6 CHAPTER 5 (1/2)

”JEFF, JEFF.”

”JEFF, someone was calling him, it felt distant but yet familiar, what had happened? Jeff couldn't tell. He felt the cold hands of darkness enveloping him. The urge to stay with this darkness was enticing.

”Jeff, hope you are okay?” The voice called again but this time it was nearer.

Jeff groaned as if in a deep sleep and opened his eyes, he felt like lying down there forever, but then saw two pair of concerned eyes staring down at him.

”Thank the heroes you are okay,” Matt said as he pulled him into a tight hug. Jeff was surprised to see himself lying on the floor, covered with dirt.

”What happened” he asked Matt who pulled him up to his feet.

”You tell me Jeff. You bloody tell me how you made the impossible appear so easy” Matt said laughing.

Jeff stared at him with confusion but then he remembered. That was when he noticed that they were standing in the mist of multitudes, all cheering and chanting the name, Grayoner. An ancient name once used to praise someone who had done something great. A name that had lay forgotten since the death of his father, a name used to refer to the Grays.

Jeff stared, taking the sight all in; they were clapping for him, for the little him. Had he made it? Did he cross the Rubicon that obstructed his father for years?

”Matt, how is this possible, the Red guy was hundreds of steps ahead.”

”I don't know Jeff, one moment you were in front of me and the next moment you were gone like a lightning bolt. And here you are lying on the dirt with the crowd chanting your name. I was hoping you would tell me Jeff.” Matt said it quickly, amidst of catching his breath and laughing at the same time.

Jeff looked around to make sure he was the one they were clapping for. The post bearing the last anemometer, which signifies the finish line, was distant away. He must have fallen off his board when passed that line.

”But what about the guy in Red, was he-”

”Am a girl you know.” Said a soft feminine voice

Jeff turned and behind him stood a young beautiful girl in Red jumpsuit. She had her red hair tied in a ponytail; with skin color like that if the evening sun. Her rose perfect lips and snow white eyes were engraved gracefully in an oval face, with smoothness, reminding Jeff of a fresh apple.

”I thought you...emm....I'm Jeffred Peters and this is my friend Martins Zonna.” Jeff said sharply and held out his hand for a hand shake. He had long forgotten the crowd. Matt too was also under the same effect of the girl as he dusted his body off the dirt he had gotten from Jeff.

”Am Emazita Long” the girl took his hand and Jeff could feel the soft skin underneath the toothless gloved. He wanted to hold her hands and never let go, but that would but stupidity, he barley know the girl.

”Let the contestants step forward please.” The Selector from the academy said. The twenty-five, both those that were disqualified all walked to the right hand side of the square, to where the throne of the king had arrived and now resting.

The noise from the crowd ceased as the King stood up and walked down the podium. There was grace to every step he made; he was from the gold linage, the linage of kings and the strongest of all. His gold robe which was emblazoned with different coppery pattern, swerve gently behind him, and the image of an eagle clutching a snake, was embedded around his silver scepter. His gold crown resting on his dark hair sparked when it caught the rays of the morning sun. His aging brown eyes studied the young faces of the racers; he was smiling though, bringing more lines to his face.

His eyes paused when fell on Jeff who was looking at him with wild mouth.

”What's your name kid?”