Chapter 3: Too Close To The Sun
Making his way to the exam site now. The first person Blake is met with is a boisterous Red haired man, like a living flame on his head. Bouncing around a fireball in his hand.
Trying to manage his boredom. When Blake starts to approach the man, that's when the fireball disappears. The man turned around, now meeting Blake square in the eyes.
"Finally I thought I would be here all day". Finishing his sentence the man's attention is grabbed again. Looking at Blake even closer now. Using his power he looks within the boy standing before him now.
"Now you're an interesting one, the name is Pyre. I'm curious to see the intensity of your inner flame" He says, eyeing curiously at the energy circulating throughout Blake.
"It's already so bright which makes me wonder just what you went through considering that prosthetic ''. Pyre says, eyeing up the missing flesh on Blake.
"Don't hold back during this exam kid. I'll be judging you on everything". An excited smile forms on Pyre as he addresses this to Blake, the prospect of this match becoming more and more intriguing.
As the two get ready, Pyre leads them further into the exam site. A large rectangular space comes into view. Its transparent barriers with a bubble-like film, covering all sides acting as glass.Following Pyre within the space now. They get their position ready.
"The environmental setting for this space has already been decided, kid" Pyre says, trying to keep Blake as informed as possible for this exam.
"Wait, what do you mean environmental setting i thought we were just sparing in this space" Blakes confusion clearly surfacing in his expression.
"Not quite kid, we need to test you on everything from how you battle to how you deal with the environment and random occurrences of battle". Pyre chimes in again making sure Blake is up to speed.
"The main goal of this exam is to see how well you adapt". Pyre says keeping his pace.
The room now chimes out in a robotic monotone voice. "The Frozen tundra has been selected for your exam. The simulation room will now be locked for the duration of the exam. You have 2 hours to decide the victor".
When the robotic voice comes to a close. The normal pristine facility before them changes entirely. A frozen tundra in all its aspects is experienced by Blake. The howling gale of wind and the sheer amount of ice everywhere.
An unsteadiness forms with Blake. "I can do this, I can do this". The phrase dominates his mind to stop any second guessing from coming forward. Only his goal in the forefront.
"Remember kid, depending on the grade you achieve you could pass, just as easily as you can fail. However there is an opportunity for a retake. Just do your best and try to overcome this obstacle before you". Pyres' thumb now pointing at his face.
The subzero tundra fills both of their eyes as the battle starts to unfold between the two. Before the match can begin however, Pyre gets a good look at the materials used for Blakes prosthetic.
"Your smart kid, being able to make something like that in 3 hours. However the military doesn't give any of their rare materials. Just the common stuff. Steel especially isnt your friend in this environment. Tip for the future, cold and certain metals don't mix well with flesh".
Taking out another cigarette, Blake sparks it up. Exhaling with a relaxed expression now. "Pain will not stop me here". The fierce determination lights up his eyes.
"That flame of yours is getting agitated. This fight is going to be interesting". Intrigue and curiosity dominates Pyres mind seeing the roar of Blakes inner flame.
''I'm not going to have much time, his advice was not wrong about the cold. So I'm going to have to go all out from the beginning. I can't hold anything back for this one''. His thoughts pound throughout his head seeing the cards he's been dealt for the exam.
Blake starts to shiver a little, looking over at pyre to see if he's in a similar state. He's baffled to see that Pyre doesn't look cold at all. In fact his breath is full of steam.
"By that expression you're probably wondering how the cold doesn't affect me. My power is at work". He says with a sense of cockiness spreading like a flame.
"It allows me to speed up particles at a rapid rate, generating only heat or flames if I desire. That's how I'm able to stay warm and do stuff like this. Pyre flicks a fireball out into the air to demonstrate.
"Don't worry though I won't be using any of my fire on you, I just don't want to be cold". This hits Blakes fragile ego like a knife, the examiner is even pitying him, not wanting to use his power.
"Enough explanation though let's see what you got kid". A flame flickers in Pyres' eyes as he says this, getting into his battle stance now.
Attaching his keepups now Blake sets them to max, not wanting to regret anything from this fight. A vicious humm is emitted from the keepups now.
"This exam will require your everything, try to last as long as you can or try and knock me out". Pyres' skin begins to glow reflexively to his battle stance.
"I never wanted the easy road I needed to go forward, but I respect you as one of the few I can bear to look at". Blake says, dragging at his cigarette.
At once he begins skating as fast as possible now, Blake tries to build his momentum as he prepares for a strike on Pyre. Forcing all of his attention into his legs.
Generating as much speed as he can, coiling his muscles whilst bending his knees he launches himself into the air. The momentum behind him sends him soaring through the air at Pyre.
Trying to keep his form stable in the air, Blake positions himself for a headbutt, giving this spar everything he has. He takes an immense gamble to land as much damage as possible.
However, as he's about to make contact with Pyre. An image of despair floods his mind seeing Pyre sidestep his strike.
Reaching out to the exposed Blake, Pyre tries to grip Blakes face however is only met with his prosthetic as Blake desperately tries to protect himself. If Pyre had been using his power for this match it wouldn't even be an exam.
"You have to be prepared for everything kid, the battle is always changing, a sure fire attack can always fail.". Pyre says as he grabs Blakes prosthetic.
Shifting his weight onto his other foot. Pyre brings Blake down hard into the ice. Unforgiving as he always is when trying to teach. Blakes body crashes into the rough ice tearing and shredding his skin up as he makes contact. Keeping his focus strong, Blake takes the brief opportunity to strike.
''I HAVE TO GIVE THIS EVERYTHING I GOT''. His inner philosophy dominates his mind making it harder to think straight.
His foot sweeps quickly across the ground, carrying forward with all of his rotational energy. Blake manages to strike his heel right into Pyres chin, before backing off and creating some distance between them.
Recovering from the strike, Pyre is rubbing his chin before he sends Blake a remark. "You've got to be careful kid, you don't have much time left. Just look at the flesh near your prosthetic". The flesh now tearing and ripping from the cold on Blakes stump, blood is trickling down his prosthetic now.
''I can't let this opportunity slip away, I can't be powerless again, I refuse to let something like that happen ever again''. A deep burning glow of determination is seen in Blakes green eyes as these thoughts flood by.
"That inner flame of yours is starting to rage. Don't hold back now kid". A smirk forms on Pyre, his excitement getting the better of him.
Before he can clean the smirk off his expression, a loud piercing screech is heard. Followed by the emission of steam.
"I have to go forward". He yells out revealing his ace in the hole. Pressing a button on the makeshift prosthetic, it's launches through the air at Pyre without any mercy.
Detaching from Blakes stump with the momentum of the steam carrying it forward. Before Pyre can recover from the shock of this idea. The fist of the prosthetic connects with his jaw.
A cold expression is seen from Blake as he skates forward as best as he can now. Using what's left of the energy in the keepups he picks up all the momentum he can, closing the distance he created.
Blake begins to follow up on the opening he just created. Chasing after the arms path, launching himself into the air again. Praying for a different result.
Coiling his muscles again using all the momentum built up in his body. He directs all of his force into his leg bringing it down like a guillotine on the disorientated Pyre.
However to the horror of Blake the strike doesn't land where he needs it to. It is blocked by Pyres' thick burly arms.
"I warned you already kid, you have to be prepared for the changes of battle; anything can happen at any moment. Such as your opponent blocking your ace". A sad expression is seen on Pyre as he delivers this advice to Blake.
A tight grip is felt, Pyres thick fingers wrapping tightly around Blakes ankle now. "I'm not trying to be cruel but i have to teach you this lesson so brace for a little bit of pain kid".
Before Blake can ask what he means by this, his body is flung hard and he is met with the cruel rough ice tearing into him once again as his consciousness slips away.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone