AFTER

Thunk! The knife went deep into the tiny circle in the center of the target. I spun around, throwing two more knives at the same time. The blade of my second knife bit into the handle of my first. My third knife had cut the handle of my second in half. The two even wooden halves fell to the floor. I could see the clean cuts.

I heard someone clapping slowly. I turned around, my eyes widening.

"C-Commander Flame!" I immediately dropped down on one knee, head bowed. He chuckled.

"No need for that. You may rise. I'm rather impressed," He said, smiling. I muttered something.

"Pardon? I couldn't catch that," He said.

"I said that it wasn't enough. Not enough to get them back." My amber eyes burned with fury and rage. I will find them. I will destroy them. I will make them pay.

"You have the talent. And the motivation," Commander Flame continued. "Would you like to be included in the Shadow Clan?" My eyes widened.

"The Shadow Clan?" It was the most advanced group (or 'Clan') our organization had. I had been in the Water Clan, then the Earth, then Fire, Sand, and Warrior. I smiled.

"Yes!" I said.

"Good. I was hoping for that. Meet me tomorrow for your test." He turned, and I bowed as he left, my amber eyes burning with even more determination.