."

As for Holar Jun... He was still staring at Clara.

"You..."

Clara innocently:

"Yes, Uncle?"

Holar:

"Did you..."

"...lie to me?"

Clara:

"No."

Holar:

"You said Percy wasn't there."

Clara:

"Yes."

Holar:

"He was there."

Clara:

"Now he's on the ground."

Silence.

Nathaniel... Fell to his knees. He couldn't breathe... From laughing. Arthur turned away.

William took off his glasses. Marcus sat on the ground.

Galahad:

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Holar:

"Clara."

Clara:

"Uncle."

Holar:

"You tricked me."

Clara:

"Percy taught us..."

"...to use probabilities."

Silence.

Percy on the ground... Laughed.

"HAHAHAHA!"

Holar looked at him.

Percy:

"EVEN I..."

"DIDN'T EXPECT THAT!"

Holar:

"That doesn't count."

William:

"In the rules..."

"...it wasn't stated that..."

"outside intervention was forbidden."

Holar looked at William.

William:

"...Technically."

Holar:

"William."

William:

"Shutting up."

Percy tried to sit up. Clara immediately... Ran to his side.

Percy:

"You..."

Clara:

"Me."

Percy:

"My grandfather..."

"...you tricked him."

Clara:

"Yes."

Percy:

"The strongest man in the world."

"Yes."

"For me."

Clara stopped. Then... Her face flushed slightly red.

"For the squad."

Percy smirked.

"Sure."

Clara:

"Shut up."

Percy:

"I miss you more."

Clara's face... Turned bright red.

"Now is not the time!"

Percy:

"I miss you more."

Clara:

"I MISS YOU MORE!"

Nathaniel:

"THEY'RE AT IT AGAIN!"

Holar:

"TEN SECONDS AFTER..."

"TRICKING ME?!"

Eleanor couldn't hold back... Her laughter. Holar turned to her.

"Why are you laughing?"

Eleanor:

"Because..."

"...the strongest man in the world..."

"was tricked by your seven-year-old niece."

Holar:

"She's your daughter."

Eleanor:

"My daughter."

She said it proudly.

Holar:

"That's not something..."

"to be proud of."

Eleanor:

"I think it is."

Holar:

"Eleanor."

Eleanor:

"Father."

Galahad was still... Laughing. Holar turned to him.

"You shut up too."

Galahad:

"Brother..."

Took a breath.

"29.9!"

He roared with laughter again. Holar's aura... Rose slightly. Galahad instantly shut up.

"Just kidding."

Percy stood up.

Barely.

Clara held him. Holar Jun... Stood before his grandson. Percy instantly... Grew serious.

Holar for a while... Looked at him. Then at Clara. Then... Back to Percy.

"Thirty seconds."

Percy:

"Yes, Grandpa."

Holar:

"On your own..."

"...29.9."

Percy bowed his head.

"Yes."

Holar's lips... Curved slightly.

"But..."

"...a leader..."

"...does not fight alone."

Percy's eyes widened. Clara too... Looked at Holar.

Holar:

"The last tenth..."

"...your squad won for you."

Silence.

Holar placed his hand... Upon Percy's head.

"I think..."

"...you showed me..."

"what you needed to show."

Percy's eyes... Filled with tears.

Holar:

"To be the leader..."

"of the First Spark of Hope..."

"...to take the battlefield..."

"I grant you permission."

Percy bowed his head.

"Thank you..."

"...Grandpa."

Holar ruffled... His hair.

"But."

Percy:

"Yes?"

Holar pointed at Clara.

"That little trickster..."

"...you might consider..."

"removing her from your squad."

Clara:

"UNCLE!"

Percy:

"No way in hell."

Holar:

"Why?"

Percy:

"Just now..."

"...she tricked you."

Holar:

"THAT'S PRECISELY WHY!"

Percy:

"THAT'S PRECISELY WHY..."

"I WANT HER IN THE SQUAD!"

Nathaniel:

"HE'S RIGHT!"

Holar:

"YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!"

Nathaniel:

"With respect."

And... The final battle... Of the thirty-day camp... Ended like that.

A few hours later... The camp area... For the first time really... Was being disassembled.

Bags were packed. Belongings put away.

Nathaniel... Filling half the food supply... Into his own bag... Was caught.

Charlotte:

"Nathaniel."

Nathaniel:

"Waste is a sin."

William:

"You took food for twelve people."

Nathaniel:

"Waste..."

"...is a huge problem."

Arthur:

"Put it down, man."

On the other side... Percy was trying... To zip up his bag.

It wouldn't work. He sat on it.

Clara:

"What did you do to it?"

Percy:

"Nothing."

Clara:

"Why won't it close?"

Percy:

"I don't know."

Clara crouched down. Opened the bag. From inside... A stone came out. Percy went quiet.

A second stone. A third stone. A fourth. Percy slowly... Looked at Clara.

Clara acted innocent.

"What?"

Percy:

"What are these?"

Clara:

"Stones."

Percy:

"I CAN SEE THAT."

Clara:

"Then why did you ask?"

Percy:

"WHY ARE THEY IN MY BAG?!"

Clara:

"I don't know."

Percy:

"CLARA."

Clara:

"Percy."

Percy:

"You put them in."

Clara:

"Prove it."

Percy's eyes... Widened.

"You..."

Clara:

"Me?"

Percy:

"You tricked my grandfather..."

"...now are you..."

"gaslighting me?!"

Clara:

"What's that?"

Percy stopped.

"I don't know."

Nathaniel from a distance:

"I SAW THE STONES!"

Percy:

"I HAVE A WITNESS!"

Nathaniel:

"Clara didn't put them in."

Percy:

"...What?"

Nathaniel:

"I put them in."

Clara looked at Nathaniel. Nathaniel looked at Clara. The two of them... Laughed at the same time. Percy's eyes widened.

"DID YOU TWO TEAM UP?!"

Clara ran away. So did Nathaniel.

Percy:

"HEY!"

He ran after them.

"DID YOU THINK..."

"JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE LAST DAY..."

"I'D LET YOU OFF EASY?!"

Clara, while running... Was laughing out loud.

Nathaniel:

"LET'S SPLIT UP!"

Clara:

"ALRIGHT!"

Nathaniel went left. Clara went right. Percy stopped. Looked at both of them. Thought for a second.

Nathaniel:

"DON'T CHOOSE ME!"

Percy... Ran after Clara. Nathaniel stopped.

"...Whoa."

Arthur:

"What did you expect?"

Nathaniel:

"The president plays favorites."

William:

"Are you surprised?"

Nathaniel:

"No."

Clara looked back. Percy was approaching.

"SLOW DOWN!"

Clara:

"NO!"

Percy:

"IF I CATCH YOU..."

"I'LL PULL YOUR HAIR!"

Clara:

"YOU WANTED TO DO THAT..."

"ANYWAY!"

Percy froze. While running... His feet tangled together.

THUD!

He fell to the ground. Everyone went quiet. Clara stopped too. Slowly looked at Percy.

Percy from the ground:

"...How do you know?"

Clara smirked.

"This morning your eyes..."

"were on my hair."

Percy:

"I..."

Clara:

"Caught you."

Percy buried his face... Into the dirt.

"I want to go home."

Eleanor from a distance:

"So do we."

Holar:

"Especially me."

Percy raised his head. Holar was carrying his bag.

Percy:

"Grandpa..."

Holar:

"No."

"I didn't say anything."

"Still no."

Clara came beside... Percy. Extended her hand. Percy took it. Clara pulled him up.

Percy dusted... Himself off.

Clara:

"Did it hurt?"

Percy:

"No."

Clara:

"Liar."

Percy:

"A little bit."

Clara didn't let go of his hand. Percy looked at her.

"I miss you more."

Clara:

"I miss you more."

Percy:

"Here we go again."

Clara:

"You started it."

Percy:

"True."

And... The gates of the camp... Opened for the last time.

Thirty days ago... The children who had come here... Were not the same children.

They were stronger. They were faster. They were more durable. More importantly... They knew each other.

Who was afraid. Who would run. Who would turn back. Who would be the shield. Who would heal.

Who would see the path.

And... Who... Would walk first.

Percy, in front of the gate... Stopped once. He looked back. There were no scorpions. There were no piranhas.

The sand had been cleared. The log was gone.

But... Everywhere... There were memories.

Clara came beside him.

"What are you thinking?"

Percy:

"The first day."

Arthur stopped too.

William.

Charlotte.

Marcus.

Nathaniel.

Then... All of them. Percy smiled.

"We came here..."

"...as a class."

Arthur:

"And now?"

Percy took Clara's hand. He looked at the others.

"Now..."

"...we go together."

Holar Jun... Was watching them from the back. Eleanor was beside him.

Galahad.

Elizabeth.

Holar silently... Looked at Percy. Thirty seconds.

No.

29.9 seconds. That last tenth... Percy hadn't won. His team... Had won it for him.

On Holar's face... A small smile formed.

"The First Spark of Hope."

Eleanor looked at him.

"Do you like it?"

Holar:

"Yes."

Galahad:

"Me too."

Elizabeth:

"It's a good name."

Holar's eyes... Didn't leave the children.

"I hope..."

"...we never need it."

Eleanor:

"Need what?"

Holar:

"Hope."

A brief silence. Then... He smiled.

"But if we do..."

"...I think..."

"...we know where..."

"the first spark will come from."

Up ahead... Percy suddenly shouted.

"NATHANIEL!"

Nathaniel:

"WHAT?!"

"PUT THE FOOD BACK!"

"WASTE IS A SIN!"

"FOOD FOR TWELVE PEOPLE..."

"IN YOUR STOMACH..."

"IS THAT NOT A SIN?!"

"MY STOMACH..."

"IS SECURE STORAGE!"

Percy started running. Nathaniel ran away. Arthur roared with laughter. Charlotte ran after them.

William:

"Am I going to fight..."

"alongside these guys..."

"for a lifetime?"

Marcus slapped his shoulder.

"Yes."

William sighed.

"Nice."

Clara... Looked at running Percy.

"Percy!"

Percy turned while running.

"WHAT?!"

Clara put her hands... To her mouth.

"I MISS YOU MOOOOOOOORE!"

Percy's face... Instantly lit up. He forgot Nathaniel. He turned around.

"I MISS YOU MOOOOOOOOOORE!"

Nathaniel:

"HE STOPPED RUNNING AFTER ME!"

Arthur:

"RUN THEN!"

Nathaniel:

"RIGHT!"

And he ran. Laughter... Spread along the road.

None of them... Knew what the next semester... Would bring them.

None of them... Knew what their first real battle... Would be like.

They didn't know... What Emperors were.

Where their elements... Would take them... They didn't know.

Percy... How far he would go... They didn't know.

Clara... What secrets she carried... They didn't know.

Arthur... What kind of person... He would turn into, they didn't know.

And... Even Holar Jun... Did not know... How these children... One day... In the fate of the world... What kind of place they would hold.

But... One thing they knew. The path... Had now begun.

And the path's... First light... Had been lit.

THE FIRST SPARK OF HOPE.

END OF SEASON ONE.