Chapter 126

*Ivan*

Ariya was able to have Drake and Keo join the conversation.

*Is everything ok?* Drake asked, worried.

*Yeah, sorry. You guys are still a little ways away from us. I just wanted to see if you guys noticed anything and figured it was easier if we all talked about it at the same time instead of repeating.* I explained.

Caleb laughed, *You're freaking fast. Ariya gave me a tip and said it was like you were driving through the ground when you were running and that helped me out but it takes a lot more energy to do that. I was gassed after 5 minutes of trying to catch up.*

*True but you're even faster than I am when you do that. However you're doing it is more effective than the way that I do it. I didn't change my speed until you started catching up.* I told him.

*There's more to it. Keo and I talked about it and shared our memories with each other already. Ivan, your center of gravity is lower than Caleb's. Even though you're a lot bigger than he is.* Drake explained.

*What does that mean?* Ariya asked.

*It means that Ivan's running lower to the ground. So he's able to go faster because there's not as much distance that he has to cover to continue pushing off the ground.* Drake explained.

*That's how Ivan started running after Caleb began to catch up!* Ariya exclaimed.

*Yeah, it speeds me up even more but it's hard to keep that going. I only realized I could do it the night of the attack.* I explained.

I thought back to the night of the attack and how I dove under Ariya to pick her and Keo up and get away from Boss.

*That's what you were trying?* Caleb asked.

*Yeah. It was something that I did instinctually that night but it was more to get out of there. I didn't realize it made me so much faster. I just figured I would try something different when you were catching up.* I told him.

*It's probably not sustainable for a long time though. Would it be better to continue just working on endurance and gaining speed by continuing the way you're going?* Keo asked.

*We could put weight on them. That would slow them down. As they get back to the pace they were at, taking the weight off should make them feel lighter and able to go faster.* Ariya suggested.

*The weight would be better if it was on our feet. On our back it's like we're carrying someone. Which we should also do. But if we're trying to increase our speed then it needs to be on our feet.* I added.

*I'm sure there's something we can find and use to make some weights. It would help with speed. Is speed going to be an issue though?* Drake asked.

*It will for Ariya and I. We're going to have to be fast enough to either catch Boss off guard before he can use his ability, or be fast enough that his ability can't catch us. Besides, Boss has a gravity ability that makes it harder to move and can pin you to the ground.* I mentioned.

*I think there's a limit to it. Remember when you had me lose control. Boss was trying to hold me in place and said that he could only do it for so long, remember?* Ariya added.

*Do you remember the amount of pressure he was putting on you? If we can recreate that pressure and you can still get up and move, that would make a big difference in fighting part of his ability.* Drake asked.

*If I felt it again I would be able to tell you. It was enough pressure that I think he cracked my ribs.* Ariya said.

I growled, *That's a lot of pressure.*

*Yes, but that's probably about the max he can put and he probably can't keep it for very long. Remember you got back into the room and he released the pressure. But he also had me in the air at one point so I'm a little confused on what happened when. I was kinda out of it.* Ariya said.

*If the pressure is enough to break bones we'll need to change tactics. I think you're right on being able to fight through the pressure but I think you need to be able to move fast enough to get away from the pressure he's putting on you as well.* Drake said.

*So 2 different parts to work on. Just 1 of them we don't know where to even begin.* Ariya grumbled.

*It's ok, we'll figure it out. Caleb, have you recovered enough to be able to run back to them?* I asked him.

*Yeah I think so. You're talking about the fast run, right?* Caleb asked.

*That's right. We're going to have a race. But with everyone staying connected. I don't know if we can feel how the other is running but if we can maybe it will help us out?* I suggested.

*You're on!* Caleb said, excited.

Caleb and I turned to face the direction that Drake and Keo were in. We lined up evenly and leaned low to the ground.

*ReadySetGO!* Ariya called off for us.

I lunged forward, pushing off as hard as I could with my back legs as I raced back. Caleb and I were neck in neck as we ran. I tried to keep my body as low as when I started as we ran and slowly I started to push past Caleb. I pushed as hard as I could with my paws as I ran down the road. Each step propelled me forward as I went. We continued our race with Caleb slightly behind me. He wasn't as far behind me as he usually ended up but I was very clearly faster than him. It wasn't by a lot though. Caleb's speed had increased drastically. The only thing we needed to work on was his endurance. That would come with time.

*You ok back there?* I asked Caleb.

*I'm hanging on. I feel like I'm faster. I'm trying to copy what you're doing.* Caleb told me.

I could hear his labored breathing, even in his mind. He was running out of steam. We hadn't been running for long but we were almost back to Drake and Keo.

*We're almost there. Give it every last little bit you have.* I encouraged him as I surged forward even faster.

Keo and Drake were just up ahead. I could tell they were focused on seeing the way we ran. Seeing if there was anything that we could do differently to increase our speed. We slowed to a stop and Caleb laid down, panting heavily.

"You ok, Caleb?" Keo asked.

*I'llbefine. Ivan'stryingtokillme.* Caleb panted.

My own breathing was faster than normal but not as bad as Caleb's. He was trying to catch his breath.

*Sorry Caleb. Maybe I pushed a little too hard.* I apologized to him.

*You're good. I need to get faster. I also need more endurance.* Caleb said, getting his strength back.

If that was one thing about all of us, we regained our strength relatively quickly. It wasn't always that way but it was faster when we were well rested and fed. Ariya, Drake, and Keo were even quicker at recovering.

I shifted back to my human form. Caleb did the same thing. The others severed the connection we had in our mind and I looked at them curiously.

"You're able to tell us what Ariya is saying. It's not fair to you to be stuck with all of us in your head. You're still getting used to it." Drake told me.

I smiled to myself, "Thank you."

*They know this is an adjustment to you. They're trying to respect that. We'll need to talk at times, but it doesn't mean that they always have to be in your mind.* Ariya told me.

*You're the only one I want in my mind all the time.* I told her.

*I'll be here, always.* Ariya told me.

"Shall we check to see if your memories have been tampered with? Or do you need a minute?" Drake asked me.

"Does Ariya need to leave for you to check?" I asked him.

"It's probably easier. Otherwise I might end up looking in her mind too." Drake told me.

*It's not going to be for long, Ivan. I'll be right back as soon as he's done. I can go hang out with Keo for a minute.* Ariya told me.

I sighed, "Ok. Ari's going to hang out with Keo for a minute."

Drake nodded and walked over to me putting his hand on my head. I closed my eyes, my breathing picking up. I don't know why but I was nervous. I wasn't worried about Drake but I was worried about what we would find. Drake looked at Keo who nodded, letting him know that Ari was with him. I gasped as a sharp pain moved through my body.